most recent 30 from http://socialsounddesign.com 2012-02-05T03:48:47Z http://socialsounddesign.com/feeds/user/80 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/12471/negative-space-figure-ground-perception-in-sound/12475#12475 Iain McGregor 2012-02-03T07:10:48Z 2012-02-03T07:10:48Z

<p>You can partially achieve this effect with two overlapping voices. Try editing a conversation so that the participants talk over each other. If the timbre is similar, as well as the dynamic range then you will find that you have a slightly different listening experience each time you listen to the track.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/1148/what-does-a-boom-operator-do Iain McGregor 2010-05-18T10:35:33Z 2012-01-24T17:57:09Z

<p>I would like to start a series of discussions about roles within the sound team for new comers to the industry.</p> <p>I am hoping that users who have professional experience within this role can explain what the job involves, as well as relay their personal experiences.</p> <p>Thank you</p> <p>Iain</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_operator_%28media%29" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/index.cfm?pid=57&amp;catalogueContentID=796" rel="nofollow">Jobs4u</a></p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_operator_%28media%29" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Tournage_de_film.JPG" alt="Boom operator Wikipedia"></a></p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/12056/recommend-me-a-good-hand-held-recorder/12169#12169 Iain McGregor 2012-01-12T14:09:55Z 2012-01-12T14:09:55Z

<p>I am a fan of the Marantz PMD 661.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/12164/best-condenser-for-100/12166#12166 Iain McGregor 2012-01-12T09:02:10Z 2012-01-12T09:02:10Z

<p>I really like the dbx Driverack RTA-M Real Time Analyzer Microphone. It is an omnidirectional reference mic with a surprisingly flat response.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dbxpro.com/RTA%20Mic/index.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.dbxpro.com/RTA%20Mic/index.php</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.zzounds.com/item--DBXRTAM" rel="nofollow">http://www.zzounds.com/item--DBXRTAM</a></p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11925/christmas-day-dead-quiet-city-what-to-record/11939#11939 Iain McGregor 2011-12-21T17:44:37Z 2011-12-21T17:44:37Z

<p>Impulse responses of all the built up areas, so that you can use them to worldise other sounds later.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11893/can-you-recommend-suction-cup-microphone-holder/11894#11894 Iain McGregor 2011-12-18T16:57:40Z 2011-12-19T13:45:07Z

<p>I use a pair or Manfrotto pump-cups, and have never had one fall off. They are 60mm in diameter, and you need to remember to take something with you to clean the surface afterwards as they usually leave a visible ring. </p> <p><a href="http://www.manfrotto.com/pump-cup-with-flat-base" rel="nofollow">http://www.manfrotto.com/pump-cup-with-flat-base</a></p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11879/mid-priced-portable-recorders-microphone/11889#11889 Iain McGregor 2011-12-18T07:28:27Z 2011-12-18T07:28:27Z

<p>We have a Marantz PMD-661 and it works really well, for the price point the mic pre-amps are quiet, and the built in mics are a lot better than I expected. We also have the older PMD-660s which have never broken down, so I am pretty certain that the PMD-661 will be as reliable. </p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11865/acoustics-and-auralex/11873#11873 Iain McGregor 2011-12-17T15:19:42Z 2011-12-17T15:19:42Z

<p>I would avoid going down the absorption wedges route, it is really easy to mess up. </p> <p>Personally I would work with moveable panels which you can make up from fibreglass sheets which you cover with rockwool and then cover with cloth. The size of the sheet and the depth of the rockwool will allow you to control the frequencies that you absorb. These panels can either be floor standing if you mount them in a wooden frame, or they can be screwed on to the wall. Either way you can tune the room to the right balance of live and dead according to the job you are working on. </p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11797/showreel-length/11800#11800 Iain McGregor 2011-12-09T20:58:56Z 2011-12-09T20:58:56Z

<p>Two minutes would be ideal with your best material in the first 30 seconds.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11778/best-shoes-for-a-boom-op/11795#11795 Iain McGregor 2011-12-09T15:03:08Z 2011-12-09T15:03:08Z

<p>Anything as long as they are comfortable, silent and discrete.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/1420/how-often-do-you-use-limiters-during-field-recording/11760#11760 Iain McGregor 2011-12-07T11:28:35Z 2011-12-07T11:28:35Z

<p>I don't use a limiter for any recording, field or studio. </p> <p>If I am worried about the levels I will use a y-split cable and record on two channels, making the second channel quieter so that if there is clipping I still have a spare clean channel. I will always split the signal prior to the preamps rather than after. </p> <p>The difference in levels varies according to what I am recording, but the minimum difference is usually - 6 dB and the max - 18 dB.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11500/help-with-wireless-mic-setup/11501#11501 Iain McGregor 2011-11-21T17:19:32Z 2011-11-21T17:19:32Z

<p>I am very happy with the Sennheiser G3s, just spend a bit of time hunting for clear bandwidth and then use fresh Duracells.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11466/favorite-ambiance-background-recording-technique-and-delivery/11470#11470 Iain McGregor 2011-11-19T22:48:25Z 2011-11-19T22:48:25Z

