... Need some more advice.

Eon42

Eon42

Active member
Before I start asking questions, I have to admit something. When it comes to audio, I'm lost. After reading many posts in this section, I have learned some valuable things, and I've decided not to dish out 300 dollars for a crappy mic. I'd much rather save up for a microphone that does more justice to something as great as the DVX. That being said, I have a short project on the go (A short, about 15-20 minutes long) And I need to start filming in a month or so. I'm doing this short so I can present it at a few fundraising events for my friends who are going on a missions trip to Guyana. I use Vegas 6.0, Sound Forge 8.0, and I'm preparing to do a short film in which indoor dialogue is what I'm worrying about. Ever since I was a little kid, I hated the audio in all of my videos. I hate internal mics. But I've noticed that the DVX's internal mic does considerably well for audio pick up. Is there any possible way I could clean up the audio in post?

I know I've probably asked some stupid questions, but I just don't want to blow any money on a mic that does no justice to the DVX. I just got my DVX a couple weeks ago and I don't have the money to hire a soundperson. By the summer I'll probably be able to buy a decent mic, but I need to have this short done by April. I'll continue looking for someone in the Southern Ontario area who would be willing to help me with my audio.

Thnx again

Eon42
 
No - the problem with the interior is actually more about distance to target than its inherent performance. Reverb and distance are what will kill the recording, and you wont be able to clean it up.

Do yourself a favour and for this shoot, rent a sennheiser 416 for exterior shots, and a schoeps or oktava hypercardioid for interior shots.

Rental really isnt too much, and sometimes you can even score freebies if you explain your situation to the company (also depends on who they are).

Go and rent JUST a mic (and boom pole if you can) if you cant afford the whole sound guy. If you cant afford boom rental, then make a plan with a painters pole or something.


Camera mic should always be the LAST option. Remember good sound is RECORDED AT LOCATION, and mixed into something amazing. Bad sound is sound thats messed from location, and mixed into something that sucks just a TINY bit less.

Tim
 
Thanks Tim. Does anybody know of any rental stores in southern Ontario? I know of a few places in BC...
 
First I agree. Having done a lot of post "fixing it in the mix" just doesn't happen much, and is usually very pricy when it does. There is another saying that is common in post about the inability to make a turd shine no matter how much you polish.
That out of the way, if you are a total one man band I would recommend advertising for a sound guy. Explain the lack of funds and don't imply that this is going to go to all the festivals and make their career. But since you are trying to get backing for a feature there is the possibility of a paying gig and you might well be able to find someone who will take a chance and agree to do it. They probably have equipment and you can pay them what you would have payed in rental. It's very hard to focus on picture and sound at the same time and having someone to just do sound will probably help a lot. Plus you will have someone to go have a beer with after the shoot.

SK
 
lol Hello to you too. British Columbia is a beautiful province to live it. (I envy you.) lol. Well, I found this neat store in Mississauga called L.A. Music. I think it's probably the best place for a Canadian fella like me to go to without having to resort to Ebay. I'm stuck between buying the NTG-1 (Comes to $350) and the NTG-2 (Comes to $400) It's only $50, but I would like to buy a new case for the camera. Is there really any difference besides the fact that the NTG-2 is longer and has the capability to use batteries? Oh, and another thing. I asked the guy at L.A. Music if they did rentals, and he said that I could rent the AKG C1000...
I don't know why, but I was kind of iffy about that. Could a microphone like that really be beneficial to what I'm trying to do. He said that I could rent it for 2 weeks for $30... What do you guys think? Should I just rent and continue saving for a better mic?
 
There is another saying that is common in post about the inability to make a turd shine no matter how much you polish.

:grin: lolol, thnx for the advice Noiz. I was actually about to go to the job search topic and ask for any sound people in southern Ontario. The only scary thing is, I don't know how much I should pay them. (Or how much I would be able to pay them. It would depend on how successful the fundraising was.)
To post or not to post, should I go looking for someone? Would that be better than buying a microphone for future projects just incase this fundraiser doesn't go as planned and I gotta pay some poor guy who probably had to drive 3 hours to get to me.... (Breaths) Phew..

Sorry, ask my friends and family, I tend to worry a lot. lol
 
THe C1000 is not much good for what you want to do. It's an OK mic but it lacks a bit of detail. We use in on the Foley stage when we want to soften a sound a bit. Also it is pretty big and heavy for boom use.

I have done jobs for free when I liked the project, the expectations were reasonable and the people were very up front about things (and I could afford it). A lot of folks (at least around here) post ads and want you to work for next to nothing on a "Sundance" bound film - For CREDIT and your reel! Well sound folks generally don't have a reel - especially production folks- and there is no such thing as a "Sundance" bound film till after it has been accepted. In other words they have no idea about what they are talking about or they are just trying to scam you. Be honest. There is maybe a tiny bit of money for rental and a chance of some work on the feature if it gets funded. Work around there schedule as much as you can and don't act like Jim Cameron. You would be surprised by what you can get by asking nicely. Also realize that they are doing you a favor and not the reverse. Some of my longest friendships are with folks I did a free gig for and some have yet to come up with a paying gig but it's OK. They were up front about the situation and I did it with full knowledge that it might never "pay off" in the end.


SK
 
Get the NTG 2 - much better for the price. The battery gives you versatility at your level/your circumstances
 
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