The eye draws us outwards while the ear draws us inwards. – Robert Bresson

 

Goal

• Understand and use common audio research, planning, preparation, and recording tools and techniques for film sound

Zoom Audio Deck Settings

• Interface
  • Stereo Microphones
  • Mode Indicator LED
  • Shortcut Buttons
  • Input Select
  • Transport Control
  • Record
  • SD Card
  • Microphone Inputs
  • Headphone Port
  • Output Port
• Settings
  • Phantom Power
    • Power for condenser microphones at 48v (dynamic microphones like the Shure SM58 do not need phantom power)
  • Mono Mix
    • Only one audio channel mixed to two channels, the same sound is on each channel
  • Record Format
    • WAV96kHz/24bit – highest quality
    • WAV44.1/16bit – CD quality, good for longer recording sessions
  • File Name Format
    • Use DATE option (example: 170131-001.wav)
    • Helps keep files organized
  • Battery Options
    • Alkaline/Lithium
    • Ni-MH (only use for rechargeable batteries)
      • Our blue Eneloop batteries, more info
  • Recording Modes
    • Stereo
      • Left and right recorded stereo audio
    • 4 Channel
      • 4 channel recording simultaneously
      • Watch this tutorial: Zoom H4n Tutorial Review 4 Channel Recording with 2 stereo WAV files 
    • MTR
      • Multitrack mode
      • Watch this tutorial: Zoom H4n: MTR mode and Overdubbing
  • Record Levels
    • Adjust loudest level to -6dB (DO NOT PEAK IN THE RED)
    • -6 gives headroom for the recording
  • Headroom
    • Safety zone allowing transient audio peaks, loud parts, to exceed the nominal level without damaging the system or the audio signal, e.g., via clipping
  • Nominal Level
    • Operating level at which an electronic signal processing device is designed to operate
  • Clipping
    • Waveform distortion that occurs when an amplifier is overdriven and attempts to deliver an output voltage or current beyond its maximum capability

Zoom Audio Deck Tutorial

• 4:25: Rode NTG2 Shotgun Mic Overview
• 7:18: XLR Audio Cable
• 7:35: Zoom H4n Buttons, Inputs, and Outputs Overview
• 9:00: Front Screen Overview
• 9:45: Bottom XLR, 1/4 inch, and Power Inputs
• 10:05: Menu Details
  • 10:15: Folder Settings
  • 10:21: File Settings
  • 10:32: Input Settings
    • 10:40: Phantom Power Setting (Use 48v)
      • Phantom power uses more battery
    • 10:55: Mono Mix
  • 11:30: Record Settings
    • 11:35: Record Format
      • WAV96kHz/24bit – highest quality – larger file size
      • WAV44.1/16bit – CD quality – smaller file size for longer recording sessions
    • 11:50: File Names
      • Recommend using date as file name
  • 12:05: System
    • 12:09: Battery
      • Alkaline and Lithium batteries use the same setting
      • Ni-MH are rechargeable batteries
        • Only set this setting if you are using rechargeable batteries!
        • Watch more about this from –
  • 12:43: SD Card – Formatting
  • 12:50: USB – Connecting to Computer
  • 12:51: Mode – Stereo, 4 Channel, MTR
• 13:03: Plug in Microphone
• 13:42: How to Operate Zoom with Microphone Plugged in
  • 13:49: Tap the Record Button
  • 14:47: Setting Audio Levels
    • Adjust so loudest level is -6dB
    • YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THE AUDIO PEAK or DISTORT
  • 17:37: The Stop Button
• 17:49: Downloading Audio to a Computer
• 18:29: Setting up a Boom Pole
  • 19:49: Cable Management
• 21:03: Batman Demo Recording
  • 21:18: Get Your Frame
    1. Get the mic just out of the frame, but as close to the mouth as possible
    2. Hold the mic above the talent, if possible
• 22:33 Set your recording levels by having the talent practice the loudest lines
  • 22:47 REMEMBER TO SET PEAK LEVELS TO -6 dB
  • 23:00 Role audio
    • Audio recorder states: “Scene 1, Take 1” (as an example)
    • The slate is clicked, or hand clap, to create a nice sharp audio wave to aid in post-production audio syncing
    • Director says action

