Location Audio

Location Audio for Film
Prepared by: John Grace
Film Instructor, DATA Charter HS
Member of IATSE Local 480
Albuquerque, NM

Location Audio Systems
• There are 2 Types of Location Audio
Acquisition in Film Production :
 Single System – The audio is recorded
on the same medium as the visuals -
ie: on a camcorder – max 16 bit.
 Dual-System (aka Double System) –
The audio is recorded separately from
the visuals on a secondary device. This
type of recording requires that the two
sources be synchronized and linked in
post production – max 24 bit.

Location Audio – Single System
• Typically, these are Camcorders
with External Microphone Inputs

Location Audio – Dual System
• Dual Systems usually feature
Digital Cinema or Film Cameras

Location Audio Systems
• In Dual System, we synchronize
the audio with the picture with a
Slate:

Location Audio – Positions
• Mixer (AKA Recordist)

• 1st
Assistant (Boomer)

• 2nd
Assistant (Utility)

Location Audio - History
• Vitaphone and Photophone Recorders
 Single system
 Optical recorders record on film
 Large and heavy
 Very expensive
 Poor sound quality
 1930’s and 1940’s

• Fantasound Recorder
 Double system
 Optical playback in theaters
 3-4 channel sound
 Made for Fantasia
 Good sound quality
 Throughout 1940’s

• Nagra Reel to Reel Recorders
 Monaural (single track) recording
 ¼” Tape on 5” or 7” reels at 7.5-15 IPS
 Popular from the 1950’s through the 1990’s
 Fairly expensive

• Tascam DA-P1 DAT Recorder
 2 channel recorder
 External recording to DAT Tapes
 No time code

Location Audio Current Devices
• Fostex PD4 DAT Recorder
 6 channel mixer
 External backup to DAT Tapes
 Internal 60GB HDR
 Time code I/O

• Zoom R8 SDHC Recorder
 Recording to SDHC Cards
 8 channel mixer
 No time code

• Deva 16 Recorder by Zaxcom
 16 channel mixer
 Time code generator
 External backup to Compact Flash Media
 Internal HDR

• Zoom H4N Field Recorder
 4 channel mixer
 Records to SD Cards
 Low Price ($269. List)
 Ideal for DSLR’s

• Current Popular Brands
 Lectrosonics – Top of the Line Wireless Kits

 Sennheiser – Wireless Lavs and Shotguns

 Shure – Wireless Lavs and Field Mixers

 Azden – Low priced Shotguns and Wireless

 Audio Technica – Wireless & Headphones

 Wireless Lavs – UHF or VHF?
 VHF is Very High Frequency and
wireless transceivers operating on
this band often have problems with
RF (Radio Frequency) interference
 UHF is Ulta High Frequency and is
less susceptible to RF interference
from power lines, walkie talkies,
radio stations and the like

Location Audio - Mixer Cart
• UHF Wireless ReceiversUHF Wireless Receivers

• UHF Wireless TunersUHF Wireless Tuners

• HDR Backup RecorderHDR Backup Recorder

• Camera #1 MonitorCamera #1 Monitor

• Computer MonitorComputer Monitor

• 8 Channel Mixer8 Channel Mixer

Location Audio Acquisition
• Priorities:Priorities:
• Recording Clean DialogueRecording Clean Dialogue

• Recording Clean DialogueRecording Clean Dialogue
• Inverse Square Law as it applies to Sound:Inverse Square Law as it applies to Sound:
““Halving the distance between mic and the soundHalving the distance between mic and the sound
sourcesource quadruples the usability of the soundquadruples the usability of the sound”

• Capturing Room ToneCapturing Room Tone

• Capturing Location Sound EFXCapturing Location Sound EFX

• Minimizing Background NoiseMinimizing Background Noise

• Minimizing Background NoiseMinimizing Background Noise
• Furniture (furnie) pads

• Utilizing Various MicrophonesUtilizing Various Microphones

Shotgun – Directional

Lavaliere – Omni-directional

• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package:Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package:
• Lavaliere MicrophoneLavaliere Microphone

• Wireless TransmitterWireless Transmitter

• Wireless ReceiverWireless Receiver

• XLR Transmitter (“Butt Plug”)XLR Transmitter (“Butt Plug”)

• Mini Plug Input CableMini Plug Input Cable

• XLR Plug Input CableXLR Plug Input Cable

• Camera MountCamera Mount

• Items in a Shotgun Package:Items in a Shotgun Package:
• Boom Pole (fish pole)Boom Pole (fish pole)

• Rycote Softie (dead cat)Rycote Softie (dead cat)

• Shotgun MicrophoneShotgun Microphone

• XLR CableXLR Cable

• Suspension MountSuspension Mount

• Camera MountCamera Mount

• Challenges to Capturing QualityChallenges to Capturing Quality
Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids

Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids
• DogsDogs

Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids
• DogsDogs
• PlanesPlanes

Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids
• DogsDogs
• PlanesPlanes
• TrainsTrains

Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids
• DogsDogs
• PlanesPlanes
• TrainsTrains
• CarsCars

Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids
• DogsDogs
• PlanesPlanes
• TrainsTrains
• CarsCars
• SirensSirens

Sound:Sound:
• KidsKids
• DogsDogs
• PlanesPlanes
• TrainsTrains
• CarsCars
• SirensSirens
• ToolsTools

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presentation under a Creativepresentation under a Creative
Commons licensing agreementCommons licensing agreement

Location Audio

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