Audio Post Processing for Videos 

50 years in broadcast media...most of that time in radio. We always laughed at TV people for how awful their sound was. Then about 22 years ago I started dabbling in video and soon discovered that most video professionals considered audio manipulation to be some kind of sorcery. All I could do was laugh, since I found all the complex matters concerning video to be far more complex than audio, which always came easy to me. Marcus is right here. But I would add one thing: Your ears are going to HEAR things differently from one day to the next, from one month to the next, from one year to the next. Maybe it's the variance in barometric pressure, or just the amount of salt in your diet, I really don't know. But your ears and your brain process sounds differently over time. I've processed my own voice tracks one day and felt like I never could get the sound quite right, and then a week later they sounded fine. Or I processed a voice track until it sounded and felt perfect, and then I come back to it a month later and it sounds shrill and annoying. What I have learned as a voice talent over the years is that whatever "processing chain" I think I need to use to sound my best will be different in six months or a year from now. So I'm constantly tweaking it. So if a client that I'm working with just wants me to record a pick-up line and they intend to splice it into something I recorded last year, I'll tell them I'd rather just re-cut the whole thing, because something I record today may not match up with something I recorded a year ago. Audio tends to be a moving target. And as much as I would like to believe that once I get the perfect sound for my voice, experience tells me that my perception of it will be different later. So just expect to be constantly tweaking and revising your processing chain as time goes by.

I’ve worked with audio for over 30 years. Like Markus says and I completely agree . It’s a moving target. Recording, mixing & processing. No 2 projects are ever the same.

As physicist I always say "Get the best raw data possible" and I this is the same for video/audio - your video confirms my basic idea! And thanks a lot for directing me away from "tech" to the "story" ... this is very helpful to reduce wasting time with new stuff but concentrate on stuff I own and learn to handle it properly.

I've been doing it all wrong, with varying degrees of failure. You completely resolved my roadblocks. I was placing mics wrong, I was using a limiter wrong, compressor wrong etc.! You're the swellest down to earth splainer there ever was. Story: as a kid, I lived around people in the music biz, studios, recording sessions etc. and didn't have the presence of mind to comprehend the value and experience it the right way . Don't get me wrong, I learned and knew, and could hear (like in your content) the difference, learned there was a difference between good and bad devices and good and bad recording practices...been scolded for behaving in a non-conducive manner in the 'environment' ..more than once. Big thanks Markus.

One thing I would add as someone who has worked on major label records for over 20 years. When mixing (post processing) audio it's best to not work on it after a long day because your ears will fatigue and you won't even notice. We never mix a record after spending all day recording (tracking) it. We always star fresh the next day. Work on audio as early after you wake up and monitor at low volumes. Your ears are at their peak performance after a nice rested long sleep. Audio work isn't sorcery it's just finding what works for your voice/sound and years of experimentation.

"Don't depend on technology to save your ass..." Love it! And I totally agree. Tell it like it is, no hold punches. Great series and I'm looking forward to the next video.

Your “Learn the basics; do it right” summarizes the whole video. Thanks again for a great video. I’m so glad RU-vid recommended your content - sometimes the algorithm works right.

Confession. I saw a video of yours from ages ago and thought "this dude is too flash/wealthy/coiffured ;) for a simple country boy like me" and I moved on. I'm so glad a came back. I have been setting up a little studio here in New Zealand and all of your latest videos have taught me something valuable I didn't know before. I can see these take a long time to do (maaan, that mic test!) . Thank you.

Absolutely, do it right in the first place. There are NO shortcuts. I live by this rule. Learn and do it right. Appreciate your vibrant sharing.

I love how you are a "No BS" type of content creator.🔥

Hi folks, I'm here to learn about audio. I've always taken the view of 'get it right in camera' - had to, started with black and white roll film ..... in the industry the camera gal/guy is called a 'Lighting Cameraman' - I know, one day it will be gender neutral. As Marcus said, it's the lighting. Same thing with sound, it's the acoustic surroundings. Post processing is the icing on the cake. It's finessing what has already been achieved for both video and audio. Right, enough babble, time to listen. And learn.

My favorite time of the week ..to listen to Markus

0:09 at least 80% of audio is done before processing (no magic) 2:35 audio processing for 95% of people vs audiophiles 3:50 where to start; presets 4:10 built in audio processing, plugins and apps 4:46 auto fix options in apps 5:18 workflow: step 1 clean up background 6:08 record extra background sound 6:30 step 2 limiter, under -3db 8:00 echo and reverb 8:25 compression 10:45 the listener hardware and preferences 12:07 What are your settings Markus? Thanks for the masterclass again Markus! 🙏

I feel like you yelled at me like my eighth grade teacher at St. Luke’s in Lakewood Ohio. And I loved every minute of it.

