CHAPTER 7CHAPTER 7

SOUNDSOUND

CHAPTER OBJECTIVESCHAPTER OBJECTIVES• Examine the role of Sound in Video

Production;• Survey the tools for Sound

Recording and Design;• Explore the process of Selecting

the Proper Audio Equipment to achieve creative objectives;

• Build a foundation for managing the complex audio requirements of Field and Studio Production.

BASICS OF SOUNDBASICS OF SOUND

• Sound is both Sequential and Simultaneous

• Our Binaural Hearing allows perception of a sound’s direction

• Protect your hearingCumulative noise damage (CND)

MICROPHONESMICROPHONES

• Dynamic microphones

• Capacitor microphones

MICROPHONESMICROPHONESDIRECTIONALITY• Omnidirectional

microphones• Cardioid

microphones (unidirectional microphones):

Supercardioid HypercardioidUltracardioid

MICROPHONESMICROPHONES

Frequency Response

• Human Hearing Range: 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz

• Human Speech:300 Hertz to 3,000 Hertz

MICROPHONESMICROPHONES

Sizes and Shapes• Lavaliere

microphone (or “tie clip mic”)

• Boundary microphone

• Parabolic microphone

MICROPHONESMICROPHONES

Popular accessories

• Shock mount

• Windscreen (pop filter)

MICROPHONESMICROPHONES

Positioning the Microphone

• Proximity effect• Signal-to-noise

ratio• Perspective• Boom pole• Pistol grip• On-axis• Off-axis

THE PROCESS OF THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDINGSOUND RECORDING

Monitoring Sound

• Circumaural headsets

• Spot check

THE PROCESS OF THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDINGSOUND RECORDING

Controlling Sound Levels • Amplitude• Volume units (VU)

• “In the mud” • “Riding hot”• Audio limiter• Automatic gain

control (AGC)

THE PROCESS OF THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDINGSOUND RECORDING

Recording Multiple Sources• Two microphones: One for each

channel• Audio mixer

Phasing

THE PROCESS OF THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDINGSOUND RECORDING

Audio Cables and Connectors• Balanced cables are superior• XLR• 1/4” plug (phono plug)• 1/8” plug (mini-plug)• RCA cable

THE PROCESS OF THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDINGSOUND RECORDING

Mic Levels and Line Levels

• Microphone-level signals are weak

• Line-level signals are used by components

CREATIVE APPROACHES TO CREATIVE APPROACHES TO SOUND RECORDING AND SOUND RECORDING AND

DESIGNDESIGNVoice and dialogue Sound effects• Hard effects are in sync with the

picture• Soft effects are not in sync with the

picture. Wild trackMusic

MANAGING A LOCATIONMANAGING A LOCATION

• Sound stage • Exterior sounds often spill on location• Hard and Soft Environments• Continuity• Equalization• Room Tone• Automated Dialogue Replacement

(ADR)• Foley

SOUND EDITINGSOUND EDITING • Controls the relative balance of the

sounds• Digital processing effects• Audio transitions• Cross-fade• Lead with the audio• Audio montages• Mono• Stereo• Surround sound

SAMPLE EXERCISESSAMPLE EXERCISES

1. Create a Two-Minute Story told only with Sound.

2. Take an assortment of microphones into the field and do Comparative Tests to see how these mics record sounds Differently.

3. Import the video of a scene from One of Your Favorite Movies. Totally build the sound track to this scene using Original Audio and Library Music and Effects.

Copyright 2008 Taylor and FrancisCopyright 2008 Taylor and Francis