Sound matters more than picture

Viewers forgive shaky pictures; they switch off when they cannot hear. Good sound is the biggest difference between amateur and professional video.

## Get close
The phone's own microphone is good only at short distances — about an arm's length. Further away, it picks up the room, the traffic and the wind.

## Use a microphone
A simple lapel (clip-on) microphone that plugs into the phone, or a wireless one, is the best money a mobile journalist can spend. Clip it on the chest, about a hand's width below the chin.

## Choose a quiet place
Move away from generators, traffic, fans and loudspeakers. Ask for the television to be switched off. Hard empty rooms echo; rooms with curtains and furniture sound better.

## Listen while you record
Use earphones to hear what the phone is recording. Record 10 seconds of the place's background sound ("room tone") — it helps when editing.

## Wind
Outdoors, wind ruins sound. Use the foam or fur cover of your microphone, stand with your back to the wind, or find shelter.