http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: soundtrack pro - Recent Posts en Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:36:18 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-73082 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:33:51 +0000 Tony Koretz 73082@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I totally agree that getting your mic off the camera is the best place to start.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-72990 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:17:53 +0000 Kenkyusha 72990@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Nope, it's true, a $20&nbsp;lav isn't going to beat a Countryman and a cheapy&nbsp;shotgun won't match&nbsp;a Scheops.&nbsp; That said,&nbsp;getting the sound acquisition&nbsp;away from your camera (especially ones with tape transits like the XH-A1*) is going to yield better results.</p> <p>*Tape sounds and&nbsp;handling noise&nbsp;raises the noise floor way past acceptable levels.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-72982 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:02:51 +0000 Tony Koretz 72982@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Lav mics are ok for a stationary subject but are not much good for a moving subject. A shotgun mic can be used there.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-72981 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:35 +0000 Tony Koretz 72981@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> No $20 mic is ever going to sound professional though. If you are using a lav mic it still needs to be a good one. At a distance of 3-5 feet, a good shotgun mic has the potential to give you good sound. At least research some microphones. Look at mics like the Rode NT2-G or NT3-G as possibilities for example.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-72958 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:38:07 +0000 Kenkyusha 72958@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;The Xh-1A has phantom XLR- you can probably find some microphones that will do the trick without killing your budget, but even a $20 lav&nbsp;placed on your subject&nbsp;will sound better than a fantastic, high-end one 5 feet away...</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-72941 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:49:56 +0000 Tony Koretz 72941@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Honestly, if anyone is serious about making video then the sound should be of equal importance as the picture. People will more easily put up with poor picture than they will poor audio. They are likely to switch  off altogether if the sound is bad. You really should consider getting a decent off camera microphone as an important step. Then a good preamp and sound recording device secondly. The preamps in most cameras ( unless really expensive models) are generally not that great either. However, at least having  a good mic will be a starting point.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-67456 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:06:01 +0000 Adam 67456@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks for your help, the EQ, Gain settings helped out a lot</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-67359 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:58:08 +0000 vid-e-o-man 67359@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Adam, my suggestion would be to use a hard wired lavalier microphone 'subject 3-5 feet away from camera'. If there is a Radio Shack near you, they have one for less than $30.00. This could be later used with a portable recorder lke the Zoom H2. Suggestion number 2 would be to sound dampen the surroundings in the room (if this is possible?). This would save the work involved in post. Monitoring the audio (headphones connected to camera) should give you a headsup while recording. Keep shooting.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-67358 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:36:12 +0000 Don 67358@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>without getting too specific, as I use audacity.. I first use the noise reduction filter to remove any noise or hums or hisses, then try playing with the EQ, Gain, expander or compressor filters...</p> <p>usually the noise removal and a couple tweeks with the EQ is all it needs...</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/better-audio-from-built-in-mic#post-67347 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:24:26 +0000 Adam 67347@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have a Canon XH-A1 and I wanted to know how to improve the sound quality of my audio, either while setting up the camera or via post production (I use Soundtrack Pro) the audio I get sounds empty or hallow, the subject of my videos are usually only 3-5 feet away from the camera, and I don't want to invest in a new more expensive mic at the moment as I am still kinda new at this.</p> <p>Any tips?</p> <p> </p> <p>Cheers Adam&lt;span style="white-space: pre;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-43527 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:44:00 +0000 Robo 43527@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Why dont you record to the camara to the computer using a LAV , Or A Stage mic. Then captrue into SoundBooth , I have done it this way without a clean room or a mixing board and it works and its not a hassle and no extra Cost.