Audio Recording Notes

16-bit sound is best
• bit = bit depth
• bit depth = the fidelity of the recording’s dynamics or volume levels.

• Always use 16-bit, as it holds the most sound data and gives the fullest range of sound.

• An 8-bit digital audio recording uses 256 levels to represent the dynamic range. A 16-bit recording uses 65,536 levels.

To set your JVC camera to record 16 bit sound:

- Press Menu
- Scroll to the A menu + press SET
- Choose Sound Mode, + select 16-bit

Just as you use your eyes to look for the strongest shots, you need to listen for + discover how to collect detailed sounds that define, push, or interact with your images.

Qualities of Interesting Soundtracks:

* sound sources with interesting or unusual rhythms either found or created

* a mix of high + low frequencies

* a mixture of both sustained + percussive sounds to create the illusion of space

*change or transformation in the soundtrack to create different movements in the whole composition, rather than 1 single mood

The human ear hears:
15 hertz to 20,000 hertz.

LOW FREQUENCES: 20Hz - 250 Hz
- traffic, construction, factory noise
- rumble, fans, transformer hums
- Bass musical instruments

MID FREQUENCIES: 250HZ - 4,000 Hz
- most of what we hear is in this range
- human voice in particular
- most musical instruments

HIGH FREQUENCIES: 4,000 - 20,000 Hz
- sizzling, rain, cymbal percussion
- consonant sounds of the human voice
- (pops, taps, scrapes)
- …and camera system noise

You define a scene with audio through the use of your high, medium and low
frequencies (high, medium or low sounds.)

To create a sense of space and depth in your soundtrack, it takes a mix of 3 elements:

- Foreground sounds
- Middleground sounds +
- Background sounds

1. Foreground sounds
- loud sounds that seem close -12db to -3db
- Voice should peak no higher than -3db
- careful not to record at the ceiling 0db

2. Background sounds
- soft sounds that seem far away
-15db to -20db

3. Middleground sounds
- zipper or water fountain
- soft to medium loud details
from the immediate the area
-15db to -3db

• To Subvert means to “overthrow the authority of”.
• How can you use sound to change the meaning of the image? To overthrow the authority the image seems to hold? To enlarge the meaning of it? To make it your own?

• The JVC camera uses a series of green and red bars to indicate sound levels.
• The sound should peak with 1 red bar only.

MICROPHONES

- Should be kept away from the camera
- Kept dust free

DYNAMIC MICS
- Recommended for voice-overs
- Excellent for musical instruments
- Rugged
(RE-10 is a type of dynamic mic)
CONDENSER MIC
- Amplifies all sounds across the frequency spectrum equally -very sensitive
- Good frequency response - ability to capture the speed of a musical instrument or voice
- Battery powered
- Fragile
- (Lavaliere mics are condenser mics)

MICROPHONE PICK UP PATTERNS:

Omni-directional microphones pick up sound from all directions equally.

Cardioid microphones have a heart-shaped (cardioid) pickup pattern and are sensitive to sounds predominantly from the front of the microphone diaphragm.

Hyper or super cardioid microphones are even more directionally sensitive and are sometimes called “shotguns” because of their long length.

Bi-directional microphones are sensitive to sounds from the front and rear, while rejecting sound from the top, bottom, and sides.

There are 4 MICS available to you:

PZM - or Pressure Zone Mic
- use a large flat surface, such as a tabletop or wall to create a large, smooth, dome- shaped pickup pattern.
- condenser microphone
- needs 1/4 mini adaptor
- excellent for environments…
like meadow, coffee shop, room tones.
- half moon pickup pattern.
- not ideal for isolated voices
- mostly used for background sound

SP LAVALIERE
- used for interviews.
- always omni-directional
- windscreen, tie clip
- can be hidden easily
- placed 6-9 inches away from mouth, out of the wind path

RE 10
- used for interviews, the human voice, singing and all middle ground sounds
- cardioid pick up pattern
- sound problems around cable attachment
- dynamic mic

- Rode Mic
- very sensitive mic
- Directional Condenser Microphone
- Needs batteries

You have 4 ways to control your sound levels on the JVC camera:

1. Adjust the volume on your camera (which you can’t do.)
2. Lower or raise the volume of your source.
3. Change the distance between your mic and your sound source. But the closer the mic, the more bass frequencies and more “P’s” and “Ss.”
4. Choose a mic that is less sensitive.

Think Outside the Camcorder:

Don’t use the camera’s onboard mic
- poor quality
- camera noise
- lack of flexibility with the image

Practice using the equipment:

Bring-
- Spare batteries
- Extra tapes, as you never know what you’ll find.
- A pen to label!
- Always wear headphones when recording
- Try to get the microphone close to your subject.

Avoid popping
"p" and sharp "s" sounds

Choose a quiet recording space:

- carpeted
- with a door to close
- not much traffic…
Don't be afraid to make mistakes & record again. …

Locations change in character over time, so make sure to make long recordings. Record at least 15 minutes in each mic position, and use at least 2 mic positions for each location.

For every scene, for every interview, record extra audio. Remember that even silence is sound. Make long recordings of the background space in every room or environment you’re shooting in.