If you can see how a magic act is performed, POOF! the magic disappears. Live TV is a magic act because so much of the on-screen magic happens behind the curtain. When a random device malfunctions or fails during a live show, if the talent doesn’t blab the secret on-air, viewers probably won’t notice. As many great engineers and directors have said in so many ways, “They won’t know unless you tell ‘em.”
Ribbons were the first great microphones, mainly due to their very musical, natural sound qualities. Invented in the 1920s, their run of popularity lasted until the 1960s when ribbons fell out of favor. That was not because of the microphone itself, but due to changes in the way voices and music were recorded. Now ribbons are back in favor. How did that happen?
Because we experience the world in three-dimensional sound, why shouldn’t we always choose a stereo over a mono microphone for a video camera? The question sounds like a no brainer, but stereo audio is not always the right choice in video production.
Audio can be edited these days on virtually any personal computer. Professionals, however, need to understand storage drives in order to get the best results. Here’s what to look for when buying drives for audio editing.
It is time to implement IP based bidirectional and multi-user radio systems in the licensed BAS band channels. The resulting improvements in data rates and new technology can enable workflows in the field much like those enjoyed in the studio. However, careful management of data rates, traffic priorities and security are required to ensure high quality signals are delivered back to the studio.
Weather can change on a dime. Whether it is extreme heat or cold, rain, snow, thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes or wild fires, video crews must be prepared for any kind of foul weather.
Phantom power is normally described as electrical current running over the same cable that carries the mic’s audio signal. All non-battery powered professional microphones with active circuitry need this power to operate. But as with most pro audio topics, it’s a bit more complicated. Here is a description of phantom power and how to stay out trouble when using it.
When most of us hear the term “binaural” lavalier mics, we think of amateur location music recording. However, the term also can mean a pair of interview lavs where the audio for the subject and the questioner are sent to different tracks of a stereo recorder for easier editing.
