Curtis Judd 6/8/17 Curtis Judd 6/8/17

Sound for Video Session: Mixing Headphones Compared

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we compare 6 sets of headphones for mixing film and video projects (plus a bonus set that almost nobody can afford, just for fun). We also cover why using headphones alone is not ideal and can make mixing a frustrating experience. We also underscore the importance of reviewing your mixes on lots of different playback systems: Near field monitors, hifi system, car sound system, smartphone earbuds, TV, etc.

Jump ahead to particular headphones:

06:55 AKG K240
12:37 Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
16:10 Audio Technica ATH-R70x
20:09 Shure SRH1840
22:45 Sennheiser HD 800
25:23 Audeze LCD-X
30:40 Sennheiser HE 1 Orpheus

Gear discussed in this session:

AKG K240 Studio Pro Semi-Open Back Headphones

Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro Semi-Open Back Reference Headphones

Audio Technica ATH-R70x Pro Reference Headphones

Shure SRH1840 Pro Open Back Headphones

Sennheiser HD 800 Open Back Headphones

Sennheiser HD 800 S Open Back Headphones

Audeze LCD-X High Performance Reference Planar Magnetic Headphones

Sennheiser HE 1 Orpheus Headphones

Curtis Judd 5/27/17 Curtis Judd 5/27/17

Sound Devices MixPre-6 Audio Recorder/Mixer: Initial Impressions

The Sound Devices MixPre-6 (and MixPre-3) are the newest recorder/mixer series from Sound Devices. These are targeted at enthusiast filmmakers, Vloggers, podcasters, mobile musicians, and even as backup recorders for professional sound mixers.

In this episode I share my initial impressions after having the MixPre-6 for about 48 hours and having used it for a voice-over job.

If I had to sum it all up: Amazing value, great preamps with analogue limiters and low-cut filters, good ergonomics, tough build quality. Does not replace pro-level recorders but a great feature set for the price and a good option for enthusiast filmmakers, video makers, mobile musicians, and podcasters.

Gear used to record this episode (or mentioned):

Sound Devices MixPre-6 Audio Recorder & Mixer

Sound Devices MixPre-3 Audio Recorder & Mixer

DPA 4017b Shotgun Microphone (my pro-level outdoor mic)

Audio Technica AT4053b Microphone (my pro-level indoor mic)

RODE NTG2 Shotgun Microphone (good prosumer outdoor mic)

ElectroVoice RE50L Dynamic Reporter’s Microphone

Panasonic GH5 Camera

Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 Lens (1st Generation)

Lifecharge USB Battery (for powering the MixPre-6)

Curtis Judd 5/20/17 Curtis Judd 5/20/17

Sound for Video Session: Timecode Hardware & Compression in Izotope RX

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we have a look at some timecode hardware options and briefly discuss compression in Izotope RX.

Links:

Timecode Generators Comparison Spreadsheet

Previous session where we demonstrated timecode workflow:

Previous session where we demonstrated compression/loudness normalization in Izotope RX:

Gear Discussed in this episode:

Tentacle Sync Timecode Generator - Comes with Tentacle Sync Studio which is a one option among 3 options you will need if using a timecode generator with a camera or recorder which does NOT have a dedicated timecode input.

Moze Gear TIG Q28 Timecode Generator - The other generator I use. Great, solid design which you set using tiny switches. No fuss, no fancy wireless, just solid timecode.

Ambient NanoLockit Wireless Timecode Generator - Very interesting new wireless timecode generator at a reasonable price.

Timecode Systems :wave Wireless Timecode Generator with Genlock, Wordclock and B:link - sophisticated wireless timecode, genlock generator/transceiver. This is much more expensive but also much more capable.

Curtis Judd 5/13/17 Curtis Judd 5/13/17

Sound for Video Session: SD MixPre-6, Faders vs Gain Trim, High Pass Filters

In this week's Sound for Video Session we have a special guest: Allen Cavedo. Allen is a production sound mixer who has worked on a variety of commercial and narrative projects (links below). He’s here to help bring another perspective while we answer your questions:

- Please compare the Zoom F8 vs the Sound Devices MixPre-6?
- What are some good audio recorder options for a solo operator for even shoots?
- Why is my carefully normalized audio suddenly start clipping when I bring it from Audition to Premiere?
- When I have a dual mono clip, should I drop one of the channels before processing the audio?
- Will the NTG2 work ok with the Tascam DR-60DmkII in terms of noise performance?
- When should I use faders vs gain trim?
- Tips for recording 2 person interviews with one shotgun microphone?
- What are the general steps for processing recorded live music?
- What is the difference between Dialogue De-noise, Spectral De-noise, and Dialogue isolate in Izotope RX6?
- Should I always use the high pass filter on my microphone to eliminate low frequency noise?

