DSLR Audio Recording Options

Dear Readers,

If you have not had the chance, please visit the Rising Stream Media blog. I write for that now, and below you can read a re-post of my most recent blog for RSM.

Capturing good sound with your video projects is incredibly important. Some would even argue that it’s just as important as capturing good quality video. DSLR cameras are fantastic for capturing cinematic quality video, but they are notorious for their sub-par audio capabilities. Their built-in microphones would capture acceptable audio if recording in a quiet area and very close to the subject, however this is not the typical setting for most productions. Most DSLRs are equipped with a small hole to record audio, and sometimes it is not on the front of the camera. Also, there is a monitoring issue with most DSLRs, until some recent models (Canon’s 5D Mark III), the cameras have not had a way to output audio for monitoring during a production. These are some downsides to capturing audio with a DSLR, but if you know how to jump over these hurdles, there are ways to get great audio to sync up later in post production.

There are many different options to capture separate audio for your DSLR video project like wireless lavalier microphones, boom microphones, XLR boxes, handheld microphones, shotgun microphones, etc. For DSLR audio recording, there are a few diverse little products out there that are affordable and will help produce great results when working with any type of these microphones with an XLR input.

The Zoom H4n and the Tascam DR-40 have become standards for capturing audio for DSLR videography, and they are both capable of 4-channel recording to 2 separate stereo tracks. The Tascam has a friendlier price point for a very minor difference in features. Not only can you plug in different microphones for different setups, but both of these recorders also have their own built in recording capabilities that aren’t too shabby. You can plug headphones directly in to both products for monitoring, and they each sport manual controls to find the sweet spot for your recording situation. Either one of these products is a great addition to anyone’s DSLR production arsenal.

Zoom H4N | Amazon

Tascam DR-40 | Amazon

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PICO FLEX DOLLY

Recently, I got my hands on a really neat piece of equipment that I ordered with the intention of just trying out at a wedding for some interesting shots. Now, I think I will find a lot more uses for it. The Pico Flex Table Dolly is a very affordable, portable, and professional quality table dolly. This dolly has enabled me to get some very interesting shots with my Canon T2i. It will work well with pretty much any other DSLR too, and even Smartphones, GoPros, point-and-shoot cameras, etc.

The Pico Flex Table Dolly sports adjustable wheels making it great for getting general dolly/sliding shots, or even sweeping all the way around an object in a circle. It is a very handy tool to have for relatively small product shots, and helps you get a great smooth dolly shot. The only downside I have found so far is it’s inability to hold up the heavier model DSLR cameras with long lenses. For instance a Canon 7D with a telephoto lens mounted to it would not be ideal for the Pico Flex Table Dolly.

For more information on the Pico Flex Table Dolly, please check out CheesyCam.com and view their videos on the product too.

NAB 2012 ROUND-UP

Pre-NAB Announcements
Adobe announces Production Premium CS6!
Canon announces 4K capable DSLR ahead of NAB

The NAB show delivers year after year in terms new technologies that change the video production/broadcasting industry. This year’s NAB show had many new offerings worth checking out, below you can find some of the highlights, as well as, sources for more information on the show.

Autodesk Smoke for Mac
On Sunday, Autodesk announced that Smoke would be making it’s way onto the Macintosh operating system, and even with a price cut down to $3495.

Black Magic Design’s First Camera
Monday morning, Black Magic Design introduced their first entry into the cinematic camera industry. It’s equipped with a 2.5K image sensor boasting 13 stops of dynamic range. The camera will also have a built-in SSD recorder, touch screen LCD, meta data entry options, and compatibility with EF and ZF mount lenses. All packed in a hand-held design, this camera will be available in July for a price point around $3000. This will surely be an interesting camera to watch in the market.

Zacuto’s Plasma Light
Zacuto introduced a very interesting plasma light at NAB. The light is soft and won’t damage your eyes if you look directly into it. Check out the video below from Wide Open Camera talking to Zacuto about the plasma light, as well as other new Zacuto products.

JVC Ships Advanced Handheld Camera at NAB 2012
JVC’s impressive handheld 4K capable camcorder, the GY-HMQ10, started shipping on April 16 (during NAB). This little camcorder packs an incredible punch and especially for a low price point of $5550.
Read More Here

GoPro Announcements
GoPro has partnered with Technicolor and is broadening efforts to make the GoPro Cineform Codec more accessible to the professional production market.

Other Great Coverage:
Creative Cow, as always, has excellent coverage of the event in their news section. Other things to check out include Wide Open Camera’s vimeo channel, Richard Harrington’s vimeo channel, and DSLR News Shooter. These guys have some fantastic coverage of NAB with video interviews with some of the industry leading manufacturers.

Creative Cow
DSLR News Shooter
Wide Open Camera Interviews
Richard Harrington’s Vimeo/Pro Video Coalition

CHAIRS OF HOPE 2012

Recently, I designed this poster to help promote an awesome event called Chairs of Hope. Vandora Springs Elementary School Art Club members (and anyone else who wants to chip in) paint chairs with different themes each year. These chairs are sold at a silent auction to raise money for Relay For Life. The theme for 2012 is “Famous Works of Art.”

To find out more, please visit http://www.chairsofhope.webs.com/

Feel free to download the poster, print, hang up, or share in any way

*UPDATE*
4-23-2012

Here are some images from the event