Where to Learn Location sound?

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ZKSTUDIO

Member
I worked News now for 5 years. Its "Run-n-Gun" as you I am sure you guys know. Now that I am working on independent films, I wanted to know how the best way to learn multi-microphone shoots with a mixer and separate recorder. Do I find somebody and learn from them or is there a trade school that offers a program in the art of location sound. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
Google. Read. Ask. Test.

Shotgun. Hyper. Lav. Boom. Blimp. Mixer. Recorder. MONEY!
 
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Now that portable multi-track recorders are basically standard, it's common to record an iso of every mic in use as well as a separate mix. Best practice is to have a sound crew of two or three - a mixer, a boom op, and a utility, but on an indie you're probably stuck doing it all yourself. Realistically, many indies are just boomed with none of the actors wired.
 
I forgot to throw in "Mixer", so I edited.

But seriously, those are all the elements that have been discussed ad nausium, and that you need for location sound. There is technique too of course. As far as gear goes you need to set your budget and get what you can, or rent. I don't have rent shop up here in Humboldt, so I have to buy. I suggest you start by searching these forums, then asking specific questions. If you have done the Run & Gun thing, you have already captured audio, yes? So now it's a matter of going for quality.
 
I have captured audio to the camera using Lavs and Booms. Never really got into the practice of using a mixer and recorder. So it would be a new thing to me. Been looking at the SD 788t. But from what I can tell it looks complicated...Well that what it seems anways.
 
If you need timecode and top quality you could go that very expensive rout. Or for around a grand you can get a modified Edirol R-44 from OAde Brothers and have 4 tracks of very clean audio, but no timecode. It depends on the camera you'll be using.
 
We would be using a 7D and Panasonic HPX 500...the 500 has timecode...I just have never worked with that type of work flow. It sounds like I need to rent some equipment and learn over a weekend or so.
 
just for the record ZKStudio..
there is absolutely no reason why you couldnt get great sound recording directly to the HPX500.
 
ZKSTUDIO said:
Do I find somebody and learn from them or is there a trade school that offers a program in the art of location sound. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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This class starts in 4 days, and then they do it again in September:

http://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/film/sound-production-mixing

I never took this class, I don't know the instructors, but I have heard good things about this school in regards to photography.

I've never formally studied location sound. I learned by buying gear and volunteering for zero-budget shoots. I don't regret doing it the way I did, but there's definitely something to be said about a formal education. Even though I know audio like the back of my eyelids, I still made lots of painful junior errors when I was cutting my teeth. A film set is a very structured yet totally chaotic environment. It would have been nice to have learned the language before I was marooned in that distant, foreign land.
 
Sam Mallery said:
This class starts in 4 days, and then they do it again in September:

http://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/film/sound-production-mixing

I never took this class, I don't know the instructors, but I have heard good things about this school in regards to photography.

I've never formally studied location sound. I learned by buying gear and volunteering for zero-budget shoots. I don't regret doing it the way I did, but there's definitely something to be said about a formal education. Even though I know audio like the back of my eyelids, I still made lots of painful junior errors when I was cutting my teeth. A film set is a very structured yet totally chaotic environment. It would have been nice to have learned the language before I was marooned in that distant, foreign land.
Click to expand...

Mark Ulano is one of the top guys out there.
Maybe you can ask him how he recorded the Christain Bale rant so cleanly :P
(it was a sanken cos-11 with an unmanned boom open for air)
 
ZKSTUDIO said:
I worked News now for 5 years. Its "Run-n-Gun" as you I am sure you guys know. Now that I am working on independent films, I wanted to know how the best way to learn multi-microphone shoots with a mixer and separate recorder. Do I find somebody and learn from them or is there a trade school that offers a program in the art of location sound. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

NFTS - National Film & Television School in Beaconsfield.
 
Google "Ty Ford". He's a location sound mixer with some helpful information online, and has a book on how to do exactly what you're asking.

Also, be careful with PluralEyes. It seems like a neat tool, but I believe it works its magic by creating multiclips in Final Cut Pro, as opposed to merged clips. The latter is what you want if you are planning on exporting an OMF or AAF file from Final Cut Pro for use in ProTools, Logic, Soundtrack Pro, Cubase, etc. That may or may not be a factor for you, but it's something to consider.
 
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