Sound for Video Session: Shotgun Mics, Wind Covers, Mixers, DAW Apps, Loudness

In this week's Sound for Video Session we run through several questions:

- Why is my shotgun mic picking up everything in the room?
- Why do I get clicks and noise with my wireless microphones?
- Should I use a blimp cover on my shotgun microphone indoors?
- Which DAW audio editing app should I use if I don’t want a subscription?
- How do I send sound from a mixing board to my camera?
- Which loudness standard do I use when loudness normalizing my audio?
- Which shotgun microphone and wind cover should I choose?

Links:

Broadcast Loudness Standards (tc electronic)

For internet delivery, Paul Figgiani recommends -16 LUFS for stereo, -19 LUFS for mono audio

Audio Editing Apps (DAWs)

- Logic Pro X
- Reaper
- Studio One
- Avid ProTools

Attenuation Cable to connect mixer output to camera (Panasonic GH4). You will also need a 1/4" to 3.5mm cable

Electrovoice RE50L Dynamic Microphone (Voiceover for this session was recorded with this)

Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro (Recorded the talking head portion with this camera)

Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd

Azden SMX-30 and 15 Furry Wind Covers

Earlier this year we reviewed the Azden SMX-30 and 15 camera-top shotgun microphones. Both compared favorably with others in the same price range but the SMX-30 also has a stereo set of mics, making it a little more versatile than the others. The only problem was that the foam wind cover was custom shaped to fit over the microphone, which is good. But that meant that there weren't any fur windshield options so shooting outdoors was pretty tough. Not anymore, now Azden offers custom fitting fur covers for both so shooting outdoors is much more manageable.