Location Sound I

Today Wireless mics Exercise – wireless, boom techniques Listen to exercises Sound design presentations

Review Meters – digital vs. analog MIC/LINE level Phantom power (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 Mount the Tx (transmitter) 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 the FP33 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 Next Week 2 wireless mics AND the boom, mixing techniques 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