Location Audio

Location Audio for Film

Prepared by: John GraceFilm Instructor, DATA Charter HSMember of IATSE Local 480Albuquerque, NM

Location Audio Systems

• There are 2 Types of Location Audio Acquisition in Film Production : Single System – The audio is recorded

on the same medium as the visuals - ie: on a camcorder – max 16 bit.

Dual-System (aka Double System) – The audio is recorded separately from the visuals on a secondary device. This type of recording requires that the two sources be synchronized and linked in post production – max 24 bit.

Location Audio – Single System

• Typically, these are Camcorders with External Microphone Inputs

Location Audio – Dual System

• Dual Systems usually feature Digital Cinema or Film Cameras


• In Dual System, we synchronize the audio with the picture with a Slate:





Location Audio – Positions

• Mixer (AKA Recordist)


• 1st Assistant (Boomer)


• 2nd Assistant (Utility)

Location Audio - History

• Vitaphone and Photophone Recorders Single system Optical recorders record on film Large and heavy Very expensive Poor sound quality 1930’s and 1940’s


• Fantasound Recorder Double system Optical playback in theaters 3-4 channel sound Made for Fantasia Good sound quality Throughout 1940’s


• Nagra Reel to Reel Recorders Monaural (single track) recording ¼” Tape on 5” or 7” reels at 7.5-15 IPS Popular from the 1950’s through the 1990’s Fairly expensive


• Tascam DA-P1 DAT Recorder 2 channel recorder External recording to DAT Tapes No time code

Location Audio Current Devices

• Fostex PD4 DAT Recorder 6 channel recorder 6 channel mixer External backup to DAT Tapes Internal 60GB HDR Time code I/O


• Zoom R8 SDHC Recorder Recording to SDHC Cards 2 channel recorder 8 channel mixer No time code


• Deva 16 Recorder by Zaxcom 16 channel recorder 16 channel mixer Time code generator External backup to Compact Flash Media Internal HDR


• Zoom H4N Field Recorder 4 channel recorder 4 channel mixer Records to SD Cards Low Price ($269. List) Ideal for DSLR’s


• Current Popular Brands Lectrosonics – Top of the Line Wireless Kits


• Current Popular Brands Sennheiser – Wireless Lavs and Shotguns


• Current Popular Brands Shure – Wireless Lavs and Field Mixers


• Current Popular Brands Azden – Low priced Shotguns and Wireless


• Current Popular Brands Audio Technica – Wireless & Headphones


• Current Popular Brands Wireless Lavs – UHF or VHF? VHF is Very High Frequency and

wireless transceivers operating on this band often have problems with RF (Radio Frequency) interference

UHF is Ulta High Frequency and is less susceptible to RF interference from power lines, walkie talkies, radio stations and the like

Location Audio - Mixer Cart


• UHF Wireless ReceiversUHF Wireless Receivers



• UHF Wireless TunersUHF Wireless Tuners




• HDR Backup RecorderHDR Backup Recorder





• Camera #1 MonitorCamera #1 Monitor






• Computer MonitorComputer Monitor











• HDR Backup Recorder HDR Backup Recorder




• 8 Channel Mixer8 Channel Mixer

Location Audio Acquisition

• Priorities: Priorities: • Recording Clean DialogueRecording Clean Dialogue


• Priorities: Priorities: • Recording Clean Dialogue Recording Clean Dialogue

• Inverse Square Law as it applies to Sound:Inverse Square Law as it applies to Sound:““Halving the distance between mic and the sound Halving the distance between mic and the sound

sourcesource quadruples the usability of the soundquadruples the usability of the sound”


• Priorities: Priorities: • Capturing Room ToneCapturing Room Tone


• Priorities: Priorities: • Capturing Room ToneCapturing Room Tone


• Priorities: Priorities: • Capturing Location Sound EFXCapturing Location Sound EFX


• Priorities: Priorities: • Capturing Location Sound EFXCapturing Location Sound EFX


• Priorities: Priorities: • Minimizing Background NoiseMinimizing Background Noise


• Priorities: Priorities: • Minimizing Background NoiseMinimizing Background Noise

• Furniture (furnie) pads


• Priorities: Priorities: • Utilizing Various MicrophonesUtilizing Various Microphones









Shotgun – Directional



Lavaliere – Omni-directional


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • Lavaliere MicrophoneLavaliere Microphone


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • Wireless TransmitterWireless Transmitter


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • Wireless ReceiverWireless Receiver


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • XLR Transmitter (“Butt Plug”)XLR Transmitter (“Butt Plug”)


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • Mini Plug Input CableMini Plug Input Cable


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • XLR Plug Input CableXLR Plug Input Cable


• Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: Items in a Wireless Lavaliere Package: • Camera MountCamera Mount


• Items in a Shotgun Package: Items in a Shotgun Package: • Boom Pole (fish pole)Boom Pole (fish pole)


• Items in a Shotgun Package: Items in a Shotgun Package: • Rycote Softie (dead cat)Rycote Softie (dead cat)


• Items in a Shotgun Package: Items in a Shotgun Package: • Shotgun MicrophoneShotgun Microphone


• Items in a Shotgun Package: Items in a Shotgun Package: • XLR CableXLR Cable


• Items in a Shotgun Package: Items in a Shotgun Package: • Suspension MountSuspension Mount


• Items in a Shotgun Package: Items in a Shotgun Package: • Camera MountCamera Mount


• Challenges to Capturing Quality Sound: Challenges to Capturing Quality Sound: • KidsKids



• DogsDogs



• DogsDogs

• PlanesPlanes



• DogsDogs

• PlanesPlanes

• TrainsTrains



• DogsDogs

• PlanesPlanes

• TrainsTrains

• CarsCars



• DogsDogs

• PlanesPlanes

• TrainsTrains

• CarsCars

• SirensSirens



• DogsDogs

• PlanesPlanes

• TrainsTrains

• CarsCars

• SirensSirens

• ToolsTools


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Location Audio