Sound for Video Session: Allen Williams - Boom Operator
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we have a conversation with Boom Operator Allen Williams. Allen has worked on TV shows including The Walking Dead and Stranger Things along with many other shows and movies - see his IMDB credits.
In our conversation, Allen shares a wealth of knowledge related to production sound and operating a boom mic along with many tips for the types of challenges and issues that the sound department faces on set every day.
Allen also has his own YouTube channel called SoundSpeeds.
Allen mentioned a few videos during our discussion:
How to composite out a boom mic for wide shots
Building Better Boom Ops Playlist
Gear used to record this session:
Shure SM7b Microphone
Sound Devices MixPre-10T Audio Recorder
Panasonic GH5S Camera
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens
AJA U-Tap USB video capture box - Takes the HDMI output from the camera and feeds the video to my computer via USB for streaming.
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: JBL 1 Series 104 Monitors & Q&A
In this sound for video session, we had a casual conversation about several audio related topics and gear including the new affordable near field monitors from JBL - 1 Series 104. Also talked about Azden 3500 series microphones, the Zoom F6, and lots of other questions and topics.
Gear mentioned in this session:
JBL 1 Series 104 Near Field Monitors for Mixing on a budget
Zoom F6 Audio Field Recorder
Audio Ltd A10 Wireless Microphone System
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones (Amazon) - my main production sound headphones
AKG K175 On-Ear Closed Back Headphones (Amazon)
Sound Devices MixPre Recorders
MikMe Gold Large Diaphragm Condesner Microphone/Recorder (Amazon)
Azden SGM-3500 Short Shotgun Microphone
Azden SGM-3500L Shotgun Microphone
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Michael Wynne - Production Sound Mixer, Atlanta
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we talk with Michael Wynne who is a production sound mixer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael gives us a look into the TV production sound world where he works on larger budget productions. We talk about many of the practical matters; The sound team - mixer, boom operator, and sound utility. Also cover equipment, solving issues, union work, and more!
Check out Michael Wynne’s YouTube channel for some great production sound content.
Gear discussed in this episode:
Sound Devices 688 Audio Recorder/Mixer
Sound Devices CL-12 - Fader Controller
DPA 6060 Lavalier Microphone
Sanken COS-11D Lavalier Microphone
Countryman B6 Lavalier Microphone
Countryman B3 Lavalier Microphone
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Sound Design with Lloyd Puckitt
This week we spoke with Lloyd Puckitt, the sound designer for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. Earlier in his career, Lloyd worked as a recording engineer for acts including Depeche Mode, Erasure, Mathew Sweet, Madonna, and earned platinum records with Vitamin C and Fuel.
In the late 90s, as the business side of the music industry went through some significant changes, Lloyd returned to the education and artistic side of music. Lloyd is now a sound designer and an education artist for Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Planet Waves, and Dynasty Percussion.
Please consider my sound for video classes available over at the Learn Light and Sound School.
Gear discussed in this episode:
Audio Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Audio Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Audio Technica AT2050 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with variable polar pattern
Shure MX150 omni-directional lavalier microphone
RF Scanner/Analyzer - RF Explorer Pro - Lloyd didn’t mention which scanner they use, but this is one example of an RF scanner
Gear Used to record my end of the conversation:
Panasonic GH5S Camera
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens
Shure SM7B Dynamic Broadcast Microphone
AJA U-Tap HDMI - HDMI to USB Capture Box
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music from Artlist: Keep an Eye by Back to Dream. You can receive a 2 month discount on a subscription to Artlist, a subscription service for stock music you can use with your videos. Check it out at Artlist.io.
Sound for Video Session: Q&A 23 April 2019
This week we answer your questions about sound for video including recording, production, post, and gear.
Gear discussed in this session:
RODE WIRELESS GO - super convenient wireless microphone system for vloggers and solo shooters
DEITY Connect - dual channel wireless microphone system
Sennheiser XSW-D - super simple wireless microphone system for vloggers, solo shooters, musicians, etc.
RODE Filmmaker Kit - Wireless lavalier microphone system for indie filmmakers
Copyright 2019 - Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2017 - TVAC, Used with Permission
Sound Devices Scorpio - NAB 2019
As part of our coverage of the Nation Association of Broadcaster’s show in Las Vegas in April 2019, we talked with Paul Isaacs at Sound Devices about their new flagship mixer/recorder called Scorpio. This is a device which is aimed at larger budget, very demanding productions where lots of inputs and lots of outputs are required.
Please consider my sound for video classes available over at our school.
