It’s always easier to optimize the quality of the recorded audio than to fix substandard audio in post-production. If possible, use an external microphone whenever you shoot videos. A lavalier (lapel) mic, like the type newscasters use, is unobtrusive and especially helpful when you want to hear someone’s voice clearly. To provide off-camera narration—as with a podcast or overdub—a good-quality headset mic works best. Noise-canceling models, or at least headphones that fully cover the ear, will serve you better than earbuds. Most good audio-editing tools can remove background noise, but only if the noise is constant. Variable environmental noise cannot be easily removed. Record these sounds clearly without worrying about the video footage. While editing, you can move the audio clips around and have them play underneath different parts of your video. However, very high wind conditions will overwhelm even high-quality mics with wind screens.