<p>I've started using a Soundfield mic (SPS200) recording to 4 track (R-44), that way I can decode to stereo, 5.1 or even 7.1 in Pro Tools HD. To date we have used stereo, 5.1 and 7.1, but not mono.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11443/request-mouse-squeaks/11465#11465 Iain McGregor 2011-11-19T17:05:36Z 2011-11-19T17:05:36Z

<p>I use a selection of latex squeaky dog balls.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11460/what-is-a-soundscape/11462#11462 Iain McGregor 2011-11-19T13:59:06Z 2011-11-19T14:06:04Z

<p>A soundscape has been defined as the auditory environment which surrounds a listener. The term soundscape is analogous with landscape in that it represents an individual’s unique experience of inhabiting an auditory environment, based on their previous experiences and interests.</p> <p>The term has also been used to describe soundtracks and audio art.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11448/labelling-your-stuff-whats-your-method/11459#11459 Iain McGregor 2011-11-19T09:29:05Z 2011-11-19T09:29:05Z

<p>We use asset tags. </p> <p><a href="http://www.seareach.plc.uk/asset-tags.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.seareach.plc.uk/asset-tags.htm</a></p> <p>If something is too small to take one, I will cut the tag down to fit, so that at least a portion is visible.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11150/has-switching-batteries-ever-affected-your-sound/11151#11151 Iain McGregor 2011-11-01T14:53:14Z 2011-11-01T14:53:14Z

<p>If batteries are not providing the full voltage then you can sometimes reduce the range of a radio mic belt pack or make it more prone to interference.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11079/do-you-ride-the-levels-during-an-interview/11094#11094 Iain McGregor 2011-10-27T09:46:02Z 2011-10-27T09:46:02Z

<p>Only to avoid distortion, otherwise I try and keep everything the same.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11011/pro-tools-10-first-impressions/11026#11026 Iain McGregor 2011-10-22T14:08:27Z 2011-10-22T14:22:12Z

<p>Everything looks look similar to Pro Tools 9, but it does seem to run slightly faster on my MacBook Pro. Installation was easy and everything is stable. Will test it with Lion tomorrow.</p> <p>I am enjoying using the channel strip, very easy to use as well as being nice and clean.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11001/what-is-an-acceptable-noise-floor-for-recording-foley-in-a-quiet-room/11004#11004 Iain McGregor 2011-10-20T15:28:39Z 2011-10-20T15:28:39Z

<p>A decent studio noise floor would be less than 20 dB A spl.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10938/questions-you-want-answered-at-aes/10967#10967 Iain McGregor 2011-10-18T14:34:15Z 2011-10-18T14:34:15Z

<p>Sound Devices</p> <p>Have they ever considered designing a small stereo recorder with built-in mics and XLR inputs?</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10893/sound-reports-on-set/10895#10895 Iain McGregor 2011-10-14T10:11:18Z 2011-10-14T10:11:18Z

<p>Record the reports verbally on to the audio recorder using the slate mic and transcribe later.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10882/a-de-esser-request/10894#10894 Iain McGregor 2011-10-14T10:08:08Z 2011-10-14T10:08:08Z

<p>Try using an omni lav turned upside down. The mic capsule actually blocks out some of the highs whilst the rest of the frequencies remain balanced.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10833/recording-very-loud-drums/10881#10881 Iain McGregor 2011-10-13T09:29:12Z 2011-10-13T09:29:12Z

<p>As a general rule for really loud sources dynamic mics are the most useful. If your budget is tight a pair of SM57s would do the job, otherwise RE-20s or similar.</p> <p>In-line pads are essential if you are using condenser mics.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10494/share-your-audio-jokes Iain McGregor 2011-09-23T12:15:49Z 2011-10-11T14:51:32Z

<p>A number of really funny jokes have cropped up in posts recently and I thought it would be nice to start a thread just for jokes.</p> <p>Here's one to start off.</p> <p>An indie film had just started filming when both the director and producer fell ill. No one wanted to take over, but the boom op's arms were already tired, and he thought that he'd like to sit down for a change.</p> <p>For the next 4 weeks the shoot went well, and at the wrap party the sound mixer bumped in to the former boom op and asked him where he had been for the last 4 weeks.</p> <p>Please share your audio jokes.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/509/which-daw-do-you-use/513#513 Iain McGregor 2010-03-29T11:40:11Z 2011-10-11T07:26:29Z

<p>I use Pro Tools 9 at Home and Pro Tools 9 HD at work. For designing sounds themselves I prefer to use Synthesizer and Sampler plug-ins within Pro Tools, and then layer the sounds within the Pro Tools session.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10796/how-did-they-create-this-specific-voice/10799#10799 Iain McGregor 2011-10-08T16:10:41Z 2011-10-08T16:10:41Z

<p>This really is the actor's voice with only limited processing.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/7623/does-izotope-rx-and-similar-software-make-the-location-sound-recordist-complacent/10493#10493 Iain McGregor 2011-09-23T12:05:48Z 2011-09-23T12:05:48Z

