I hate to do this, but... (newbie audio questions) at DVinfo.net

Chris Roberts · February 3rd, 2004, 05:47 PM

I'm currently planning on buying a GL2 for a feature I'm filming over the summer, and I'm thinking it might be a good idea to buy a mic. While I'm pretty comfortable with video, I know next to nothing about audio, and after lurking around this board I'm so confused my head is spinning. So I'm sucking it up and asking you guys some very stupid newbie questions.

1) Could someone perhaps give me a website with basic microphone information on it? (ie, differences between shotgun, boom, etc, and when they're used.) I just want to set the record straight.

2) Now the annoying specifics: For this movie I'll be doing part on a set, part in an auditorium, and part outdoors. For the most part, I only really need to record dialogue and background in all settings (save for auditorium, where I'll have crowd shots). What kind (type, not brand, I'm nowhere near that stage yet) of equipment do you suggest? Is there any way I could do all this with just one mic? Is there anyway I can get everything I need for under $600?

Thanks in advance, and I hope you can forgive my ignorence.

Mike Rehmus · February 3rd, 2004, 07:09 PM

http://www.shure.com/booklets/techpubs.html

Douglass, why don't you sticky this URL to the top of the forum as this is a constant question?

Chris Roberts · February 3rd, 2004, 07:24 PM

Heh, in fact I even originally wrote "So I'm sucking it up and asking you guys some very stupid newbie questions (the kind that annoy experienced posters as they're asked again and again)."

..."Its real goal is to provide helpful tips, practical advice, and a general knowledge of audio tools – all with the express purpose of making video productions as clear, understandable, and impressive as possible."

Sweet. Perfect. Thanks again!

Bryan Beasleigh · February 3rd, 2004, 07:49 PM

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/

http://www.cybercollege.org/tvp038.htm

and a link to an excellent book, buy it most people do.

http://www.dplay.com/book/pgs/index.html

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 3rd, 2004, 08:16 PM

http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/help/kb will get you to several tutorials.

Steve Savanyu · February 4th, 2004, 09:59 AM

You can also check out the Audio-Technica website: www.audio-technica.com

There are several sections on using and selecting microphones and wireless systems.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 4th, 2004, 10:08 AM

:-) Steve, I was afraid to say the AT word again. I've now gotten 2 mails offline asking if I work for AT or something because we've invested so much $$ in their microphones. At the risk of a brag, we've received a LOT of brass for our projects, and almost every project I've done in the past 10 years has an AT on it somewhere.
3 projects we recorded portions of are up for 3 different Grammy's this week. All our portions were done w/AT.

Chris Roberts · February 4th, 2004, 07:03 PM

Wow, thanks guys! Lots of information...

February 3rd, 2004, 05:47 PM	#1
Chris Roberts New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 6	I hate to do this, but... (newbie audio questions) I'm currently planning on buying a GL2 for a feature I'm filming over the summer, and I'm thinking it might be a good idea to buy a mic. While I'm pretty comfortable with video, I know next to nothing about audio, and after lurking around this board I'm so confused my head is spinning. So I'm sucking it up and asking you guys some very stupid newbie questions. 1) Could someone perhaps give me a website with basic microphone information on it? (ie, differences between shotgun, boom, etc, and when they're used.) I just want to set the record straight. 2) Now the annoying specifics: For this movie I'll be doing part on a set, part in an auditorium, and part outdoors. For the most part, I only really need to record dialogue and background in all settings (save for auditorium, where I'll have crowd shots). What kind (type, not brand, I'm nowhere near that stage yet) of equipment do you suggest? Is there any way I could do all this with just one mic? Is there anyway I can get everything I need for under $600? Thanks in advance, and I hope you can forgive my ignorence. __________________ It reads better than it lives.

February 3rd, 2004, 07:09 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	http://www.shure.com/booklets/techpubs.html Douglass, why don't you sticky this URL to the top of the forum as this is a constant question? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 3rd, 2004, 07:24 PM	#3
Chris Roberts New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 6	Thanks Mike Heh, in fact I even originally wrote "So I'm sucking it up and asking you guys some very stupid newbie questions (the kind that annoy experienced posters as they're asked again and again)." ..."Its real goal is to provide helpful tips, practical advice, and a general knowledge of audio tools – all with the express purpose of making video productions as clear, understandable, and impressive as possible." Sweet. Perfect. Thanks again! __________________ It reads better than it lives.

February 3rd, 2004, 08:16 PM	#5
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/help/kb will get you to several tutorials. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 4th, 2004, 09:59 AM	#6
Steve Savanyu Boss Hog Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 51	You can also check out the Audio-Technica website: www.audio-technica.com There are several sections on using and selecting microphones and wireless systems. __________________ "Film is Art; Theatre is Life; Television is Furniture!"

February 3rd, 2004, 07:49 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html http://www.equipmentemporium.com/ http://www.cybercollege.org/tvp038.htm and a link to an excellent book, buy it most people do. http://www.dplay.com/book/pgs/index.html

February 4th, 2004, 10:08 AM	#7
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	:-) Steve, I was afraid to say the AT word again. I've now gotten 2 mails offline asking if I work for AT or something because we've invested so much $$ in their microphones. At the risk of a brag, we've received a LOT of brass for our projects, and almost every project I've done in the past 10 years has an AT on it somewhere. 3 projects we recorded portions of are up for 3 different Grammy's this week. All our portions were done w/AT. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 4th, 2004, 07:03 PM	#8
Chris Roberts New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 6	Wow, thanks guys! Lots of information... __________________ It reads better than it lives.