Markus you told them the truth and you can't do it on just one button LOLOL....so right ON....looking forward to your next video.

I once read, Roy Baker (Queen) kept a small transistor radio speaker ontop of his sound mixer. After all the fancy recording and mixing he wanted to hear what it would sound like on the radio. I must admit, listening to Queen in Mono, it's field of depth is incredible... the drums hit you hard, fall back softly, then hit you again! (Radio Gaga)

That intro is priceless ! No one is ready for the truth, haha ! Massive thanks for sharing your knowledge !!

You're aman after my own heart, Markus. It's as if people want to acquire a skill, much as they might the latest fashion or gaddget. Acquisition of this kind requires actual learning and a willingness to use one's ears. That, in its turn, requires something called effort.

I really like how you are brutally honest. You have to put in the work.......You can't train experience.

Thanks for the rant in the beginning! As an audio producer I can shout AMEN at that! 🙏

honestly i hate when people just tell you to do stuff without explaining the reasoning behind it. The philosophy behind the process for doing what your doing I find to be so much more useful than just giving me mindless steps to take.

Thanks again Markus you ooze the philosophical perspective so many people need to hear instead of obsessing over gear, work with what you have, learn from mistakes and MAKE ART.

Absolute best teacher/motivational talker on creating & maintaining.

Human beings tend not to put in the effort and do the work , thank you Markus for your continued contributions to our betterment.

Create your own sound, do it your own way, make some art. This is important stuff to counter the RU-vid amateur lemming effect. Thank you so much!

Not even 4:00 into this and I feel like I could have already clicked the like button 100x.

Your so right about setup. Audio and video takes time and preparation. I think most of us are lazy with setup myself included. Thanks for the tip on RX7 that seems like a winner for background noise.

I like your philosophy. Everyone is trying to find some magic presets, patterns and settings, forgetting that every product is unique. And this applies not only to the technical side of production, but also to the creative side. Music and cinema today are full of copycats and clones, stamped like burgers at McDonald's. Everyone wants to create, but few want to be creative.

Whoa I now it’s an audio episode, but then you open with SUPER DOPE multi-cam, camera movement, moody lighting - SHHEEWWWWWWW I know the How-To I want next! 😁

Markus, you're absolutely spot on. I work in radio and voice over and everything you said I totally agree with. Also you can listen to something you recorded, for example at night and it sounds great then the next day you go back and it sounds like crap. Regards, Tim in Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 😊

Nice lighting setup . I like it when natural reverb disappears when You are intimately close to the lens. Don't read too many comments, relax and make us happy with the new SOUND episode.:) O! and I am an audiophile, instead of listening to crapy compressed youtube audio I rather connect my valve amps to decent analog or digital sources. With average headphones to a soundcard, You sound terrific!

well said Markus!

Great tips for any beginner Marcus. If you start out practicing the basics you'll end up sounding like a pro.

Markus, I teach audio production and post-production and all I got to say is "Amen, brother". You hit the nail on the head with "get your recording right BEFORE post" so you minimize the work you need to do in post-production. Also, if you have a clean recording to start, then you can do MORE in post if you want and be really creative. My mantra in class is "it's easier to dirty up a clean recording than to clean up a dirty recording." Nicely done, and I like your passion in the video. You really convey how important it is to do the work up front.

The best part of this video, for me, is seeing the sheer chaos of icons that is Markus's computer desktop.

Thank's for complimenting my JBL monitors 😋 I saw a documentary with Robyn (if you recognize the Swedish artist) when she made (makes?) the masters for her music. They brought the laptop into her car, and always checked how it sounded when driving, so not only the speakers. But also with the road noise when driving, as she herself often listened to music in her car, interesting perspective.

In a professional recording studio there are always a pair of inexpensive car speakers mounted in boxes. You mix the the album using the $3000 each studio speakers but you mix the single on the car speakers because that is how most people will listen to it.

Your are absolutely right...ditto for still images. Everyone is viewing on different devices that "colours" the image away from your original output. You gotta just pick somewhere down the middle.

Markus i love how honest you are and tell it straight up Facts! people just want the "Easy Fix" just do this and just do that easy peasy and DONE! nope it just doesn't work that way lol. i love this Channel cannot wait for more from you sir.

