Interview Audio Problem

[Richard Crowley]

Broadband noise (such as “hiss” or “white noise”) is the worst case to try to remove. Because it occupies all the same frequencies as the desired signal (which you DON’T want to remove.) Consider that it may be easier to record it again (properly) vs. trying to “remove” broadband noise. It also depends on the subject matter, and your expectations of quality.

[Peter Groom]

Where is the clip you posted. i dont see it
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Ty Ford]

Hey Richard,

Thanks for the heads-up on your upload problem. Something isn’t right and I have sent a note along to the web folks.

I did hear your clip when you sent it to me outside the cow. Do you know how the noise was generated? I ask to try and help you from ending up there in the future.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

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[Richard Kuenneke]

Ty:

Thank you and everyone for the comments and help on this.

I took the advice of one responder and decided to ask for a re-do on the interviews. Based on what I’ve been told, the white noise is such that it affects every frequency and cannot be removed without taking desirable frequencies with it!

I plugged my microphone directly into the mic input on my Canon T3i. I did not hear the noise while recording. I’ve attempted to use just about every audio filter/setting on FCPX and couldn’t eliminate the problem without – as mentioned above – loosing some good stuff.

Lesson learned. I hope – but I’m getting too old to keep learning lessons like this.

Rich

[Ty Ford]

Richard,

Please be advised that DSLR cameras, in general, do not have acceptable audio recording capability.

Were you previously able to record audio without hiss on this camera?

Does this camera allow you to monitor audio in headphones?

Regards,

Ty Ford

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Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Richard Kuenneke]

I recorded a few minutes and played back and it sounded fine. No I did not monitor with headphones – which I know is a Cardinal sin and won’t happen again, Padre.

Yes – I did record some quick interviews on another project and they sounded great.

I took a shortcut and got caught. Now I’ll pay the price with another half-day of my time – not to mention the time of four people.

Rich

[Ty Ford]

Richard,

Well, venial anyway. 😉

So what did you do differently to get good sound?

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Richard Kuenneke]

I use a suspended microphone – usually a shotgun – and record on a Tascam DR100 and then sync everything in post.

My client is far less forgiving – and basically declined my request for an interview re-do.

As part of my effort to correct this mistake, I bought a tutorial on audio filters, etc. I hear the changes being made by the expert – but I just don’t understand how those changes improve the quality of the audio. I know audio is a fine art and science – but to my unprofessional ear it just doesn’t stick. To be a good audio mixer you REALLY have to be able to hear the difference and know how one element is better than the next. I know the viewer can tell – I accept that. But even after spending money on a tutorial, I still don’t get it.

I bought the training through Ripple.com. I love what they do – but the audio course tended to confuse more than anything.

Rich

[Ty Ford]

Richard,

I go back to my original comment. DSLRs and mics are usually a bad combination. I wouldn’t try that again without extensive experimentation. In general, mics and DSLRs don’t work well together.

So that was the short cut to which you were referring?

Re; the training. What were you listening on? monitors, headphones?

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Richard Kuenneke]

Ty:

The shortcut was to plug the mic directly into the Canon T3i and avoid using the Tascam DR100.

I was listening to the training on headphones.

Rich

Rich