Gear discussed and used to record this episode:
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens
Electrovoice RE50L Dynamic Interview Microphone
Sound Devices 633 Mixer/Recorder
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2017 by TVAC. Used with permission
Zoom F6 - NAB 2019
Zoom just announced their new F6 field recorder for location sound audio recording. Rather than just tweak the form factor, which they did, they also moved to dual analogue to digital converters which record to 32 bit. So the way you record changes pretty dramatically. When recording to 32 bit, you don't set the gain trim (there is none), you simply adjust the fader for each input channel. If you missed the level, no problem, in post you can cleanly normalize to the levels you need with no degradation in audio quality.
They've also switched up a few other things: The screen is a slightly smaller version of the high resolution screen from the F8n, the back of the recorder is a Sony NP-F (L series) battery sled, and you can now power the F6 via its USB-C input. The same quality timecode generator from the F8n is on board, this time with a 3.5mm TRS input/output jack. The F6 has a single SD card slot for recording media and still includes the advanced hybrid limiter when you record in 24 bit.
Auto mix is included and the with an adapter, you can use the Zoom Control app for iOS. You can also use the Zoom F-Control control surface.
We'll have a full review after the F6 starts shipping, hopefully in June 2019. Pricing still to be announced.
Gear discussed and used to record this interview:
Zoom F6 at Amazon - Coming Soon
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens
Electrovoice RE50L Dynamic Interview Microphone
Sound Devices 633 Audio Field Recorder/Mixer
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2017 by TVAC. Used with permission.
Send Audio from Zoom F4 to Camera 3.5mm Mic Input
This is one segment from the upcoming Zoom F4 course which will be available soon at our school.
In this episode, I run through the process of feeding audio out of the Zoom F4 into the 3.5mm microphone input on your hybrid, mirrorless, or DSLR camera. Some cameras make this a little more difficult because their microphone inputs can only be “turned down” so far (lookin’ at your Panasonic), which is not enough. But we also show you how to work around this issue.
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 at https://school.learnlightandsound.com including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Links to gear used in this video:
Zoom F4 (Amazon) - Audio Recorder and Mixer. Course on how to get the most of your Zoom F4 coming soon!
Juicebox 95Wh Cine Battery (Amazon) - I use this to power my F4 for 8 hours. Need the cable below as well.
And you’ll need this cable:
D-Tap to Hirose 4-pin cable (Amazon) to power the F4 with Cine Batteries
TalentCell 22,400mAh Battery (Amazon) - a less expensive rechargeable battery to power the F4 for many hours
And you’ll also need this cable:
DC Barrel to Hirose Cable (Amazon)
Aputure COB 120DII LED Light (Amazon) - this is my main workhorse light for 90% of my video work.
Nikon Z6 & 24 - 70 f/4 Lens - used in this video to demonstrate how to feed sound from the F4 to camera
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 Lens - wow, super sharp, fast lens. Love this for product shots like this video
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2019 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.
Sound for Video Session: Q&A 25 March 2019
In this episode, we answer your questions on sound for video.
00:20 Recording Cars
03:57 Zoom H4n & Samson CO2?
06:22 How to sweeten dialogue sound
11:10 Which boom microphone for indoors?
13:00 Apps to automix dialogue in post?
15:00 MixPre as audio interface - does quality degrade when recording to screen recording app?
16:54 How much PC do I need to run Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve?
18:32 How to capture a noise sample? (Need more info)
18:57 Zoom H6 - remote reduces handling noise?
19:36 How to aim a super cardioid boom microphone
20:50 Replacing lavalier microphone for RODELink
22:28 RODECaster Pro multitrack recording to SD card?
24:12 Batch processing audio in RX and Audition?
25:14 Which sound effects should I record when I'm the mixer for a video?
28:05 Why is my compressor letting peaks through?
29:24 Boom and lavs to director's audio feed? AES42 digital audio with A10 and SD 633?
32:08 Panasonic 991 and timecode and post sync?
35:01 Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and MixPre - line level feed
36:28 Which specs can help you choose a recorder or microphone if you can't try it hands on?
41:11 Which boom mic and recorder do you recommend for interviews for $1200 or less?
43:18 RODE NTG3 or Deity S-Mic 2 sounds closer to the 416?
44:27 What is the difference between the Sound Devices MixPre-3 and MixPre-3M and can I use the "M" version for film and video?
47:55 How do I gain stage a Sennheiser G3 wireless system and Zoom F8n?
49:42 What is a timecode workflow for shooting music videos?
