Single Camera Video - Recording

Tips

• 👏 visually clap (slate) three times to assist in later synching audio and video

• use a tripod (holding the camera with your hand is too shaky)

• use only optical zoom (don’t use digital zoom)

• never stop recording on the camera or external audio recorder so you just have to sync the two once

Camera settings:

• format the SD card (erases all data) - explained here in the Sony a6400 manual

• 24fps (frames per second) will look more film-like (motion blur)

  • set the Record Setting to 24p 50M - explained here in the Sony a6400 manual

  • set File Format to XAVC S HD (this will record 1080p video rather than 4k for smaller file sizes that will be easier to edit) - explained here in the Sony a6400 manual

• custom white balance or use a preset (such as “tungsten”) - explained here in the Sony a6000 manual

External Audio Recorder Settings:

• format the SD card (erases all data)

• uncompressed/lossless file type (AIFF, WAV)

• sample rate = 48kHz (to match the camera's sample rate)

• bit depth = 24-bit

• use ORTF stereo microphone setup

• Tips for the Zoom Fn8 (manual)

  • format the SD card (manual page 177)

    • MENU > SD CARD > Format

  • set the SD card to record separate tracks (manual page 25)

    • MENU > REC > Rec to SD1 > Track1-8 (Mono/Stereo WAV)

  • set the track knobs to adjust trim (preamp) rather than fader (mixing a L/R mix) (manual page 73)

    • MENU > SYSTEM > Track Knob Option > Trim

  • setup Trim Link for stereo recording so both mics have the exact same level (manual page 97)

    • MENU > INPUT > Trim Link

  • save battery by disabling outputs (manual page 114)