syncing audio??

I"ll admit right off video is completely new to me.

I"ve been talked into a small family project where family members are being interviewed by one of the younger kids. So this is pretty simple and the output doesn't need to be professional grade. But since a couple of the older family patriarchs are being interviewed I'd like to do a good job so the family can keep those memories.

I"m figured out using a simple shotgun mike, and I've practicing by borrowing a friends wireless handheld mics with it going straight into the camera {7D with firmware update}

What I Don't understand is when people talk about having the audio go to something different then syncing later. While I doubt it's within what I'm willing to do time or money wise. What does that all mean.. can some one give me a simple explanation of what that is and a starting way to do it.

I've used the search and it just gets me more confused

I got confused as to what you're asking. When I'm recording audio separately I'll clap before the scene starts so later I can look for the clap to know where to sync it to the video.

When you're ready to record, turn on both the video and the recording device, then clap your hands loudly. I tell my subjects that the sound of my clapping hand is the cue for them that the recording has begun. After the recording is done, place both the video and the audio files in your editing software (I use Sony Movie Studio) where you'll see the sharp spikes at the beginning of each file, then you align them together so the video and the audio can play synched.

ok simple question.. what are you recording too? when you are recording separate. Just any type of recording device MP3? etc. where is that separate recording going to?

There are several things that you may be missing or not thinking about.

Let's start by saying what is your goal? I assume since you are saying this is a project for interviewing then your sound will be more important than your video. So you want the best sound possible.

With this in mind, and since you are using a DLSR with very limited sound qualities, you probably want to go with an external solution. Other ways around this is to use Magic Lantern hack on your camera to get better sound abilities, level controls etc, and plug the mic's into your camera as you have mentioned. This would probably work fine. If you don't want to subject your camera to a "hack", then you really need to go to external audio.

You do this with some sort of digital audio capture device. Zoom, Tascam and Olympus come to mind. You can get one for around $50 to has high as you want to pay...

I would recommend a Tascam DR05 and a wired lav mic. You hook that up to your recorded, mic the person being interviewed, and you will get great audio capture. You will need to mic the camera, or use the internal camera mic if you can for reference audio. You will then sync this as mentioned above in your editing software. As mentioned, some sort of sound spike is needed to really get it to sync. A clap, a beep something to cause that spike.

A real easy solution is to get Pluraleyes software. It syncs the files for you and works like a champ.

There are tons of things around the web on how to do this. With a little research and practice you will be making great interview movies in no time....

Gaarryy wrote in post #15647722
I"ll admit right off video is completely new to me. What I Don't understand is when people talk about having the audio go to something different then syncing later. While I doubt it's within what I'm willing to do time or money wise. What does that all mean.. can some one give me a simple explanation of what that is and a starting way to do it.

Pardon my re-sequencing your post, but this way it fits my logic.

Audio going to something different implies, using a device to record the audio of the production to something, other than a camcorder capable of recording audio along with the video.

Most commonly a Digital Audio Recorder (DAR) is used for this task, this can be a simple pocket recorder or a higher budget multichannel device.

Let the kids use a handheld microphone to “interview” the family, give them an idea that the microphone needs to be toward the mouth of the person speaking, news-like but cute.

As for the Elders, use the handheld or the shotgun, if you want the microphone in the shot, handheld, out of the frame shotgun.

Wayne

ok that makes more sense..

I was confusing magic lantern for something else.

right now I"m playing with a friends nice shure handheld wireless mic with it going straight into the camera. I might see if I can find a tascam from some of the music people I know.

Gaarryy wrote in post #15651800
I was confusing magic lantern for something else.

ML is a camera hack...

That's a start.

Wayne

FWIW... Philips makes an mp3 recorder with a mic in jack. Google audio recorder reviews. CNet says that Philips is good.

Clapping is the easiest and cheapest way to sync audio. Hence the term 'Clap board' Ebay has me for 40.00 avg. With color correction on them, for later reference.

If you are going to start to do video a lot, prob better off getting a video cam.

*Important thing you wont notice when shooting but will be red in the face in editing is the hand noise of having a mic on your cam...I use a tripod for my shotgun when shooting.
IF you do not have that set up as you are " on the move" Use a lavalier wireless. I use Azden. Works good for me, make sure you got fresh batteries and are within 30 feet. otherwise you get some fade hiss. 30 feet away is kinda far so that should do ya.
Another option is the Azden 3-1 mic mixer. This way you can have 3 mics into one track. Your lavalier will pick up two to three people fine within a 2 feet of another. IGE: Bride and Groom. Then have a stereo mic set on a tripod to capture ambient sound. Don't forget to grab about a 1 minute of ambient sound to later use in editing for soundtrack as you may find it handy if tossing in some stills etc, in editing and not losing the emotion of sound, or if you were dubbing the song in as you find your audio is garbled but want a clean sound track. Good luck!

I think this is the time to call for a "Guru".
And the best literary Guru I know of is a genius young lady by the name "Ritwika".
Give yourself 10 minutes to watch and a lot things gets very understandable for you by going through this tutorial she made;

LINK

Enjoy and don't forget to see rest of amazing tutorial she has to show size of her IQ.

wow,, great link...
thank you everyone

You are welcome.

Just a quick bump to say thanks again.

Project went very well. Ending up using magic lantern, and a rode shotgun type mic from a friend.

While it's a very simple project when compared to what I see others doing on here. It's a great feeling to see that everyone was really happy with the process and end result.

Heck I might even use the video on this camera again

Congrats.
I promise you the next project is going to be only piece of a sweet Cake!

Yes definitely check out Ritwika on you tube. I have learned a lot from her. Here is one dealing specifically with syncing http://youtu.be/ilqcVj​asVsI