Alcove Audio

Large diaphragm mics like the AT3035 are tough to use on a set. They also like the sound source to be close.

I got that trusty AT3035 at a yard sale and I'll be using that for a while. I did get a CAD goose-neck pop screen and I'll have to experiment with distance from the mic. I'll go check out the boom recorder. Thanks again.

Good choice. What condenser mic did you get? Did you get a pop screen?

If you're going to try laptop audio on-set check out Boom Recorder; it is specifically for production sound.

http://www.vosgames.nl/products/BoomRecorder/

And you'll still need some good headphone of you don't already have them.

I ended up getting a t.c konnekt 6 - mic firewire preamp (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Konnekt6desk) for voiceovers with a condenser and I'm even tempted to try it on location to a laptop. This goes way back to a conversation with you last fall about firewire vs USB preamps. Thanks.

Thanks man!!!, Im diving in right now as we speak, hope you dont mind I pm you about my thoughts and questions as I read some stuff on audio?. Again thanks.

There are also great resources on the web:

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/filmmaking/audio.php

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/filmmaking/post-sound-articles.php

http://www.colinhartonline.com/?p=336 (Check out other articles on his site)

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html (More articles here as well)

http://www.locationsound.com/proaudio/ls/tips/techtips8_4.html

And, of course, lose yourself in http://filmsound.org/ for a week or two.


As with most things, much will not make any sense to you until you actually start doing some of these things. I was doing Foley work, and doing okay, but after reading The Foley Grail before starting and rereading while doing a feature I achieved a whole new level; the same went for my dialog editing.

Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema - David Sonnenschein

The Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound - David Lewis Yewdall

Dialogue Editing for Motion Pictures: A Guide to the Invisible Art - John Purcell

The Sound Effects Bible: How to Create and Record Hollywood Style Sound Effects - Ric Viers

The Foley Grail: The Art of Performing Sound for Film, Games, and Animation - Vanessa Theme Ament

Hey alcove, just wanted to ask you what good books you would recommend on sound and mixing?.

Alcove,

I was wandering if i could get an honest opinion about this microphone. Iv made mistakes in the past buying microphones and i don't want to make another. Also I wanted to ask you about different kinds of mic's and in what conditions they should be used in (I.E. shotgun, cardioid, supercardioid, hypercardioid, omni and uni; dynamic, condensor, electret and ribbon)

Thanks,
Gabriel

Don't know if you know about this website but you mentioned Randy Thom is a hero of yours. Check this out:
http://soundworkscollection.com/casawardspanel2010

hey man it would be awesome if you can check out my trailer for my new film! if not thats cool. have a nice day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOVU7itZ5NE

Merry Christmas!!! You are always a great help when I'm hard of hearing. God bless and remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Tell Santa I need a new Sennheiser for Christmas!

A passable shotgun mic will go for between US$250 and US$300. A very popular budget shotgun the Rode NTG-2; yes, the NTG-1 is cheaper but will require an external phantom power supply. You should also get a cardioid mic, about the same price range, for indoor usage. You will also need a boom and other accessories.

Check out my blog here on IndieTalk for production sound basics.

hi, have seen you ranting and raving about sound a lot... love it! anyway i was just wondering if you could give an amateur young film maker on a very low budget some advice...

i'm looking to buy a shotgun microphone for under £100 (about $140) do you have any recommendations?
its to improve my sound... as atm im using the camera microphone :O
thanks

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I was away for a few days.

Never heard of it, can't even find it on the Audio Technica website. Just from the picture the cable looks flimsy. I know everyone is trying to save money, but are you really expecting a mic at that price to be any good? The only reason that I buy mics like that is as a disposable - I know for a fact it will be destroyed somewhere along the line.

Peace,

Bob

Hi Alcove,

Was just wondering if you could take a look at this mic for me on ebay, Im not sure if its any good but it is audio technica which is a brand that seems to be good, the only thing im quizzed about is that for a pro mic i dont think it has any XLR connection.

heres the link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300339220407&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


cheers mate.