Once upon a time, in a world where flannel shirts and acid-washed jeans were in fashion, a friend in this video production business, shared a very important tip about audio recording: “If audio matters, always wear headphones.” I’ve never forgotten it, and always do it.

Now, before you dismiss this as ancient history, let me tell you a recent horror story that happened to a fellow video production company. They were recording interviews all day, but at the end of it, they realized that they had forgotten to plug the microphone into the camera. Yup, you heard that right. A whole day's worth of interviews, including the CEO and customers, was completely ruined. Cue the facepalm.

Now, you might think that this is a rare occurrence, but trust me, audio gremlins can strike at any time. Cables can go bad, wireless mics can be forgotten to be turned on, clothing can rub against the lav mic, and air-conditioning can cause hum or wind noise. These are just some of the many audio demons that can haunt your recordings.

Sure, you can watch the level meters, but that won't catch problems like a simple pair of headphones can. Headphones let you hear what's actually being recorded and catch any issues before it's too late. Plus, wearing headphones allows you to make adjustments on the fly, which can save you a ton of time and effort in post-production. Trust me, your future self will thank you!

So, in conclusion, 30 ears ago, I learned a very simple lesson that still holds true today - wear headphones. Not only will it save you from potential embarrassment and costly mistakes, but it'll also make your audio recording experience much more enjoyable. And who knows, with a little imagination, you might even hear the next American Idol winner in the making. Just make sure to wear those headphones! Happy recording! :)