</p> <p>Does you Cam have XLR connetcters?</p> <p>Is the Voice over the only sound in the track or are you trying to do track recording with the Music?</p> <p>Is the IMac sound card Full-duplex?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-43345 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:06:46 +0000 Don 43345@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> a "snowball usb mic" or similar, may be all you need for a mic.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-43341 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:54:18 +0000 Trace1Media 43341@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> UPDATE:</p> <p>I was able to achieve the results I wanted with an old JVC mixer connected directly into the 1/8" microphone input on my mac and a cheap Shure mic connected via XLR to the mixer.  The quality certain wasn't perfect but worked great for my project.  Is is possible that the input on my computer needed a line level signal rather than the mic level it was getting before I had the mixer? either way the mixer helped significantly. A pop filter was also very helpful. </p> <p>I don't know why people were suggesting an A/D converter, Doesn't the computer convert the signal to digital?   </p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks for all the posts!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41963 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:56:22 +0000 birdcat 41963@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>A couple more suggestions:</p> <p>There are a couple of things you can do - For plosives (P, B, T, etc...) you can get a pop filter (for example: <a href="http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-Metal-Pop-Filter?sku=426600">http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-Metal-Pop-Filter?sku=426600</a>).</p> <p>For a sound booth, look at this article: <a href="http://www.harlanhogan.com/portaboothArticle.shtml">http://www.harlanhogan.com/portaboothArticle.shtml</a><br /> - He sells them but you can make your own if desired.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41960 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:51:31 +0000 EarlC 41960@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Zoom H2 ="portable digital audio recorder." Works for me, as I noted I am going this direction more and more.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41954 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:51:58 +0000 normklobetanz 41954@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Thanks, Earl.  Yes, I have tried to build sound booths, etc.  To deal with the s and p sounds and other inadvertent audio issues while recording narration, I use multiple takes listening with head phones and setting the levels manually in the camera, then piecing together in nle and there make final tweeks.  But all this is too cumbersome and time consuming for the videos I often produce on a limited budget.  I often am making a short video for a client's web site and edit video and write narration as I go along.  Then I record my own voice as the narrator and splice it in (sometimes use my wife).  I have a new higher end project and want to come up with a more professional narration.  I should point out that I am not talking about video interviews; I am talking about anonymous narrators.  I need to find a talent and I will probably use my lavalier and camera in a quiet remote outdoor setting (no wind or human caused sound--my videos are virtually all outdoor related). This seams to give me the best results.  The problem with this is it will be very difficult to make narration changes later as the edit evolves.  My videos usually involve many clips drawn from my extensive stock footage with footage shot for a specific project and the videos tend to evolve a little from the original script as the editing progresses.  I also would like to streamline and improve my work flow so as not to have to capture narration from the camera, but simply copy and past from a digital recorder (of course making adjustments as needed in the nle).  I don't need perfect sound quality and hope that a portable digital audio recorder will do the trick.  I would appreciate any other comments.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41942 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:48:14 +0000 EarlC 41942@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have used racks with heavy, movers type, blankets draped over them in a sound baffle setup; also have several sides of refrigerator boxes cut into panels with egg cartons on some, and pretty much whatever kind of foam scraps I can find, or buy cheap, glued to them. These all help to isolate exterior noises for narrative, or a vocalist with guitar, using mics as mentioned above.</p> <p>While an external mixer helps get the general levels the way you want them, a noise gate/limiter will help cut back on pops, s and p sounds, inadvertent audio expulsions and the inadvertent boost in sound an untrained narrator makes when taking in the next breath and comes off louder for the first few words before he/she gets their voice remodulated.</p> <p>All kinds of fun, and funny, stuff goes on when trying to control and record narrative. If I can get the acoustics, I can usually find a way to get the rest the way I want - levels, etc.