Audiences have been complaining about bad sound on TV programmes for many years. They complain about intrusive background music, strong accents, too much sound effects, low levels...the list goes on.

When you listen to a documentary made 20 years ago and then one made recently, you’ll notice that earlier documentaries had a lot less background music added. Bearing that in mind, programme-makers must tip the balance towards the story being told and hearing the narrative clearly, not a high-level of music which aims to imprint an emotion on the viewer.

Danny Cohen, BBC One’s Controller, launched a campaign this month to guide programme-makers to producing the best audio they could. I produced seven films for this campaign which was hosted on the BBC College of Production website, representing my final piece of work for the website before bowing out. They are called Clear Sound guides and are really, really useful. I urge anyone interested in making TV programmes to watch them, whether you’re just starting out in the business or a veteran film-maker.

The films are condensed best practice guides to getting clear sound when self-shooting; recording factual, drama and studio shows; in post-production; when planning your programme; and also what to do when the audience complains after transmission. They’re good fun to watch and have lots of good examples.

Click here to watch the Executive Producer for The Graham Norton Show give us his tips for best practice for recording sound in the studio.