Sound for Video Session: Podcast Mixer Latency
In this week's Sound for Video Session, let's talk about the tradeoffs of digital podcast mixer/recorders. When you look at their feature lists, they look truly impressive. But there are some little things to consider that aren't captured in feature lists or specifications.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.
Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one)
- Earthworks ETHOS microphone
- Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixing board
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro
Our sound and lighting courses can be found here!
In this episode, we have a look at the Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro. This is a low-profile microphone arm that you attach to your desk for live-streaming, podcasting, online meetings, or voice over. Low-profile means that the arm is positioned close to the desk and holds the microphone below your face so you don’t have a huge microphone and arm in your video frame. We compare this to a bunch of other mic arms I’ve used and still use from OC White, Yellowtec, RODE, and even Elgato’s original LP arm.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro
- OC White Ultima Gen 2 low profile mic arm
- RODE PSA1+ mic arm
- Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP (original)
- SHURE SM7b microphone
- Sound Devices MixPre series recorders
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
My Favorite Shotgun Microphones Ranked (under $300, $300 - $500, $500 - $1000, $1000+)
Our sound and lighting courses can be found here!
In this episode I rank my favorite shotgun microphones in different price categories - under $300, $300 - $500, $500 - $1000, and $1000+. This is based on my experience and is totally SUBJECTIVE. Let’s talk it through!
See the detailed reviews of the microphones we cover here:
Here’s a table with all of the microphones ranked and my notes.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Setting Gain & Leaving Headroom
In this week's Sound for Video Session, let's explore the question of how to set gain for various situations. We'll also discuss headroom, it's importance, and how much to leave in different situations.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.
Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one)
- Earthworks ETHOS microphone
- Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixing board
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
DEITY BF-1 - Longer Wireless Mic Range with Butterfly Antennas?
Our sound and lighting courses can be found here!
In this episode we have a look at the DEITY BF-1 butterfly antenna for wireless microphone systems. We describe the differences between this type of antenna and standard whip antennas, discuss the advantages of butterfly or bowtie antennas, and show you how to best use the BF-1 to improve your on-set audio recordings. Let’s take a closer look!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.co.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- DEITY BF-1 antennas
- DEITY SRD Mini RF distribution box
- DEITY SPD Mini power distribution box
- DEITY S-95 smart battery
- DEITY DQC2 2 Bay Smart Battery Charger
- DEITY 140W USB power adapter
- Orca OR-30 sound bag
- ZOOM F8n Pro audio recorder
- All the DEITY cables you may need
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
100 Years of SHURE History
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we're joined again by Michael Petterson, SHURE's historian. SHURE is celebrating 100 years and Michael is here to tell us about its rich history, not just with microphones, but also some other products you probably never knew about. And that history also includes many inventions we take for granted today. Let's dig in!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.
Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- SHURE SM7B broadcast microphone
- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one)
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel for Spoken Word
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we'll do something totally ridiculous and use the Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel for spoken word live audio. We'll just set it up and adjust its settings and hear what we get with this ridiculously expensive analogue audio gear.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.
Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor
- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one)
- Earthworks ETHOS microphone
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
Dear Camera Bros, Please Don't Hate Audio!
Our sound and lighting courses can be found here!
In this episode we discuss the consequences of focusing too heavily on visuals and not enough on audio during the content creation and filmmaking processes. What defines the proper balance of each component, and what can we do to develop our skills in order to get there? Let’s talk!
This episode filmed on iPhone 16 Pro Max with the iOS camera app and existing lighting in the hotel room after a long day of work at the office.
Audio recorded with the RODE Interview Pro recording microphone.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- RODE Interview Pro wireless/recording microphone
- Sound Devices MixPre audio field recorders
- Sennheiser MKH50 boom microphone
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Audix PDX520 Dynamic Vocal Microphone
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we'll do some initial tests and samples with the new Audix PDX520 dynamic vocal microphone. This $399 USD microphone is specifically designed for vocals and dialogue recording. This microphone is designed and manufactured in the USA. Let's have a listen!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.
Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Audix PDX520 dynamic vocal microphone
- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one)
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
32-bit Float Recorder Myths You Should Know About
Our sound and lighting courses can be found here!
In this episode, we cover several 32-bit float audio recorder myths you should know about. Hint: You don’t actually need a 32-bit float recorder for most audio recording situations.
Prior videos on 32-bit float:
24-bit vs 32-bit float audio recording quality: Is there a difference?
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See https://school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- Sound Devices MixPre audio field recorders
- ZOOM F3 audio recorder
- ZOOM F6 audio recorder
- ZOOM F8n Pro audio recorder
- Sennheiser MKH50 boom microphone
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
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