videotaping performance audio recording question

cathstrat

cathstrat

Active member
Hi, I'm videotaping a singer in small venue and I have a question regarding audio. He will be singing into a handheld mic that's hooked up to a soundboard. In another gig like this I shot completely on tripod so plugged into the soundboard with a 50 ft long xlr to xlr cable. This time I'd also like to do some handheld and not be attached by cable. Will the frequencies conflict if I put a wireless lav on him while he is singing in the microphone?

This type of gig is a little new for me. Please let me know as the shoot is tomorrow night - 3/26.

Thanks!
 
cathstrat said:
Will the frequencies conflict if I put a wireless lav on him while he is singing in the microphone?
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If the singer is using ONLY a wired microphone (and NOT any kind of wireless kit) then adding a wireless transmitter should not cause any problem.
A damaged or very cheap wired microphone may be sensitive to the radio waves from your transmitter, so be sure to test before assuming anything.
 
Where and what other systems are in use? Manufacturer/model /frequency block/ specific channel? Near-by TV stations? If no one can state these factors, how lucky do you feel?
Manhattan? Welcome to RF hell ! Even with my Lectros and careful frequency selection, no guarantees.
 
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Yes, of course @Rick R is correct. I was assuming that you had prior successful experience with the wireless kit in question.
Inexpensive RF Spectrum analyzers are now available that give you a little better visibility of what you are up against in hostile RF locations like NYC, et.al.

Alternatives to the wireless mic on the performer could include:
1) Wireless transmitter from the venue sound reinforcement mixer (as you were doing hard-wired).
Of course, that is still dependent on the wireless link which is never as good as a hard wire. Especially in RF-Hell
2) Separate recorder on the venue sound reinforcement mixer to capture the primary sound.
Then you can sync your camera audio (from an on-board mic) with the properly recorded track from the mixer.
 
Maybe try feeding the board signal into an external recorder if you have one or attenuate the line feed and send it directly to the wireless unit from the board.
 
cathstrat said:
Hi, I'm videotaping a singer in small venue and I have a question regarding audio. He will be singing into a handheld mic that's hooked up to a soundboard. In another gig like this I shot completely on tripod so plugged into the soundboard with a 50 ft long xlr to xlr cable. This time I'd also like to do some handheld and not be attached by cable. Will the frequencies conflict if I put a wireless lav on him while he is singing in the microphone?
Click to expand...

First things first: talk to the person running the sound for the venue before you do anything much at all. It's the only real way to prevent surprises on either side. Just sayin'.

As to frequency conflict, conflict with what? Is the venue mic wired or wireless? If it's wireless, you can't use the same frequency for your system (unless of course it's the same manufacturer and class of wireless radios as you are using. Then if you have frequency overlap you could just leave your transmitter off in your bag and tune your receiver to their transmitter frequency to pick up their transmission. But this is a serious long shot.). That's the "easy" part. The hard part is all the other RFI sources in a typical venue. Cell phones, pagers, light ballasts, etc. For that you've just got to find the least contaminated frequencies you can and try them. Being prepared to re-scan and reselect, right up to show time. After that... not a lot you can do but live with the results.

The problem of putting a lav. on a singer is that it's not optimally placed to capture singing. Singers project, so out in front of the mouth is usually better. If the singer is operatic, I'd want to be at least a meter out. As your singer is handholding, I'm betting against operatic.

And that's just for the voice. If you're worried about bleed, a lav will capture more bleed than a handheld on the lips. And this can be a problem with an active singer -- as they turn side to side and walk/dance/strut about the stage the bleed they pick up changes. I'm just sayin' that a lav on a singer is usually suboptimal.

Another option, if you have access to the board, maybe you can get a mic level out (or line level out if you have a 40 dB pad). Run this to your transmitter, and put your receiver on camera. That way you get the feed from their mic, and a wireless hop to your camera too. Just don't wait until the last minute to try to get the sound person involved. And do have all the equipment you need with you; it's dangerous to count on the venue sound person to be able to cater to your needs, especially in real-time. If the sound person is paid by the venue to support the venue, their priority has to be the venue -- you'll be far down the list if they can deal with you at all.
 
Thank you everybody for the quick responses and the wonderful ideas/advice. It's clear that sticking a wireless lav on him is a very bad idea . . . . you are so right Bruce! Not thinking straight. But I do like the idea of plugging my transmitter into the mic level out port on the board . . . I will try that and let you know how it turns out.

You guys rock! Thanks again! :-)
 
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