external audio
- Thread starter benj09
- Start date
Im no sound guy but i know the Zoom h4n is a popular budget choice. But i think its almost 300usd.
Recorders like the Tascam DR-100 and Zoom H4n are the "bottom of the barrel" if you are in any way serious about audio and indie filmmaking; and even they have serious drawbacks - extremely short battery life, record level problems and no manual gain controls to name just a few. If you go with a cheaper recorder you'll end up spending so much in the way of additional funds getting the cheap recorder to work you may as well have spent the initial $300.
Sound is half of the experience.
More than just words to proclaim, it should be the way you allocate your equipment funds. Most indie film types spend a grand or two on the camera and then ask your question - how do I get great sound for $100? It can't be done. If sound is half of the experience then half of your budget should go there. Solid sound means your audience can hear the dialog easily, thereby engrossing them in the film; the converse is true, poor sound pulls them out of the film. Solid sound makes your film look better; audiences are much more forgiving of visual errors than they are of audio problems. Solid production sound makes your audio post process more effective - and less expensive.
If you haven't purchased your camera as of yet reallocate your funds accordingly; if you have at the least save up for a DR-100 or H4n.
As always, I recommend working with an audio professional, or at least a hungry up-and-comer.
Sound is half of the experience.
More than just words to proclaim, it should be the way you allocate your equipment funds. Most indie film types spend a grand or two on the camera and then ask your question - how do I get great sound for $100? It can't be done. If sound is half of the experience then half of your budget should go there. Solid sound means your audience can hear the dialog easily, thereby engrossing them in the film; the converse is true, poor sound pulls them out of the film. Solid sound makes your film look better; audiences are much more forgiving of visual errors than they are of audio problems. Solid production sound makes your audio post process more effective - and less expensive.
If you haven't purchased your camera as of yet reallocate your funds accordingly; if you have at the least save up for a DR-100 or H4n.
As always, I recommend working with an audio professional, or at least a hungry up-and-comer.
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As alcove suggests, best route is probably finding a sound guy with their owm gear hungry for experience/stuff for their resume who might work for free/cheap.
Find a guy/gal who wants to get into production sound. S/he should have the basics as far as equipment goes and more knowledge about audio than you do.