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Location Sound I. Today. Wireless mics Exercise – wireless, boom techniques Listen to exercises Sound design presentations. Review. Meters – digital vs. analog (or camera vs. FP33 mixer) MIC/LINE level Phantom power. Mic Inputs Input gain Master gain Outputs Headphone mode
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Today Wireless mics Exercise – wireless, boom techniques Listen to exercises Sound design presentations
Review • Meters – digital vs. analog (or camera vs. FP33 mixer) • MIC/LINE level • Phantom power Mic Inputs Input gain Master gain Outputs Headphone mode Pan knobs outputs
Wireless or Radio Mic System This refers to the transmission method. Instead of an XLR cable or wire, the audio signal is transmitted via FM radio waves. transmitter (tx) and receiver (rx) Lav mic Camera mount adapter Mini to mini cable Mini to XLR cable
Lavs (aka lapel mics) Lavalier or Lav microphone is any hands-free mic that’s small enough to wear on the body. Can be omni or cardiod, dynamic or condenser.
Mounting lavs Lavalier mics often but not always used with wireless transmitters. For the doc, mount lav outside clothes 6”-9” directly below mouth for cleanest sound. The loop provides strain relief. Want to hide the lav? You need an accessory kit (go to B&H website).
Settings: Set the channel On Rx (receiver) Use arrows to scroll through banks and channels, then choose a channel. There are 9 Banks that hold up to 4 channels. Once you find a good channel, select the same one on your Tx (transmitter)
Settings: Input/Output Levels Set your levels. These are just good starting points, adjust accordingly. Rx > AF OUT > -12 Tx > Sensitivity > -20 (for dialogue) Meters should be peaking in the middle. It’s easier to keep the Tx sensitivity lower and then adjust the Rx.
…more Other settings: Pilot ON Squelch LO Batteries: Start a new day with fresh batteries. They typically last 6 - 8 hours. Mount the Tx (transmitter) In pockets, on belts, pants, bra or ankle make sure it’s secure.
Antenna Line of sight: the clearer the path between TX and RX, the better. Why? Radio mics operate on FM channels. The radio waves bounce off metal surfaces, heavy layers of clothing, thick walls, corners etc. can obstruct the pathway from Tx to Rx. Direction: Both antenna (with this particular system) should be pointing in the same direction, otherwise there is signal loss.
Connecting to theFP33 FP33: Turn phantom power OFF (DYNAMIC) Inputs set to MIC Pan to R Adjust levels. **Make a test recording and play it back!
The Limiter Prevents distortion at cost of sounding artificial On FP33 PEAK/LIM lights green when engaged
Low Cut Filter Supresses 150 Hz and below by 6dB per octave. Cuts down on rumble, sometimes wind distortion. Use for dialogue recording.
MIXING: Healthy Levels Where should my peaks and needles be? TX/RX: half way (leaving room for loud surprises) FP33: btwn -10 - +3. Frequent peaks above 0 (red) ok, but your needles shouldn’t be living in the red. Camera: DVX100, first couple red squares (-12 to -8). PD150, also btwn -12 - -8. Remember, too low and though you can apply gain in post, you will also boost the hiss. Too high, distortion cannot be removed at all.
MIXING: Two Subjects Options: • Split the two lav tracks, no boom • Pan two lavs to R channel, boom on L • Mix two lavs in real-time, boom on L If you’re going to mix in real-time, your hands need to be free or you need to boom op with one hand.
Today’s Exercise: Mixing & Lavs • Mixer and Boom Op same person. • director/camera op same person. • exterior • Sound – mount lav and transmitter on subject • First – subject stands and talks on cell phone. Medium or CU. Next -‐ subject walks down the street, continues to talk, and asks a stranger for directions. Any type of shot. 6. SWITCH POSITIONS! 7. Goals: Boom: stay out of the frame, watch for reflections and shadow. Agree on a general frame line with camera. Lav: mount neatly, no wires running outside of clothing. On-‐axis mic accuracy: capture the sound clearly with the boom even when the subject walks healthy levels – try to set before you start shooting so you don’t have to boom with one hand and adjust levels with the other Notes – headphone storage, on-axis ~ camera focus
Assignments Sound Design Presentations: next week: Charlotte, Ronny ~ Laura, Constance Assignment: Documentary Location Sound Exercise Due in class Dec. 13 Articles about wireless and lavs: http://soundess.wordpress.com/resources/websites-with-helpful-articles/ Next Week 2 wireless mics AND the boom, mixing techniques FCP audio basics Sound Design presentations