Audio Capture and Creation

Having planned out when I will be recording using my schedule, what I will need; using my equipment list, where I will be recording using y Location Recce, and what i will nbe recording, using my audio assets list and audio breakdown script....it is now time to go and record.

Here I will demonstrate the equipment, techniques and outcomes of recording dialogue, SFX and Ambience and how I wet about creating the music I needed.

No I would crush you.wav

Dialogue

I did most of the dialogue myself, which was fun!

I used a home studio setup of a Marantz studio condenser with pop filter recording to PC via a Focusrite Scarlet audio - interface.

As computers are notoriously poor for recoding audio data it is important to use a professional recording device such as the Tascam DR40s we have at college or record direct to audio software via an audio interface or studio mixing desk.

Aside from providing the Phantom Power the mics require to function; these interfaces provide full 20Hz to 20kHz hi resolution audio data conversion from analogue to digital.

The only Dialogue which wasn't recorded at home were the 'yeah's' and 'no's of the party crowd.

For this I used a Dynamic Microphone, Shure SM58 with a Tascam DR40 and went round my class asking everyone to say 'yeah' and then 'noooo', while I recorded a series of takes/files on the Tascam.

The dynamic mic allowed me to capture these snippets of dialogue quite well in this noisy environment, as it is a very short range mic. Discrepancies in mic technique were not detrimental, and if anything made the collection fo all these clips sound more authentically crowd like.

I broke the script down into a number of takes. As soon as I was finished recording I made sure to file them in folders within a Premiere Project; a folder for each caharacter. I also named all the audio files so I knew which line and take was which.

I have posted an example of the raw audio I recorded for Superman's Dialogue. As you can see from the waveform I have been careful to capture good levels, leave plenty of headroom and there is no distortion.

add photos of mic setup, location, add audio clips

Outdoor Ambience

I needed to collect a subtle outdoor ambience for the opening few seconds as Batman approaches the Fortress of Solitude (Superman's Bunker). The scene suggests its remote, rocky and snowy as if the bunker is built into rocky mountains.

I decided to look up where, traditionally, this abode is set. See my research page for findings; but yes, this is meant to be set in remote, snowy Antartica, or the mountain range outside of Metropolis.

I did a location recce for Dinas Mynydd, my local mountain! (I appreciate I am lucky enough top have a local mountain) I thought this would provide the ideal backing for a mountain range outside a city as I would have the outdoor ambience with distant M4 traffic and hubbub of Port Talbot.

For this I used a shotgun mic with a muffler and windsock as I knew I would be up against it with the wind up there.

Add images of chime, micing up; add clip

Doorbell

I used the same configuration but without the wondsock and muffler to record my Ring Chime. This was indoor so I did not need to protect from wind. I mic'd up close; just a hand-span away so as to get a close sounding sound and avoid any background noise form the house

Image of set up, location, audio clip

Record Scratch

Not being one to deliberately destroy my record collection I research how to create a record scratch sample. See my Research page. Ultimately I used a zipper and some canvas.

Image of set up, location, audio clip

Footsteps

I used the same configuration to trample leaves on the patio to try and attain subtle footsteps Foley. I thought this would sound like ice over a stony path; it was close enough considering it is so low in the mix; no one woudl noticed, but it certainly has a rather leafy vibe to it!

Add screen shots of recording, Logic, Garageband, Mic set up and raw audio clips

Music

This scene is unusual, as the music is Diegetic, meaning it is from within the world of the movie. In the scene there is a party going on inside the Bunker. AS the brief specified no 3rd party audio I needed to find a way to create some suitable. This is relatively easy for me as I am a musician and a producer, but arguably quite a challenge for others in class who may not necessarily have these skills.

There are ways around music creation for non-musicians:

1) engage the services of musicians and record them

2) Have a go at using Apple Loops in GarageBand or Logic Pro X

3) Certain types of music, like mood music is easier to make; sometime one; sustained note does the trick; or a dissonant strum of piano strings or guitar for something 'jagged'. With a bit of effort and practice; even non-musicians can start creating essential soundtrack music.

The example of Diegetic Music in Coco is a real challenge; a combination of flamenco guitar and 2 Spanish singing voices. There are options though:

Create something non-musical and comedic instead
Search Apple loops for Spanish/Flamenco/Acoustic Guitar loops and add singing. I expect there will be something there. NB: Everyone can sing!
Ask a Guitarist to help. Maybe you have a friend? Is there someone in class or on the teaching team?

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