I know that for the most part, people are using DAT recorders to record their audio seperately while filming, and then synching them in post. However, I have a question I'd greatly like cleared up, if you could.
If you record your sound on a DAT recorder, how do you get the sound from the recorder back into the computer? Obviously it wouldn't make much sense to use an output to the soundcard line in or mic jack, because we're trying to get away from the crappy sound connections to begin with. Do DAT recorders have firewire outputs? USB?
DAT recorders seem to be quite expensive, as well... really the only reson I would want to use a DAT recorder is to keep myself from being tied perpetually to the sound man.
So, second question: If I were to get myself a couple of wireless lavalier mics with a receiver that will plug into my XLR connection on the camera, will that degrade the sound quality? Personally, I would prefer if I didn't have to worry about keeping a dangling mic and boom out of the shot, but if it's going to give me bad sound, then I'll deal with it.
'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
My recordist gives me CD's with the sound takes on them. If no one can answer I'll give him a call and ask what the outputs on a DAT are. However, we always run an input to the camera as a reference track anyway. And most likely the camera is going to be tethered with video cables so one more cable isn't going to make that much difference.
Regarding lavs. The really good, wireless lavs are expensive. Once you hit 3 you might as well buy a good shotgun mic. If you know you will never have more than two people talking in any scene, you might see a slight saving.
Hiding and mixing the two mics can cause delays and clothes rustle and potential contact can ruin takes. Sometimes it's nearly impossible to hide the mic and transmitter in a costume. All these things cause delays which is why most recordists use lavs only for shots where it's impossible to get a mic and boom in close enough. A good boom op has much more control over the dialogue pick up - always finding the sweet spot and will always keep it out of the shot - it's what they do. Even though you can get great sound with lavs, there are far more hassles using them than using a mic and boom which is why you see them on all sets.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Okay, so I'll stick with the shotgun and booms. Have you had any experience with any of these: http://store.aiconsol.com/pmd670-dm-pro.html
They're around the $700 mark. It's a solid state recording device (that may or may not be more handy than a DAT recorder). It records on memory cards, which means you can drag and drop the files right onto the computer. I'm considering buying one of these. They have XLR inputs, as well, and apparently will record in very high quality. If anyone's used one of these, let me know how your experience with it was.
'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
