Im am The lowest budget filmmaker on the planet

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LarrySmith17

Member
Hey Guys,
I was wondering.........My mini Dv does not have external capabilities.....Is there a way I could cheaply record sound externally, or should I even consider recording using the cameras internal mic
 
seriously - the camera has no mic input at all? You might consider "post dubbing" if you don't have a lot of dialogue. After each sccessful take bring the actor closer to the camera and record a purely audio take (although it may take some practice to get the audio perspective correct. Otherwise you'll end up with sound that is too "close" for the shot). You'll also need to sync this in post which, if you've a lot of dialogue, may lead to insanity. Our friend above is right, buy a minidisk with mic input and use a clapperboard to sync the shot to the audio.

If you're doing a "verite" film you could consider doing the camera mike thing but you might have audio editing problems later as those mikes generally record every direction so that fridge which was hardly noticable in shot 1 is humming on shot 3 which has to edit with it so you get an on-off-on-off effect as you edit. Solution - rerecord the fridge audio and put it over the whole scene. Itmay irritate but it'll be consistent.

The minidisk is your safest option.

Good luck.
 
Another question

Another question

So if I did get a mini-disk, could I download the audio to the computer the same way I download the video.........I have adobe premiere, but have no clue how to work it, would I be able to download the audio using Movie Maker 2
 
How much can you spend on some audio gear? Let's assume you can't spend more than $500. You could get a decent minidisc player for about $300 (Sony MZ-M10)
Shotgun Mic (Azden SGM-1X - $149)
Cables for getting the mic to the minidisc player (don't skimp on that)
If you can spend some more you could get an Okatava MK012 hypercardiod ($165)
Slate ($30)

That's all well and good now you need to make your own boom pole (see previous threads), buy a shockmount (see previous threads), and get some wind protection (see previous threads).

See the problem is, once you want to improve the audio you'll see it's going to take a little investment to do so. But you could get into this for about $500 you just won't have all the right tools.

But do what you can and I'm sure you'll start to improve the quality of your audio over time. As for your question about getting the audio in to the computer, the minidisc player has USB connection. You can use that to get into computer and then import the files into your editing program.

Steve
 
I've seen some very cheap DAT recorders on eBay as well. You could use one of those if you can find it cheaper than minidisc.
 
 
Concentrate on how to shoot and edit if that's what you want to do.
I would live with the in camera mic for now if I were you.
Get to know your software, and learn the basics...then come back and take the advice given here by others once you've got the basics down.

By that point you might want to go out and get a DAT or MiniDisc recorder...or just get a new camera if you can.

That's my .02
 
If money is tight and the options we have mentioned are out of the question, then perhaps you will want to get the most out of that onboard mic. If your film has a lot of closeups you can get the camera in closer to the talent and therefore increase the chances of getting okay audio,l not great but audible. If you have a combo of wideshots, closeups, moving camera, etc. and you want your work to have any chance of being enjoyable you will have to capture whatever you can with that camera mic and use it as reference. Then ADR the audio later on when you can get your hands on a good mic and recording setup. Unfortunately many people pick up on audio flaws even more than picture flaws so it's something you should think about carefully as you gain more experience. If you treat it as a necessary evil now, you might pick up bad habits that will impact your films. Not trying to preach though, as I've made my share of mistakes, as I'm sure others have as well, but we're going to try to help steer you in the right direction as much as possible.

Steve
 
Personally, I wouldnt waste 500 bucks on gear you might grow out of - especially minidisc: very few people use that format now days, PLUS most cheaper minidiscs are prone to sync drift: ie the audio might not completely sync to picture.

The best advice I can give you is, yes, use the in cam mic for now, and buy a better CAMERA when you can, then think about audio.

Many minidisc recorders require you to rerecord audio from the player the pc, only some can do a digital transfer: so watch out for that. eviiiiiil sony.
 
timapter said:
The best advice I can give you is, yes, use the in cam mic for now, and buy a better CAMERA when you can, then think about audio.
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But even a tape recorder and mic would be better than the on-cam mic, right? Seems so, if only because you can get near the audio source. Then just sync it up in software. I have no idea if that's realistic, but the on-cam mic just seems pretty worthless :huh:
 
limehouse said:
But even a tape recorder and mic would be better than the on-cam mic, right? Seems so, if only because you can get near the audio source. Then just sync it up in software. I have no idea if that's realistic, but the on-cam mic just seems pretty worthless :huh:
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I suppose you're right, but given that he mentioned he doesn't know how to use premier I was figuring his time would be better spent learning how to use the tools he has. Once he's got the basics of shooting/editing down then I would say go spend some money on extra gear (either audio, or new camera).

Sounds like where he's at right now it would just overly complicate things to use a seperate sound recorder. I'm really not trying to be rude here, but I doubt that the audio is going to be the biggest problem with the first thing he puts together.

Not trying to slam anyone...just saying you should try to limit the number of things that can go wrong and concentrate on the basics of shooting and editing. Just use what you have until you feel comfortable with it...then think about spending some money on new gear.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
I suppose you're right, but given that he mentioned he doesn't know how to use premier I was figuring his time would be better spent learning how to use the tools he has. Once he's got the basics of shooting/editing down then I would say go spend some money on extra gear (either audio, or new camera).

Sounds like where he's at right now it would just overly complicate things to use a seperate sound recorder. I'm really not trying to be rude here, but I doubt that the audio is going to be the biggest problem with the first thing he puts together.

Not trying to slam anyone...just saying you should try to limit the number of things that can go wrong and concentrate on the basics of shooting and editing. Just use what you have until you feel comfortable with it...then think about spending some money on new gear.
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I agree.

I would crack on with what you have. I have seen films win festivals (quite big ones too!) using the onboard mic. "It's just so arty and minimalist" :shocked: IMHO the films were crap, by hey, I wasn't judging.

Better to be shooting than worrying about the sound and sync. Obviously as you develope, these factors become more and more important

Get saving for a better camera and microphone, but don't by junk that you will out grow, it is a false economy.

That is what I would do anyway. How old are you BTW, what's your experience level?
 
I am 17 years old. I have done numerous short comedies, but the only training I have is off the internet, which I have been studing for bot 2 years now......I have plans to go to film school, but my next project is planned to be my largest yet.....I think I just piked up a co-writer and actor, I met him while working at a local Haunted House......
 
Nah, I'm cheap (someone else paid for the DVX) but I am a lone crew learner, so at the moment I am shooting mute and dubbing in post.

Gives me more time to think about the visuals (which is good). Your onboard mic. will do for atmos if it's not picking up too much camera noise.

My 2 "cheap" cents

>>I think I just piked up a co-writer and actor, I met him while working at a local Haunted House

That would be a ghost writer then? :embarasse
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Not trying to slam anyone...just saying you should try to limit the number of things that can go wrong and concentrate on the basics of shooting and editing.
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No, I think you're right. If someone isn't a Premiere whiz yet, it's probably better to minimize the possibilities for problems.
LarrySmith17 said:
o limehouse, love the romero pic.
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Thanks!
 
dude jamesmather... that movie prey alone, in your sig , ohman! thats like the coolest thing i've EVER seen come off of 16mm. The effects are just nuts!
 
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