Sound for Video Session: Live Q&A
In this Sound for Video Session, we covered your questions about production and post production sound for film and video:
- wav vs BWF file formats?
- How do you store, clean, and maintain your microphones?
- What boom operating tools do you recommend to help with booming since I'm not super strong?
- How do I compare the noise performance of various USB Audio interfaces?
- Timecode battery for Sound Devices 888?
- DaVinci Resolve 16.2 Fairlight can now handle 32-float audio!
Please consider taking my courses on audio production and post production including in-depth options for the Sound Devices MixPre and Zoom F series recorders.
Gear discussed in this episode. Most of the links below are affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Boom Hanger - Gotham Sound
- Boom pole holder for c-stands - B&H
- Apple box - B&H
- Shure SM-7B Microphone used to record this session - B&H
- Sound Devices MixPre II series recorder used as the preamp for this session - B&H
- Canon C200 camera used as the A-cam for this session - B&H
- Canon 24-105 f/4 IS II L lens used on the Canon C200 for this session - B&H
- Panasonic GH5 used as the B-cam for this session - B&H
- Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens used on the GH5 for this session - B&H
- Sound Devices 888 Audio Recorder/Mixer - B&H
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Dante Digital Network Audio and Switch Back M8RX Demo
Today’s episode is an explanation and demonstration of Dante digital network audio and the Switch Back M8RX preamp/headphone mixer. What is Dante and why do you care? Dante can help solve several problems such as long audio cable runs and how to capture large numbers of audio channels in a single production. Even if you don’t have a need for it now, let’s show you how it works so you are aware and can solve these types of problems if you do find yourself running a larger production some day.
The hear Technologies Switch Back M8RX is a small, 4 input preamp (2 XLR mic/line inputs plus a 3.5mm line input) plus a 4 channel Dante headphone mixer. The preamps are very high quality, with Burr Brown converters and very little THD. This is one of the more affordable ways to get into Dante network audio and solves several potential problems for location and production sound mixing. It can also be very useful in dialogue replacement and foley studio recording. This is one of those devices that might make you might scratch your head at first, but once you get it, you quickly see its value.
You can learn more about Dante at the Audinate website.
Learn more about how Dante was used in the production of La La Land: https://www.audinate.com/meet-dante/dante-in-action/projects/la-la-land-on-set-sound-mixing-and-recording-with-dante
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, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- hear Technologies Switch Back M8RX Dante preamp and headphone mixer - B&H
- Sound Devices 888 Mixer/Recorder - B&H
- Cisco SG350-10MP Gigabit PoE+ Network Switch - B&H
- Canon C200 Camera for talking head portion - B&H
- Canon 24 - 105mm f/4 L IS II lens - B&H
- Panasonic GH5 Camera for b-roll shots - B&H Amazon
- Aputure MC Mini LED RGB Light - B&H
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens for Pocket 4K - B&H Amazon
Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session - Microphone Samples and Q&A
In this Sound for Video Session we sampled a few new mics including a budget supercardioid boom mic from Senal and two large diaphragm condensers from TZ Audio. We'll also covered your questions regarding how to create effects presets in Adobe Audition, the pros and cons of microdot connectors for lavalier microphones and others.
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, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Gear used or discussed in this session. Most of the links below are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Senal SCI-3212 Small Diaphragm Condenser microphone with omni, cardioid, and super-cardioid capsules - B&H
TZ Audio Stellar X2 and X2 Vintage large diaphragm condenser microphones
Sound Devices MixPre II Series audio recorders - B&H
Canon C200 was used as our streaming camera - B&H
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini HDMI switcher and USB converter - B&H
Countryman B6 lavalier microphone - B&H
DPA 4160 lavalier microphone - B&H
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Dante & Live Q&A
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we talked at a high level about Dante network audio, how it relates to sound for film and video, and then took live and pre-submitted questions.
Please consider my sound for video classes available over at my school.
Links to gear and topics discussed in this session. Most of the links below are affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases:
Audio DAW and video editing app 32 bit compatibility list
Sound Devices MixPre II Series recorders - B&H
Sound Devices 888 Mixer/Recorder - B&H
Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Microphone - B&H
Neumann U87 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - B&H
Sennheiser MD46 Handheld Dynamic Interview Microphone - B&H
Audio Ltd A10 Wireless Microphone System - Gotham Sound
Countryman B6 Lavalier Microphone - B&H
Sennheiser MKE2 Lavalier Microphone - B&H
Shure Twinplex Lavalier Microphones - B&H
Sanken COS-11D Lavalier Microphone - B&H
hear Technologies Switch Back M8RX Dante enabled mixer with 2 XLR microphone inputs - B&H
Copyright 2020 by Curtis Judd
Pro Lavalier Microphones - My Impressions On Seven Pro Lavalier Mics
In today’s episode, I give you my impressions on seven different pro level lavalier microphones I’ve used, including the Sanken COS-11D, Voice Technologies VT500, Countryman B6, Shure TwinPlex TL-47, Shure TwinPlex TL-48, and the Sennheiser MKE2.
You can find audio samples from these microphones below.
Shure Twinplex (with samples of DPA and Countryman as well):
Voice Technologies VT500:
Sanken COS-11D: (The doctor’s voice)
Sanken COS-11D (used during review of Tascam DR-10L):
Countryman B6:
Sennheiser MKE2 (review of AVX with MKE2):
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, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
Sanken COS-11D - B&H
Voice Technologies VT500 - B&H
Countryman B6 - B&H
Shure TwinPlex TL-47 - B&H
Shure TwinPlex TL-48 - B&H
Sennheiser MKE2 - B&H
Shure SM7B Dynamic Broadcast Microphone - B&H
Sound Devices MixPre II Series - B&H
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Switcher - B&H
Panasonic GH5 Camera used for most B-Roll shots - B&H Amazon
Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session - Q&A 2 February 2020
Sound for Video Session LIVE! 2 February 2020 In today's Sound for Video Session we discussed your questions and comments.
