Audio for Video
Most of us have entered an edit session following what at the time seemed to be a successful shoot – perfect lighting, clean lines, smooth pans, precise focus….uh oh - that boom mic was noisy as hell!  How could you have not realized it in the field?  Well, most of us utilize the awesomely convenient XLR inputs on our cameras to handle the usually simple audio recording options required.  You can use a boom mic in one input and a lavalier in the other.  This setup will usually suffice.

The Problem
We all use this set-up and probably all run into the same problems.  The camera is now attached to something.  The extra wires cause many inconveniences in changing set-ups and handheld work.  And, you are monitoring your sound levels and quality from a camera which is not ideal.  Shots are probably your number one concern when standing behind a camera - not audio.  This run-and-gun solution works 90% of the time.  For the other 10% when you need to impress:  You have a client/interview/film that needs a little “wow” in it.  You have an idea for something big with the “look” and being hassled with boom mic placement is a distraction that you can’t afford.

The Solution
By recording your sound independently from your camera set-up - You can be more creative,  more mobile, and more precise.  More subtleties can be realized and you free your eyes from level meters to the picture.  If you are low budget, but maybe have an extra person on hand,  make that person your sound guy/girl.  The benefits of quality of sound will outweigh what this person could attribute as extra grip.  This DIY field kit is easily set-up and operated and you can teach just about anyone how to use it.The Set-Up
There are many solutions out there that range from all-in-one field recorders to complex 12 channel boards.  The system described in this article falls somewhere between the two.  The intrical piece of the system is how sound is interfaced digitally.  This DIY kit is built around USB audio interfaces used for recording in home studios with Pro Tools - specifically the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.  It gives you dual XLR or 1/8 pin inputs, 48v phantom power, and is powered by USB.  I connect the Fast Track Pro to a Asus Netbook.  These mini notebooks have just about everything that laptops have.  You can run full operating systems like Windows 7 and since the screen is so small and the hard drive is SSD, the battery life is extraordinary (5-7 hours per charge).  With software you have a couple of options – You can use Pro Tools (M-Powered in this case) or free audio editing/recording software such as Audacity.

The Advantage
You have endless options to effect the quality of recording “live” that you are not afforded with the cameras “level” controls.  It gets your camera “wireless” from any audio devices which allows for freedom of movement.  You now have a dedicated person for audio which enables a more concentrated effort for picture and talent.  And, you have a stand alone system for grabbing natural or b-roll sounds without having to break out any camera gear.  Give it a try and shoot me a message or comment with some feedback.

|JONNYHEE|