Boom Operating Tips
Lesson 5 from: Audio Production: Record Better AudioTomas George
Boom Operating Tips
Lesson 5 from: Audio Production: Record Better AudioTomas George
Lesson Info
5. Boom Operating Tips
Lessons
My Recommended Budget Audio Recording Setup
03:58 2Microphones for Video and Filmmakers
04:35 3Different Microphones and their uses
07:56 4Microphone Accessories
04:41 5Boom Operating Tips
03:21 6Microphone Accessories to Reduce Wind Noise
01:58 7Audio Interfaces and Examples
06:06 8Headphones and Monitors
01:46Room Treatment Tips
06:17 10Room Treatment Example
01:09 11My Recommended Audio Travel Gear
06:15 12Introduction to Audacity
00:45 13Audio Recording Setup in Audacity
03:49 14How to Record Audio in Audacity
02:54 15Playback, Zoom, Undo + Saving in Audacity
04:15 16How to Export Audio out of Audacity
03:37 17Audacity's Essential Audio Editing Tools
08:07 18Removing Silence, Splitting + Joining Clips
03:17 19Audacity's Essential Key Command or Keyboard Shortcuts
03:06 20Removing Background Noise Introduction
02:48 21Audacity's Noise Gate Effect
12:29 22Audacity's Noise Reduction Effect
11:15 23Introduction to Mixing and Processing Audio in Audacity
02:32 24A Brief Look at the Filter Curve or EQ Effect
10:35 25A Brief Look at Compression and the Normalize Effect
11:21 26Setting up an Effects Macro in Audacity
03:23 27Outboard Gear - The DBX 286s
05:26 28Thanks and Bye
00:12Lesson Info
Boom Operating Tips
Hello, welcome to this lecture. I'm going to show you a few tips about operating a boom stand. So tip number one is to have the microphone as close as possible to the subject ideally about 2 ft away. If possible, you also want to make sure that the microphone is pointing at the subject's mouth, not just in their direction, you want to point at their mouth because this is hyper directional and it will sound a lot better pointing at the subject's mouth than just kind of in their direction. You also want to make sure that the distance is always the same. So if the subject is moving, make sure you keep the same distance between the microphone and the subject, this is important because it may affect the sound quality if the distance changes throughout the shot next is to know the script. So if there's a part of the script where the subject stands up or if they're moving or if there's two or more people, you may have to change the position of the microphone. So you really need to know the sc...
ript. Some top boom operators actually know the script as well as some of the actors. This is very important because you need to make sure that the microphone is in position before the actors start talking. It's also very important to remember that small movements can cause vibrations that will be picked up by the microphone. So using a boom stand that allows you to put the cable inside can really help with this. Otherwise, the cable will be on the outside and might actually bash against the sand to cause additional unwanted noise. Moving your hand on a boom stand can cause additional unwanted sound. So you really want to keep movements as minimal as possible. There is a technique though to actually move the mic without causing too much sound. So if you hold the boom stand between your thumb and index finger and twist with your other hand, you can rock the mic and this will cause minimal sound. Otherwise, if you're moving your hands around, it will cause a lot of noise which may ruin the shots. My next tip is about being aware of lighting. So if you're controlling the boom, just be careful where you actually have it. You want it as close as a subject as possible. However, you don't want it causing any shadows if you cause a shadow onto one of the actors faces, for example, you can completely ruin the shot. So work with the camera operator and find the best place to have the boom mic without causing any shadows also, you may want to be more careful of the lights when you're in the studio rather than natural lighting outside. And the next tip is try not to be too distracting. So try not to make any sudden movements or noises that may distract the actors and also try not to be in their eyeline or make any eye contact as it may distract them whilst they're speaking, also be aware of what kind of shoes you're wearing, make sure they're not noisy shoes or he may add some additional noise to the shot. There is something you can use called hush heels, which is padding material which sticks to the bottom of your shoes to kind of mitigate any foot movements. One more thing to mention is I'd look at getting a shock mount as well like this one here as this will reduce vibrations and any unwanted noise. And the next tip is to learn some camera lingo, maybe learn about lenses because you will be working with the camera operator and you really want to know the language about filmmaking or you might embarrass yourself and not know where to actually go or what to do. For example, knowing different types of lenses and how wide they are. Lets you know how close you can get to the subject without being in shot. So these are some of my top tips for operating a boom stand. I hope you found this lecture useful. And I'll see you in the next one.
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