This article is intended as a guide for people who have the equipment for the job as a mixer in the film / TV industry is working to act curious. I just wish for the basics of what is necessary to work efficiently. For a detailed description can be found again soon for an article expanded.
Most professional mixers have earned thousands of dollars of equipment and facing a rule for every situation they have prepared.Gaffer tape, sound blankets, batteries and more, these items may be necessary, but only discuss the most important tools of the trade. Without these key elements would not work a mixer of the situation.
A toolkit audio mixer starts with the microphone (s), his mixer, his cable, and in many cases his recorder. This article assumes that you go directly to the audio recording of the camera - so that the device that the video is recordingThe material is also the sound. This arrangement is common for filming documentaries or films with low budgets.
The Microphones
The microphones capture audio mixer most of the sound you hear in movies or on television. The two most common microphones used for shotgun microphone set (also known as a microphone boom) and microphone clip (also known as "Lav").
A directional microphone is a cylindrical object, which is far more sensitive to waves coming from the direction, the tone isis underlined. It is usually connected to a long stick (shaft) and is directly exposed, and the front of the mouth of the actor. Addressed properly, the microphone can produce a very precise recording of dialogue and other sounds made on set. A directional microphone is an essential tool for the exercise of a sound mixer position.
When you choose a shotgun microphone, you should research and test as many species as possible. Sennheiser makes several shotgun microphones that are commonly used byProfessionals. Neumann microphones offers some excellent hunting rifle, but they are in the range of higher prices, so that they may not be for those who are probably on a tight budget. If you are looking for something more budget friendly, there are some excellent microphones Audio-Technica and Rode.
Lapel are small objects that are often pinned to the clothes of the actor. You are on the face of the speaker and receive sound waves from the mouth andChest. They are usually connected to a wireless transmitter and the mixer in that way. This allows for the actor, free to move without restrictions from wires. Lapel microphone can be used in combination with a directional microphone, or alone, if not a boom can reach the corresponding position to be used.
Some clip-mics as a package are equipped with a wireless transmitter / receiver, but can also be purchased individually. Sennheiser is very popular and accessible modelEvolution calls.
Boom pole
Pole boom may seem a simple device, but it takes a high standard to work well. Looks like a thick stick, and has a handle at one end and a microphone-up on the other. They are available in different lengths, materials and weights. You can also wired "in the sense that they have an internal cable that you can not worry about wrapping a cable around the pole. These can work well, but uses a lot of professionalsregular (un-wired) Boom pole for its simplicity and reliability.
A standard pole is 9 to 12 feet and made of aluminum or carbon fiber. The lighter the boom pole better, because it takes over his head for long periods. Do not worry, you get used to it.
The wireless system
For the electronic signal is transmitted from the microphone, you two things: a sender must - encode and send (broadcast), the signal from theMicrophone and a receiver to decode - and to receive the signal before the mixer.
A transmitter is a small rectangular box that is typically carried in the pocket of an actor, or cut their belt. In short, the device receives an electronic signal from the microphone and transmit them through the air are recorded by the receiver. The recipient is not an object look like the exact opposite of the transmitter. Receives the signal from the transmitter, the changesback to an audio signal and sends it to the mixer, it can be conveniently stored in the pocket of your mixer is, which allows easy connection to your mixer. A wireless system seems almost an invisible cord.
Wireless systems can be purchased as a set or individually.
Mixer
The mixer is one of the most important pieces of equipment. For audio mixer position, they are usually in two four channel models that fit easily into bags with shoulder strap, so you can mixThe tour begins. The concept is simple: the mixer receives the signal from the microphone (s) and allows you to adjust the volume of the signal. It combines so any mic into a stereo signal (two outputs - left and right), which are then sent to the recording device (eg camera).
Each mixer has several parameters that you send the signal to the left or right, phantom power microphones allow your pan, lower the low frequencies, and much more.It 'important to invest in a mix of quality, so that there is no loss of signal. Mixers are usually higher quality with more options and changed a lot more to come. A good starting point is the Sound Devices MixPre, an affordable two channel mixer that is very similar to the industry standard "442", four channel models.
Cables
Cables are another important (and necessary, for obvious reasons) the link in your audio chain. Audio cable with XLR connector (commonly called "micCable ") that you need the microphone (s) to the mixer and then connect the mixer) the camera (or other recording devices. They are at least three 15-20 foot microphone cable for this purpose.
A good idea is to invest in a rupture of a cable way to connect the console connected to the camera. These can be quickly separated, which connect and disconnect from the camera without being in their way. It also helps things neat and clean - very important on a number busy. These cables are alsowith a monitor cable that sends the signal from the camera, so you can hear what sounds the camera. Otherwise, the risk of distortion, the signal is undetected until it is too late. Audio-bath is done will always blame the sound engineer, so be careful.
Although cable seem to be as flexible as a rope, are actually very fragile and must be maintained. Cable must be properly packaged, it is not so that materials inside the wrong direction. If this is wrong, cablemay be damaged internally and short out (this leads to a loss of audio signal and can be heard as a crackling sound is).
Make sure the audio cable and wrap around your arm or tie them in knots. You will only end up with damaged cables and a bill more than credit cards.
Headphones
They are a good headset should be able to monitor the audio signal from the mixer. This argument is fairly self-explanatory. Industry standardsHeadphones for audio mixing position are the Sony MDR-series, but all we do until the ear, surround sound and clear, with a relatively flat frequency response.
Clothes
Clothes you wear as an audio mixer position is not something that will be hired or fired, but it's worth a quick mention. Some mixers wear any clothing blacks, so they can easily blend in - or are not perceived well - if they accidentally get caught for,Camera.
Pants with pockets can work wonders if you have a convenient supply of batteries or wireless transmitters. Oh, and comfortable shoes should be worn - you almost all day on their feet. You have been warned.
The end ...
So now you know what the basic equipment needed to work as an engineer in the film industry to go out and do. To save money, try some used equipment or rent some of the more expensive products untilMake money. In both cases, the most important thing to do is get up and work something. They are probably still some volunteer time, but when it goes up, and always difficult (and work with a positive attitude) your efforts pay off.
Stay tuned for more informative articles on audio and how they relate the film industry.
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