[Peter Groom]

I tend to think that, unless people want to provide ongoing tech support, suggesting side chaining and key inputs (having re read the 1st post) is probably a bad idea.
Peter

[Peter Groom]

usual pad for a mixer out (line) to a mic transmitter is -40db.
Stinging hot pro products like digi beta or hd vtrs need and extra 10 but thats not what you asked.
peter

[Peter Groom]

HI Ty
I rather took it from his comment

“I feel so bad for her, she got really sick recently. Her voice is pretty much not there anymore, its really raspy and ‘throaty'”

that the vo herself was not physically too good.

Peter

[Peter Groom]

HI. Much as I sympathise with her problem of a failing voice, and applaud your loyalty, Id not let this get in the way of your product. The world is full of literally thousands of voices all of whom can deliver a quality read. They are ALL only a moment away on a digital line usually at no extra cost. Its a nonsense to cast a VO based on who is within reach of your studio. The entire world is within easy reach.
Get that guy in Barcelona / Istanbul / London etc if hes right for you and can agree the fees!

Peter

[Peter Groom]

Richard is right. No AGC ever (except when needed!!)
Also try experimenting with best capsule positioning to minimise extraneous noise. Also try to ensure you are getting a good healthy voice input. Never too hot as that creates other problems, but you dont want to be amplifying other noises to get your vo up to the mark.
The trick is maximising the difference between the unwanted and the wanted signals, hence lessening their noticability.
The cars noise etc can probably be improved with a hi pass filter. This will take out the lo rumble of cars outside and leave the vo, as this personal mic is unlikely to go that low. Just keep your ears turned on so youre not over doing it.

Failing all that, go tell them to shut up.

Peter
Dubbing Mixer

[Peter Groom]

I use multicam editing very often and find it very good, although it was a learning curve to sort out the little ways of avid.
Re your cameramen
Tell them the simplest way that theyll understand.
If they want paying, do as theyre told.
I find that often people in the field rarely have a very good understanding of post issues and techniques. Not always but often.
Peter

[Peter Groom]

This is an interesting thread which raises lots of tricky issues with
good suggestions from all previous posters.

I think the main thing here is to be realistic about what sound quality youre looking for over the entire project, and more importantly what your clients expectations are. Having multiple microphones open all the time, and with so many variables, I think without constant mixing supervision, the results will be at best average. Adequate depends on those expectations.
It may be that achieving a higher quality sound track will require will require a completely different level of attention throughout, and therefore budget. No doubt your client wont like that, but it might be the truth.
Have you ruled out wired personal mics on everybody, with a computer based multitrack recording individual streams locked to tc from the camera. ?
Peter

[Peter Groom]

tape is still popular even now in the file based world, for this reason.
hope it survives for you.
peter

[Peter Groom]

Really you have just identified why bigger budget feature films / dramas record to multi track hard drive machines for the post mix – when more than 2 inputs is needed to stay split. BUT youre really into the realms of specialised kit and more specialist people.
Peter

[Peter Groom]

Hi Ty
Thanks for your comprehensive reply.
It certainally makes for an interesting read. I think that the only point we differ on is the interpretation of my exact wording.

Of the units/products you have comprehensively listed, Id suggest that only some have made it into my words of “real pro end”. Devices like synclavier and fairlight (both of which Ive used over the years) are agreed, but came after the AF. Devices like Sadie are mere kiddies by comparison to the AMS and Fairlights etc.
Indeed if you check https://issuu.com/ams-neve/docs/ams_neve_anniversary_brochure_web you will see that in the anniversary brochure, the AMS is credited as the worlds first.

There are a few on your list Ive never heard of so make for an interesting read, but never made it to these shores, and definately not into the real top end facilities in NY, LA Hollywood etc , or into renowned places like Abbey Road, BBC, SKY which is the end of the business I was talking about in the main.
Cheers for the detail though.
Peter