Sound for Video Session: Allen Williams - Boom Operator

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we have a conversation with Boom Operator Allen Williams. Allen has worked on TV shows including The Walking Dead and Stranger Things along with many other shows and movies - see his IMDB credits.

In our conversation, Allen shares a wealth of knowledge related to production sound and operating a boom mic along with many tips for the types of challenges and issues that the sound department faces on set every day.

Allen also has his own YouTube channel called SoundSpeeds.

Allen mentioned a few videos during our discussion:

How to composite out a boom mic for wide shots

Building Better Boom Ops Playlist

Gear used to record this session:

Shure SM7b Microphone

Sound Devices MixPre-10T Audio Recorder

Panasonic GH5S Camera

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens

AJA U-Tap USB video capture box - Takes the HDMI output from the camera and feeds the video to my computer via USB for streaming.

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: JBL 1 Series 104 Monitors & Q&A

In this sound for video session, we had a casual conversation about several audio related topics and gear including the new affordable near field monitors from JBL - 1 Series 104. Also talked about Azden 3500 series microphones, the Zoom F6, and lots of other questions and topics.

Gear mentioned in this session:

JBL 1 Series 104 Near Field Monitors for Mixing on a budget

Zoom F6 Audio Field Recorder

Audio Ltd A10 Wireless Microphone System

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones (Amazon) - my main production sound headphones

AKG K175 On-Ear Closed Back Headphones (Amazon)

Sound Devices MixPre Recorders

MikMe Gold Large Diaphragm Condesner Microphone/Recorder (Amazon)

Azden SGM-3500 Short Shotgun Microphone

Azden SGM-3500L Shotgun Microphone

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Zoom F6 Initial Impressions: Wide Dynamic Range Audio Field Recorder

Zoom announced their new F6 audio field recorder for film and video at NAB 2019. I was fortunate enough to borrow a pre-production copy for a couple of days and ran it through some initial tests. In particular, I wanted to see how well this dual analogue to digital conversion with 32 bit float WAV recording worked and whether it really prevented clipping. I was also curious as to how clean the recordings would be. To my delight, the F6 records extraordinary amounts of dynamic range so you don’t have to worry about clipping nor do you need to be terribly concerned with noise floor. This tiny recorder is impressive!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Links to gear used in this video:

Zoom F6 Audio Field Recorder

Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter - required to run the iOS control app

Lupo Superpanel Full Color 60 - Used for the blue background

Falconeyes 120TDX - (Amazon) 4’ x 4’ LED roll-flex panel light used as a key light and for the table-top product shots

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 Lens - (Amazon) used on the talking head shots

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - (Amazon) used on the Pocket 4K for the product shots

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - used to shoot the talking head and most of the product shots

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2018 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.

DEITY V.Lav: Intelligent, Affordable Lavalier Microphone

DEITY Microphones recently released a new affordable lavalier microphone - the V.Lav. The unique thing about this microphone is that you generally won’t need adapters to work with different devices like mobile phones, cameras, audio recorders, or Mac/PC. Instead, it intelligently figures out what it is connected to and configures itself to work with that device. Let’s take a closer look and listen!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Links to gear used in this video:

DEITY V.Lav Lavalier Microphone

Lupo Superpanel Full Color 60 - Pro level 1x2’ LED panel light that works great not only as an effects light, but also as a key or rim.

Lupo Superpanel Dual Color 60 - Same as above but without the RGB capabilities and this one has more light output. I only need to set it to about 8% on the dimmer for most head and shoulders shots.

Panasonic GH5 - (Amazon) used for some of the audio tests and a few of the product shots

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens (Amazon)

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - used to shoot the talking head and most of the product shots

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2018 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.

Sound for Video Session: Michael Wynne - Production Sound Mixer, Atlanta

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we talk with Michael Wynne who is a production sound mixer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael gives us a look into the TV production sound world where he works on larger budget productions. We talk about many of the practical matters; The sound team - mixer, boom operator, and sound utility. Also cover equipment, solving issues, union work, and more!

Check out Michael Wynne’s YouTube channel for some great production sound content.

