Sound Workshop

Today we spoke about the importance of sound especially in our documentary's. We also looked into why and how it works:

We then got shown how to set up the microphones and how to use them to the best of our advantage, Here's how:

1. Firstly you need to set your video camera up as normal but you must make sure that on your sound settings your set the microphone channel to external not internal. If you don't do this your camera wont know to access the exterior microphone you will use and instead you will just be using the one built on to the camera. You also need to set the power option to Mic+48V. This is know as Phantom Power. This lets the microphone draw power from the camera as the microphones don't have any battery or power source of there own.

2. Now that your camera is set up you need to set up your microphone. What you do is firstly remove the 'dead cat' which is the fluffy piece of material on the exterior of the microphone. This then lets you access what is know as the 'Riken Basket'. It is inside this basket that the microphone sits suspended so that it can pick up vibrations of sound. You remove the end of the basket and you will see this. You must connect your lead into the end of this. The other end of your lead connects to into the camera where it says channel 1. You also need to attach the microphone onto the boom pole. This simply screws on.

3. What you also need to know is that you have to be really careful with your connection cable as this is vital. If it gets broken you wont be able to use your microphone. A way to avoid this is to always gather up the lead correctly to avoid any fatal kinks or dents. You do this by straightening it all out on the floor and then loosely between finger and thumb fold it into loose loops.

4. In order for you to be able to hear the sound which you are capturing you need to plug your headphones into the camera. You can also adjust the volume of the headphones so that you can always set it to suit you. however the best number to have it on is 5 as this is in the middle so will give you the most realistic sound as to what you are actually capturing.

5. Now you are ready to shoot. You must always make sure when doing so tat you hold the boom pole with microphone firmly. Usually its best to do this on your shoulders to keep it steady. You must also make sure that the cable is wrapped around the pole securely so that it doesn't rattle and create accidental noise. It is best to get as close as possible without being in shot so you pick up the best quality. Lastly you must always make sure you are pointing the right end of the microphone towards the subject. The death end is the end which has the cable coming out of it so always check you have the other end pointing as directly as possible at the sound you want to capture.