1. 10 things to know
about audio
By Regina McCombs of the
Poynter Institute for Media Studies

2. 10 rules of audio production
1. Audio has power
1. Storycorps
 doesn’t need to be fancy to add to story

3. 10 rules of audio production
2. Ask the right questions
 people need to explain what happened for your
audience (avoid yes/no questions)
 avoid multipart questions
 pre-interview
 call on phone to get a sense of personality, accent,
etc.)
 use non-verbal feedback

4. 10 rules of audio production
3. Gather environmental sound
 get source to stop talking while capturing audio
 listen
 get ambient sound
 think texture

5. 10 rules of audio production
4. Plan in the field
 what do I need this person to tell me
 be thinking about story arc
 develop characters
o like with feature stories
 grab users, pull them in, leave them satisfied
 story in three words (who did what)

6. 10 rules of audio production
5. know your gear
 you’ll learn this the hard way eventually

7. 10 rules of audio production
6. What you get in the field is what you get
 No second takes
 No excuses
 No editing can add actualities or voice of subject
 Get multiple sources to say the same thing

8. 10 rules of audio production
7. Listen
 listen to hear in the same way you’ve learned to
see to observe
 listen to what other professionals/students are
doing

9. 10 rules of audio production
8. Monitor your audio

10. 10 rules of audio production
9. craft your story
 know what you have, not what you think you have
 log or take notes
 “write”
 don’t be afraid of narration
 natural sound pieces sometimes lack information
 facts, research, and accuracy are just as important
in an audio piece as they are in print

11. 10 rules of audio production
10. Keep it tight (short)
 get others to listen
 Decide where you can cut, then cut deeply
 review

12. Need Questions?
• What was the happiest moment of your life
• What are you most proud of?
• What are the most important lessons you've
learned in life?
• What is your earliest memory?
• How would you like to be remembered?

13. 10 things to know about
audio production
By Regina McCombs of the
Poynter Institute for Media Studies