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Starter Kit


I don't hate you for asking, I hate myself for not doing this sooner.Without a doubt, everyday, I receive an email from a colleague asking, where do I start? Should I learn Flash? What is Soundslides? What gear do you use? etc. Some of you out there get asked the same questions? Am I right? You know I am. So, let's do this once and for all. I am going to start this as best I can. I hope the rest of you will add your input  via comments.

STEP ONE-Audio gathering
If there is anything I have learned in my time as a multimedia producer and shooter, is AUDIO NARRATIVE is the place to start and not to leave until you are very good and comfortable gathering and editing. That's right all you reporters out there, I said editing. I am a firm believer that we can't learn or improve our audio skills unless we know how to edit audio. When all is said and done, your 'shop' might have audio editors– yeah right –but you still need to learn the 'language' of editing. It will make you a better audio story teller, seriously. So let's get started.

ON-THE-CHEAP

Total cost about $200

Recorders –  Olympus WS-300M. Runs about $80 online.

 

Olympus DS-2 about $120 we use these.

 

 

Microphones — I swear buy these. You can't beat the price, Nady SP-4C, $10 (special deal for a six-pack). You'll need an adapter to convert the 1/4 inch plug to a 1/8 inch plug, which is what's on most recorders. The adapter is about $3. Try Radio Shack. Or you can try the Electro-Voice 635 about  $100 for one! Don't forget some headphones, but I'm sure you have some already.

 

PRO AUDIO

Total cost about $900 if you go the the ME66 $500 if you go with the above cheaper mic.

Recorder $399 

The R-09 by Edirol Why I like it:

  • 24-bit/48kHz (or 44.1kHz) uncompressed recording                                          
  •  Up to 320kbps MP3 playback and recording                                                    
  • Records to SD card (64MB card
  • High-grade stereo condenser microphone built in
  •  Mic and Line audio inputs;         
  •  Easy operation, user-friendly graphic display
  •  Ultra portable, half the size of the R-1
  •  Long battery life AA's YES!

Microphone $480
Sennheiser ME66 I LOVE this mic. I did a lot of research before buying a bunch of shot-gun type mics and everybody in the film and broadcast industry calls this the "work-horse." The results from this mic is a focused pick-up in highly ambient environments. The main reason I love this mic is because I don't have to be right up in someones face to record their interview. I can sit across the room and pick-up great interview and ambient sound, without having to be all "eugene richards" close.

Audio Editing

Time to edit? Mac users have GarageBand (this is what I use). What other audio tools are you using?

Audacity (free) — it works on Windows, Mac OS and Linux; You can convert just about any audio file to MP3 by opening it in Audacity and then save in the MP3 format. To convert to MP3, you must download and install the (free) LAME MP3 encoder (instructions are here), which works with Audacity.

Tutorials/Downloads

There are several tutorials for Audacity, here.

Download these resouces:

 

MultimediaShooter.com helpful links:

Sound 

http://www.multimediashooter.com/wp/?p=216

More on gear

http://www.multimediashooter.com/wp/?p=18

Inspiration and instruction

http://www.multimediashooter.com/wp/?p=129

READ THESE BLOGS

http://tojou.blogspot.com/index.html

http://cyndygreen.wordpress.com/

hmm, THIS ONE!

 

STEP TWO-Visuals

Ok, you've got your NPR quality audio narrative. Now, lets talk visuals. 

ON-THE-CHEAP 

Total cost $350 

Just about any and every consumer digital point and shoot can fit your basic needs. They all have decent features, like the ability to shoot MPEG video. At a recent gathering of multimedia professionals, 4 out of 5 had a version of the PowerShot SD500/Digital ELPH. Advice: make sure you get one that can shoot video. I believe in 'learn to walk before you run' approach. Yu can use one of these cameras to shoot your stills and when you're ready to play with video, this camera should be your starting point.

PRO VISUALS 

Looking to outfit your staff? Here is a good place to start. A HUGE thank you to Brian Storm and Regina McCombs for these two resources. Invaluable. You'll find all the PRO recommendations in these two links.

MediaStorm HDV Kit 

Regina McCombs .doc includes everything you need to put in your budget. This .doc rocks!

Advice: IMO there is really no reason to waste money on DV cameras. HDV in the way to go. HDV frame grabs, need I say more?  Need a cheap HDV? Despite its small size, the Sony A1U offers many of the features that serious shooters require on a routine basis. We use these on a daily basis. We are going to try the Canon HV20.

STEP THREE-Putting it all together 

Soundslides or Flash? Put it this way, if you don't know what Soundslides is, then there's no need to even think about Flash. And if you haven't mastered Soundslides (meaning, brought someone to tears with your two minute Soundslide) there there is no reason to be thinking about Flash.

Soundslides cost $40

Tutorial, here. 

Flash, if you must. cost $700

Places to start, here. 

 

Good Luck, hope this helps,

-r 

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