Videographer's Audio Handbook

By John Fielden

Videographers' Audio Handbook is designed for media students, working videographers, and the home video enthusiast.

By using the sound principles discussed in this book and by applying the specific work related explanations, the reader will improve on the overall sound quality of their video projects.

The reader will learn key points in capturing audio for video productions, including -

> Application of correct sound equipment

> Proper connection and setup of location audio

> Set distortion free recording levels

> Troubleshoot and prevent location audio problems

> Easily incorporate basic audio techniques

> Recording dialogue on a variety of locations

> Capture quality audio when using HDSLR cameras

> Plus much more using pictures and graphical layouts

The pages of information within this book are based on 30 years working film and video productions. This work experience has been condensed in a conversational, informative book; helping the videographer to achieve their visual and auditory masterpiece, even if it’s only their daughter’s graduation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Fielden
• Release date: Mar 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9780984437962

Book preview

VIDEOGRAPHERS’ AUDIO HANDBOOK

Smashwords Edition

John Fielden

v.112

Copyright ©2011 by My Planet Press, Honolulu

All Rights Reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other persons. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 10: 0-9844379-6-7

ISBN 13: 978-0-9844379-6-2

DEDICATION

To the readers of this book, who will not accept mediocrity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my videographer cohorts, who without knowing, helped me build this wealth of knowledge just by performing their job.

PREFACE

After I had finished writing my last book, Roll Sound!, A Practical Guide for Location Audio, I began the process of looking for my next book project, and while having coffee with my videographer friends, it dawned on me that they need help. Not so much my friends, since we are in the waning years of our careers, but to the many new and upcoming technology-influenced camera operators, or professionally known as videographers.

Videographers need to understand that great videos come from a complete package of both video and audio. Both mediums are equally important; high-quality, distortion-free audio supporting beautiful pictures seamlessly throughout the piece.

Videographers’ Audio Handbook is designed for media students, working videographers, and the home video enthusiast. By using the same sound principles for location audio engineers, as discussed in Roll Sound!, (because as I say, sound is sound), and by adding specific videographer work-related explanations, the reader will improve on the overall sound quality of their projects.

I do assume that the reader has some basic knowledge about the mechanics of sound (that is, they should know that a microphone is needed to record audio). I also assume that they have studied their camera and know how to, not only operate it, but understand the basics of videography (for example, camera lens size and framing).

The pages of information within this book are based on 30 years working in film and video. This work experience has been condensed in a conversational, informative book; helping the videographer to achieve their visual and auditory masterpiece, even if it’s only their daughter’s graduation.

- John Fielden, 2011 -

CONTENTS

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

PART ONE

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION AUDIO

THE AUDIO LINK©

PART TWO

THE AUDIO KIT:

Microphones:

On-camera; Handheld; Omni; Cardioid; Boom/Shotgun; Lavaliere; Wireless; Headset; Stereo; USB

Cables:

Connectors:

Adapters:

Mixers:

Analog; Digital

Recorders:

Portable Digital (PDR); Digital Multitrack; Camera Audio; HDSLR

Audio Monitoring:

Headphones; Speakers; Wireless Assisted Listening

PART THREE

MIX IT UP! – MIXING BASICS:

Levels & Metering; Using Wireless Microphones; Compression & Limiting; Dual Microphone Placement; Microphone Bleed-Thru; Phasing; Double-System Recording; Batteries

I’m Talking Here! – Dialogue:

So What Do You Think? – Interviews:

Wide Shots and Coverage – Drama:

Running Through the Jungle – Action:

Sink or Swim – Water Work:

Whose Reality Is It? – Reality Shows:

Get Off the Couch! – Workouts:

Yada, Yada Yada... – Talk Shows:

Music to My Ears – Music Videos:

Sound EFX-Land:

Raindrops & Footsteps - Unwanted SFX:

Point of View - Creating SFX:

Dy-No-Mite! - Gunshots & Explosions:

APPENDIX:

Stereo Microphone Techniques: A-B Stereo; X-Y Stereo; ORTF Stereo

Plant Microphones:

Press Kit:

GLOSSARY:

AUDIO HOUSES:

MANUFACTURERS:

PART ONE

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Capturing location audio is not an absolute science. Varying locations, subjects and stories, create the need for flexibility. I advise to read the entire book first, from cover to cover, thereby understanding the relationship of similar audio principles used on varying productions and in the proper use of remote audio equipment. Then, go back and study again the section pertaining to your circumstances.

There are 2 different types of productions discussed in this book.

• Single Camera, Single Person - a one-man band; where the camera person shoots and operates the audio

• Single or Multiple Cameras with a Sound Person - a shooting style employing a sound engineer, mixing the audio to either a single camera or a multi-camera shoot

This book has 3 main parts. Each part is then divided into multiple sections. At the end of the book is an Appendix, a common term Glossary and concludes with a listing of Audio Equipment Houses and Manufacturers.

Part One – The Importance of Audio – a discussion on why quality audio is important, complete with audio guidelines.

Part Two – The Audio Kit – is a general description of the sound equipment needed to create an auditory masterpiece.

Part Three – Mixing Basics – gives explanations and tips on how to achieve quality sound mixing while on location.

Videographers’ Audio Handbook also features The Audio Link©, a flow-chart first introduced in my book Roll Sound!, A Practical Guide for Location Audio.

To provide beneficial tips and vital information, the following notations are placed throughout this book.

ADDENDUM: While writing this book, the use of digital technology is becoming the norm in productions. This book covers basic audio setups whether they are digital or analog, and until there becomes a major change in production, cables still need plugging in, correct microphone placement is a must, and just knowing a general knowledge of the audio engineering work environment is a plus for any videographer’s production.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION AUDIO

So you bought a new camera, read the manual, even took some basic photography courses at your community college, and after shooting a few scenes you’ve decided to review your work. The picture looks great, lighting is good, beautiful colors and everything is nicely focused but the audio stinks. You can’t distinguish the on-camera talent’s voice from the background, and when you can, the sound is so gritty you can’t understand the words or every time the wind blows the microphone becomes distorted and unusable. What did you do