[MacDV] Resampling revisited and production audio, Sonystyle...

[doug lauber]

Richard Brown wrote:

> As long as the intent is NOT DVD, then, absolutely, use any bit depth
> and sample rate. No algorithm to resample is perfect, is all I suggest,
> as well as to avoid same whenever possible. From my point of view,
> addressing analog delivery, which is the case sub 48KHz, is
> counterproductive. To 'change' later is to impair audio quality, but
> there is certainly room to maneuver...
>
> It goes to the end user, when your video "goes home."... will the subtle
> differences, or even errors, in resampling digital audio be apparent to
> the layman? Even with a great home theater? Probably not. We have
> resampled a ton of 44 KHz audio from music libraries to 48KHZ, gone to
> DVD as well as VHS with them, and nary a soul has ever complained. Audio
> purists, on the other hand, rip out their hair over this. So do the
> music library producers, who often swear by their 44.1 KHz CDR delivery.
> In the end, based on the continued acceptance of declining quality of
> the broadcast medium (note the "100% Digital Quality" remarks on Direct
> TV commercials and then look at the artifacts within their highly
> compressed signal) it will remain true that content, not technology,
> rules in the end. When we score a project, we just use 48Khz for
> everything: music recording, ADR, foley, etc. because we are primarily
> headed toward DVD release with independent stuff, even industrial
> video.  Keeping things simple is easy to do.
>
> As to audio solutions in production:
>
> One of the problems with all Sony camcorders, from the PD150 on down, is
> that none are really regarded highly for their audio, meaning doing good
> ol' double system sound - separate video and audio, is a solution.
> Drifting from sync is not the problem it used to be when shooting film
> in the early days of digital audio. Things have worked out nicely since
> that time, and in DVCAM/DV,
> syncing DAT audio, for example, works quite well, even when not
> resolving the two devices to the same reference. "Wild" audio is much
> less so in the age of digital everything. Just get a film style slate
> with clapper, maybe even a timecode version - it helps in editing later
> on, anyway. Double system also means you can have complete control over
> the audio portion of a show. It requires good working habits, but the
> end result can be a richer sonic experience during both the edit and the
> audio mix.
>
> Richard Brown

Yes, I'll be using a double system for interiors.
Various mics with a UA 2-610 to a Akai DR4d or
my PC.
For the time being I'm using the VX2k for exteriors,
but I'm seriously considering getting a Minidisc for
exteriors, and for collecting outside Foley FX sounds.  -doug