Links for items discussed in the session:
Sample of Zoom H4n Pro and RODE NTG2

Some of Allen Cavedo’s projects:

TOMATOFACE - Ad for Texas Beach Bloody Mary Mix. Cast of four demonstrates the legend of saying ‘Bloody Mary’ three times. Production Sound Mixer, boom and four wired actors, camera audio feed and timecode to Alexa Studio camera.

T/I - 48HFP short film entry. Production Sound Mixer, boom and four wired actors. RED One camera with timecode and audio link.

Maybe Tomorrow – A short film. Production Sound Mixer. Six actors with wireless lavs, two booms, sound crew of three. Alexa XT camera, audio feed and timecode.
pw: Maybe Tomorrow

Battlefields of Astral - A web pilot for six-part series about card gamers, misperception and reality. Production Sound Mixer, boom and four wired actors, camera audio feed and timecode to Sony NEX-FS100 camera with Ninja Assassin video recorder.

Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone (this is the mic I used for this session)

Antelope Audio Orion Studio Audio Interface (This is what I used to record my sound for this session)

Sound Devices MixPre-6 Audio Recorder

Sound Devices MixPre-3 Audio Recorder

Curtis Judd 5/5/17 Curtis Judd 5/5/17

Sanken CSS-50 Stereo Shotgun Microphone Quick Demo

The Sanken CSS-50 is a professional grade stereo shotgun microphone. This is a rather unique design in that the mic has 3 square capsules. I was pretty impressed with the sound it produces and it also stood up well to a key jangling test where we stress the microphone's transient and high frequency capture abilities. This is not the one microphone for everyone or every occasion, but it is a nice option, particularly for those who do a fair bit of stereo recording.

Gear used/covered in this episode:

Sanken CSS-50 Stereo Shotgun Microphone

Sennheiser 5-pin to Dual 3-pin XLR Adapter Cable

Rycote Softie Wind Cover (good for light wind)

Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro Camera

Panasonic GH5 Camera (behind the scenes wide shot)

Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 Lens (original mark I version)

Curtis Judd 4/29/17 Curtis Judd 4/29/17

Tentacle Sync E - Just Announced: Smaller, Bluetooth Enabled Timecode Generator

Last year I decided to simplify the process of shooting dual system sound (sound recorded to a separate audio recorder rather than the camera). The process of clapping at the start of each clip makes it easier to sync the sound and video files together, but it still takes a fair bit of time on bigger projects.

That lead me to talk with the guys at Tentacle Sync while at the NAB show in 2016. I was impressed by what their Tentacle Sync timecode generators could do and they were priced more reasonably than many of their competitors' generators. Here is the original interview we did with them in 2016:

We also ran through an overview of how timecode works and how it simplifies the process of syncing audio to video in this previous Sound for Video Session:

This year at the NAB show, several timecode companies announced new, smaller timecode generators, including Tentacle Sync. Here is an overview of their newest offering, the Tentacle Sync E.

Thanks to Cary Judd for the camera work. Tricky job since we decided to go without a tripod.

Pricing and exact time of availability are still to be determined, but the original Tentacle Sync was the most affordable way to get into timecode generators of which I am aware. Keep an eye on Tentacle Sync for updates on release and pricing.

In the meantime, their original Tentacle Sync does a nice job. And they didn't pay me or give me anything to say that, I'm just speaking from personal experience.

Curtis Judd 4/28/17 Curtis Judd 4/28/17

Sound Devices MixPre-3 and MixPre-6: Overview at NAB 2017

Sound Devices just announced a new set of audio recorders/mixers called the MixPre series. In this episode, we stopped by the Sound Devices booth at the 2017 NAB show where Paul Isaacs gave us an overview of the new mixers for filmmaking enthusiasts, podcasters, musicians, and even production mixers.

It was an honor to have Paul run through the features and capabilities of the MixPre as he is the lead designer for Sound Devices.

We have a MixPre pre-order in so that we can review them in the next few weeks. Can't wait to get my hands on them!

Gear used to film this interview:

SoundDevices MixPre-3 Audio Mixer/Recorder

SoundDevices MixPre-6 Audio Mixer/Recorder

Panasonic Lumix GH5 Camera

Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 Lens

RODE Reporter Microphone

RODE iXLR Audio Adapter for iPhone

Curtis Judd 4/23/17 Curtis Judd 4/23/17

Sound for Video Session: Sound to Camera, Matching Mics, Handheld Recorders, Etc.

