Music, Sound, and Audio Technology

Click here to get a copy of the June 2007 Edition, so you can read and enjoy all of the excellent articles inside. Check out this article in the June 2007 print edition of StudentFilmmakers magazine, page 40.

Tips and Essentials for Fixing and Avoiding Equipment Failure

by Bryant Falk

Nothing is more frustrating than equipment failure, and nothing is as prone to failure as a wireless mic. For every additional wireless mic, or any other wireless thing that runs on batteries, the chances of something not working rise exponentially. I would like to share with you some of my equipment failure nightmares, as well as ways to prepare yourself with some audio saving options.

Potential issues that can arise when recording from a wireless mic:

� Frequency between transmitter and receiver not set properly.

� Batteries are dead.

� Lav wire is faulty to transmitter.

� Connection from receiver to recording device is faulty.

� RF interference from power lines and radio stations.

� Transmitter or receiver is faulty.

� Frequency selector on either end is faulty.

Now add another eight or nine lav mics to a shoot, and you will see how the chances of something going wrong start rising very rapidly. A good rule of thumb when shooting is plan for a third of your equipment to fail. Now I�m not saying it will! But prep yourself with enough backup as if it would. So if you are renting nine wireless lav mics, plan on at least three of them giving you trouble. Covering yourself may not require renting an additional 3 wireless mics. Other options may allow for a successful audio record.

Tips:

� Have a number of wired lav mics with you. They are much more dependable and not prone to pick up radio interference. They are also more economical.

� Carry some extra boom mics in addition to the safety you are running!

� Bring an additional hand held mic for table top.

� Bring extra mic cables to extend your receivers as close to transmitters as possible.

My personal experience combined with shooting in one of the worst areas in the world for wireless interference, (Manhattan) has forced me to have a contingency plan at all times.

So what should I bring to keep my microphones working? Here’s a must-have list for all jobs with wireless mics.

Essentials:

� Extra batteries! Make sure they are the high quality lithium types, they last longer.

� A tuner, or small screwdriver-like device to change frequencies on transmitters and receivers.

� Gaffers tape for strapping all those extra mic cables you�ll need to run to set when the wireless mics fail.

� Spare lav mics that plug into transmitter. They tend to be damaged most frequently as talent handles them.

� More batteries! (These devices chow them like they were Jelly Belly�s).

� Small flashlight for seeing the really small frequency adjustment knobs.

� Label tape and sharpies for marking corresponding transmitter and receiver markings.

Keep in mind if your only using one or two wireless lavs, the chances of something going wrong are much less than running a 10 mic package. Just pack safeties accordingly. Good luck and good recording!

This article may not be reprinted in print or internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.

Bryant Falk has been a producer and engineer for over 12 years working with such clients as The Ricki Lake Show, Coca-Cola, Sports Illustrated, Valley National Bank, and MTV’s The Shop. His company Abacus Audio (abacusaudio.com) handles many aspects of the audio production field from creative and production to mixing and final output.

StudentFilmmakers magazine, the #1 Educational Resource for Film and Video Makers, publishes 12 editions per year. Subscribe today and get this important magazine delivered right to your doorstep every month. Each edition contains high level, educational articles for serious filmmakers and videographers like you - articles including cutting edge, real-world practices, trends, and technology, as well as in-depth inspiring interviews with independent filmmakers and experts.

There is something for everyone in each issue, whether you are a director, cinematographer, camera operator, gaffer, editor, producer, sound engineer, animator, composer, actor, screenwriter, ... With today's technology changes coming faster and faster, we are all students.

StudentFilmmakers magazine would like to hear from you!
Click here to share your comments and feedback about the magazine, monthly editions, your favorite articles, and your favorite topics.

We always welcome and appreciate your Reader Comments. View them here, and send yours to the editors today!