Taking Control of Audio

When you’re creating videos, image quality is only part of the picture. Sound is crucial, too, and your FUJIFILM X Series camera is capable of giving your movies the soundtrack they deserve.

There are many ways to record audio when making video, but even the simplest approach – using your camera’s built-in microphone – can sound great if it’s done properly. To this end, it’s worth giving some thought to the settings that determine how audio is captured, and some camera-handling techniques that can prevent rookie errors from spoiling the end result.

Recording Levels

The sensitivity of your camera’s microphone can be controlled manually or set to automatic. Both of these options are useful.

Automatic Mode

Automatic mode lets you focus on what’s happening in front of the camera and be spontaneous with your video. When something fun is happening at a party, for example, you don’t want to be messing around trying to find the right audio sensitivity – you just want to start recording the moment.

© Alison Conklin

The disadvantage of using automatic recording levels becomes apparent when things get momentarily quiet – the lulls between people speaking, for instance. In the absence of sound, your camera might increase the sensitivity of its built-in microphone to try and find something to record. This can lead to distracting background noise being heard, or even some audible electronic ‘hiss’ noise. And when your subject starts speaking once more, this may be too loud for a brief moment while your camera turns down its sensitivity.

To set recording levels to automatic:

• Press MENU OK and scroll to the MOVIE SETTING menu tab.
• Scroll down to the AUDIO SETTING option and press MENU OK.
• Choose INTERNAL MIC LEVEL ADJUSTMENT > AUTO.

(Note: on many X Series cameras this option is only available when the camera is in Movie mode.)

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Manual Mode

To get around the up-down, up-down cycle of automatic sound level, try switching to manual. This gives you control over what audio sounds like.

• Press MENU OK and scroll to the MOVIE SETTING menu tab.
• Scroll down to the AUDIO SETTING option and press MENU OK.
• Choose INTERNAL MIC LEVEL ADJUSTMENT > MANUAL.

Select a dB setting, paying careful attention to the level indicators, which are telling you how loud everything sounds at the moment. Adjust the level so the indicators average at the line about two thirds of the way up. Too low and your soundtrack will be too quiet; too much and audio could sound distorted.

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Since the process of manually setting recording levels is time-consuming and can rob you of your spontaneity, it’s best used for things like vlogging, interviews, or recording live performances, when you have time to prepare.

Be Quiet!

Your camera’s built-in microphone can be found on the top of the camera body. It’s small and can be easily covered up by your fingers if you’re holding the camera in an unusual way, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with its location. Consult your camera’s instruction manual if you’re in any doubt. The image below shows the microphone position on the X-T200; there are two holes to capture stereo sound.

Also remember that, when you’re filming, the microphone picks up any sounds you make, and these may be louder that the sounds you’re trying to record from your subject. Not just chuckles or your conversations with the person standing next to you (we’ve all done it!), but also button presses and the clicks of the camera’s control wheel.

For this reason, it’s good to get in the habit of setting up the camera exactly as you want it before you start filming.

Your Next Steps

• CHALLENGE Find something that you love the sound of – a waterfall, your children playing, or simply the sound of the city – and film it using your camera’s video mode. Switch to manual recording mode if you need to. Post your favorite clip to social media with the hashtag #MyFujifilmLegacy and #sounds. You can also submit your work here for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.  

Header image © Alison Conklin