Sound is half the movie, good sound makes the difference

Zoom F8 Pro Multi Track Recorder / Mixer.

This was my start in professional sound for movies. An amazing piece of electronics!

Spec

The main specs are as follow:

• 8 Channel multi track recorder.
• 16bit, 24bit and 32float.
• Sampling rates till 192kHz.
• 8 Mic and line level inputs.
• 4 line level outputs, 1 headphone output.
• Timecode generator, timecode input for external sync.
• Powered by 8 AAA batteries or 12V Hirose power input or 12V external power supply.

Roles in Movie Production

The Director is the artistic chief of the movie. He is focused on the image and the sound. Ideally he gets the image delivered from the camera to his own monitor and the sound from the recorder to headphones. 

The Camera Department consists of one till tree or even more people. With the camera department you have to deal with synchronisation of image and sound. Ideally it’s done with time code. On professional productions you must deliver sound to the camera. A camera hop should be your first investment in wireless equipment.

The Script Supervisor needs sound too.

There are many more roles on a movie set. If the Producer is on set provide him with sound too.

What is Location Sound for Movie?

Location sound for movie is all sound on the set. Important: the set is not a studio! Don’t be picky and accept the sound of the environment but keep the requirement of movie in mind.

Function of Sound

1st: Good sound can save bad images! Bad sound is instantly obvious and makes a movie bad!

It’s not only about the actors dialogue. There are many more things like breathing, the noise of a wooden floor, the sound of a kiss, wind, traffic and so on. Sound makes the plot authentic and convincing.

The camera covers a small sector of the scene. Sound covers everything and is ahead of the image. E.g. the main actor sits on a table. Suddenly a door not in the frame opens. The noise of the door is the trigger for a pan or a cut to the door. 

Sound Sources

The most important sound sources are the actors. Voices must sound natural. You should also have editing / cutting in mind: overlapping voices are difficult to cut. In such cases you should inform the director about the problem.

The sound or noise actors create are important too, e.g. the steps, handling of things.

Ambient sound, the sound of the room, the wind outside, … are important sound sources too. But again keep editing / cutting in mind. A clock with a loud tick is a perfect example: cutting is possible only on perfect sync with the ticks. 

Sound Recorder / Mixer Requirements for Movie Location Sound

• Obvious enough inputs for microphones.
• Headphone output.
• Input for external power.  
• Timecode.
• Outputs for camera link and director / script supervisor / producer.
• Also nice, dual memory card slots for backup.

My Recommendations

This recommendation is for beginning movie location sound recordists. If sound is completely new to you the recommendation below are not helpful for you. Instead buy a simpler and cheaper handheld recorder and get familiar with listening, microphone handling and simple sound recording.

Zoom F8 Pro

I’m convinced of this recorder / mixer since 10 years. 

Cons: Stop button not enlighten. For night recordings I use a led lamp.

Sound Devices MixPre-6 II

Highly appreciated in the industry. Had contact with this recorder but don’t owe it and never used it for a production.

Note: there is also a version for musician available. Don’t buy this version, it has no timecode.

Advice

You have to master both recorders and you have to practice before your first movie recording job.

Examples

In the following examples I used Zoom F8’s for sound. 

• The Safe
• HEAVY LIES THE CROWN
• The Spiritualization of Jeff

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(c) Copyright 2024 photos and text Walter Gilgen. All rights reserved.