Here's some of the gear we covered. Full disclosure: Some of the links below are Amazon and B&H affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.
Zoom F4, F6, and F8n audio recorders - B&H
Sound Devices MixPre II audio recorders - B&H
Zoom LiveTrak L-8 audio recorder and mixer for podcasting - B&H
Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Microphone - B&H
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini - B&H
Hirose to d-tap cable to power MixPre-10 with a cinema battery - B&H
Panasonic GH5 and GH5S cameras which I use for live-streaming - B&H
Shure SM7B broadcast microphone which I use for live streaming - B&H
ATOMOS HDMI/SDI video recorders - B&H
Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q+ HDMI/SDI video recorder - B&H
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
First Look at the DEITY HD-TX Plug-on Wireless Microphone Transmitter
In this session, we use the DEITY Connect HD-TX XLR Plug-on Transmitter for the first time to see how it sounds.
Full disclosure: The DEITY Connect HD-TX system was sent to me free of charge from DEITY. They have not paid me further to produce this video and they did not review this video prior to posting. All opinions shared here are my own.
The following links are affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
HD-TX Plug-on Transmitter with Built-in Recorder - B&H https://bhpho.to/2R1Tk69
DEITY Connect Dual Channel Wireless Microphone system (2 lavalier kit) - B&H https://bhpho.to/2GajPzH
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Q&A 12 January 2020
In this week's live Sound for Video Session, we'll take a shot at answering your sound for video questions. You can submit them live, or for future sessions, just sign up for free over at http://school.learnlightandsound.com and I'll email you when its time to submit. In this session we talk advice for getting into corporate production work, microphones, recorders, body pack recorders (Tentacle Track E, Tascam DR-10), wind shields for microphones, and lots more!
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, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
Sound Devices MixPre II Series Audio Recorders - B&H
K-Tek Avalon 150CCR Graphite Boom Pole - B&H
RODE Blimp Wind Shield - B&H
Rycote Supershield - B&H
Rycote Cyclone Wind Shield - B&H
Zoom F6 Audio Recorder - B&H
Panasonic GH5 Camera - B&H
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini HDMI switcher for live streaming - B&H
RODE NTG5 Shotgun Microphone - B&H
RODE NTG2 Shotgun Microphone - B&H
Tentacle Sync E Timecode Generator - B&H
Sanken CS-1e Short Shotgun Microphone - B&H
Sennheiser MD46 Dynamic Microphone - B&H
Tascam DR-10X Plug-on Recorder - B&H
DEITY Connect Wireless Microphone System - B&H
Anker Powercore USB Battery for powering MixPre recorders - B&H
Orca OR-27 sound mixer bag - B&H
K-tek Stingray sound mixer bag for MixPre 3 and 6 - B&H
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Which Boom Microphones Do I Use? 2020 Edition
In today’s episode, I tell you about all of the boom microphones I choose for indoor and outdoor dialogue recording for video and film. We cover several different price ranges and both shotgun and small diaphragm condenser microphones as well as camera-top shotgun mics.
Jump ahead:
00:27 Introduction
02:05 Camera-top Shotgun Microphones
08:50 Less than $300 USD XLR Shotgun Microphones
12:46 $300 - $599 USD XLR Shotgun Microphones
19:24 $600 USD+ Pro Level Shotgun Microphones
24:08 Indoor Boom Microphones
24:46 ~$100 USD Cardioid Boom Microphones
25:50 $200 - $499 USD Cardioid Boom Microphones
29:27 $500 USD+ Professional Cardioid Boom Microphones
36:37 Bonus - Matched Pair Stereo Microphones
37:43 Buying Advice
In-depth reviews of most of the microphones we cover here:
RODE NTG5 (with samples from NTG3, Sennheiser MKH 416)
DPA 4017B (5 Shotgun Microphones)
Oktava MK-012 (compared with other indoor Boom Microphones)
Comparison of Samson CO2, Audix SCX1HC, AKG Blueline & CK93, Audio Technica AT4053B, RODE NT5
Comparison of Sennheiser MKH 8050, Schoeps CMC641, and Audio Technica AT4053B
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, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
Takstar SGM-598 - Amazon
RODE VideoMic Pro+ - Amazon B&H
DEITY V-Mic D3 Pro - Amazon B&H
RODE VideoMic NTG - Amazon B&H
Azden SGM-3500 - B&H
Azden SGM-3500L - B&H
RODE NTG5 - B&H
Sennheiser MKH 416 - B&H
DPA 4017B - B&H
Samson CO2 (pair) - Amazon B&H
Oktava MK-012 - Amazon
AKG Blueline & CK93 - B&H
Audio Technica AT4053b - Amazon B&H
Sennheiser MKH 50 - Amazon B&H
Sennheiser MKH 8050 - Amazon B&H
Schoeps CMC641 - B&H
Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed
Copyright 2020 by Curtis Judd
Recent Sound Project: The Army Nurse
Here’s a short film I was hired to help with recently. I did the production and foley sound. The director, Ryan Margetts, did nearly everything else including post audio and mix. We were a bit rushed to get this entered into the Light This Location contest so we weren’t able to put quite as much into the sound design as we had originally hoped, but it was a fun project and lots of lessons learned.
