Need help, first real job with my DVX!

kevtim

kevtim

Active member
Hello everyone

I will be recording some live gigs in clubs and pubs for a local metal band called Dementia. I'm already very excited and very nervous and could use some helpful hints and tips for camera settings! Here is a link to them playing live. It'll give you some hints as to possible conditions I will be recording in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K784w3LZTA

The major questions I guess I have are should I record in 25p or 50i? Should I use standard 4:3, widescreen or squeeze mode? And finally what's the best way to record the sound? Can I link directly to there system or should I invest in a good microphone?

The content I record is intended to be situated on the bands website. I'm guessing this will influence settings.

Cheers
Kevin
 
For the debate on frame rate, you need to ask yourself where this will be shown. You should shoot 50i if it will be shown on a TV. However, 25p will be better for the web and will also be fine on TV. However, since you will be shooting in low light, keep in mind that you get more light with 50i. I would recommend squeeze mode because it is 16:9 essentially, which looks more professional. For the sound, I usually record one channel in a board, one from a shotgun mic. If the place will have everything on stage mic'd, then you can plug into the board alone, but a lot of the time in smaller places, the drum's aren't mic'd which would yield bad audio. However, I like to have a mic so the crowd gets picked up. For a mic, you want a shotgun mic. Some good ones are the Rode NTG-1, NTG-2, or Audio Technica AT897. I have the AT897, and it is pretty good.
 
squeeze mode is good and I use the AT897 with good results. I have also got a sound man to hook up a Zoom to the soundboard. Moving around with one camera is going to cause some problems like getting close the the drummer etc. It is best to get a mix from the board if you can then edit in the video. I have also just stayed in one spot to record the whole song to the DVX. Maybe just focusing on the lead singer. Then move around during other songs to get video to edit together. One camera is not easy but it can be done. Good luck and have fun with it.
I only use 24pa and if I were you I use the 25p
 
Double what Zim said. Shots of the audience, closeups of individual musicians, cymbals getting hit, etc. If there's a marquee outside with the band's name...anything. Get all of the B roll you can. You can always use it. No such thing as too much coverage.
 
Only shoot squeeze mode in progressive and make sure the vertical detail is set to thin. This will ensure the maximum resolution. Never shoot squeeze on interlace as the vertical detail can't be selected for thin resulting in a loss of resolution.
 
I'd bring an xlr cable and see if you can hook into their sound board. I like to record my own audio on one channel and use board audio on the other. In post you can decide what to use, but almost always the board audio sounds a lot better. If they can adjust your pot separately on the board put your control in the center and ask them to go up or down in during the sound check. This way, during the show you have a pretty large amount of play both ways.
 
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