How to Be a Sound Mixer | On-Set Audio Masterclass
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- Опубліковано 24 чер 2024
- In this new episode of Sound 101, Andrew hops on set with sound mixer Ethan to talk us through all aspects of sound mixing. That's right, this on-set audio masterclass will teach you how to be a sound mixer! We go over gear, mixing techniques, file delivery, on-set etiquette, camera cadence and much more! For anyone looking for a guide on how to become a sound mixer, this is a great place to start.
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - Chapter 1: Sound Mixing Overview
1:40 - What gear does a sound mixer need?
2:08 - Channel management/wiring
3:16 - Wiring up talent
3:28 - Where to place wireless packs
4:39 - When to lav up talent
5:37 - Chapter 2: Set Etiquette
5:40 - Where to set up
6:12 - On-set cadence
7:04 - Polywav files
7:30 - File delivery and metadata
7:46 - Chapter 3: On-Set Mixing
8:17 - Recording screams and whispers
8:50 - Diagnosing problems/PFL
9:45 - Movie Scene Run-Through
10:26 - Movie Scene Final Edit
10:52 - Chapter 4: End of Day
10:59 - Reclaiming your gear
11:30 - Creating a Sound Report
11:43 - Transferring media
12:14 - Battery management
12:41 - Sound Report deep dive
13:52 - Outro
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Summary:
Deity Microphones produces weekly digital web content to help filmmakers and sound mixers grow in their education. Deity Microphones shares this free web series in hopes that the next generation of filmmakers grows in their video production quality and changes the world.
Deity Microphones produces free educational web content to help filmmakers, vloggers, sound mixers and sound designers grow as creatives and take their production quality (be it independent, TV, or studio) to the next level. Deity Microphones believes that budget should never be a constraint to creativity.
What episode would you like to see next?!
So, I now have the Deity Connect Interview Kit (HD-TX USA model, BP-TX, DUO-RX) and two pocket wireless. Usually we have a 2-lav setup, but I bought the extra Pocket Wireless mics so that we can add an extra person or two into a scene. How do I run this and ensuring the four transmitters are not interfering with each other, or cluttering up a transmission channel? We are running boom mic into the Zoom F6 port 1, the Duo-RX, goes into 2 and 3, and the pocket wireless transmitters go into 4 and 5, and we mix audio with the FRC-8 F-Control. But I am wondering with 4 transmitters are these ever going to create interference with each other, and if so, what can I do to make sure these are not fighting with each other?
@@SaintShane Best you can do is set your DUO-RX, HD-TX, and BP-TX to 10mW and High Latency Mode.
File naming conventions & workflow from set to post production
how to get better signal using sennheiser g3 or g4 mics with 214 antenna diversity system. because it sucks but no budget for better gear
Synching audiofiles to videoclips in Davinci Resolve and Premiere :-)
Thanks for having me Deity! I'm glad to have been a part of this video it came out great!
Nice video! I like the details about organizing your stuff. This is often forgotten, although it's mandatory for efficiency in the editing. Also, great visualisation and video structure.
I'd like to add some points though, from my experience of sound mixer and boom operator for many years:
1. Always use headphones when booming! In your video the boom operator has no headphones. That would be an absolute no-go for me. It's the sound mixer's job to deliver a monitor signal for the boom operator. It's so crucial to judge the audio by your ears, not only your eyes. Otherwise, it'll be like operating your camera without a viewfinder, just by guessing your framing by camera angle and focal length.
Many mixers offer an aux output to create an additional output with only the boom mic routed. If you don't have to pass the audio over to the camera, you can try to use the mixer's main outputs.
If you have the equipment, you can build a smart solution with wireless systems. There are special monitoring wireless systems available, with convenient features like a volume adjustment knob on the receiver. But also some standard lav-system can be reused for that purpose.
2. Speaking of volume adjustments: I'd always recommend to set your headphone volume once with a appropriate level and don't touch it then. Especially not during a recording. Wear closed-back headphones to isolate you from the rest of the set. If you adjust the headphone volume, you lose your reference for the correct levels and have to rely solely on the meters. Of course the meters are necessary to use but at the end, your ears are the most effective analysing tool for quick adjustments.
3. Learn the script! If you do scripted work with multiple talents involved, the boom operator should always know who says which text. If you don't that sooner or later, you'll miss half a line, since you haven't adjusted the mic's position. Preferable, you even know already the acting. If your talent is supposed to stand up in the middle of a scene and you're not prepared, you could hit it with your mic or you may be in the frame when the camera follows the talent.
