Documentary - Syncing Audio and Camera TC

[Steve Marshall]

Hi guys,

I'm researching equipment for an upcoming documentary TV series I'll be shooting and one thing I don't have much understanding of is syncing the camera and the audio TC.

We'll be using two Epics with shotgun mikes for scratch audio/FX and a separate sound guy with a boom for all interviews etc etc. I know we can use the scratch track to sync up the audio but I'd like to sync the TC's just to make it easier on everyone.

Is there a lightweight solution that doesn't involve loads of wires or the sound guy and camera being tied together?

 

[Paul J Warren]

Hi there Steve,
If your soundo has a Sound Devices HHD recorder, for doco a 4 track will be heaps, take the timecode out from your camera body to a transmitter, (lightweight, ... like the little Sennheisser 100W), that sends to the timecode 'in' on the recorder.
In the menu settings of the recorder you can set it to be triggered into record mode from the timecode input.
Basically whenever you button on, the timecode is immediately generated, automatically triggering the recorder.
Bit of a No-brainer for the soundo as they can keep their hands full of mics and not have to touch the record button, .......... or better still a mic in one hand with a beer that he's handing over to you at the same time.
Perfect balance.
I've used this in many configurations in very many films, doco, features
And your Post guys will love you for ever!
Next question is whether its a beer or a Voddie, ......... it gets tough down here out in the Bush!
Cheers,
Paul.

 

[John Marchant]

An alternative to this is to use a lockit box to keep the EPIC tc on the straight and narrow and jam the audio recorder from it at the start of the day. I've had no trouble with sync drift using sound devices gear, and you have the potential editorial benefit for a doccie of running sound continually even when picture is cut. Gems are often found this way.

Whatever you do, make sure you've bought the EPIC specific TC cable, as its not just a BNC on the body, its a Lemo that breaks out to 3xBNC.

 

[jimhare]

Even easier than a lockit would be just syncing twice a day using an iPhone LTC app and the Epic/Sound Device lemo cables. I have a cable that starts as 1/8" for the iPhone and comes out as both R1 and Epic size lemos. I lock 5 Reds at a time together before live shows and they keep perfectly synced.

The Epic appears to hold the sync though power downs, which is a bonus!

Dead easy, iPhone, cable, done. Perfect for Docos.

 

[Marc Wielage]

Is there a lightweight solution that doesn't involve loads of wires or the sound guy and camera being tied together?

I agree that having all cameras and the sound with identical timecode is the preferred workflow. I haven't found a better way than to use a Denecke SB-T on every camera, and jamming the SB-T and timecode slate to the sound recorder twice a day. (The Ambient Lockit is essentially identical to the SB-T.)

I'm also a fan of not using a microphone on the camera, but instead sending a wireless scratch track feed from the sound mixer to the camera with a battery-operated receiver. It doesn't really matter, since the sound is going to be replaced anyway, but it's one more backup for the production.

BTW, important safety tip: do a complete workflow test prior to your first shoot date and make sure everything is in sync and there are no hitches. I assume you'll be shooting at 25fps for the UK.

 

[Michael Hardwick]

Deneke SBT, Ambient 2020CL or any other Lock-it Box. Sound is your master clock - jam the Lockit from the sound recorder's timecode, and then plug the Lockit via Lemo into your camera.

Rest easy. They were built for just this very purpose.

 

[Ron Goodman]

Whatever is done with TC, Genlock, Record/Stop start with the added advantage of a readily accesible SDI HD BNC, we would definitely recommend the use of the SpaceCam Sync Bob Plus to the Epic. This was conceived and created to address concerns with all these issues being discussed. It provides a fully shielded, armored connection solution for the epic. Available from webstore at spacecam.com these units are flying off the shelf just now.