In this week's Sound for Video Session we addressed several questions submitted by several of you:

- How to send sound to camera?
- How to make recordings with two mics sound the same?
- How to use a handheld recorder when booming a mic?
- Which type of mic to use when recording in very loud environments?
- Is there a single mic that can work in most situations?

Items discussed in this session and where to find them:
3.5mm Attenuation Cable

Sound for Video Session on Sending Audio from Mixer to Camera:

Zoom F8 Audio Recorder

Sound Devices 633 Audio Mixer & Recorder

Izotope RX6 (Software for matching microphones)

Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro (Recorded the talking head portion with this camera)

Furman PL-8C Power Conditioner

Antelope Audio Orion Studio Audio Interface

Curtis Judd 4/22/17 Curtis Judd 4/22/17

Panasonic GH5 XLR Microphone Adapter DMW-XLR1 Review

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is an incredibly capable little camera for video and filmmaking. It’s imaging capabilities are impressive given its size and price. But one thing it lacks for producing high quality film is inputs for XLR microphones. This is where the DMW-XLR1 audio microphone adapter comes in. The XLR1 allows you to record one or two XLR based microphones or wireless microphone systems directly to your Panasonic GH5. So you won’t need to sync audio in post like you would with a separate audio recorder and the sound quality is very good with shotgun or other boom microphones. Let’s have a listen!

Gear used to record and featured in this episode:

Panasonic GH5 Camera (talking head shots)

Panasonic DMW-XLR1 Microphone Audio Adapter - All audio in this episode recorded to the GH5 with this adapter

Sanken CSS-50 Stereo Shotgun Microphone - Used to record talking head and voiceover audio for this episode

Blackmagicdesign Ursa Mini Pro Digital Film Camera - all product shots made with this

Audio Technica AT4053b Hyper Cardioid Boom Microphone - my go-to microphone for recording indoor dialogue

RODE NTG4+ Shotgun Microphone

Zoom F8 Audio Recorder

Tascam DR-60DmkII Audio Recorder - Good budget recorder with XLR inputs. The XLR preamps are impressive, the 3.5mm input is not

Sound Devices 633 Audio Mixer/Recorder - with automix

Aputure Light Storm COB120t LED Light - Key light for all the shots in this episode

Aputure Light Dome Soft Box - Makes the COB120t key light very soft. Great type of light for talking head/interview

Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 Lens - My most versatile lens for the Panasonic GH5

Curtis Judd 4/19/17 Curtis Judd 4/19/17

Sound Devices MixPre-3 and MixPre-6: A New Standard for Sub $1000 Mixers/Recorders

Sound Devices have just announced a new series of audio recorders/computer interface for filmmaking enthusiasts, podcasters, and YouTubers called the MixPre-3 and MixPre-6. I didn't see this coming and - WOW - on paper they look impressive. They're shaking up the category that has been owned by Zoom for the last couple of years with their F8 and F4 recorders.

What makes the MixPre's unique?

New Kashmir preamplifier design by Sound Devices - Class A preamps with discrete components rather than off-the-shelf integrated circuit preamps
Analogue limiters
Analogue to Digital Converter - new 32-bit design
Touchscreen LCD Screen
USB audio interface for computers - Via USB-A and C
Basic and Advanced menu modes
Stream audio to computer and record to SD card simultaneously
Large, ergonomic potentiometers (knobs)
Several powering options including AA, USB, and Sony NP-F style batteries
Bluetooth app for iPhone/iPad to control the MixPre wirelessly
1/4"-20 tap and screw to mount the recorder under your camera

Fortunately, I have an appointment to meet with the guys at Sound Devices next week at NAB so I'm planning to get a good look at the MixPre's and will have more info for you soon.

Oh, and pricing: The MixPre-3 is priced at $650 USD, the MixPre-6 at $900 USD.

Did Sound devices just kill their 6xx and 7xx series mixers and recorders with these new devices? No, not even close for a lot of reasons we can cover another time. But this is a great option for those who cannot spend $3300 for a high quality mixer/recorder and an audio interface to boot!

My friend Jonathan Morrison, for whom I've done a little bit of audio post work, was lucky enough to get an early look at the MixPre. He's coming from the perspective of a YouTuber and does a nice job outlining the benefits from a mobile creator point of view.