As someone who does only Location Sound for a living. I normally don’t deal with files much except for when I need to FTP a transcript or a last minute voice over to a client. I have a small protools system which is more for me to just play around with and do my own personal work with. Occasionally I will do some simple editing on a low budget film or something but thats it. The other day I recorded some polyphonic wave files for a client, which I then burned to DVD for them for post. Well I get a call that they are having issues opening them (Trying to import them into a older version of AVID) and all they really wanted was the best channel of audio. I told them that even though the talent was wired the boom sounded good for the whole shoot. So I used Wave agent to quickly batch and exact track 1 of all my poly wave files. It worked quickly and allowed me to upload the files to my client within minutes. For a free download it is a great Mac and PC based program so check it out it may help you one day soon.
Tag: Location Sound Mixer Atlanta georgia
Spare and backup equipment always important
I wanted to say welcome to all the Fullsail students/ graduates who have emailed me directly. I thank you for reading. A reader emailed me and asked me how much spare equipment I bring with me when working. Well it is sort of a loaded question. I own alot of gear, I only use all of it a few times a year so I own at least 2 spare of everything. When I am working most of the time I am using for 4 channel package, which consists of 3 wireless, wireless camera link, comtek IFB and sound devices 442 mixer. But when using this package I always have my 302 3 channel package with me which consists of my 302 3 channel mixer, (2) 201 wireless, BDS power system and cables for wireless camera link. I usually only use this package now as a 2nd package which I rent when I am on a show that needs a second package, as back up or if I am doing a show that requires me to have a small equipment bag like Cops or something that requires me to move faster and be more compact since the 302 package is about 8lbs while the 442 package is 22lbs 😦 . In addition to these two full packages I also have a PSC 4 channel mixer and 2 Sennheiser G2 wireless (which is what I started my career with) I also have a spare 210D Lectro system as well. When I was starting out and had no money at all. I made sure I had spare cables, spare lav microphones and a soldering iron with me and it served me well. That being said I have never had anything but an XLR cable break on me while shooting but I would never chance not having spare parts with me at all times. I also have a rule of never selling anything when I buy something better. Sound gear holds its value very very well so don’t shoot yourself int he foot by selling stupidly. So in closing (So I can go to the beach) start with just spare cables and lav microphones then move on from there
Recording voice overs in the field
So much of what I do is down and dirty never the way I really want to do it. An example of this is having to record voice overs in the field. When usually asked about this I say “It would be better to use a local recording studio”. When they tell me that is cost or time prohibitive I say “I have a small Protools system installed on my laptop lets set aside some time and record this right”. Then I am usually told we need to record it in about 10 min and then we need to keep shooting can we do it. I always remember what a good friend of mine told me “Never say no just ask how much”. So this is where my Tascam HD-P2 hard disk recorder comes in handy I can quickly record voiceover to a Compact Flash card which I can then quickly send via any FTP program so that post production can have then the same day. I usually use YOUSENDIT a easy to use program that emails a weblink to anyone who needs to download it. I have found this systems really impresses clients and allows me to make a few extra dollars in gear rental.
Something Cool I worked on
I did some short commercials for Adidas earlier in the year. If you want to see my favorite go to http://www.adidas.com/ it is called “Superstar Magic” featuring Dynamo doing street magic in Miami. It was a very simple equipment package for the gig. My package consisted of a Sound Devices 302 Mixer, 1 Lectrosonics 211 wireless with Countryman EMW lav microphone and my MKH 416 shotgun microphone. The hardest part was boom operating all day long everyone enjoy.
Taking a hard look at my approach to things
I have been working alot recently on a new reality show that has yet to air and it has been a rough bit of shooting. 4 or 5 wireless going all the time, lots of quick location changes and alot of people to mic up quickly and since we don’t have a 2nd crew I need to move fast so that camera is not waiting on me. Everyday I have been trying to figure out ways to move fast and do a better job at the same time, which is easier said then done. My first challenge was lighten by 25lb sound bag up a bit by using thinner cables and cable the exact length I need this saved me about 1lb . I also am now using a wireless plug on tx on my boompole at all times now this saves me time when setting up for our sit down interviews and allows me to have more freedom of motion when booming and not having to worry about plugging the boompole in. I have also started leaving more spare items in the production van instead of on me this has saved me 3lbs so my bag is now about 21lbs which is much better than 25. So I invite all of you to really take a hard look at how you do things and maybe you can save some weight too.
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