An audio journalist stands in a busy Christmas market, eyes closed as she listens through over-ear headphones. Wearing a beige high-collared winter coat, she holds a silver Electro-Voice 635A microphone to capture crowd chatter and festive ambience. Warm string lights and bustling stalls blur into golden bokeh behind her, giving the scene a cozy, cinematic feel.

The sound of silence

The Seventh Day of Christmas

By Nick Dunkerley

🎄 We’ve packed our gear, outlined our story, and are finally ready to step into the frosty world of field recording.
But before you hit record, let me tell you something: the next few steps might make you blush.

Not technically, but personally.

You see, being a field reporter is often, let’s say, awkward.
Whether it’s dragging someone into a coat closet or staring silently at a wall with one finger in your ear, this job has its fair share of cringe-worthy moments. But the results? Worth every second.

Now, let’s head out into the snow.

The Common Mistake

Picture this: you arrive at your guest’s office, mic in hand.
You exchange pleasantries, sit across from them at their desk, and say, “Thank you so much for taking the time.”
Then, you hit record.

Sounds professional, right?

But when you get home and listen back, you’ll cringe at the hum of computers, the hiss of air conditioning, and the faint roar of traffic outside. Maybe even the muffled thump of the office holiday party downstairs.

That’s when you realise: no amount of editing can save bad audio.

At a festive Christmas market, the female audio journalist—wearing a beige winter coat with headphones resting around her neck—leans forward smiling as she shakes hands with another visitor in a dark coat and beanie. She holds a handheld microphone and cable in her other hand, suggesting she’s about to start an interview. Behind them, a wall of twinkling holiday lights and a glowing red heart decoration create a warm, cheerful backdrop, with marketgoers passing by in the distance.

Step One: Plan Ahead

Before you even get to the meeting, keep an eye (and ear) out for potential recording spots.

On your way to the location, scout for:

Quiet spaces:
Parks, side streets, or tucked-away courtyards that offer clean sound.
Soft environments:
A small meeting room or even a coat closet filled with winter jackets.
In audio, it doesn’t have to look good.
It just has to sound good.

Having a backup plan gives you more control and ensures you’re not stuck with a noisy office.

A female audio journalist at a Christmas market wears over-ear headphones and a beige winter coat, holding a silver Electro-Voice 635A microphone as she listens and records. She looks up toward a tall, cone-shaped holiday light installation in the foreground, with string lights overhead. Behind her, an ice skating track glows under festive decorations, with skaters and market stalls adding lively holiday atmosphere.

Step Two: Shush and Listen

When you walk into the room, resist the urge to dive straight into the interview. Instead, do something that might feel a little awkward:

Politely ask your guest to hold off for a moment.
Stand still, and listen to the room.

Yes, this might feel weird. Your guest might stare at you like you’re channeling the ghost of audio past. But it’s the only way to truly hear what’s happening in the space.

Put a finger in one ear.

This blocks external noise and prevents your brain from “filling in” the gaps with what it thinks the room sounds like.
You’ll hear the actual reflections and noises bouncing around the room.

A female audio journalist stands in a crowded Christmas market under warm string lights and glowing wooden stalls. Wearing a beige winter coat with headphones resting around her neck, she presses one hand to a single ear—monitoring in mono to focus on balance and detail in the soundscape. Her gaze is fixed slightly upward and to the side, attentive and analytical, while the bustling crowd behind her blurs into soft golden bokeh, emphasizing the lively holiday atmosphere.

Step Three: Find the Sweet Spot

If the room is workable, look around for the best placement:

Corners or spots with fewer hard surfaces (like windows or bare walls) reduce echoes and reflections.
Move closer to soft furniture, carpets, or curtains to absorb sound.

Sometimes just a small shift can dramatically improve the audio.

Step Four: Relocate, If Needed (Yes, to the Coat Closet)

Here’s where your earlier scouting pays off.
On the way to the meeting, you might have spotted a quiet park bench, a cozy side room, or even a tucked-away courtyard.

Now’s the time to suggest one of these backups.

You could say:

“This room is great, but it’s a little noisy.
How about we head to that courtyard I saw on the way in?
It’ll be much quieter.”
“I noticed a side room near the entrance.
Would you mind if we moved there?
It’ll help us get the best sound.”

And yes, dragging your guest into a closet full of winter jackets might feel strange, but trust me - your future self will thank you.

A wide nighttime view at a Christmas market shows a female audio journalist interviewing a young boy while seated inside a glowing, carriage-shaped holiday light installation. She wears over-ear headphones and a beige winter coat, holding a silver Electro-Voice 635A microphone toward him as they talk. The scene is filled with warm string lights, hanging lantern decorations, and twinkling trees, with wet pavement reflecting the festive glow in the background.

Why It’s Worth the Awkwardness

Yes, standing in silence with a finger in your ear or relocating your guest to a coat closet might feel embarrassing.
But here’s the thing: most people will go along with it if you explain why.
They trust you to make them sound great.

And when your story sounds crisp and professional, no one will care how many jackets were hanging around you during the recording.

A female audio journalist sits beside a young boy inside a festive, light-wrapped holiday structure at a Christmas market. Wearing over-ear headphones and a beige high-collared winter coat, she holds a silver Electro-Voice 635A microphone toward him as she records his answers. Warm string lights crisscross behind them, with the surrounding market and city lights softly blurred in the background.

🎁 Today’s Challenge: On your next recording, stop and listen.
Record 30 seconds in your initial space, then try another location.
Like a closet or hallway.
Compare the difference in sound.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about moving in close—and why physical proximity can transform your interview.

I love Hindy's entire team. From day one, they’ve made me feel like I’m a part of their community.

Bekah Johnson, Audio Editor & Podcaster

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