<p>There is one major advantage to all of this. </p> <p>As production sound becomes worse our skills are needed more. And while we might have to spend more time on cleaning up poor sound, it makes it more necessary for skilled practitioners to work in post production. </p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10395/how-to-give-a-feeling-of-distance-position/10401#10401 Iain McGregor 2011-09-17T09:19:51Z 2011-09-17T09:19:51Z

<p>Think in terms of direct and indirect sound. The closer someone is the more direct sound is present, the further away the more indirect sound. </p> <p>Direct sound is the dry sound source without any effects. Indirect is the sound reflected off surfaces, which is normally conveyed using reverb. There is little indirect sound outdoors.</p> <p>The indirect sound will vary according to the environment, what all the surfaces are made up of and their relative angles and positions. These variations will alter the timings (delays) of reflections as well as the balance of frequencies and their relative loudness.</p> <p>Generally </p> <ul> <li><p>close (direct) = loud and clear</p></li> <li><p>far (indirect) = quiet and indistinct</p></li> </ul>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10384/mouse-alternative-workflows/10385#10385 Iain McGregor 2011-09-16T15:34:14Z 2011-09-16T15:34:14Z

<p>Variation is important, using any physical interface repeatedly is going to cause problems. Try moving more between a mouse, trackpad, keyboard and control surface. There is no perfect interface, eventually you strain something if you use a single interface too often. </p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11925/christmas-day-dead-quiet-city-what-to-record/11939#11939 Iain McGregor 2011-12-24T21:56:29Z 2011-12-24T21:56:29Z

Portable loudspeaker and burst of white or pink noise, you need to remember to subtract the colouration for the louspeaker, rather than use the same file.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/1420/how-often-do-you-use-limiters-during-field-recording/11760#11760 Iain McGregor 2011-12-10T12:06:55Z 2011-12-10T12:06:55Z

There is a 3 dB drop and you need to have independent control over the phantom power. If the mic has an internal battery then I'll switch that on, or if it doesn't I will use a battery powered phantom supply. If you are at all worried you can use a mic splitter/isolator <a href="http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=MS20c" rel="nofollow">rolls.com/product.php?pid=MS20c</a>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11500/help-with-wireless-mic-setup/11515#11515 Iain McGregor 2011-11-26T12:20:06Z 2011-11-26T12:20:06Z

Wow, this problem still hasn't been solved, I stopped using Microns in the 1990's just because of this exact problem. There also used to be problems with static build up from synthetic clothing, so you had to make sure that the transmitters were encased in a cotton bag.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11011/pro-tools-10-first-impressions/11038#11038 Iain McGregor 2011-10-27T09:43:22Z 2011-10-27T09:43:22Z

Have you tried installing the 10.6.8 Combo update?

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/11011/pro-tools-10-first-impressions/11038#11038 Iain McGregor 2011-10-23T18:18:35Z 2011-10-23T18:18:35Z

Which OS are you using?

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10938/questions-you-want-answered-at-aes/11013#11013 Iain McGregor 2011-10-22T15:29:22Z 2011-10-22T15:29:22Z

Again for Avid. Why can you only upgrade the software for an HD core card once?

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10494/share-your-audio-jokes/10502#10502 Iain McGregor 2011-09-24T18:41:23Z 2011-09-24T18:41:23Z

That's so funny, it's a shame that I can only vote once!

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10457/what-does-it-take-to-be-a-sound-designer-in-the-video-game-industry/10470#10470 Iain McGregor 2011-09-22T17:08:46Z 2011-09-22T17:08:46Z

It is essential that you have a passion for gaming.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10215/strategies-for-when-youve-crashed-into-the-wall-under-deadline/10226#10226 Iain McGregor 2011-09-10T06:14:25Z 2011-09-10T06:14:25Z

The projects that I do for free are always the worst. I find that the more you are getting paid, the better you are treated.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/9157/audio-mythbusting/9243#9243 Iain McGregor 2011-09-07T18:17:38Z 2011-09-07T18:17:38Z

True, there is quite a lot of content I avoid listening to on my Genelecs. I have an old Sony micro system which &quot;smears&quot; the content very nicely.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/7349/quiet-ambience-recording-tips Iain McGregor 2011-08-20T16:51:07Z 2011-08-20T16:51:07Z

You'd be surprised how much a seagull walking can sound like a person if it is above you on the roof.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/9358/masters-degree-in-sound-design/9398#9398 Iain McGregor 2011-08-01T16:01:25Z 2011-08-01T16:01:25Z

NFTS is really worth attending.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/9228/recording-an-airshow-any-tips-does-and-donts/9235#9235 Iain McGregor 2011-07-23T08:55:20Z 2011-07-23T08:55:20Z

The angles would definitely be different but at least the recordings would be usable.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/9245/zoom-h4n-adoration-post/9249#9249 Iain McGregor 2011-07-22T17:55:58Z 2011-07-22T17:55:58Z

The boot time is dependent on the size of card. If you want it to start up faster put a smaller card in it.

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/9246/cant-hear-my-vocals/9252#9252 Iain McGregor 2011-07-22T17:26:35Z 2011-07-22T17:26:35Z

Left is for source (Mic) and right is for computer.