1. CHAPTER 7
SOUND

2. CHAPTER 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.

3. BASICS OF SOUND Sound is both Sequential and Simultaneous
Our Binaural Hearing allows perception of a sound’s direction
Protect your hearing
Cumulative noise damage (CND)

4. MICROPHONES
Dynamic microphones
Capacitor microphones

5. MICROPHONES DIRECTIONALITY Omnidirectional microphones
Cardioid microphones
(unidirectional microphones):
Supercardioid
Hypercardioid
Ultracardioid

6. MICROPHONES Frequency Response Human Hearing Range:
20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz
Human Speech:
300 Hertz to 3,000 Hertz

7. MICROPHONES Sizes and Shapes Lavaliere microphone (or “tie clip mic”)
Boundary microphone
Parabolic microphone

8. MICROPHONES
Popular accessories
Shock mount
Windscreen (pop filter)

9. MICROPHONES Positioning the Microphone Proximity effect
Signal-to-noise ratio
Perspective
Boom pole
Pistol grip
On-axis
Off-axis

10. THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDING
Monitoring Sound
Circumaural headsets
Spot check

11. THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDING
Controlling
Sound Levels
Amplitude
Volume units (VU)
“In the mud”
“Riding hot”
Audio limiter
Automatic gain control (AGC)

12. THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDING
Recording Multiple Sources
Two microphones: One for each channel
Audio mixer
Phasing

13. THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDING
Audio Cables and Connectors
Balanced cables are superior
XLR
1/4” plug (phono plug)
1/8” plug (mini-plug)
RCA cable

14. THE PROCESS OF SOUND RECORDING
Mic Levels and Line Levels
Microphone-level signals are weak
Line-level signals are used by components

15. CREATIVE APPROACHES TO SOUND RECORDING AND DESIGN
Voice and dialogue
Sound effects
Hard effects are in sync with the picture
Soft effects are not in sync with the picture.
Wild track
Music

16. MANAGING A LOCATION Sound stage
Exterior sounds often spill on location
Hard and Soft Environments
Continuity
Equalization
Room Tone
Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR)
Foley

17. SOUND 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

18. SAMPLE EXERCISES Create a Two-Minute Story told only with Sound.
Take an assortment of microphones into the field and do Comparative Tests to see how these mics record sounds Differently.
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 Francis