Please recommend a practical book on audio!

O

OldCorpse

Rockin the Boat
Sadly, I have to admit that while I value the importance of sound in film enormously, my practical knowledge of how to achieve good sound during production is in my opinion seriously lacking.

I have purchased Barry & David's DVD on sound, and I will of course try to absorb the knowledge in the sticky links on this forum. But I don't feel this is enough.

I need to seriously study the subject. However, I would prefer a practical approach, instead of long theoretical discussions of physics. Sound in production - and eventually post.

I have seen a couple of mentions of books on audio, but it doesn't seem like anyone had personal experience of these books. I have used "search" to find recommendations, but nothing is coming up. Since there are so many distinguished sound people on this board, it is my great hope that I can get recommendations for a solid book or books on the subject - books which have actually been read and vetted by the people here, so that they're speaking from experience. It is hard for me to tell the hype from the real thing.

Anyone want to give me a recommendation? Thanks in advance!
 
OldCorpse, While I can't help you directly with book titles
out of my own curiosity what do you hope is the final goal for learning sound?

Do you wish to do strictly sound? Are you looking to do sound on your own projects?
Are those projects extremely small? Larger where you will have a separate sound mixer and boom operator?

All things to consider before learning a particular way of doing things.
The way a production mixer works on a 10 million dollar film will be different from a 2 man crew ENG mixer.

I applaud your desire to want to learn more about the subject.

From my own experiences I will tell you I learned much of the craft by reading tons and tons of audio forums over the years.
There is an absolute gold mine of information out there with PRACTICAL knowledge and not just theory.

I do wish this particular forum got to dabble more in techniques than just "which piece of equipment to buy and how to plug it in."

I think there are a lot of people here missing out by not realizing there is more to audio than the gear, and they aren't asking the
important questions like that.

Good luck!
 
Thank you Rippie. My goals are twofold. One, is the simple obligation to learn as much as possible about the art of filmmaking. I have produced films, and I have tried to learn as much as possible. I intend to direct my next feature - micro budget, so very much need to learn everything I can. Of all the areas of filmmaking, I know least about sound production (even though I served as a sound guy and boom operator on several shorts!). I know incomparably more about cinematography (though I'm not a DP), and art direction, production and acting and so forth. But when it comes to sound - disaster. Example: on one short I worked on as a sound person, I had a mixer, recorder and operated the boom; well, somehow or other, I kept recording some kind of interference where I was picking up a Mexican radio station at low volume because my equipment (rented) was acting as a receiver; everyone freaked, I was sweating bullets, it was intensely embarrassing and I was helpless (fortunately, I wasn't being paid, this was a favor to friends - basically they had nobody else to do sound, and I warned them very clearly that I am NOT a sound person, just a warm body). I never want to experience that kind of disaster again, so I swore, that regardless, I will learn what I can, so I'm not a complete dunce with regard to sound.

Second, I will be directing my own totally self-financed micro-non-budget feature from a script I wrote. Obviously, it will be a skeleton crew. DP will also operate the camera, I (director) will help with lights. A good friend will do sound - problem, he's at my level of sound knowledge: i.e. dunce, warm body at best. My plan: learn everything I humanly can about sound. Have him learn everything he humanly can - I will also buy the equipment (mixer, recorder, boom, couple of mics) and we will experiment. My idea is that if I map out a solid 3 months of learning sound for him (and me), it will be enough to do a very simple setup for the feature: 95% interiors, little dialogue, mostly one actor, occasionally 2. During production, he'll be doing the sound, but I'd like to know enough to at least be able to monitor how he's doing to avoid a catastrophe.

That brings me to the book recommendations. I figure between the DVD, the links and a book plus experimenting over 3 months, with a lot of crossed fingers, we may pull it off on a super simple production, or die trying.
 
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Consider:
http://www.amazon.com/Producing-Great-Sound-Video-Expert/dp/024080970X/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2
" It's like taking a class taught by a caring, affable, pro. The writer's intimate and accessible style is what makes this book a great value for anyone interested in audio."

The author knows his stuff, but is still a very helpful guy. And when you get to post-production, he has a good book for that, too.

Remember that Amazon (and likely other sources) have books like this available used at lower prices. Be sure to get one with the CD, though.
 
Thank you, Richard Crowley, I just ordered the book! I looked at the Amazon reviews, and I'm looking forward to studying it. I have a feeling, this book will only be the first one - I have much to learn!
 
I applaud your approach, OldCorpse. Though I would also suggest working with a pro to supplement your reading.

Sound is one of those things that you learn more from hands on instruction than from a book. And books can only give you the tools, it's how you use them is where it counts. Sadly, books alone cannot give you that.

And if there is one thing I can impart to a new sound guy: Know your equipment, and trust your ears. Oh, and protect your hearing. Start carrying earplugs for anytime you get in real noisy situations in your everyday life. Those appendages on the side of your head are crucial to being a sound guy.
 
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Doc last night I PM'ed Old corpse with the same advice you just gave. (except your earplug advice)
I couldn't agree more!
 
Thank you folks, for all the good advice and recommendations. Much appreciated. Now I gotta get to study and practice!
 
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