When Using Audio Equipment... The Art & Craft of Video Production Teacher: Ken Kimura
email: ken_kimura at lsrhs dot net When Using Audio Equipment...
AS MENTIONED BEFORE, always check to make sure your equipment is working properly before leaving the classroom.
ALWAYS use headphones when using an external microphone.
Shotgun microphones are VERY DIRECTIONAL - aim them accordingly.
Get the microphone as close to the subjects as possible - work with the camera operator to make sure the mic is out of the frame.
For important dialog - use close ups.
For long shots with important dialog, consider recording the dialog on a different take - up close.
For close-ups with audio, do not have your camera zoomed in - get the camera & mic close to the subject.
Do not shout loudly directly into the microphone at close range.
Do not drag cables on the ground.
Do not lean boom poles against the wall with the microphone attached - put them down on a flat surface.
When your are finished, coil your microphone cable into a circle and use a Velcro cable tie - there should not be any twists or figure eights in your cable.
Wrap headphone wires around the earpieces and tuck the last bit through to keep them from getting loose and tangled.
Important Camera Settings
The Audio Recording Level should be set to “A” for Automatic.
There are also audio level indicators in front of the LCD screen. The audio level should only slightly exceed the 12 dB mark.
In the VCR menu setting, turn off the Attenuator by setting “MIC ATT" to OFF