Setting for Our OMF Files

• Create a folder to save all the files into
• Title the OMF file something simple
• Set Sample rate: 48,000
• Set Bits per sample: 16
• Set Files: Separate Audio
• Set Format: Broadcast Wave

Product

• Blog post with embedded video from YouTube of the various audio techniques demonstrated and explained

Examples

• Coming soon…

Steps

1. Watch Top 10 Best Sound Designed Films of All Time – CineFix (14:30)
2. Watch Microphones & Audio Syncing Tutorial – Indy News from 2:00 into the clip (5:26)
3. Create blog post titled, Audio Deck Operation and Control
   • Create headings for:
     • Summary
     • Sound Design for Film Notes
     • Zoom Audio Deck Settings
     • Zoom Audio Deck Tutorial
     • Timeline
     • Pre-production
     • Production
     • Post-production
     • Film (Project Skills Evidence)
     • What I Learned and Problems I Solved
4. Copy and paste all the material for the Zoom Audio Deck Settings and Zoom Audio Deck Tutorial into your blog post
5. Watch  Filmmaking 101 – How to Record High Quality Audio on a Budget by DiCasaFilm (25:15)
6. Embed video and Watch  Music & Sound Design for Film – Film Riot  1st half of the clip (up to 5:45 minutes) and take notes about under the Sound Design For Film Notes heading
7. Embed video and Watch Export OMF from Adobe Premiere Pro CC and take notes about under the Sound Design For Film Notes heading
   • Le Duc’s OMF video tutorial
8. Watch and practice How To Properly Roll Cable by Randy Coppinger (1:03)
9. Watch some of the other tutorials linked in the Resources section below to better prepare for your specific audio recording needs
10. Get a copy of the Zoom H4n Audio Deck Settings Form (PDF)
    • Fill in with your settings for all audio projects
11. Write a script that includes a shot reverse shot script with 5 lines for each actor
    • The lines shot be easy to ADR, which will be done in post-production
    • The point of the film is to demonstrate what you have learned about basic audio recording and operations as a reference for yourself in your blog
12. Storyboard each shot
    • 
13. Block each shot
14. Pitch storyboards
15. Revise storyboards
16. Create the shot list for the project
    • 
    • Shot List Creation for a Blog Post video tutorial
17. Create an equipment list
18. Practice each shot, update script, as needed
19. Gather equipment; audio deck, microphone(s), camera, lens, lights, bounce, diffuser, etc.
20. Create a shot log
21. Shoot each scene
22. Catalog shots
23. Edit shots in Adobe Premiere
24. Export OMF files from Premiere
    • Settings
      • Create a folder to save all the files into
      • Title the OMF file something simple
      • Sample rate: 48,000
      • Bits per sample: 16
      • Files: Separate Audio
      • Format: Broadcast Wave
25. Import files into Adobe Audition
26. Edit in Adobe Audition
27. Import finish sound back into Premiere
28. Export in highest resolution possible
29. Upload to YouTube
30. Embed under Project Skills Evidence heading
31. Write the Summary
32. Write What I Learned and Problems I Solved
33. Have someone proofread your blog post, make corrections, additions, and hand in your feedback form

Tools

• Zoom H4n
• Rode NTG 2 Microphone
• XLR cable
• Closed-back headphones
• Canon Digital Rebel SLR camera
• Various focal length lens: 18-55mm lens, 55-250mm zoom telephoto lens, 50mm prime lens
• GarageBand (Mac)
• iMovie (Mac)
• YouTube Video for online editing
  • Tutorial
• Adobe Premiere for automatic audio syncing and advanced video editing
• How to Auto Sync Audio with Video in Adobe Premiere Pro CC by Premiere Gal

Resources

• Zoom H4n Audio Deck Settings Form (PDF)

https://capitalcomtech.info/2015/11/10/le-duc-sound-safari-team-roles/

Feedback Form

• Sound Design Operation and Control (PDF)