How important is reference audio?

[Zander Burstein]

Running a cable to camera isn't always easy, and I don't have a wireless hop!

I'd love to hear some post insight on the importance of a reference track.

[Steve House]

and how important is dead-on sync to you (or more importantly, to the clients or audience who are expecting you to deliver professional quality work?) No one said the job was easy but you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to deliver state-of-the-art performance.

[Alex H.]

But with a proper slate, it isn't a huge deal... and as long as there's a mic on the camera, you have at least a very rudimentary reference track.

[gonzo_entertainment]

But with a proper slate, it isn't a huge deal... and as long as there's a mic on the camera, you have at least a very rudimentary reference track.

Exactly. We just use the built in camera mic. It doesn't have to sound good, it just helps to have it there.

[unclebob6958]

But with a proper slate, it isn't a huge deal...

They've been doing it that way with film for over 80 years - and still do it that way. Sometimes it's amazing how lazy and spoiled we have become with all of the work-saving technology available to us.

My wife is a graphic artist and can remember when you literally had to cut with a razor blade and paste with adhesive. As a photographer she also developed her own B&W film. I remember when the studio where I recorded went from eight to 16 tracks.

[gonzo_entertainment]

They've been doing it that way with film for over 80 years - and still do it that way. Sometimes it's amazing how lazy and spoiled we have become with all of the work-saving technology available to us.

My wife is a graphic artist and can remember when you literally had to cut with a razor blade and paste with adhesive. As a photographer she also developed her own B&W film. I remember when the studio where I recorded went from eight to 16 tracks.

We still don't use any of that plural eyes, duals eyes, etc... stuff. Having the reference audio waveform there just shaves that syncing to the slate down from 30 seconds to 20 seconds because you can get it close by just eyeballing the wave forms.

[Noiz2]

But with a proper slate, it isn't a huge deal... and as long as there's a mic on the camera, you have at least a very rudimentary reference track.

So to be specific the the question it is useful to important to have some reference track married to the video. A slate will get you sync at the head and your drift should not be significant if your takes are in the less than ten min. range.

The reference track is important when you have problems and are trying to sync with a bad slate or after you have made some cuts and sync has slipped because of some silly user error. It's a really nice safety net but it is not necessary IF you have followed a strict old school slating and documenting workflow.

[AtticusLake]

A slate will get you sync at the head and your drift should not be significant if your takes are in the less than ten min. range.

If you're worried about drift, just capture a tail slate -- easy enough if you're already doing the head slate.

[nothing]

If you're worried about drift, just capture a tail slate -- easy enough if you're already doing the head slate.

Tail slates are often far from easy - itchy trigger fingers always hit the switch too soon. I've missed hundreds of tail slates in my career.

[Noiz2]

Tail slates are often far from easy - itchy trigger fingers always hit the switch too soon. I've missed hundreds of tail slates in my career.

And it doesn't fix the sync just lets you know you are off. With some math you can get in the ballpark of the shrink/stretch you need on the take BUT that is only if the drift is constant.

My vote, you still want a reference if at all possible.