</p> <p>Actually, I am beginning to use my Zoom H2 standalone recorders more and more in many narrative cases, then simply working the audio into my production from those files. Not perfect, but then what is, really. These babies are GREAT tools and I've been pleased with their capabilities.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41930 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:00:56 +0000 normklobetanz 41930@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>   I often have to add narration/voice-over to my own videos or videos I am hired to produce for others.  I'm still with mini-DV and don't have XLR set ups.  ( Actually I have an AKG Perception 100 XLR microphone with a USB adaptor. I tried recording narration directly into the computer--apparently the phantom power through the USB port was not enough as the volume is not enough and it distorts or is too tiny when boosting it enough in post.)  The best voice-over I get is with my inexpensive wireless lavaliers.  However, the hassle of setting up and recording all the necessary takes on camera and then capturing all this (deleting the unwanted video after capture) is too time consuming.  I have been looking at the newer Portable Digital Audio Recorders.  My research shows that they will record a voice-over in .wav and have the quality using their on-board mics to simply copy and past to my PC and nle.  What a time saver!  It also could be used to capture natural and back ground sound.  If only I knew if the quality was good enough.  I am considering the Sony PCM--D50 ($400 to $500, ouch!), or the more reasonable Tascam DR-1 ($200 to $300).  I would like to get some feed back on this approach.  I'm tired of buying products that don't measure up and can't afford the high end stuff. Recording and capturing voice-overs with a camera is cumbersome and too time consuming if one has to do it often.  Has anyone tried the approach I am considering?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/final-cut-studio-tutorials#post-41665 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:43:02 +0000 bmills 41665@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Yes...</p> <p> </p> <p>I'm saying that one because for example, I know what the settings are that I work with and use and I have an idea about the other settings but that's pretty much it (as I have no formal video editing training)...</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/final-cut-studio-tutorials#post-41664 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:41:22 +0000 robGRAUERT 41664@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> hmm...I've never heard of that happening with a Quicktime File before. Maybe he needed to update the version of Quicktime player. I'll look into it.</p> <p> Also, when you say A/V settings. Do you mean all that stuff in the dialogue box when you go to Final Cut Pro&gt;Audio/Video Settings in the menu bar? If, I can do that too. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/final-cut-studio-tutorials#post-41661 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:06:53 +0000 bmills 41661@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I might be confusing an export problem I had with quicktime pro and not FCP..  Either way, I exported some quicktime files that do strange things..  For example, one file opened on my PC, but not on a guy I work with's mac that has final cut (express), quicktime pro, etc... </p> <p>Also, a DETAILED tutorial on the MANY setting A/V setting options would be cool..  </p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/final-cut-studio-tutorials#post-41650 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:56:20 +0000 robGRAUERT 41650@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Great minds think alike. I already had this in mind. One question though:</p> <p>What do you mean by a file that will work on PC and Mac? All files exported out of FCP are some kind of Quicktime file. I've exported files from FCP as a Quicktime and loaded them to a client's server. They then downloaded from the server onto their PC and played the file without a problem. </p> <p>Now, I know there is a download that allows export from FCP to Windows Media player, and that will work on a PC as well.</p> <p>I will do the research, but as far as I know, the exported file needs to match the player -- If you export a quicktime from FCP, your PC needs quicktime player, if you export a WMV file from FCP,  the PC needs Windows Media Player.</p> <p>Does that make sense? Like I said, I will do some research and see if I find anything new.  </p> <p>Thank you for the suggestion! </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/final-cut-studio-tutorials#post-41646 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:38:28 +0000 bmills 41646@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> A tutorial that details each of the MANY export file types and their purpose would be nice..  A tutorial that correspond between FCP and Compressor would be cool too...  Make sure to include in this how to achieve the smallest possible file with the largest aspect ratio that will play on PC or Mac...</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/final-cut-studio-tutorials#post-41635 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:54:56 +0000 robGRAUERT 41635@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I am thinking about making video tutorials covering Final Cut Studio 2. Then I can start a blog for all to view for convenience. If you don't already know, the major programs included in this bundle are Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color, Compressor, and DVD Studio Pro.