Documentary work only/DVX100B

A

A Voice in the Wilderness

Member
Greetings folks,
After reading practically everything listed on this site about audio, I just purchased a Rode NTG-1 from B&H and 2 wired Countryman EMW's from Northern Sound to use for my upcoming doc shoots.

For the two shorts I plan to shoot this summer I will hire a sound person, as I've done in the past. However, for the docs I'm a one woman show, so I pray I've chosen wisely for the equipment.

If anyone has any feedback/suggestions, please feel free to share.

And my sincere thanks to everyone who contributes to this amazing site - you're a God send. :dankk2:

Proud and scared new owner of a DVX100B.
Living my Dream...Kia
 
congrats on getting the tools. however, thats less then 1/4 of the battle. I dont know your audio experience so i will write this as if you are a beginner.

Mic placement is one of the most critical aspects of audio. finding the "sweet spot" while staying invisible to the camera eye is the challenge( unless you dont mind seeing a mic on your interviewee).

find a willing subject and practice. keep in mind the environments you will be shooting in and read about how to treat them. If you're in a big room with wood floors, there will be some "echo". will you have sound blankets and stands to mount them? or at least a blanket on the floor?

Use your ears when you survey what you want for a shot. do you hear the refrigerator hum? air conditioner? forced air from a heater? try and site survey. write a list of possible issues and then read up on how to treat them.

GET ROOM TONE! at least 30 seconds of recording the ambiance of your location without talking. if there is construction going on and off in background, record that sound so you can loop it underneath. consistency in sound is key. its more off putting to go from a background sound that goes in and out then it is to have it be constant. Is it raining outside? do the mics pick it up? make it work for you. get an exterior justifying the sound of the rain or the kids playing in the street. you dont have to fight for a perfectly clean sound if you can justify what the viewer hears.

hope this helps
 
Definitely get some headphones for the doc work - sony 7506 are good, the rode is not a bad choice when you're working on your own & though it's not recommended to have a mic on the camera, sometimes it's all you can do & the rode is quite tolerant of handling noise so long as you get yourself a shockmount & be aware of its limitations (particularly indoors as mentioned above)
 
Thank you so much for taking the time to point out these critical factors; I'm most grateful.

Yes, I am a newbie, so here's a rudimentary question: if the shotgun mic is not running through the camera, what other items will I need to record the sound?

Kia

TVSound said:
congrats on getting the tools. however, thats less then 1/4 of the battle. I dont know your audio experience so i will write this as if you are a beginner.

Mic placement is one of the most critical aspects of audio. finding the "sweet spot" while staying invisible to the camera eye is the challenge( unless you dont mind seeing a mic on your interviewee).

find a willing subject and practice. keep in mind the environments you will be shooting in and read about how to treat them. If you're in a big room with wood floors, there will be some "echo". will you have sound blankets and stands to mount them? or at least a blanket on the floor?

Use your ears when you survey what you want for a shot. do you hear the refrigerator hum? air conditioner? forced air from a heater? try and site survey. write a list of possible issues and then read up on how to treat them.

GET ROOM TONE! at least 30 seconds of recording the ambiance of your location without talking. if there is construction going on and off in background, record that sound so you can loop it underneath. consistency in sound is key. its more off putting to go from a background sound that goes in and out then it is to have it be constant. Is it raining outside? do the mics pick it up? make it work for you. get an exterior justifying the sound of the rain or the kids playing in the street. you dont have to fight for a perfectly clean sound if you can justify what the viewer hears.

hope this helps
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