Sound Devices

We visited the CLC and took part in a sound workshop where we learnt about a variety of equipment which we could use to record our sound for our short film. We also learnt about how to change the volume of voices and music on Final Cut Express. Recording in different places can make a huge difference to the quality of the sound that is recorded. If a voice is being recorded in a large empty room the sound will echo and distort due to the sound waves bouncing off of the walls.

Possible devices we could use within our short film are:

- Radio Mic UHF Synthesized transmitter and UHF Synthesized Diversity Tuner

The transmitter sends radio waves on it's own channel to the diversity tuner so the sound can be picked up and recorded. A clip-on mic is attached to the transmitter so the voice of the wearer is clear and crisp. This equipment has a vast range so people far away can be heard before they are even in shot. More than one clip-on mic can be used and be recorded at one time.

- Rode Boom and Windjammer

Windjammer

The boom is held up above the action and actors and helps create a crisper sound to be recorded. The windjammer is used to lower the background noise and wind so that only what needs to be heard will be heard clearly without interference.

- Merantz Professional Solid State Recorder

Allows easy playback of recordings from the device. Both clip-on mics and headphones can be plugged in. The volume of a recording can be raised and lowered using the inner and outer dials of the Manratz; this is a useful feature which can lower the need for editing later on.

- Sennheiser Mic

This mic is hand held and picks up all background noise as well as the movement of the person who is holding  it. This device would be more suitable for interviews in a documentary than a drama.

- Edirol by Roland Mp3 Recorder R-09

Much like the Marantz this device records and plays back what has been recorded. Both clip-on mics and headphones can be attached to this device. We found that this recording device was of a lower quality than the Marantz and so we have decided not to use it.

Our Decision

We have decided that we are going to use a Boom with a Windjammer, a Marantz and a clip-on mic to record our sound in our short film. We will use the Boom and Windjammer to help give us a crisper sound while we shoot our flashback scenes which will be outside. The Marantz will be used along with the clip-on mic throughout the whole of our short film which is shot mainly within one room. The Marantz will allow us to  play back the sound and decide whether we will record it again or not.

Our voiceovers could be recorded in a small room with either a clip-on mic or a handheld mic. Due to the handheld mic recording all the rustling sounds as we move we are going to use the clip-on mic. The clip-on mic records some rustling but as much as the handheld.

Update

We have decided to use a Handy Recorder H2 to record our sound. It can be used for the voiceovers easily and should give a good quality recording.

We are no longer going to use the boom and windjammer, Marantz or clip-on-mic because we only have a few shots outside and the camera should be able to give us all we need since there isn't much talking in those scenes.