Gear discussed in this episode:

Sound Devices 688 Audio Recorder/Mixer

Sound Devices CL-12 - Fader Controller

DPA 6060 Lavalier Microphone

Sanken COS-11D Lavalier Microphone

Countryman B6 Lavalier Microphone

Countryman B3 Lavalier Microphone

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Sound Design with Lloyd Puckitt

This week we spoke with Lloyd Puckitt, the sound designer for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. Earlier in his career, Lloyd worked as a recording engineer for acts including Depeche Mode, Erasure, Mathew Sweet, Madonna, and earned platinum records with Vitamin C and Fuel.

In the late 90s, as the business side of the music industry went through some significant changes, Lloyd returned to the education and artistic side of music. Lloyd is now a sound designer and an education artist for Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Planet Waves, and Dynasty Percussion.

Please consider my sound for video classes available over at the Learn Light and Sound School.

Gear discussed in this episode:

Audio Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Audio Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Audio Technica AT2050 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with variable polar pattern

Shure MX150 omni-directional lavalier microphone

Wireless Workbench

RF Scanner/Analyzer - RF Explorer Pro - Lloyd didn’t mention which scanner they use, but this is one example of an RF scanner

Gear Used to record my end of the conversation:

Panasonic GH5S Camera

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens

Shure SM7B Dynamic Broadcast Microphone

Sound Devices MixPre-10T

AJA U-Tap HDMI - HDMI to USB Capture Box

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music from Artlist: Keep an Eye by Back to Dream. You can receive a 2 month discount on a subscription to Artlist, a subscription service for stock music you can use with your videos. Check it out at Artlist.io.

RODE WIRELESS GO Review: Simple Wireless Microphone System

RODE’s new WIRELESS GO is a wireless microphone system designed to be simple and quick to use but also has the ability to add external lavalier microphones for cases where you want an even more discreet look. This system is well suited for vloggers, YouTubers, and for cases where you want to do quick pick-up interviews without a lot of fuss getting set up. Let’s take a closer look and listen to see how it performs.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Links to gear used in this video:

RODE WIRELESS GO - Super simple to use wireless microphone system

RODELink Filmmaker Kit - More versatile wireless microphone system with longer range and more options for add-on transmitters. Can also control the input and output levels on the transmitter and receiver.

Lupo Superpanel Dual Color 60 - key light for all of the shots in this video

Lupo Superpanel Full Color 60 - RGBW light used to light the background

Panasonic GH5 (Amazon)

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens (Amazon)

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - used to shoot the talking head and most of the product shots

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2018 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.

Sound for Video Session: Q&A 23 April 2019

This week we answer your questions about sound for video including recording, production, post, and gear.

Gear discussed in this session:

RODE WIRELESS GO - super convenient wireless microphone system for vloggers and solo shooters

DEITY Connect - dual channel wireless microphone system

Sennheiser XSW-D - super simple wireless microphone system for vloggers, solo shooters, musicians, etc.

RODE Filmmaker Kit - Wireless lavalier microphone system for indie filmmakers

Copyright 2019 - Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2017 - TVAC, Used with Permission

Hiding Lavalier Microphones - with Simon Bysshe of Ursa Straps

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we connected with Simon Bysshe of Ursa Straps where he demonstrates how to hide lavalier microphones in a variety of situations. No single strategy works in all situations, but Simon does a good job covering several strategies to fit different scenarios, taking into account wardrobe, gender of the actor, and more.

Ursa Straps - Their products and where to purchase them throughout the world.

Ursa Straps' YouTube Channel where they cover many of their products and how they help with concealing lavalier microphones and body packs.

Durapore Tape (on Amazon)

Nexcare Tape (on Amazon)

Skin Tac Wipes (on Amazon)

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

DEITY Connect Wireless Lavalier Microphone Review - 2 Mics 1 Receiver

Deity Microphones just released a new dual channel, digital wireless microphone system. This kit includes two transmitters and microphones which transmit to a single dual channel receiver. This is one of the few dual channel systems available for under $700 USD. In this episode, we dive into the details and find out how it sounds, how well it remains connected without interference or dropouts, and how it works with various cameras or recorders.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Links to gear used in this video:

Deity Connect Dual Channel Wireless Microphone System

Panasonic GH5 Camera

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2017 by TVAC. Used with permission.