See this workflow information:
https://www.bamfsound.com/how-to-music-video-playback-with-ltc-timecode/
Gear discussed/used in this session:
RODECaster Pro - used to record this session
Sound Devices MixPre Series
Zoom F8n - Very good value for money on a pro/prosumer audio recorder
Sennheiser G3/G4 Wireless Microphone system - note that you need the correct version with frequencies you can use in your region. Contact a reseller in your country for details.
Deity S-Mic 2 shotgun microphone
RODE NTG3 shotgun microphone - I prefer the sound of this on most voices.
Sennheiser MKH416 shotgun microphone - the classic shotgun microphone that seemingly everyone is trying to mimic at enthusiast prices
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - I find that I use this more often than any of my other cameras these days.
Tentacle Sync timecode generators
Izotope RX7 - my favorite app for cleaning and optimizing audio clips
Samson C02 - budget boom microphone - comes in a set of 2. Good budget option for interviews.
Zoom H5 - budget recorder with 2 XLR inputs
Tascam DR-60DmkII - budget recorder with 2 XLR inputs
Zoom H6 - budget recorder with 4 XLR microphone inputs
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Outro music from Artlist by Kick Lee. You can receive a 2 month discount on a subscription to Artlist, a subscription service for stock music you can use with your videos. Check it out at Artlist.io.
Audio Recorders for Filmmaking 2019: Choosing a Sound Recorder for Your Video Projects
In this episode, I explain my opinions on each of the sound recorders and mixers I’ve used for filmmaking. This includes the following. Click the links to jump ahead:
00:36 Zoom H1, H1n, and Tascam DR-05 Handheld recorders
03:00 Zoom F1 lavalier and on-camera recorder
05:17 Tascam DR-10L and Lectrosonics PDR mini body pack lavalier recorders
06:43 Tascam DR-60DmkII, Zoom H4n Pro, Zoom H5, Zoom H6
11:53 Centrance Mixerface R4R
12:50 Roland R-88 (Discontinued but can find used)
13:48 Zoom F4/F8/F8n, Sound Devices MixPre, Tascam DR-701D
32:21 Sound Devices 600 Series and Zaxcom Maxx, Nomad, & Deva
Recorder/Mixer Reviews - If you want more detail:
Zoom H1n: Handheld recorder which is a good option for using it like a wireless lavalier recorder
Zoom F1: Small recorder made for recording lavalier microphones or as a camera-top shotgun mic
Tascam DR-10L: This is my favorite tiny recorder for using in place of a wireless lavalier microphone
Lectrosonics PDR: Pro level lavalier microphone recorder.
Tascam DR-60DmkII: My favorite budget recorder with XLR inputs for recording on location
Zoom H4n Pro: Ok option if your XLR microphone has a strong output signal. Not a good option for mics like the RODE NTG2
Zoom H6: Much better option than the H4n Pro. But the screen is hard to see in direct sunlight
Centrance Mixerface R4R: Incredibly durable handheld recorder with 2 XLR inputs, great preamps, but no screen
Zoom F4: 4 XLR microphone inputs. Very good preamps and timecode generator
Zoom F8n: Probably the most value for money. 8 XLR inputs with great preamplifiers and durable build
Sound Devices MixPre-6: 4 XLR inputs, very good preamplifiers, analogue limiters, and durable build
Sound Devices MixPre-10T: 8 XLR inputs, very good preamplifiers, analogue limiters, timecode generator, and durable build. This is my backup recorder/mixer for paid jobs.
Zoom F8, Sound Devices MixPre-6, and 633 Sound Sample Comparison: Hear the difference between the Zoom F, Sound Devices MixPre, and Sound Devices 633. You’ll need some good headphones or speakers.
Zoom F vs Sound Devices MixPre - Which should you buy?: A little perspective on which might be best for you.
Sound Devices MixPre Control Surfaces: If you’re at a table, desk, or cart, these control surfaces can make mixing a little easier.
Zoom F-Control Control Surface: If you’re at a table, desk or cart, these control surfaces can make mixing a little easier.
Sound Devices 633: Why pros use expensive recorders/mixers like the 633
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 Fairlight and Audition, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Links to gear used in this video:
Tascam DR-05 (Amazon)
Tascam DR-60DmkII (Amazon)
Anker USB-C Battery Bank (Amazon)
Aputure COB 120DII LED Light (Amazon)
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 OIS Lens
Panasonic GH5 (Amazon)
Panasonic GH5S (Amazon)
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2018 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.