15:08 i know its Two year old video (if people are going to pinpoint on that) and yes i am very happy after hearing every single thing. Thats the reality check people needed to start doing something instead looking for shortcuts. some things that can be solved with some short solution will be presented "in short" but not everything has that " in short " solution ( specially not today, maybe in future but not today), Last part of this video are the filters ( just like audio software filters) to a cloudy perspective.

It was like a lecture but I still learned something.

I wanted a magic button, I felt like the only way I was going to get good audio was with a magic button. But after watching a bunch of other audio videos. I ended up buying a zoom h1n. And that thing has been a lifesaver! Being able to see your levels and add a limiter makes a world of difference. Also I'm one of those hat wearers. And clipping the mic onto the brim of the hat was a fantastic idea and gives me way better sounding audio than clipping it to my shirt. Thanks Markus for all the amazing videos and inspiration ❤️

Amen! If you want something done right do it during production and not in Post.

Agree, everyone wants a pill or procedure to fix what ails them, 10 sec in the microwave, and the easy button for everything. The art of hard work is disappearing. Thanks for teaching us how to fish and not just giving us a fish.

Markus, I love your videos and amazing work. I originally found your channel from the "Why I don't shoot RAW or 4K" video and I can't believe that doesn't have over a million views yet! You truly are an inspiration! Keep up the awesome work! That said, I have never used a mic and record all of my youtube videos with my hero 9 and galaxy s9. Maybe time for a change! Although even with the standard audio, my videos do alright. Never had a complaint about the audio.

All these videos about audio have been great and I have learned a lot and have enjoyed each and every one. I think my favorite part, so far, is where to put the mic on a lady. Thanks, Markus!!

Thanks for the video, Markus. I always learn from the way you do things. Much appreciated. Have a nice day.

This reality check was WAY more helpful than a "preset Video" Thank you Markrus

Thank you for making this video, Markus. Much appreciated!

I really appreciate the advice and tips you provide here on this channel. I learn so much from you. Thank you.

I've been an audio recording engineer forever like back in the days of the Tascam 1/2" 8 track recorder on Ampex 456 tape. Now I do a lot of field recording and eurorack sound designing. People should understand that there are many differences in people and every one hears things differently. It must really be bad in the world of RU-vid if you have to loudly explain and tell everyone to just not ask for the quick solution. With all the knowledge and experience you've gained through trial and error and you weight out the good and the bad before making your decisions and that is key. It's just a shame because you are the king pin and people should listen to every word you have to say for your knowledge is golden and vast. I just don't want to see you get an ulcer or have a heart attack for you are my new go to guy. My weekends are filled with watching as many of your videos posted and I love them all. It's just a sad state of the world if everyone just wants to get to the finish line before they even get out of the gate. Enlightenment is not a place or destination it is the journey to your place of destination. Knowledge is key and people should just listen and take notes for you are a teacher of the highest degree. Please don't stress so much and fly above it all.

man thank you for all of your hard work, this series has been phenomenal, keep up the awesome work

Great stuff as always Markus. Thank you.

OMG I had no idea what the compressor did and never bothered after playing for 5 secs one time and not knowing WTF I was even doing. I just played with the multiband compressor in the studio version of resolve, making my cheap condenser mic sound like a pro boom mic. I recorded it well in the first place, but what a difference playing with the compressor made. I still don't know what I'm doing on a lot of knobs, I just know it sounds much richer and more podcast like and, less tinny. Thank you!

I’m enjoying this series. Thank you.

This is what I've been waiting for. The magic ! Thanks Markus

I really enjoyed this series. thanks for sharing

I love your honesty and creativity!

thank you film man! i was waiting for the video. your videos always 'infotaining' to say learning and entertainment together.

Superb series in every way. Bravo.

Great advice as usual Markus. The tip of recording the background sounds will no doubt come in very handy. Thanks. I look forward to your next video.

Fabulous video, and such honest content. Thank you. Yes, definitely every project is unique. Siting of microphones is super important. Thank you Markus.

