Ty Ford
51
Audio Coins
54
COW Coins
Forum Replies Created
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While there are exceptions, you’re pretty right. In the area of mics, there are a lot in the basement. LOTS of people who have never heard GOOD mics go on about the basement stuff. Since they have no way of comparing what they think is good to what is better, their comparative statements sort of fall apart.
You get the right mic and mixer and your work becomes so much easier because the sound is there and you don’t have to fight as hard to get it.
How good does it HAVE to be? How much CAN you afford? All good questions. Know that unlike cameras, good mics don’t need to be replaced every three years (or less). The better mic you get today will change your work for the better immediately and from that point on.
By saturday AM east coast US time, I’ll have uploaded a 10-12 minute video that lets you hear what mics sound good when and why. It a pretty big file, 29MB and an MP4 format, but it may answer a lot of your audio questions.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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Maybe. When two AC powered devices are plugged in to different AC outlets, a difference in ground potentials can occur causing a minute flow of current. This is called a ground loop and is usually heard as hum or buzz in the audio and can be seen as wavy lines or bars in video. Ground lifters usually help to solve that problem.
I’ve also have had situations occur with a Mac lap top and a DAT machine. I had both devices plugged into the same extension cord. There was buzz in the laptop audio but not on the DAT. Amazingly (to me) unplugging the DAT power supply got rid of the buzz in the powerbook. I then tried a 3 to 2 AC plug on the DAT power cord and that also worked, but there was still a slight buzz in the laptop.
I reversed the two prong AC plug of the laptop and the buzz went almost co pletely away; enough to use.
I’m guessing that the DAT power supply was generating some sort of hash that was getting into the powerbook.
Also check around to see if there are any residential light dimmers being used. Even if they are not in the same room or on the same circuit, they can radiate a buzz into your audio. They either need to be turned all the way up or all the way down.
Hope this helps.
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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And the Sennheiser 416 sounds quite a bit better than the 66.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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That’s a very good point. One that gets by most people. That also helps in some cases where you might have momentary drop out.
Also, if you don’t have a mixer with a good limiter, set the reccord levels with one slightly lower than the other. That way, if you get a momentary peak that crashes the first channel, you MIGHT have it on the second channel.
Regards,
Ty Ford
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Everytime I finish with a film I look back at it and hear alot of crap in my recording & mixes.
–You don’t hear crap while you’re posting? If not, get bigger speakers and point them at your ears while you post and set your edit system up in a low noise environment.
from the recordings I get hiss & hum
I tried to correct the problem by buying a different mic I go a Shure SM89 (didn’t have the money for a senn 416 yet) would the senneheiser make a big difference in this?–If your problems are happening during acquisition, certainly.
In the mix.
I try to clean up my audio of hiss, hum, drop outs match up ambience and try to fix the actors not talking loud enough ( I like to blame them for me not gaining up enough haha)
I don’t have much luck at hetting the hiss and hum out I’ve tried to methods sweeping around with an EQ looking for nasty to drop out. I take little chunks out now with the EQ and get pretty much the same result as taking big chunks out.–hiss frequently indicates too low a record level or a bad transfer somewhere. Use a mixer with a good limiter next time so you can keep your record levels up without peaking.
I have also used DINR first time I used it had a mess took huge chunks out and got some nasty digital sounds. The second time I took out 1.5db at a time about 3 rounds of this and it sounded good then I got into the mix and started boasting everything up to a decent level and surprise the noise came back.
What am I doing wrong with this?
–ANY noise reduction must be used very carefully. WHile removing noise it also removes the good stuff.
I would like to talk some about recording good clean production audio to start with since there is never any budget or time for ADR.
1. What kind of mics?Hypercardioid for boom; Schoeps is arguably the best; cmc641xt.
With lavs it’s a toss up.2. How many on set?
–enough to cover your action.
3. Use a mixer or just go straight into the camera (which is a Panasonic DV100A — with 2 SLR inputs)
–Mixer with a good limiter. SOund Devices MixPre, 302 or 442.
4. What kind of levels should I look for peaking or not seems like they are never loud enough once I get to the edit. Even if there peaking. (with no distortion) just in the red.
–With the limiter set right, you should be able to do dialog with peaks at -3dB.
Well if you have read this book of items I applaude you. And hope that you can help.
Brian B
Odd you should mention book. I have one written just for folks like yourself. Check it out on my web site.
Regards,
TyFord
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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Fascinating. I am not aware of any modifications to the TLM 103, other than being available in two colors. I strongly suggest you reach out to Neumann USA to discuss it. (I’m presuming you are in the US.)
I have done coincident XY stereo recording with my pair of TLM 103. The recordings turned out very well, even though small diameter capsules are often suggested for that job.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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Bottom line, Ken, Ty was spending his free time trying to let people know about two new shotgun mics, period.
If you can’t decide on your own by how they sound by liistening to the .wav files, you shouldn’t even be on this board.
BTW, If you want to make snarky remarks about me, pick the place and say them to my face.
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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There is no meter running. I made that very clear. That’s a very antagonistic thing to say.
I take the time and efffort to post something so folks can make decisions about whether the new mics are something they might want to know about. You decide it’s not enough and bitch because you don’t get what you want. That’s rude.
If you are incapable of finding value in what I posted, that’s not my fault. Others can. It’s not my or anyone else’s responsibility in this forum to answer every question we are asked to your personal satisfaction.
By being overly demanding and antagonistic, you have made this an unfriendly exchange, Matte. As a result, I choose to terminate this “coversation.” Maybe we can communicate later under more favorable conditions.
Sincerely,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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Sort of imprecise of me, but I figured the file name would imply strongly enough that the Sennheisers are always on the left in each file. Sorry to you and to the group for any confusion.
As to my preference, at or above a certain quality level, my opinion doesn’t really matter. This comparison is something I can do in my free time, emphasis on FREE.
As a journalist, I get paid to write reviews. In addition to recording and producing audio, this is how I make a living. Cow isn’t inclined to pay me for reviews. I already asked. Why should I give away the information for free that I can use in an article to make a living? If Cow wants to pony up (nice word combo), I’m listening, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com
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Matte,
Do you mean the CS-1?
Regards,
Ty
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://www.tyford.com