A question about double system without a mixer

M

Mr. Mandarino

New member
Hi,

before the question, this is my setup:

Oktava mk-012 or Rode NTG-1 -> Fostex FR-2LE -> Headphones

I don't have a mixer, because now I can't afford it (should it be my next buy or maybe a better mic?).
My question is: can I use the Fostex rca out to send audio to the camera or would it have some latency?
 
Do you want the sound to be recorded to your camera or are you shooting double system for the benefits it provides?

Most of the Panasonic and prosumer cameras with XLR inputs have very good preamps in their cameras so a mixer is not really needed.

With your particular setup, I'd say either record to the camera straight from the microphones or to the Fostex and use a slate to sync up. Be sure to record a scratch track on the camera or even use it for a 3rd and 4th mic when you need.

Usually a mixer is used for the preamps and being able to use more then 2 mics for a 2 track recorder. For the most part, you don't need more than two tracks so I would say you should get a better mic with your next purchase since you will get more use out of it. The oktava and rode are good sounding and awesome bang for the buck. Remember the most important thing is mic placement. A great sounding mic is not very great sounding if it's not in the right place.

Hope this helps,
Andy
 
thanks for the help!

We're going to shoot with a p2 camera and, most of the time, with only one mic.
Honestly I didn't know what kind of benefits would double system provide. I intended to have good sound from the recorder and to send it to the camera only for better sync.
Is there something that i don't know about double system? (it will be my first experience in film sound)
 
With the right recorder, double-system always gets better quality recording than on-cam. And the pre-amps in the FR2-LE get fantastic reviews for quality. And if you rely on the FR2-LE and don't worry about the feed to the camera, your recordist will have a bit of flexibility with movement independent of the camera.

If you trust the recorder, you can forgo the feed to the camera. Just turn the camera's built-in mics on for reference only, which will help you sync in post.

As for what you need to know about double-system:

- Get a slate with clapper. There are some very inexpensive ones out there that will do the job.
- Take diligent notes with each shot, including time code and file markers for both camera and FR2-LE.
- Slate every shot, including a visual on the slate with written notes (dry erase), verbal read of the slate notes, and then clapper. Do this every time you stop and start the camera.
- Make darn sure that the numbers are rolling on both machines as you start each take, and roll both for five seconds after "cut."
- Dump your CF card at the end of each day (or when it starts filling up) to a hard drive. Make backup copies. With tapeless acquisition, it helps to create a folder organization structure that is consistent between audio and video files. You don't technically have "reels" since there is no tape, but each filled card can be transferred as a reel. It might also help to transfer at lunch break and start fresh for the second half of the day. Number your CF and P2 cards, and take notes on which "reels" were recorded to which cards. Also helps you troubleshoot if problems arise.
 
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The benefits of a double system are that the camera doesn't need to be tethered to a microphone.

A dedicated recorder usually has better sound than a camera.

Your sound recordist is free to move about the set and get in the best position. Also, they can control the audio levels without getting to the camera(if they don't have a mixer.)

Those are just some of the positives. The only real negative is that you have to sync up clips in the end.

Best,
Andy
 
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