I have Izotope RX9 and I only mention this because of a feature that was only available in version 9 as far as I know. It's the "Dialogue Isolate" feature that can literally remove all the background noise like cars, sirens, barking dogs, helicopters and reverb along with computer fans or any other background noise. It makes it disappear like magic while leaving only the main vocals behind. It blows my mind every-time I use it. Some of us don't have the luxury of recording in deserted remote locations, some of us, like specifically me, I have non stop barking dogs and traffic to deal with almost every time I press that record button. It sucks and no amount of preparation will fix my environment, it just is what it is. So I let RX9 do what it does and wow, it is impressive stuff! But otherwise, yeah, I'm 100% with ya. From the set up to the post processing. I use FabFilter brand EQ, Compressor, Limiter, etc as my primary tweak and tuning software and the Izotope RX9 as my primary "repair" or "magic bullet". If a more powerful combination exists currently, I am certainly unaware of it. But on those rare occasions when my world is finally quiet, a little preparation equals a whole lot of done! Thanks for doing this whole series. I/we appreciate it. Cheers 🍻

Hi Markus Thanks for your time and effort taken to share your insights. I subscribed a while back, enjoy your 'tell it how it is' approach. I'm surprised you don't have more subscribers. I don't always agree with everything you say, but find your insights useful to reflect on before deciding how to progress my own learning journey. I'm basically a long time stills photographer attempting to upskill myself (amateur fun use) on audio and video.

I know now how to use a limiter! You're fantastic for the community . Thanks

another great video! Thanks Markus!

such a good and funny video well done Markus - very engaging!

Appreciate all the time you spent to demonstrate this. 👍👍

Worked in audio for year and I totally agree!

Down to Earth message, GIGO. Thanks for the emphasis.

you can tell this series of videos has really brought up his energy.

Another great stuff ..... Thanks Markus

Preach! Great setup to challenge fixing the problem first. 👍🏽

Tell ‘em like it is!!! Bravo Markus!!!

Thank you for the knowledge mark !

Totally agreed with you Marcus, we have to take time and practice to get to the point we want.

Dude you are awesome. Thanks for the breakdown, you rock.

I love what you are saying! So true, so real. I you want to be good at something, there are no shortcuts. Looking forward to every upcoming video from you, Markus!

Great tips! Thank you very much!

Sound engineering is art

Thanks for this video, I was one of the people that asked for it. You're so so good at this stuff - I really appreciate what you do and how well you do it.

Markus, another fantastic video. Thank you for your dedication to us, your viewers to share all your experience and explains in just a clear way.

beautiful video Markus and thank you for sharing your knowledge with us greetings from Belgium

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I know the audio basics but I have not been using the modern tools in the computer to improve the audio much. I totally agree with the thrust of your video. You have to do audio basics right to begin with. But giving me a peek into your audio post processing workflow on computers really helps. Thank you for this and the whole audio series.

Finally a person that is willing to admit that anything that could by great takes planning to get to that level of possible greatness. It does not magically happen

great gems brother!! yes practice always makes perfect (in my mind's eye lol) audio is always evolving and when you find your personal sweet spot, that is what you work with. Thanks, bro for helping a newbie with the processes!

Having spent 8 years in the noisiest city in SE Asia, it is a real challenge to get decent audio. I have learned a lot, but every project seems to be a new learning experience. I will wholeheartedly agree that -3db is the sweet spot for your dialog track. I've really enjoyed your audio series. I know it was a lot of work, but very worthwhile to watch all of it. Thanks!

Some of those Isotope experts are amazing! Got RX7 Standard last year to clean up a series of Zoom meetings with horrendous audio(it was on sale). I improved it by at least 50 % but still couldn’t clear the step-overs(dogs, cell phones, computer notifications etc).

You are the greatest Markus. So generous with your knowledge. Appreciated bro.

Well done 👍🏻 thanks for creating this awesome video mate. Cheers 🥂

Yes I agree to! You can’t fix a bad recording! Yes you can bring up the levels if too low but if it’s too hot, nothing can fix it!

Nothing beats good old fashioned craftsmanship.

Beautiful. Great video.

Markus, Love the video and Im glad you tell it like it is. Im a musician and I have done videos and audio over the years and 100% correct there is no 1 thing! Love the content!

Great series!

Thank you very much again for your content!

You are so generous to share all these information

Great video. Thanks Markus.

Hi Markus, another enjoyable video. Love your integrity and telling it how it is. I'm mostly a stills guy, now intent on learning to be good with video, storytelling and sound. Mostly my post work on still pics is minor, so your notion of getting it 80%+ right when recording makes sense. Still have much to learn, but I learnt a long time ago that it requires a good mix of theory and practice. Neither in isolation will take you far or fast - it's a blend, back and forth, each consolidating the other.

I've been having some great success making thin/tinny sounding lav mics sound more expensive with EQ/compression. One thing thats really helped is using plugins with no frequency/dynamic visualizing window, and relying purely on hearing changes on the 5-8 knobs to make it sound good.