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A large part of our business involves teaching the craft of sound mixing. Sadly, there
are very few books that cover the topic accurately and from a practical perspective.
Here is a collection of informative articles, many of which we have written ourselves
over the years. Please feel welcome to contribute articles you may have written.
 All of these articles
are copyright protected, but instructors or students wishing to reprint them for
non-commercial and educational purposes are welcome to contact us for friendly permission.
In addition to our own articles, here is a very useful link to a plethora of
additional materials.
www.realitycrew.com/links.html
- Multitrack location recording for
Film/Video
- Now that we have two, four, or more audio tracks available to us for
recording production sound for video and film -- here's what to do with
them!
- Selection and Use of Lavalier Microphones
- Differences between mics. Rigging them outside clothing and hiding them under clothing.
- (revised and with new pix)
- Mixing the TV "event"
- Often, the low budget video crew is called upon to cover a small "event",
be it a sports competition, cooking demo, local contest, or how-to-do-it.
Here are some useful audio tips.
- Winning support for your K-12
Video Dept
Teachers: Make friends and political allies in the school by showing
how video can be an effective educational tool; not just a means of
teaching cinematic arts.
Production Design for Dialogue
Recording
There is more to getting good sound than just the contributions of the
Sound Dept. Here are some tips for Set Design and Wardrobe to help achieve
high quality audio!
Tips for students on how to "work" a
film festival
You don't attend festivals and events to watch movies; you go to make
connections and meet important people. Here are some tips to help you
succeed.
- Student Internships
- Sometimes the best internships turn out to be the worst! Remember, it's
not about what they pay you, but what you take away with you in terms of
experience!
Foley on a shoestring
- Adding sync sound effects, recorded live to picture, will enhance any
project.
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- Beginners Guide to the ENG 44 Portable
Mixing Panel
- An introduction to using the newly released, ENG-44 portable mixing panel.
It takes you through all of the switches and settings, along with lots of
introductory practical advice for those new to using mixers.
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- Audio for Sync Playback (aka Music
Videos)
- An introduction to shooting Music Videos involving Sync Playback. Proper
timecode rates for playing back music for NTSC video, 30P video, 24P
video, HiDef, and 16mm/35mm motion picture.
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- 23.976 Timecode and the HD Camera
- Charles Parra, timecode expert at Denecke Inc. was kind enough to allow us
to post his article explaining the new timecode format and its impact on
production sound recording.
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- Introduction to the Use of Boompoles
- Why use a boompole. How to use a boompole.
- Tips on Using Wireless Mics
Some
tips on the use of Wireless Mics.
XL1 Audio
CANON USA has prepared an excellent explanation of how to use the audio
options in the Canon XL1 camcorder. Thank You, Canon, from all of us who
have tried to figure it out on our own!
Is Timecode Always Necessary
Just because you're editing in timecode non-linear, you do not have to record production
audio with timecode!
Formatting Tapes for Sync Playback
Using Nagra, DAT, timecode DAT, and CD for sync playback during production of music
videos, etc.
Recording Audio for MiniDV, Hi8mm, SVHS
Solving the problem of interfacing professional mics with prosumer camcorders.
Consistency in Production Sound
Production tracks require consistency in level and perspective if they are going to
intercut smoothly.
About Wireless Mics
Learn more about using wireless mics.
Going with new versus older recording formats?
Now that I've got it, what am I going to do with it? Does digital really make a
difference out on the set?
Motion Picture Soundtrack: Intro to the basics
Introduction to the basic components of the motion picture soundtrack: narration, music,
sound effects, dialogue.
Pre-production planning for audio
Introduction to the basic areas of pre-production planning for good location audio:
location scouting, crew assignments (mixer, boom, utility), equipment, dealing with rental
houses.
Production Sound: An Overview
An introduction to the craft of sound mixing. Crew, equipment, priorities of dialogue,
microphone strategies, shotguns, lavs, sync playback.
Windscreens and Shockmounts
An introduction to the use of shockmounts and proper windscreens for location sound
recording. Covers noise & rumble, types of wind noise, tricks of the trade.
Hollywood Approach to Production Sound
Even on small productions, taking the right approach to sound recording will make a
difference. Hollywood pro's do it the way they do it because it works!
Introduction to Selection and Application of Shotgun Mics
All mics are not created equal. A primer on how to choose and use the right shotgun mic
for the shot.
Tape Boxes and Labels
How to professionally label your audiotape boxes and reels.
Sample Budget for Production Sound
Presentation to producers is important. Here is a sample budget for use as example.
Introduction to Timecode recording
Basics of timecode for production sound recording. Explains the difference frame rates,
drop & non-drop frame, free-run, time-of-day, and sampling rates.
Controllable Background Noise
Contributed by Mike Hall, one of our clients. A memo to Producers discussing types of
background noise and steps that can be taken thru good production planning to minimize it.
Street Survival: Advice before you sign that Deal Memo
Deal Memo's are employment contracts! Before you sign anything, make sure that it covers
your needs as well as the Producer's!
Headphone levels
Learn to set levels with your ears and use your eyes for watching the set.
What Your Crew Expects
Words of advice to new Directors and Producers of industrial video and cable TV.
Setting levels for digital
Setting levels for DAT is a bit different than setting record levels on a Nagra.
Red Dotting Microphones
Before 48 volt Phantom became practical for location recording, there was 12 volt
T-power. But there are two versions of T-power, and this causes a lot of confusion!
Guide to Creating Resume
Advice for graduating students and novices on how to create your professional resume.
Intro to Use of Mixing Panels
Some basics on the operation of ENG mixers, as well as a tutorial on the use of the
Mackie 1402VLZ, which typifies Production Mixing Consoles.
Camcorder buzz caused from video monitors
Sometimes the buzz in your soundtrack can be traced to the connection of
your video monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- We get lots of e-mail. Here are some FAQ's on Why You Can't Order
Directly from out web, and advice for starting out with a Sony TRV900. Also,
advice on putting together a basic sound package for
independent
feature
films; and advice on audio for
wedding videography.
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We are authorities in production sound recording
for video and filmmaking. We also have lots of accessories for videography; and
are dealers for Casablanca, AVIO, and Renommee
non-linear video editors; as well as turnkey AVID & AVID Liquid (aka
Pinnacle) editing solutions.
If you would like a copy of our
2005/2006 "cowboy cover" catalog (free, of course), please phone or
e-mail us. We are working on a new 2007 catalog, coming later this year.
