Sound Skills- Session 1

First Sound skills session today- 02/02/12

• Introduction to new Marantz 661- very simple, easy to use, less bulky than the previous model. 
• Quick briefing of microphone models- all types I have used and experimented with before (e.g. Hydrophone, Rode NT4, Rifle mics, tie clip mics) 
• Learnt new technique suggestions_ in particular for better atmos recordings. (e.g. attach two tie clip mics to a coat hanger at either end for a cheap method of detailed stereo recordings, or leaving a Rode in a tree branch and daisy chaining XLRs to another location so as not to 'spook' the location. 
• Suggestions- insert micro tie clip mics into machinery etc for micro sounds
• Use hydrophone in its plastic foot to pick up surface vibrations (e.g. machinery, electrics gates, vending machines etc.) 
• Very useful info on correct mixing levels- as follows

Atmos/Ambient- working between -50db and -20db (acts as the 'glue' to give the soundscape depth)
Dynamic Layer- working between -60db and 6db (everything else, can feature very heavily e.g. explosions, gunshots)
Feature- Optimum range 12db (generally dialogue and main focus sounds)

Between 0db and 6db = headroom, for noises that peak/go too loud- try to avoid recordings reaching this bracket...no way back from here!!