4. If you have to record two talents side by side with only one boom operator, decide your position carefully. If possible, I'd use a position between them, so basically on the axis with the camera. Doing so I can switch the mic position from one to the other my only twisting my boom pole slightly with my wrist. Standing at their left or right, I always have to move back and forth.
I know these suggestions are more for boom operators but maybe it's helpful for some of you though. What do you think?
thanks for the detailed additions! All invaluable advice. Maybe we should do a boom operator specific episode next.
I remember working with a Mixpre 3 in college, and during our documentary assignment, I put the lavs on channel 1&2 since those inputs were right next to each other, and then since the boom was on channel three on the other side of the recorder, I knew what was what. Just helped with organizing.
This is literally the best video ever, thank you
Thanks for watching!
@@DeityMicrophones Can you do a video on hw ya'll animated at 2:15ish? Incredible video!
Just got into the Film Industry as a P.A. and mind blown with the amazing Lav graphics that explained the outputs. Wish most tutorials were like this. Thanks!
This was great! Thanks to the team who all worked to put this together!
Whoa! So glad I found this video and this channel. This was a great overview and gave me a good beginning and basic understanding of managing sound on a set. Very cool and informative. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
Great job! The visuals and breakdowns were explained perfectly clear. Cheers to you! Thanks!
What an amazing series! Thanks for this invaluable knowledge!
Thanks so much for all these videos. I was recently introduced into this industry from a Sound in film seminar in one of final college classes; and while sometimes I had an assistants and I could just mix, I have also had to do a one-man boom + placing lavs + mixing combo, I instantly loved it. I was always into music and sound, so this seems right up my alley, I would like to try to dedicate to this in the future as a job. These have been incredibly helpful and insightful, and the quality of each video is superb. Thank you.
Solid video. I am a mix-pre3 user and learned a lot here. Thx guys!
EXCELLENT VIDEO. Great content, great video technique and a lot of work had gone into the animation. Well done guys and thanks for sharing.
this is a great video, thank you!!
Great video! Lots of useful information
Amazing Video 🔥 always nice to hear some good advice on how to be a better sound mixer on set 💪🏼 tanks:)
Great basic lesson.. Nice.. Bro.. 👍
This is a real masterclass 😍🔥
This Video is really amazing! Thank you so much!!
Thank you very much Deity, this is what I was looking for, thanks for the very detailed video
Excellent video, these graphics are super helpful and well done.
Thanks guys. Amazing tuts always
This is a really excellent channel. Well paced, great graphics, storytelling is easy to follow, strong demonstrations. Great work.
That's really nice to hear. Thank you!
Great lessons I had today
I'm glad I found this Channel 👌🏿
Ethan’s got drip. Never hurts to see how others mix! Thanks for the advice Andrew and Ethan
It's all in the dog hat
@@ethanrhanielle2474 What model of ktek bag was that?
@@giovannispinotti no idea. That was Andrews bag. My bag was the bigger orca or32 bag
Really, seriously Outstanding video! It put together a lot of pieces I've learned but not used yet. Thank You!
thanks for watching and happy to help :)
This is really cool. I can tell a lot of work wen into this!
Great vídeo! Cheers from Paraguay 🙌
I've been searching for a video like this and now I've found it. You guys rock!
Hopefully it's a good place for you to start. Let us know if there's anything else you want to see in future episodes!
Dude thanks for this.....super spot on and very good even for beginners. God bless
Im always waiting for your video
Such a good and informing video
great video as a basic tutorial for field audio production. thanks a lot
Great vid!!
Great episode!
I'm diving deep into post sound and live music mixing but this opens my purview into on set film as well.
Great advice, thanks.
Great video,
I'm a sound mixer/boom op here in Brazil and I see that we work in very similar ways.
Best sound channel
Can’t wait to look at that spreadsheet ❤
Very detail job
Awesome! Very interesting
Dope video
very helpful. thank you.
Great video, I found it super helpful. Was wondering what type of recorder that is?
Last weekend (Saturday and Sunday) I used this exact setup but I put the boom in port 3 because it was by itself and 1&2 were right next to each other. First time mixing a short film I must admit. No catastrophes. But it would have been good if someone taught me how to do that spreadsheet. I wish I saw this before. This would have saved the sound designer some trouble 🤪. There’s always next time haha
Awesome. Thanks 👍
There is any sound mixer heard a ghost!! LOL.
Nice tutorial. Thank you so much Andrew and Deity.
love this
Wow great video
Fantastic!
Hi guys....
Great vid.
Thanks for posting and for all the great info!!
Also, I was wondering if Caleb from DSLR VIDEO SHOOTER knows that you guys use a piece from one of his tutorials here on your video?!
Thanks again and keep those videos coming!!
