Sunday, November 23, 2014

Microphones








Microphones come in many varieties, shapes and sizes.  Some mics can do you well in one circumstance, but be wrong for another use.  Here is a basic run down on the different types of microphones available, and their best uses.





Condenser Microphones
These mics have electrical circuitry that amplifies the signal being produced, and as a result are very sensitive.  They also require a power source to be operable.



Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive than condenser mics, and generally can take more punishment due to simple electromagnetic construction. Dynamic mics are typically used to record live instruments and vocals, but also work for studio vocals as well. To further complicate things, microphones can have different pick up patterns, and consequently be used for different applications.





Cardioid 
Cardioid microphones pick up sound in the front, about 120 degrees. They reject sound from the rear and sides.  The pickup pattern resembles a heart, hence the term cardioid.







Hypercardioid
These microphones also pickup sound in the direction they are facing, but have an elongated, 100 degree pick-up pattern. There side rejection is superior to cardioid microphones but also pick-up a little sound from the rear.








Bi-Directional
The pickup pattern on these mics resemble a figure eight, picking up sound from the front and back, and rejecting sound from the sides. These mics are popular selections for broadcast microphones and headsets.







Omnidirectional
These cover all directions and picks up all sound in a 360 degree radius. They are typically used for natural, ambient recordings as well as lavaliere microphones – since head movement will not effect the volume of the recording.  These are also often used for headset microphones. 




Low Cost Recommendations
1/8” – Connects to a camera or recorder
XLR – Connects to a mixer
USB – Connects to a computer



Shotgun - Condensers
A shotgun mic is one of the most common mics used in professional television and film production.  Their hypercardioid pickup pattern make them ideal to focus on dialog.  They are typically mounted on a boom pole and placed on top pointing down on the action.







Dynamic
When recording a podcast or radio show, you probably want to record in a somewhat soundproof room that will cancel out background noise and echo.  Dynamic microphones are preferable because they do not pick up a lot of ambient noises due to their weaker signal.    





Cardioid - Condensers
Condensers are very sensitive so make sure your studio is properly soundproofed to ensure a quality recording.



Sunday, November 2, 2014

Bounce Lighting


It is commonly known that when you are lighting a scene, you will typically have a main, direct “hard” light shining on the action.  In most cases you will also want a softer “fill” light on the opposite side that softens any harsh shadows, and controls lighting contrast created by your main light.   
Soft Box


This is usually achieved by putting a light behind a soft box, or an umbrella.  Some times even wax paper is used to diffuse a light. 





Reflector
A good way to save money and still accomplish your goal of deploying a fill light is to use bounce lighting.  This consists of using a flat object to reflect light, thus creating a soft light that helps fill the shadows.  Reflectors and foam boards are commonly used for bounce lighting.  But anything you can find that has a flat surface will do.  I’ve seen people use poster boards, printer paper, and even shower curtains.  Whatever works to get the job done, that’s what filmmaking is all about.




Editing Video for Free

Video editing software can be pricey.  But, if you are just getting your feet wet in producing videos, here are a few options to practice for free.  You may not have all the power and flexibility of a Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier.  But these are just fine for learning the trade.  There are more out there, but these have gotten a lot of positive feedback:



Pinnacle Video Spin – PC / Mac – Not many bells and whistles.  Just a simple video editor.  But its free and easy to use.







Hyperengine-Av – Mac – Boasts trackless editing.  Freeform timeline editing allowing you to place audio, video, effects anywhere on the timeline.








Blender – PC / Mac – Very advanced program that allows you to do much more than video editing.  According to its website, it can also do 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, texture, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulation, particle simulation, animating, match moving, camera tracking, rendering, video editing and compositing. It also has a built-in game engine.  But you can use it to edit your videos. 





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