Instruction manual

When shooting instrument/lip sync scenes, the camcorder records visuals and Reference
Audio, which is referred to during editing. Reference Audio will not appear on the
Master videotape. During editing, and before each edit, the Reference Audio on the
Source videotapes will be used to synchronize the Source video footage with the audio on
the Master videotape. To record reference audio, the camcorder’s microphone can be
used, instead of the audio cable and adapters specified in Chapter 1.
If your music video will have scenes before and/or after the song, a microphone
connected to the VCR can record dialogue or ambient sound effects. These sounds can be
edited onto the Master videotape. Any pre-recorded sounds on an audio cassette can be
copied to a videotape, then edited onto the Master videotape.
Bring an extra videotape as a spare, in case of tape failure. It’s unlikely, but you’ll
be prepared. If there’s an extra tape left over after the shoot, it could be used as the
Master tape in editing. Always use brand-new and name-brand videotapes.
Stereo Master Audio - Before videotape editing begins, the Master audio recording
must be transferred (copied) to the Master videotape. The edited Master videotape will
have 2 audio channels, so the Master audio recording should be transferred in stereo. Of
course, when the Master or copies of the Master are played back through a regular mono
VCR and/or a mono TV, the sound will be in mono. For recording options, see Master
Audio in Chapter 1.
If the band will record live audio (with or without an audience), it’s best to record
live audio, then shoot/sync with a copy of the Master audio tape at a later date. If you and
the band decide to record audio, and then shoot/sync immediately afterward, a second
audio record machine should be used. The song should be recorded simultaneously with
both machines. Use common RCA phono audio cables, and go from Audio Out (Left and
Right) from the Master deck, to Audio In (L and R) on the second deck. The second
machine and tape should be used for sync playback. Have a spare blank audio tape
available. If problems develop with the second deck’s tape, a copy can be recorded from
the Master.
When recording live audio, the band may have to record the song several times
before achieving the best performance and/or recording. It’s very important to keep track
of each attempt, also referred to as a Take:
* About 5 seconds before each attempt begins, a band member should speak into a
microphone, and identify each attempt..."This is Take 1", "Take 2", and so on.
* Before recording the first attempt, the person in charge of the recording should ZERO
the tape counter. Then, write down the beginning and ending counter numbers for each
attempt.
Example: Master Audio Record Machine Counter Numbers
Take l - Begin 000 End 123
Take 2 - Begin 124 End 249