Why go duel?

[David Mullen ASC]

There are lots of reasons to record sound separately as well as to the camera - to the camera for obvious reasons, instantly-synced dailies. But it's easier for the production mixer to play back sound if he doesn't have to bother the camera crew, it's easier to record wild lines and other foley elements that don't need the camera, and having back-ups of audio is never bad idea. Plus occasionally there may be a reason why the camera and the mixer/mic are not hooked together, who knows, maybe the camera is shooting the actors speaking with a 1200mm lens two blocks away, I don't know.

 

[M Most]

There are lots of reasons to record sound separately as well as to the camera - to the camera for obvious reasons, instantly-synced dailies. But it's easier for the production mixer to play back sound if he doesn't have to bother the camera crew, it's easier to record wild lines and other foley elements that don't need the camera, and having back-ups of audio is never bad idea. Plus occasionally there may be a reason why the camera and the mixer/mic are not hooked together, who knows, maybe the camera is shooting the actors speaking with a 1200mm lens two blocks away, I don't know.

It is also nearly impossible for the sound mixer to get confidence playback while recording if he doesn't have control of the recorder. Being able to directly monitor and control both levels and recording integrity are essential to the ability of a production mixer to do their job.

 

[Marc Wielage]

David and Mike Most's comments above are right on the money. Aside from providing better quality sound overall on a separate audio recorder, the other good reason to do it is that the sound mixer has the ability to capture not only a temporary production mix, but also isolated tracks for every actor with a wireless as well as the boom microphone. This can provide a lot of flexibility for the final dialog edit and mix. I think you should only look on the audio tracks on the Red as scratch tracks for dailies.

I routinely provide a wireless receiver for the Red camera projects I work on, and can send them up to 4 channels of digital audio from about 250 feet away with no problem. The only difficulty I've run into is when the Red is in a Steadicam mount, and the operator is reluctant to add another box and set of wires, which may get in the way and/or change the overall balance. The wireless receiver can power off the Red's own battery pack and draws very little current.

 

[Jon Lillie]

David and Mike Most's comments above are right on the money. Aside from providing better quality sound overall on a separate audio recorder, the other good reason to do it is that the sound mixer has the ability to capture not only a temporary production mix, but also isolated tracks for every actor with a wireless as well as the boom microphone. This can provide a lot of flexibility for the final dialog edit and mix. I think you should only look on the audio tracks on the Red as scratch tracks for dailies.

I routinely provide a wireless receiver for the Red camera projects I work on, and can send them up to 4 channels of digital audio from about 250 feet away with no problem. The only difficulty I've run into is when the Red is in a Steadicam mount, and the operator is reluctant to add another box and set of wires, which may get in the way and/or change the overall balance. The wireless receiver can power off the Red's own battery pack and draws very little current.

Which wireless unit are you using? And I agree completely. It is doable, and works well, IF there is someone sitting at a mixer monitoring what goes in.

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

Syncing sound to video is in the most NLEs a quick and convenient process. IMHO, there is no reason to bother the sound and camera crew with additional sound gear mounted on the camera or even tethere to the camera. The RedOne has a robust TC sync IO that holds synch over 2 hours. Any Sound Device with TC will work as a master very well. We had a few times an Aaton Cantar which worked flawlessly with the RedOne as well.

For dailies on set we use a Raptor video/sound recording device. The sound guy is feeding the raptor with a stereo a sum. This way I can review dailies on set with sound.

Hans