FAQ: Audio and Video Productions

USB Thumb Drive Speeds

For the Soundcraft ui24R digital mixer, the PLAY USB thumb drive need to be 32GB Fat32 with a minimum read speed of 25 MB/s. I have found that the RECORD USB drive can actually be larger and exFat (I use a 256GB exFat).

Some of the drive we have speed tested and common in Perth Western Au...

DI's for Acoustic Instrument recordings

A few quick notes for good, low noise, instrument recordings using pickups and piezo. (Otherwise we would use studio condensor mics).

If the sound quality is acceptable and we are recording multiple instruments at once, we may use pickups so we can separate the instrument recordings. ...

Android QSC Touchmix Control App

For some reason, Google Play won't allow the QSC TouchMix Control to install on some Android tablets.

I had this problem with the Lenovo Tab FHD. I think is a problem with QSC - they haven't done enough work to support the whole Android community.

But you can install the ...

Davinci Reslove and Behringer X Touch

As of writing this FAQ (2023), Davinci does not natively support the X-Touch.

But Davinci and the X-Touch support the MCU protocol.

We use midi translater called BOME to intercept some of the special X-Touch keys and translate them into keystroke comands.

VIDEO SHOOT TERMINOLOGY

Every Director, AD and DoP will have slightly different workflows and terms - there is no right or wrong. Good clear communication on set is critical, so this need establishing at the start of the shoot.

The following is a guide of terms we use during a video shoot - ie: when "on set". Be...

Canon R7

We use the Canon R7 for gimbal work and as a B camera. It is small and compact, but note that is does not have an inbuilt ND filter. (Nor flash).

Exposure Setting and False Colour for Canon C70

To set the exposure on the Canon C70, first set...

• ISO to be 800 (native - best for dynamic range)
• Shutter angle to be 180 degrees (motion blur)
• F stop to match the desired DOF

Then adjust the ND filter to obtain the desire exposure.

Fals...

Avoid using DepositPhotos.com Service

In short - we would advise avoiding the stock service "DepositPhotos.com" for professional work. With our experience, their marketing team asked for more money after we purchased a licence and put us in a very difficult legal position.

Transfering Files from Windows to Mac

Over the years there has been various file formats used for computers. The earlier file formats have size limitations.

Some file formats work on Windows PC's, and some on Macs.

So a little knowledge is need when we transfer video footage from one type of computer to anoth...

CuBase Pro 10.5 Tips

Organic Production tips on using Cubase Pro Version 10.5.

Davinci Resolve Studio Tips

Tips for using Black Magic's Davinci Resolve editing software 17.2.

Gear Notes

Some operational notes on the gear we use. This is really for quick reference when out in the field to save us from looking for manuals.

AKG Condensor Mic C1000S

Battery life: 120 hours

Phantom Power. When using Phantom Power, the battery is reser...

CuBase - Rectify a Recording and Project Sample mismatch

This applies to CuBase Pro 10.5.

Problem

"I recorded and everything sounded fine. Then when I exported my song and played the file through another audio device, it sounded lower pitch and slower".

Discussion

By default, Cubase will create new proje...

Mixer Outputs - Balanced and Unbalanced

This FAQ is all about mixer outputs. If you want to know about inputs (ie for Mics, Guitars, Keyboards) this FAQ is not for you.

The output connections is where you connect your mixer to various components like amps, powered speakers or recording devices. The outputs on a m...

Effects on X32 Producer

This Article was specifically written for the X32 producer, although most of the tips here can be used for the Full X32 desk. The X32 producer is a compact, top rack mounted mixer and as such has less outputs and busses than the full X32 console.

Definitions

Terminology used in ...

GOPRO Hero4 Silver Best Low Light Settings

These are our favourite settings for low light video (with relatively low noise) on the Hero4 Silver...

EQ Guidelines for Acoustic bands playing Live

Here are some EQ guidelines for mixing live performances of acoustic style instruments. Every gig is different and requires unique EQ settings - it depends on how large the band is, what instruments are playing, and making spaces for instruments/vocals to produce balanced and clear audio...

White Balance

Human eyes are far more sophisticated than video cameras. When you look at a white T-shirt outdoors, it looks white. In an office lit with fluorescent tubes, it still looks white. Even in your living room at ...

Achieving a Shallow Depth of Field

A shallow depth of field in photography and videography is when your subject is in focus and your background is out of focus. It is a technique used to bring the viewer's attention to your subject.

DOF stands for depth of field. There are three main factors:

• Distance to the...
  
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Tape Machine - Android Band recordings - MP3 Codec

I've been using the Android App "Tape Machine" by Samalyse since 2012. It is a truly fantastic app for recording band rehearsal sessions - particularly the loud rehearsals because the app has an auto gain function. The waveform is displays is very handy for detecting clipping and volume level - p...

EQ a room with a RTA and Noise Oscillator

The Behringer X32 and XAir have an oscilator and RTA (Real Time Analyser) inbuilt. Failing that - you can use the Android App Audio Tools to generate and show the RTA spectrum. You will need a calibrated mic.

1. Setup a pink noise oscilator. Run at around 80dB. Use hearing protection....
   
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Wireless Microphone Frequencies for Perth Australia

Today, the airwaves are full of transmissions - and wireless microphone transmissions can suffer from interference.

Due to the incompetence and lack of forsight of our Australian Government, equipment suppliers have had difficulty finding safe frequencies for wireless equipment - and as a...

Replacing a GoPro Hero4 Scratched Lens

We take off the protective casings of our GoPro cameras to get better sound and video under low light. We bought a mount and lens cap from eBay so we can mount the cameras on stands.

But... unfortunately the lens cap was dodgy - and it scratched our Lens after a week of use! Arrgg...

Creating Better Volume Control

Reference: http://sound.westhost.com/project01.htm

The volume control in a hi-fi amp or preamp (or any other audio device, for that matter), is a truly simple concept, right? Wrong. In order to get a smooth increase in level, the poten...

Adobe Premiere CC 2015 Pro Multi Camera Editing

Step 1: Create SYNC. Create a new sequence to synchronise all media. Call it "SYNC". Drop in the video and audio tracks and manually sync up.

Step 2: Create AUDIO MIX. For multi-track Audio - move to a new, standalone sequence and mix. Export as a WAV and...

Photoshop Tips

Keyboard Short Cuts:

• CTRL+T = Transform
• CTRL+J = Duplicate Layer
• ALT + Right Mouse = Adjust Brush width or Hardness
• ALT + Click on Mask = shows mask

Making Product Shot White Backgrounds:

1. Add threshold Layer to check ...
   
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Audio Frequencies

Low Frequencies

On a Bass guitar, the low E is around 41Hz. Most regular powered speakers (Mackie/Tapco Thump 15A, Yamaha MSR40) bottom out around this range. The Yamaha MSR400 will still play a low E, even though its specs stop at 50Hz. The Tapco Thump 15A will also play 40Hz, but the ...

Wireless Microphones Frequency Change

From the 1st Jan 2015, it will be illegal to use wireless microphones in the 694 - 820MHz band in Australia.

This is because the Australian Government is making so...

Online Music Distribution