Magnificent content, It would be great if you made a video explaining the advanced functions of the zoom f6 recorder.
I rented an ifb setup from that dude on a project a few months ago haha
All around solid dude
Lol I remember that day. Thanks dude
The best channel for cinema audio workers!! I fucking love this videos, and i learn so much with them! Tksss
Thanks, Andrew
I love this
It's fun, isn't it?
Thank you sir for this
it so so so helpful but
can you talk more about the the functionality of pre and post fader during recording please ?
Found a new favorite show!! Thanks for the info!
Hey! I have a question!
I have an old (but still new) SOUND DEVICES 552 and I’d love to start using it. Is it any good? Or should I get something newer?
Hi, I have learned a lot from this video, and also others of yours, so thank you! A quick question please... can the Sound Mixer also be the boom operator at the same time/set? Or there is a need of at least 2 people for those jobs?
Great guys
I checked everything is good to download.
Good video
Oh man! I love this!!!! Muchas gracias team. I am a photographer for DoD and was task to do video for Command. I know few things but not everything to handle a smooth work process. Oh my good Lord you guys are a blessing. Thank you,, thank you, thank you! I have a lot to learn but at my age I don't care... I'm going to do it. So to understand the vocabulary, is there a chart on video lingo like what's an AD, etc.?
Wow the best video
Thanks ..I love
This is a good video
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃 may I ask, when you stated that there are going to be 5 files, L, R, boom and 2x lavas. Where does L and R come from?
Awesome video!! What bag is he using!?
The K-Tek Mix Pro bag - www.amazon.com/dp/B07F7MT8RF?tag=mus0a-21
Thanks!
This video is nothing short of perfection. So thorough and helpful. Only problem: I need to know about the audio, mixing and mastering on the vocal music recording side.😔 Do you recommend any channels that are as thorough and clear as you guys are with your explanations? 😊
Curtis Judd is awesome
Very niiice vid
Great video! I always struggle to set a good level for my audio, because there's always a couple lines that clip the microphones in scenes I record for. To combat this, I've utilized a cable splitter, so I have a backup track at a lower level that I can cut to if necessary. I know some mixers (like the Zoom F8 that I've used a couple of times) can make these dual recordings in its own system, but right now I'm working with an H6 so I have to manually create another track with the splitter.
My question - does a cable splitter reduce the overall quality of the recordings, or is the difference not noticeable? I'm always worried about clipping, so I like to have two tracks per microphone at different gain settings.
And another question - how many takes do you usually expect to have for each shot? Sometimes on different takes, I will adjust the gain to be lower for those louder lines, but if a director only has the crew do two takes, this can be an issue if one of the takes has a problem (like an AC turning on).
Thanks so much! :)
I am also terrified of riding the gain during recording, because every time I have tried, it has gone wrong haha!
I'd be interested to know which sources were used and where in the final edit.
Thank you 🙏🏾. Would like to know, how much does this whole thing cost?
Thank you showing the final product. So many of these videos give explanations with no result 😭
Moving blankets, sound blankets, or a comforter? What's a better option at dampening noise in a room?
That's a whole nother video!
Oacking blankets are kind of the standard in video shoots. TBH, I use a cardiod mic for interior shots, and a shotgun for exterior work. That solves a lot of problems.
Curtis Judds's channel probably cover that, or you could ask Curtis. He's really a great guy
saludos !!! gracias !!! son geniales!! me pueden dar la marca y el modelo de los lavalier!! gracias!
This was great! I have a question though. Why is there boom pole sound and the actors lav'd? How is that audio used in post production? Is the boom just a fail safe or for room sounds? Thanks! Again great episode, just subscribed!
I had this same question. Redundancy?
Your pretty bang on from my experience. Capturing room noise, sound from something the actor might be doing, and redundancy are great points. Also sometimes you need to add just a little bit of the room ambience, clothes rustling etc. in post to make it sound more natural, but it entirely depends on what you are doing. Hope this helps.
@@gremlin9619 Thank you so much. Really appreciate the help.
On an actual film set, the boom is used for the vast majority of all dialogue. The exception would be - very wide shots or shots where the boom can't swing fast enough to grab someone's lines, etc. A professional quality boom mic sounds infinitely better than a lavaliere mic and doesn't have the problem of clothing noise.
Coverage. Boom mics will give you the best sounds. In noisy environments, a lav can work better because the mic is closer to the talent's mouth.