</p> <p> So, if anyone wants to request a tutorial for any program, I will be more than happy to provide one. Take note that Final Cut Pro is the program I know best, but I will be able to answer some questions regarding any program.</p> <p> Also, you can count on being disappointed if you are expecting to see a tutorial next week. I'm still in the planning stages, which isn't much, but still takes time. If you need to know something right away, then clearly state it when you request the tutorial. I will at least respond in writing.</p> <p>Thanks guys.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41210 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:42:41 +0000 TheLoneBanana 41210@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I sometimes have to record narration, but I'm an amateur videographer and not an amateur sound recordist. What I do: the narrator speaks into my Shure SM58 microphone, which goes through my Mackie 1402-VLZ3 mixer (I can boost the audio or avoid clipping -- very handy with soft-spoken or loud individuals), then into my Canon XL2. Then I capture the tape as usual, discard the (blank) video track, and voila! I have found that using this method yields better audio than recording through my computer's sound card, and I already have all the equipment, so there's no extra expenditure. And it's portable.</p> <p>As for an accoustically-good room: I may have been known to sneak up to my local university's Music Department. They have small rehearsal rooms for the students studying Voice, and these are just big enough and often vacant in the evenings. Better if you know a student or otherwise have permission, of course.</p> <p>Hardly a professional solution, but it works.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41207 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:32:38 +0000 NewBirthProductions 41207@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If you are recording directly to computer then the answer is no, a stand alone mixer will not help much.  You already have a mixer in soundtrack pro.  You can add a midi controller if you like to make it feel more like a mixer, but it will have nothing to do with how it sounds.</p> <p>A few things affect sound quality, one metion above is acoustic.  and the pro gear to fix this is expensive, but there are some cheap fixes.  If you have a room that you can dedicate to recording you can treat this room by installing a thick pad under your carpet, and then carpet your walls.  you do not have to cover the entire wall but just the areas that are reflecting your audio.</p> <p>The next area that affects your Quality is the AD converter.  you say your using the mic input from the mac, while this is ok for Ichat, it doesn't even come close to being good enough for recording a project.  you will have to buy a good A/D converter.  this is the primary key to getting a good recording.  spend your money here on getting a good mic preamp and a good A/D converter.  If you want to save money you can combined them such as the MOTU 8 Pre, this will give you 8 channels of input.</p> <p>the next area is Mics, hence that is the start of the chain it should be your strongest link.  you can have the best of everything if your mic can not produce a quality as good as the rest of the system then you have wasted money.</p> <p>hope this helps, a good mic that you can use for both audio and gutiar is the EV RE20 <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/76681-REG/Electro_Voice_16207816_RE20_Cardoid_Voiceover.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/76681-REG/Electro_Voice_16207816_RE20_Cardoid_Voiceover.html</a> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41205 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:28:10 +0000 birdcat 41205@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>A good acoustic environment will work wonders but it is expensive - I have seen small soundbooths which are good for spoken or solo vocals but you couldn't get a guitar in there.</p> <p>A good condenser mic and mixer (with phantom power) will also help but you will need a very quiet space as these tend to pick up those pins when they drop.</p> <p>You could also go with a decent dynamic mic (like a SM57 or SM58) and mixer - These are great for a non-pristine acoustic environment as they are cardioid so they don't pick up lots of extraneous sound.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/i-want-to-record-quality-narration-would-a-mixer-help#post-41189 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:38:07 +0000 Trace1Media 41189@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I want to be able to record narration, singing, guitar etc. I would like to record right to soundtrack pro or soundbooth. When I go straight into the Computers(imac) mic input, the level of volume is too low and quality is unexceptable.</p> <p>I've increased internal input volume in system preferences and soundtrack pro. I've also tried a variety of microphones. still no good!  </p> <p>Questions </p> <p>1. Will a firewire mixer be compatible with my programs, allowing me to record multiple tracks simultaneously?</p> <p>2. Will a firewire mixer noticeably increase quality? </p> <p>3. What type of microphone would work best with this setup?</p> <p>I have a project coming up that requires some voice over that needs to be fairly decent quality.   THANKS. </p> <p> </p>