The audio for any TV show needs to be loud enough and clear, so it is easily understood. With bad audio, there is no point to watching a TV show. That's why audio coverage needs to be planned and checked within the audio control room.
How many Mics are needed, and where are they positioned?
As there is 5 Talent, it is easy to work out how many Omni -Directional clip microphones is needed. 5 mics will be needed for the Talent, but may need to be clipped in different positions on their clothing. The Host's mic would need to be central on them, as the Host's Eye Line is directed to the left, right and directly ahead. Contestants A & B's mics would be put slightly more to the left of their body, as they will be turning to the left to speak to the Host. Whereas Contestants C & D would have their mics on the opposite side (right), because they will be turning to the right to talk to the Host. A Directional mic is also needed to hang above the audience to pick up their applause.
What are Mic Checks?
The Sound Operators are responsible for putting the mics on the Talent correctly and providing the mic checks. Mic checks consist of at least 30 seconds of the Talent talking in their normal speaking voice into the clip mics, which is then heard in the audio control room through the speakers. When being heard through the speakers, the Sound Operators can adjust the faders on the audio panel, to a appropriate level, making sure all the Talent is kept to the same level. For example, if the Host was speaking too loudly, the Sound Operators would ask them to do another sound mic check, because the Host might of not been speaking in their normal speaking voice.
How can you tell if the sound is either, too loud or too quiet?
After a mic check has been taken place, the Sound Operators can adjust the sound levels of each of the talents mics using the faders on the audio panel. They can tell if the sound is either too loud or too quiet, by not only hearing the speech or music through the monitors (speakers), but checking the VU meter on the audio panel. This is a more accurate measurement for the Sound Operators to judge the sound levels.
What is a VU Meter?
A VU Meter is a meter, which measures the audio in Decibels (dB). This suggests if the sound from either the Talent or the VT inserts are too loud or too quiet. The VU Meter lights up when sound is being created. A quiet level makes it light up green, but if the sound levels is too loud it will light up red. Another example of how the Sound Operators can judge the sound level is by the numbers listed by the side of the meter. Positive numbers representing a loud audio level, whereas the negative numbers reveal a quieter audio level. Going up the meter, every +3dB it doubles and going down the meter, every -3dB it halves. The most appropriate and best quality audio can be heard between +6 to +9dB. If the Sound Operators let the audio levels go above +9dB, the audio would not only sound too loud, but will sound distorted. Also, checking that the audio isn't too quiet, the signal mustn't drop over -12dB.
How does the Audio Panel work?
Adjusting the sound levels using the audio panel is generally quite simple to remember. For the TV Quiz Show, there are separate faders on the panel for either the Host, Contestant A, B, C or D. These faders are paired up with the clip mics the Talent get given. E.G fader 1 works mic 1. All the Sound Operator simply has to do is move the faders up and down to adjust the levels. The faders have two functions; fading the fader up to make the subject sound louder, or fading the fader down to make the subject sound quieter. Another fader called a 'Master Fader' is obviously a fader, but this one can adjust all the audio levels from the Talents mics. The monitors in the audio control room can also change the volume (quality) of the sound too.
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