This Overlooked Sound Can Elevate Your Video Filming

When we think about corporate videos, we focus on visuals, dialogue clarity, and scenery. But one crucial element often goes unnoticed in video filming here: ambient noise.

Also known as room tone, ambient noise is the natural sound of an environment—the subtle audio cues that breathe life into a scene. Imagine walking along a beach, the waves crash as you speak into the camera. Or sitting by a train window, the clickety-clack of tracks blends with distant chatter.

More than just background sounds; they are what define an environment and make stories more immersive.

Is Ambient Noise Really That Important in a Corporate Video?

Ambient sounds are a priority element in movies because they help create atmosphere, set the mood, and immerse the audience in the scene. But how do they matter in a corporate video?

It all starts with picking the place for filming. In corporate storytelling, the setting isn’t just a backdrop, it can be a part of the brand’s identity. Whether it’s an office, a factory floor, or an outdoor location, the environment helps communicate authenticity and context. And each of these settings has its own unique ambient sounds that can enhance your video rather than hinder it.

So, why choose an outdoor location with background noise for a corporate video when an indoor space would offer clearer dialogue, especially for an interview?

One key reason: Authenticity.

For one of our projects, we assisted a client in showcasing their local surroundings—its workspace and nearby landscapes to help the audience become more familiar with the company and its leaders.

So, by the lake, we set up two cameras and clipped a microphone to the subject’s shirt.

While visually engaging, the original recording was overwhelmed by wind and water sounds, making it difficult to hear the subject.

Solution? Balance, Not Elimination.

Instead of removing ambient sounds completely, our team balanced the sounds. The sound of wind and water was softened, allowing the subject’s voice to come through clearly while maintaining the natural atmosphere.

Why did we not just mute the background? Because without these sounds, the scene would feel artificial, empty… unnatural. Like the heartbeat of the environment is missing.

But keeping them, in the right balance, added depth and realism to the video.

How to use, and, more importantly, capture ambient noise during video filming?

Since the goal of keeping ambient sounds is to create a natural, immersive experience for the audience, how do you make sure you capture it right while filming the video? While not a complicated task, it does require attention.

If you’re on a budget and can only use one camera or a microphone, simply balancing the sound captured in your camera during editing can also make a huge difference.

What are your tips for working with ambient sound? Do you keep it, edit it, or remove it completely?