Miking and Digital Recording. Gain Staging No level should be higher than its previous point in the...
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Transcript of Miking and Digital Recording. Gain Staging No level should be higher than its previous point in the...
Gain Staging
• No level should be higher than its previous point in the recording stage (i.e. going from field mixer into a recorder, mixer into a DAW, etc.)
– Instead of boosting signal on recorder to get good signal, boost gain on mixer
– Avoid hiss and noise
• Sound Source>Signal>Gain>PreAmp>Disk
Channels
• Channels are basically separate inputs and “tracks” used for recording
• Stereo mix=two mono mics recording the same sound onto two separate channels
• The soundwaves of the same sound hit the mics at different times, level, and frequency response
• Take these two channels and mix and pan in post to create your stereo field
Channels Cont’d
• Mono Mix: recording one mono signal to both tracks
– Recording mono mic signal onto both channels is more data
– For high SPL sounds (guns, explosions) set up two mono mics onto discrete channels and set recording level lower on one channel (H4N cannot do this!!!)
– Record same sound events from different perspectives
Clipping
• Over digital zero=distortion
• Squared waveforms
• Sound like crap
• Squares off frequency
• Loses information
• Set a limiter on recorder
• Cannot correct clipping in post
Headroom
• Try to set recording signal at -12dB peak
• I personally like the peak higher
• This means you can handle sounds 200% louder before clipping
– Coughing, actor yelling, explosion, etc.
• Allows for a dynamic range, which is the audible difference between the lowest and highest level sounds without distortion (a ratio)
• Dynamic range of human hearing is about 120-140dB
Monitors
• Use to isolate recordist from acoustic environment (keep monitor level down to avoid bleeding out into the mic)
• You listen for noise, hums, crackles, hisses
• You do NOT listen for setting the level of the incoming sound source; use VU meters to gauge signal level
• Treat monitors with care!
• NEVER wrap cable!!!!
Viers' 10 Recording Commandments
• C1: have 2 seconds of pre and post roll
• For video/film sets
– AD: “Quiet on set/Pictures Up”=shhhhh
– AD: “Sound Ready?”=You “Ready”
– AD: “Camera Ready?” (camera, “ready”)
– AD: “Roll Sound”= You “Sound rolling/speed” and press record
– AD: “Roll Camera”(camera “camera rolling/speed”
– Director: “Action!”
Commandment 2
• Record more than you need
• Save source material (alternative takes and “mistakes”)
• Ambience for atmos (2-10 minutes)
• Ambience as room tone (at LEAST 30 seconds)
Commandment 3• Slate every take w/ as much info as possible
• Scene name, take number (for dialog, atmos)
• Sound name, take number (for SFX or Foley)
• Name of object/location; object/location info; action
– “Lettuce being hit with a dowel hard”
– “Banging wrench on open 50 gallon drum with water in it”
• Give time between take and performance; tail slates; slate mic, slate separate actions in a long take
Commandment 4
• Check your levels all the time!!!
• Check knobs and faders if working with mixers
• Most digital recorders have a “hold” switch so that you cannot accidentally manipulate the level
• Meters don't lie: set to -12dB (Viers says -18dB to give you +18dB headroom)
Commandment 5
• Always listen with headphones
• ***Set levels w/ eyes
• Your ears don't hear like the mics do
Commandment 6
• Remove all background noise
• Use headphone monitors to listen for it
• Reverb
• A/C rumble; traffic; clocks; lights; insects; planes; refrigerators; TVs (15KHz)
• 60Hz AC hum: cause by electrical outlets
– Use battery operated gear in the field
– Hum eliminators for studios
Commandment 7
• Do not interrupt a take
• Keep rolling: don't change mic position, recorder gain, etc.
• NEVER change your gain levels during recording. It's noticeable and usually in-correctable in post
– If you boost signal; it also boosts white noise
• Develop hand signals for recording (“action” or “cut” so that no accidental voice on sound
Commandment 8
• Point the mic at the sound
• Try to balance mic on the sound source
– Object or part of object making the noise...point the mic at it!
• Preserve stereo field: Coolers from front and turn around and record with them behind mic
• Move mic to follow action or keep it still and capture action as it moves along to keep the perspective
Commandment 9
• Check all your gear before going out to record
• Extra batteries
• Extra memory cards