
What can I expect from my equipment? What can be achieved in post-production? These are the two questions that I have been struggling with over the past week.
The Soundscape Hamilton Project grew out of my need to address the audio aspect of film-making. The equipment purchased was designed give me better sound quality in films.
So, I use a Rode Videomic Shotgun Microphone with Rycote Lyre Mount for scratch recordings (cost $200).
For voice-overs narrations, I use an Audio-Technica AT 2050 multi-pattern condenser Microphone (cost $300).
For other kind of performances, I purchase a Rode M5 matched pair of compact ½ inch condensers ($300).
Everything is recorded to the Zoom H4n field recording that allows the use of XLR inputs and phantom power.
However, will these kind of microphones cut it when trying to do field recordings? I emailed Rick Blything, who has done some really great field recordings at Wimbledon.
He kindly told me the equipment he uses that includes the following:
2 Sennhieser 8040s which are shotgun microphones
Shield from wind using a Rycote
Recorded to a Sound Device 703 field recorder
This is really great but expensive equipment. So, what can I reasonably expect from my equipment and will that get the job done?
The second challenge is post production. Not being a musician, I am completely new to audio post production. My goal is to address on location rather than in the studio.
That being said, maybe I can increase the quality by processing the sound tracks and bring out the desired characteristics.
So, these are the questions that I have been struggling with over the past week.