Here are a few things I learned about running audio on my first all-DSLR shoot.
- Run dual system audio and sync it in post. I am so glad we did this. Even my old Zoom H4 picked up amazingly clean audio. An XLR input beats a mini-jack any day of the week.
- PluralEyes is your friend. It can save you hours in post by automatically syncing your audio to your video clips.
- Even with PluralEyes, you should still slate. If you’re syncing manually, you absolutely HAVE to slate!
- PluralEyes (and manual syncing) go more smoothly with a few long clips than a lot of short ones. We were shooting interviews and the B camera was harder to sync, as it had been started and stopped several times during each interview to get different angles. Best practice would be to start the audio recorder first, then the camera(s) and leave the cameras running for as long as possible, even if it means it’s shooting while you change positions for a better shot.
- Leave the in camera audio on (and, if possible, use a camera-mount shotgun) to help with the syncing. This is especially helpful if you’re syncing manually.
And here’s the outcome of my 1st all-DSLR shoot! Hope you enjoy it!
Second Chance Wildlife Center Promo from Tara Garwood on Vimeo.
Awesome work Tara! Pretty impressive for a dslr. What model were you shooting with?
The main interview camera was my Canon 60D with an old manual Nikon 135mm f/2.8 lens. The B camera for the interviews was a T2i with a Canon 50mm f/1.4. The B-roll is some of each. I used my Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 for that. I absolutely love the DSLRs for their look. It’s so gorgeous! But, they definitely make audio a bit trickier!