Opinions on capturing audio for a narative short at DVinfo.net

Laudon Williams · August 7th, 2006, 02:17 PM

I'd love to get people's thoughts on the "optimal" capturing audio for narative shorts. So far I've used the following techniques:
- mike to camera. adjust at camera
- mike to mixer. mixer to camera. adjust at mixer
- mike to laptop w/ pro tools. recorded audio to camera using separate boom. hand synced audio once post processed using the boom audio as a matching track.

Out of these techniques, the last two provide more control. It seems like maybe I'm overlooking some obvious solution that gives me the best of all worlds. So I pose the question; how do you capture your audio?

-Laudon

Bill Pryor · August 7th, 2006, 02:45 PM

In most cases it's from the mic to a mixer then to the camera. We use a Sennsheiser MKH60 shotgun mic and/or Lectrosonics wireless with Countryman lavs. Mixer is a Shure FP33, cameras DSR500WS and DSR250. Sometimes we shoot double system sound, like for steadycam or dolly shots where cables would get in the way. We have a Tascam DAT recorder for that. No time code, just a clapboard.

Tim Gray · August 8th, 2006, 01:02 PM

I'd agree with Bill. I see no need to use your first option - if you have a mixer, use it. It will give the sound guy more control, feedback, and flexibility and give you better sound. If you have a reasonable means to record the audio on a dedicated device, I would do so. I use a Sound Devices 722 and it rocks.

Traditional clapboard works fine for syncing.

August 7th, 2006, 02:17 PM	#1
Laudon Williams New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	Opinions on capturing audio for a narative short I'd love to get people's thoughts on the "optimal" capturing audio for narative shorts. So far I've used the following techniques: - mike to camera. adjust at camera - mike to mixer. mixer to camera. adjust at mixer - mike to laptop w/ pro tools. recorded audio to camera using separate boom. hand synced audio once post processed using the boom audio as a matching track. Out of these techniques, the last two provide more control. It seems like maybe I'm overlooking some obvious solution that gives me the best of all worlds. So I pose the question; how do you capture your audio? -Laudon

August 7th, 2006, 02:45 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	In most cases it's from the mic to a mixer then to the camera. We use a Sennsheiser MKH60 shotgun mic and/or Lectrosonics wireless with Countryman lavs. Mixer is a Shure FP33, cameras DSR500WS and DSR250. Sometimes we shoot double system sound, like for steadycam or dolly shots where cables would get in the way. We have a Tascam DAT recorder for that. No time code, just a clapboard.

August 8th, 2006, 01:02 PM	#3
Tim Gray Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Media, PA Posts: 144	I'd agree with Bill. I see no need to use your first option - if you have a mixer, use it. It will give the sound guy more control, feedback, and flexibility and give you better sound. If you have a reasonable means to record the audio on a dedicated device, I would do so. I use a Sound Devices 722 and it rocks. Traditional clapboard works fine for syncing.