Protocol for two speakers

[scorsesefan]

Hi all,

In post how do you guys handle two speakers who are right next to each other and can be heard on each other's lav mics? (two separate mono tracks). Specifically, when one is the main speaker what do you with the second speakers audio track? Thanks

 

[DustinSchmidt]

Hi all,

In post how do you guys handle two speakers who are right next to each other and can be heard on each other's lav mics? (two separate mono tracks). Specifically, when one is the main speaker what do you with the second speakers audio track? Thanks

I've run into that situation often. I'll mute the other guy's lav mic when the opposite one is speaking. It's definitely tough when they're close because you always get bleed.

Alternative option is to use something like MixAssist for Sound Devices recorder/mixers which will mute the other mics in real time and is pretty great. There are other software options that do this as well, but full time sound people will probably have a better take on that than me.

 

[Peter C.]

The MixPre has a plugin called Mix Assist for $99. It automatically decrease the levels of the person not talking eliminating bleed. I own it and can verify it's fantastic. Zoom has this feature built in so that would be the most cost effective solution.

 

[scorsesefan]

Thanks. I wish I was able to record sound on a dedicated recorder/mixer but alas I rely on Tentacle Track Es as a one man bander... @DustinSchmidt so with verite where the subjects are cutting into each other's dialogue you'll go back and forth muting (or deactiving?) the tracks?

 

[Alex H.]

The MixPre has a plugin called Mix Assist for $99. It automatically decrease the levels of the person not talking eliminating bleed. I own it and can verify it's fantastic. Zoom has this feature built in so that would be the most cost effective solution.

MixAssist can do some good things, but it struggles in high-noise environments. If you're recording in, say, a loud manufacturing plant, the algorithm doesn't always know when to clamp down or to open up.

@scorsesefan When multiple lavs are in play, chances are there will be bleed across them. Simply mixing in post, reducing either lav by -3dB or -6dB when the other person is speaking, can help alleviate phase cancellation and other issues. If the conversation is a bit more relaxed and not a lot of talking over each other, you can cut out the non-dominant portions of any lav and checkerboard the timeline.

 

[scorsesefan]

Thanks, Alex. This is pretty much what I've been doing (checkerboarding) but lowering the lav vol is a good tip I hadn't thought of...

 

[DustinSchmidt]

Thanks. I wish I was able to record sound on a dedicated recorder/mixer but alas I rely on Tentacle Track Es as a one man bander... @DustinSchmidt so with verite where the subjects are cutting into each other's dialogue you'll go back and forth muting (or deactiving?) the tracks?

A lot of dancing back and forth in post and muting/deactivating the other person's mic when you're able to. If they're talking over each other you just do the best you can. But yes, Alex nailed it in his response.

 

[Rick R]

In post, you can put expanders on the two tracks, unlike a gate which is abrupt and can be audible on spoken word material, you can adjust how much attenuation is applied when the person is not talking. Many have a internal EQ side-chain to help set the threshold.
My favorite is the Sonitus Ultrafunk gate, but it is difficult to find a serial code since it was discontinued shortly after the plug-in suite was acquired by Cakewalk. FWIW, the Ultrafunk Reverb is still one the best sounding I have encountered.. free or otherwise.