The Location Sound Bible

Acknowledgements xii Foreward xiii Preface xv CHAPTER 1 > What Is Location Sound? Pg. 1 CHAPTER 2 > Sound Basics Pg. 5 -- Sound Waves -- Frequency -- Amplitude -- Decibles -- Sound Pressure Level -- Signal Measurement -- Amplitude Versus Volume -- Phase -- Echoes and Reverberation CHAPTER 3 > Microphone Basics Pg. 13 -- Dynamic Microphones -- Condenser Microphones -- Frequency Response -- Microphone Polar Patterns -- On-Axis/Off-Axis Response -- Inverse Square Law -- Microphone Accessories -- Shock Mounts -- Wind Protection -- Rain Protection CHAPTER 4 > Microphones for Location Sound Pg. 25 -- Boom Microphones -- Lavalier Microphones -- Boundary Microphones -- Plant Mics -- Handheld Microphones -- Lip Microphones -- Camera Microphones -- The All-Purpose Microphone -- Microphone Placement CHAPTER 5 > Boom Techniques Pg. 45 -- The Boom Operator -- The Boom Pole -- The Boom Sutra (Booming Positions) -- Boom Operation -- Cueing -- Mixing With The Boom Pole CHAPTER 6 > Lav Techniques Pg. 67 -- Lav Perspectives -- Acoustical Challenges With Lavaliers -- Hiding/Burying Lavs -- 3:1 Rule -- Lav Placement -- Double Miking -- People Skills -- Clothing Noise -- Strain Relief -- Lav Connectors -- Colored Lavs -- Mounting Techniques -- Mounting Accessories -- Wind Protection CHAPTER 7 > Wireless Systems Pg. 85 -- Why Use Wireless Mics? -- Radio Waves -- Transmitters -- Plug-On Transmitters/Cubes -- Companding -- Receivers -- Wireless Antennas -- Digital Wireless Systems -- Batteries -- Wireless Hops -- Use Wireless Systems Sparingly CHAPTER 8 > Plant Mic Techniques Pg. 103 -- Plant Mic Locations -- Plant Mic Mounting Techniques CHAPTER 9 > Microphone Selection Pg. 115 -- General Guidelines For Choosing Mics -- Sound Perspective -- Camera Angle Versus Camera Perspective -- The Boom's Perspective -- Traveling Dialog -- Multi-Camera Perspective CHAPTER 10 > Signal Flow Pg. 121 -- The Logical Path -- The Physical Path -- Troubleshooting CHAPTER 11 > Recorders Pg. 135 -- Digital Audio -- File Formats -- Metadata -- Digital Recorders -- Two-Track Recorders -- Recording To The Camera -- Cameras With Multiple Channels -- Consumer Cameras -- Multitrack Recorder -- ISO Tracks -- The Mix Track -- Track Assignment -- Media Delivery -- Meters -- Calibrating Equipment -- What To Look For In A Professional Recorder -- Backup Recorders CHAPTER 12 > Sync Pg. 159 -- Single System -- Double System -- Double System Protocol -- Sound Reports/Sound Logs -- Prepping Audio For Post -- Timecode - Be Prepared To Be Confused -- Frame Rates -- Drop-Frame -- Record Run -- Free Run -- Setting Up Timecode -- Slates/Clapboard -- Timecode Slates -- Wild Sound -- Room Tone -- Wild Tracks -- Wild Sound Effects -- Voiceovers CHAPTER 13 > Mixers Pg. 185 -- Types of Mixers -- Mixer Basics -- Mixer Setup -- Mixing Techniques CHAPTER 14 > Monitoring Pg. 209 -- Sound Quality -- Sound Levels -- Headphones -- Monitoring a Multitrack Recorder -- Confidence Monitoring -- The Boom Operator's Feed -- Communicating With The Boom Operator -- Headphone Distribution -- IFB -- Comtek -- Wireless Headphones CHAPTER 15 > Power Pg. 229 -- Internal DC Power -- External DC Power -- External AC Power -- Only Use Fresh Batteries! -- Rechargeable Batteries -- Battery Types CHAPTER 16 > Building a Sound Package Pg. 237 -- Purchasing Gear -- Working In The Field -- Portability -- Sound Bags -- Cases/Protective Gear -- Traveling With Gear -- Gear Maintenance -- Owning Gear Versus Renting Gear CHAPTER 17 > The Ten Location Sound Commandments Pg. 255 CHAPTER 18 > Applications Pg. 291 -- One-Man Band Productions -- ENG -- EFP -- Feature Film Production -- When The Sound Mixer is The Sound Designer -- The Sound Crew CHAPTER 19 > Set Etiquette Pg. 305 -- Understanding The Role of the Sound Mixer -- Film Sets -- Know When To Cut -- Working With The Talent -- NDAs . CHAPTER 20 > The Business of Show Biz Pg. 321 -- Freelancing -- Getting Hired -- Deal Memos -- Rates -- Overtime -- Turnaround Time -- Half-Day Rates -- Travel -- Working For "Credit" -- Rental Rates -- Cancellations -- Billing -- Collections -- Finding a Client CHAPTER 21 > That's a Wrap! Pg. 341 Index Pg. 344 About the Author Pg. 355