Doc Audio Checklist

J

jacob12_1993

Active member
Hello Guys,

I am piecing together my audio kit for a documentary I will be producing on the thai-burmese border in May. I will be working independently for four months travelling around SE Asia and out of two rucksacks so weight is a concern. I do however want to produce the best possible end product and I realise that audio is as important as the picture itself. I have spent the last 6 months learning as much about DSLR sound as possible and would like to run my kit past you with a few ideas if that's okay?

So far I have:

Rode NTG 1 (w/ Rycote Suspension and Wind protection)
Sony ECM 55b Wired Lav (Would have gone wireless but budget has prevented that)
Tascam DR-100
Beachtek DXA-SLR (for times when dual set up will be a hindrance)
Sennheiser Headphones

I think this will cover me for interviews inside and out, localised sounds etc. However would I be able to record the ambient noise very well with this set-up? For instance when I'm working in some of the schools I will want to record the children singing and chanting etc. Also could you see any benefit for me to get a cheap second hand H1/DR-05 and cheap Audio Technica 3.5mm lav for putting in places where I wouldn't want to place my DR-100 and ECM55b? If you have any other suggestions I would love to hear them too

Thanks in advance for any help

Jake

p.s I'm technically a stills shooter so this will be my first real multimedia project
 
Not clear if you have already acquired that equipment, or if that is your shopping list?

I would rather use the Rode lav mic (vs. the Sony). It seems more rugged AND it has field-replaceable cable (if anything happens) and even interchangeable connectors for wireless, or 3.5mm (direct into your DSLR) or XLR (for the DR-100 or the Beachtek).

I have used "disposable" $5 "computer lavs" to good advantage where I didn't want to risk expensive equipment (or as a cheap backup).

I would expect that the built-in mics on the DR-100 would be sufficient for recording ambience sounds. I would certainly take wind protection (at least foam if not furry) for the DR-100.
 
Richard Crowley said:
Not clear if you have already acquired that equipment, or if that is your shopping list?

I would rather use the Rode lav mic (vs. the Sony). It seems more rugged AND it has field-replaceable cable (if anything happens) and even interchangeable connectors for wireless, or 3.5mm (direct into your DSLR) or XLR (for the DR-100 or the Beachtek).
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't make it clear, its already purchased. I was going to go for the Rode Lav but I managed to get the Sony for 1/5th of the price of a Rode Lav new because the seller didn't spell the title correctly on ebay. I couldn't really resist at that price and the money saved has really helped for other unexpected costs.
 
Richard Crowley said:
That sounds great, but make sure it is still functional and reliable. That is a rather old model of Sony microphone and I wouldn't want to be relying on something 10 years old.
Click to expand...
It's basically new old stock so should be okay, but if all else fails I will be able to record the rest of the interviews outside with my shotgun if the worst happens. As im completely financing this myself, my budget is struggling, I have already shed £3k on travel and equipment this year and that's like two years savings for me (I'm only 18) but its a cause close to my heart so I'm just excited to get out there.
 
What model of headphones is it? Make sure you have one that isolates fairly well, as you must be able to hear what you are getting through the mic to make decisions. The action if you can't hear properly is to turn up the volume, which can lead to damaged hearing and tinnitus. I've once used a pair of open phones because nothing else was available at the time, and never, ever again!
 
Take some spare connectors and a soldering set. You leave for a long time and service centers run thin in that part of the world. Take spares of the most fragile cables.
TIP:Try to find you some silica gel bags, you often find them in a shoebox, when you buy new shoos. The microphones could start to plop and hiss due to the high humidity. Put those silica gel bags in the microphone box. (I had problems with my Tram lavs after 3 weeks in Myanmar, the silica gel-trick fixed it)
 
does@pandora.be said:
Take some spare connectors and a soldering set. You leave for a long time and service centers run thin in that part of the world. Take spares of the most fragile cables.
TIP:Try to find you some silica gel bags, you often find them in a shoebox, when you buy new shoos. The microphones could start to plop and hiss due to the high humidity. Put those silica gel bags in the microphone box. (I had problems with my Tram lavs after 3 weeks in Myanmar, the silica gel-trick fixed it)
Click to expand...

I generally use the silica gel for my lenses anyway so I will get some extra for the mics. About the soldering kit, I'm going to have to think hard about that one as I have a 30kg weight limit for 4 months kit (personal stuff and audio/video/photography kit) however as I will be travelling with it on my back/by public transport I am looking to get it to the low 20kg even sub 20kg if possible. I'll have to work out if it lighter to take a soldering kit and a few connectors or a couple of extra cables.
 
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