Audio Case Study

Audio Production & Editing

Recording Equipment

• (XLR)Cables

XLR cables are used to deliver balanced microphone and line level signals over long distances with its ability to deliver a balanced signal means that the final audio signal will have less unwanted noise.

 
 
 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rycote_017013
 
 
 
 

• Boom Poles (accessory)

 
A boom pole is able to allow the microphone to crane over or hang below the shot to help get closer to the subject for clearer audio.
 
 
 
 
 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rode_microboompole
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Pistol Grips (accessory)

 
 

 Pistol Grips are ideal for VOXPOP style interviews as the reporter/presenter would be able to hold and direct the microphone to whoever is talking.

 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rode_pg-2
 
 
 

• Windshield (Dead Cat)

 
Windshields (also known as dead cats/dogs) are designed to minimize any wind noise when recording outdoors in windy conditions.
 
 
 
 
 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rode_deadcat_vmp
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Tascam

 
 

 A Tascam is an external digital audio recorder which you are able to plug in a shotgun microphone into using a XLR cable. Using a Tascam will record better quality sound than using a microphone which is connected to your DLSR camera.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/tascam_dr-40v2_digital_recorder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Audio Mixers

 

 Audio mixers are used to combine, route and change the volume levels of a array of audio signals. like microphones used by singers and microphones picking up other instruments.




 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sound_devices_664

• Audio Interfaces

An audio interface is a device which can record and playback audio and can collect better sound quality audio than normal sound cards.
 

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/tascam_us-20x20

Microphones

For production there are three basic categories of microphones for recording sound:

• Shotgun microphones



Picture 1

Shotgun microphones are used for pinpointing the exact audio you may want and prevents any audio interference from any ambient noise. 
Some shotgun microphones can be used on their own or by using a pistol grip or a boom pole (picture 1) whilst others can be connected to the shoe mount.(picture 2)



http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rode_ntg4-plus 

Picture 2

 

 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rode_videomic-r 

• Handheld microphones

The handheld microphone is what is typically used in TV reporting and especially useful if the presenter or reporter using it is moving around a lot. 


 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sennheiser_md-42

• Lapel microphones

 Lapel microphones are small mics which clip onto someone's clothing used commonly in chat show types of programs. 

 http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sennheiser_me-4-n

However there is also other microphones which can be used more for ADR and additional audio these include:

• Condenser microphones

 A condenser microphones are able to capture the sound waves more accurately than any other kind of microphones and have a high sensitivity rate. 

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/tascam_tm-80

• Ribbon microphones  

A ribbon microphone uses a thin piece of aluminum ribbon to capture the sound waves and because of this they tend to be more precise than a normal condenser microphone. However, if they aren't used correctly it could lead to the ribbon breaking.

 

 

 

https://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/rode_ntr-ribbon-microphone&sourceRef=int%3Asuggest&userInput=ribbon&sid=vq90t2k6m684esutgq6lkcfrf4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio Editing Software

• Audacity

Audacity is an audio editing software which is free for anyone to download and use. This software would be especially good for people who are just starting to edit audio as especially those who have a very small/no budget.

http://www.audacityteam.org/about/

• WavePad

WavePad is also free to download for anyone for non-commercial use and for the commercial use you can buy the Masters edition for around £39.99 from their website


Free version: http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/

Masters version: http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/masters.html

• Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition claims to be the 'industry's best audio clean-up, restoration and precision editing tool for video, podcasting and sound effect design.' This editing software will cost you £20.22 per month which would be a lot of money for someone who may not use this all the time and is more than likely aimed at people who are more professionals the audio sector of the industry.

 http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/audition.html

Case Studies

Recording in a studio-based interview

To record a studio-based interview you would more than likely use Lapel microphones on the presenters and guests as they would be walking on and off the set and in some cases moving around the set to go to different areas as well as this the lapel microphones are extremely small meaning that they sometimes very hard to notice on people and these mics are usually in a close proximity with the mouth meaning that there would be much less unwanted noise. This microphone would also be able to clearly pick up each person's audio separately so when they are recording they could lower the levels those who may not be talking or are waiting for their time to go on and they would be able to adjust an individuals mic from the audio mixer. For example if they are quite timid and shy we would be able to raise the levels of that persons mic and if they are quite a loud speaker we would be able to lower the recording levels.



In this image I circled all of the lapel microphones on the guest and
presenters showing the distance they are from the person's mouth.
source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMhy1yc6dY&t=88s



An idea to also consider is having one or two boom mics as a back up in case one or more of the lapel mics fault and do not capture the sound, if this did happen the sound mixer would then be able to switch over to the boom mics to quickly cover the fault, especially if the interview was being shown live as the audio is especially important in these types of shows.

where I got my ideas for some of my suggestions: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135340 

Recording Dialogue in an exterior location

To record dialogue in an exterior location you should consider where your are recording and what will be around near that location like if there are any busy traffic noises, roadworks, etc.. If this becomes a problem then you might have to consider recording in another location another think to be mindful of is what the weather is going to be like on that day especially how windy it is going to be but you should always be prepared for strong winds. 

For filming in an exterior location it will be best to take a shotgun microphone to record your dialogue for if you are doing VOXPOP style interviews where you can use a pistol grip to hold the microphone so the interviewer can hold and direct the microphone to whomever is talking, it would also be useful to have a windshield on the microphone as there could always be a change of weather which could lead to strong winds which would be a problem without one as the windshields tend to drastically reduce the unwanted wind noise.

Here is an example of a reporter using a shotgun mic for a voxpop.

Here is an example of a voxpop used for ITV News
 (0:24 - 0:48)

However, if you are recording more of a creative production say a scene in a short film or music video, I would suggest using a boom mic with a windshield on so that you would be able to get close to the subjects who are talking without getting in the shot of the camera 

An example of recording music outside and using a boom mic.

sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135332
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135255
http://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-what-should-i-consider-when-recording-outside