AV Studio Setup

CommTech 2020 PD Day Proposal

Proposed PD Day Activity

April 12th, 2019

Proposal - Working (and Crewing) together, we record a live performance (ie guitar/voice) to produce a music video (or two, or twelve).

We explore production variations: different microphone, camera, recording and mixing and lighting options with each teacher contributing their own insights. The video demos are then uploaded to YouTube and posted to this website along with production anecdotes for reflection, and as reference for other teachers.

Musical talent could come from within our own ranks, or we could recruit a student or two to spend the time with us.

1. MICROPHONE OPTIONS

- Active vs dynamic mics - perhaps a few tests and sound samples presented here of the qualities of mics we have on hand
  - Jeff has: Shure SM58 vs Audio Technica AT2010 (phantom power) vs Rode NTG-2 Shotgun (phantom power) vs Rode NT1-A (phantom power)
- DI INTERFACES or PEDALS to more easily record guitars that have built in "pickups"
- ZOOM H4N/H5N digital recorders
- The CELLPHONE option - they can record with surprisingly good quality!

2. CAMERA OPTIONS

- DSLR vs CAMCORDER vs CELLPHONE
- MULTI-CAMERA Options
- FRAMING Options
- CAMERA MOVES

3. RECORDING/MIXING OPTIONS

- LIVE MIXING using
  - ROLAND VR3EX AV mixer for live mixes (using the free OBS software to record camera feeds)
  - Darren's IOS wireless mixing system
  - The IOS multiCam Application... forgot what it's called - will update when I find it.
- LIVE STREAMING through YouTube - it can be done through the ROLAND mixer - maybe through OBS too?
- POST PRODUCTION editing using Premiere Pro's Multi-Cam Sync/Mixer function
- AUDACITY - Exploring the possibility of Multi-Session recordings
  - Determining the latency so that recordings can be layered into multiple sessions
  - Playing to a click track to simplify the sync
  - Editing multiple takes to correct flaws
  - Adding effects like reverb and echo non-destructively

4. LIGHTING and SET

- 3-Point Lighting variations
- Colour using LED lighting
- Whitescreen background vs Dark background

5. PERFORMANCE FORMAT

- Adding Titles and Credits using Premiere Pro or OBS
- Intro - Performance - Outro variations
- Host - Interview - Performance?

EXEMPLAR - "Plastic" by Victoria

Recorded in the JMSS CommTech Studio in 2018. This is a sample of our "Jam McCrae" noon-hour recording project. Volunteer musicians and tech staff set up and recorded up to 4 performances per lunch hour as prep for coffeehouses that took place three times per school year.

1. AUDIO

- 2x Cardiod microphones (no phantom power)

2. VIDEO

- 3x Standard Def camcorders with on mounted on a crane

3. MIXING METHOD

- Roland VR3EX Audio/Video Mixer recorded to a PC computer using OBS

4. LIGHTING and SET

- Minimal 3 Point lighting with Infinite White background

PROS

It's simple and sweet - the audio sounds clear and balanced, and the performance was fantastic. Production time was minimal as it was shot and mixed in real time by RCA feeds. There was NO post production time - the mix is done once the performance is over.

CONS

The Standard Def cameras, simple lighting and exposed backdrop limit the aesthetic appeal. The format is a bit plain and stark - It would have been nice if the artist was introduced and the production felt more "lively"

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