Amazing tips. I was wondering if we should be using limiter. Also I’ve been told that it’s not good to change levels while shooting as it will make dialogue editor job hard due to the changes of noise floor. It’s quite tricky as I have an example where I was in a shooting if a short film where the director wanted each take the whole 15 minutes film. Of course was using boom stands. The actors during the whole script are changing the way they talk from whispers to screams. I used limiter as I didn’t have extra channels to use on my recorder (f8n) as I had many actors and not any extra available channels to use the dual mode (lower levels from same channel) . What is your opinion I shouldn’t use limiters at all and always riding the levels?
I’m also wondering how the mixer rides the levels as said on the video so fast on boom and lavs simultaneously when the actors suddenly whisper or speak loud. If you have to do straight to the recording device.
Hla sus contenidos son muy buenos cuando los tendrán en español para aquellos que no hablamos Inglés. Saludos desde republica DOMINICANA
nice content
awesome
Sir I want ask you something about this he record multiple type mic like 2 lav & one boom & wich audio used in final shot .lav mic or boom & all of them & choose best wich sound is good then drag edit . Because I want make a short flim I face that problm how can get like hollywood type sound .plz suggest wich sound we when we record on loction lav mic or boom mic .& I like your video it's so help full thank for this .
SO cool, I went to School with Ethan #SOUND SPEED
Cool and informative video. But you should have gone into a bit of the "audio level" aspect of sound mixing/recording. The mixer/boom operator (if they're the same person) should know what levels to set and know clipping means exactly and how to adjust the levels to get the best audio.
Another great and informative video. Quick question: Who determines what audio sample rate (44.1 kHz vs. 48 kHz) will be used on the shoot? Who conveys that information to the audio team? Thank you!
Video is always done at 48Khz.
44.1 is more common in music, maybe podcasting.
@@DeityMicrophones Thank you. Apologies for the dumb question. :-)
@@albertogarcia7966 Thank you!
@@midwestdocumentarycenterin1680 not a dumb question. We are here to help.
Hi 👋. I'm a beginner filmmaker. Do we necessarily need this high quality mixer or can we achieve the same quality audio using something like Zoom h6?
Ive always had this question: what is a normal top peak DB when recording, Ive worked with -12db, other mixers tell me to have it close to -6db but i think this is not good since it can clip when the actor rises their voice.
What would Deity recommend?
Muito bom.
That boom op tho, lil slow and unfocused if you ask me haha
As a Gaffer for over thirty years in the Film and Video biz I can make you a sound recordist in 2 minutes!
1: point the microphone at the talent's mouth.
2: when they say rolling you hit the red button.
3: cry out "leaf blower" or "airplane" once in while to justify your existence.
DONE!
JK ! 🤣🤣
I was a sound guy before gaffing and I love my eavesdropping brothers and sisters!! 😂😂
Is there a set time when you should capture room tone? Before you shoot the first take, or after the last take at each location?
I generally take room tone after the last take at the location/set.
At the end. I try to get at least 30 seconds.
Hi Andrew, I recently got a pair the deity connect but it has a lot of self-noise. I updated to the new version of frame Ware.Do you have any solutions to make it sound better.
What is your gain settings through your whole signal chain?
@@DeityMicrophones Both the Tx are set at +15 and the Rx is at 0db. I use a sound device mixpre 10II at 25db, using the custom mode but the trim is set at basic the rest are Advanced.
I have Tascam DR 40X. How would I work that in shooting documentaries?
Can a mixer/boom op run a boom mic and 2 lavs? If so, what are some tips and recommendations? How does using a sound cart differ mixing from a bag? Pros and cons of both, and tips for each?
It's absolutely fine. I recorded an entire feature last summer, working as the sound mixer and boom operator with up to five lavs and a boom. The most important thing to think about is to set an appropriate mic level from the start, because it's pretty much impossible to adjust during take. That's also when you wanna use a bag for the recorder with a harness so you can be mobile and move with the actors and camera. The sound cart is better suited for the sound mixers that aren't booming.
Check that your audio from all 3 mics are in phase, and none of the Lav mics are wired 180° out of phase with the boom. You don’t want phase-flipped cancellation ruining the picture editor’s film dailies.
And come to that, you may wish to provide a 2-mix that has boom on channel 1 and the lavs on channel 2. Haphazardly combining similar audio source signals that have different arrival times will sound weird.
@@j_freed thanks. How do I check mic phase? Not familiar with that.
Hey guys, trying to film an outdoor interview with two actors in a semi-quiet location. Limited budget, basically no crew. Will just one overhead boom mic, going straight into my Pocket 6k XLR input, work?
Totally. Great way to do it is to get it all on the boom. Makes post a lot cheaper
How are the preamps on the BlackMagic??!
Hi, what do you mean by tracks 1 and 2 is your stereo?
On a polywave, you have multiple tracks. Tracks 1 and 2 are your stereo.