Re: Budget Sound--is it even possible?
- From: "Richard Crowley" <rcrowley@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 05:58:02 -0700
<jholdun@xxxxxxxxx> wrote ...
I'm fairly new to the world of filmmaking (or at least, filmmaking of
any sort of quality), and am working on a budget of next to nothing--a
few hundred dollars, total, is my absolute max right now. I'm
convinced, however, that this is enough. I'm not looking for Hollywood
quality. I just want something more than a camcorder's built-in
microphone, you know?
So what are you shooting (video? film?) with?
Are you saying that you are shooting with a video
camcorder with no sound input connector?
If you are shooting with a camcorder with no mic
input, is there some reason why you aren't considering
upgrading to a better camcorder? It may eliminate the
need for a separate sound recorder in your case.
Up to this point, my equipment has consisted of a $25 omnidirectional
microphone from Radio Shack mounted on a $20 telescoping lightbulb
changer (with the mount just taped on there--and re-taped every time I
need to use it), recording to my Canon ZR500 (with the lens cap on,
it's really just a bulky recorder), and monitored on some enormous
headphones I found in my basement. It works okay, but I wouldn't
record a feature with it.
I've finally decided that I want something better--or at least
something more convenient. I bought a little voice recorder (a Sony
ICD-B300), but I'm afraid to open it. It's smaller, which is nice, but
I'm worried about quality. It has connections in and out, but I don't
know if the hardware will affect my audio.
I would share your concern about the quality of
the "little voice recorder". It is possible that the
quality of sound from the built-in camcorder is
actually better (because of the recording technique
vs. the likely compressed and bandwidth limited
performance of most any voice recorder.)
Frankly, I'd keep using my
camcorder if it was set up just a little differently. The connections
are 1/8", but the audio-out is used for the A/V connection as well, so
I get awful noise ("video") in my right ear with stereo headphones.
That is just a matter of using the proper adapter
to get only the audio and not the video to your
headphones (as you discovered on your own).
Luckily, the headphones I've been using are 1/4", so I bought a mono
adapter for a few dollars and everything is peachy (I needed one for
the microphone, too, anyway). Frankly, I don't know what to use,
regardless of price.
Since you didn't mention what kinds of things you
are shooting/recording, we know even less than you.
If you are on a very limited budget you need to pick
your battles and decide what to gear up for first, etc.
I'm still not entirely sure what a DAT recorder
is, since I've never seen one for sale anywhere.
They are not made anymore. The ones that are still
in service will likely be unrepairable (economically or
physically) when they break. The format is no longer
even on life-support.
I found a minidisc player at Sears (I thought they
were discontinued?), but is there some specific model
I'd need for recording?
(Hint, actual make/model numbers are extraordinarily
helpful, it really doesn't matter where you bought it.)
MD recorders are used for recording separate sound,
particularly by wedding/event videographers. Frequently
in lieu of wireless mics (MD recorderin the groom's
pocket, etc.)
No there is not a particular model, but there are certain
basic requirements (mic input connection, etc.) and there
is constraint of your budget.
I'm under the impression that I need some sort of
mixer in the middle to interface everything.
You generally need a mixer if you are using ("mixing")
more than one microphone simultaneously.
And what about a preamp? Like I said, I'm new to all
of this and would appreciate any words of wisdom you'd
like to throw at me.
Your Canon ZR500 camcorder ("sound recorder") has a
preamp in it, likely two of them (stereo). Not clear why
you would need an external one in your circumstances?
In terms of a microphone, the one I have is cute, but it's just not
cutting it.
Again, details are extraordinarily helpful. What is the
make/model of this microphone? Exactly what do you
mean by "not cutting it"? Describe shooting conditions
(including number of actors, ambient noise, etc.) Explain
how close (and from what direction) you were able to get
the microphone position. Were you both shooting and
doing sound yourself, or do you have any kind of specialized
"crew" (someone dedicated to position the mic boom)?
I'm on the market for a new one, but I can't justify
spending more than $200 on one right this moment. I'm not looking for
perfect quality, but as long as I can get something that sounds good,
I'd be golden.
Hard to advise when we don't really know where you are
coming from in terms of shooting conditions and what
kind of microphone you are currently using.
While I'm at it, here are a few products I'm looking at right now. Am
I on the right track, at least?
ART Tube MP Professional Mic Preamp/Processor
To be honest, this is just the first cheap preamp I came across.
I'm still not entirely sure what this guy is used for.
1) Not clear why you need a preamp at all?
2) This is not the kind of preamp that is easy to use
"in the field". Example: How would you power it?
3) Preamps with "tubes" are cheap gimmics unless
you are talking about ones that go for closer to
$1000 each. Avoid them as snake-oil.
4) Amazon may not be the best place to look for
decent audio equipment, particularly specialized
equipment such as needed for shooting production
sound.
NRG SA-568 Dual-Mode Shotgun Microphone with Accessory Kit
The reviews for this microphone look good, and it's definitely within
my budget.
It might be worth trying, but I certainly wouldn't buy it
unless I could return it if disappointed.
I look forward to anything you might have to offer (and half-expect to
be laughed at as awfully naive, but I'll risk it)
Might be better to discuss actual cases (scenes) where you
had problems getting good sound. Generally there aren't
any solutions that solve everything. Else it sounds like you
may just be suffering from some sort of "free floating audio
anxiety" :-)
.
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