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
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Reduce Reverb with Izotope RX 6
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we discuss how to reduce reverberation. The best way is to use sound blankets while recording. But if that doesn't work out, then this is how to *reduce* reverb, not eliminating it, in Izotope RX 6.
Previous session demonstrating how to use sound blankets to reduce reverb while recording:
Gear used to record this session:
Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Microphone
Antelope Audio Orion Studio Audio Interface
Spring Clamps to hang sound blanekts
Century Stand to hang the blankets
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Road Noise, Asymmetric Waveforms & Phase Rotation
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we discuss two questions:
- How do I reduce road noise for recordings in cars?
- How do I fix asymmetric waveforms without spending $800 CDN on Izotope RX?
Gear used to record this session:
Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Microphone: http://amzn.to/2rtAWHV
Antelope Audio Orion Studio Audio Interface: https://bhpho.to/2lRXBtG
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
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)
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
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.
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
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
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Izotope RX6 Demonstration
Izotope RX is an invaluable tool for dialogue audio post production clean up and mastering. I rely on RX heavily for most of my dialogue processing projects. Izotope just released the newest version (RX6) and in this session we'll look at two new modules (de-wind and de-rustle) as well as at the dialogue de-noise which has been improved over previous versions.
Links/Gear used to create this session:
Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Microphone (Voiceover for this session was recorded with this)
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro Camera (Talking head clips shot with this)
Antelope Orion Studio Audio Interface
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
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)
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
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.
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
