Make sound recordings
Overview
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- confirm that recorded line-up is at a level that meets agreed standards and expected frequency response
- confirm that recordings have required signal-to-noise ratio, are free from audible defects, and maintain the phase relationship of line-up signals
- make sure identifying codes and information needed for reproduction in recorded line-ups are included
- supply, monitor and check line-up tone at either camera, mixer and/or recorder against requirements
- provide, or ensure availability of, suitable equipment for any reasonable audio requirements likely to arise within expected parameters of productions
- report to appropriate people any problems that may prevent the making of acceptable recordings
- make test recordings, using typical programme material, which are free from audible defects
- make sure the recording mediums have sufficient capacity for the expected duration of recordings
- ensure previous recordings that may be needed are not lost or recorded over
- confirm at regular intervals that any synchronisation system is suitable, sufficiently accurate and functioning as it should
- maintain the compatibility of format types
- control inappropriate background sound levels to be consistent and suitable for the subsequent use of recordings
- confirm at appropriate times that audio is being recorded at the agreed frame rate and as per specification
- advise appropriate people of possible solutions in the event of system failure and mechanical breakdown
- produce required sound in desired formats, at the required level, and with the dynamic range appropriate for the recording medium or technology
- record sufficient sound at the beginning and end of takes to allow smooth transitions to adjacent material
- complete records of, and produce labels for, recordings which are accurate, legible, up-to-date, readily accessible and which meets production requirements
- identify all recording by logging metadata, in a way that is acceptable and understandable by subsequent users in editing and post-production
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the technical and aesthetic requirements of the production
the operational and technical limitations of the medium being used
what production techniques and requirements apply
the use of microphones and techniques for microphone placement
the effects that positioning of microphones have on shots
the proper use and care of sound recording equipment
how to make sound recordings that meet technical and artistic parameters
how to assess acoustic characteristics
techniques to help minimise unwanted extraneous noise
the importance of audibility of dialogue especially with regards to the impaired hearing of an ageing population
effective strategies to enhance dialogue audibility
natural and artificial lighting techniques being used and how these may affect the use of booms, microphone placement and recording
how recording affects editing and post-production processes
the significance of signal-to-noise ratio, signal phase, and control of audio level and headroom
decibel units and the use of different types of metering systems
the correct alignment and configuration of recording equipment
customer requirements and how to comply with them
techniques for microphone placement and recording for automated dialogue replacement (ADR)
digital standards, their compatibility and how to comply with them
how to maintain compatibility of format types
use of timecode and standards in relevant applications
the principles of synchronisation and reference systems and how they apply to recording
methods for confirming audio is being recorded correctly including monitoring of recorded signal and other means
the types of recording formats and file standards
what to do in the event of system failures and mechanical breakdown
appropriate people to contact about system failure, mechanical breakdown and other problems that may prevent the making of acceptable recordings
the duration or capacity of recording media at the speed or sample rate used
record keeping and labelling requirements
metadata requirements
how to dispose safely of waste material, including batteries