3. Single Camera Video Recording

Requirements

  • Summary:

    • Record yourself playing an instrument with a camera + external audio recorder, edit the recording so the video uses the external audio recording (not the camera's audio), post to Youtube, and embed in your website.

  • Detailed Requirements:

    • this should model audition videos ... so take the time to create a minimalist setting/backdrop and be professional

    • video recorder = Sony mirrorless camera + tripod (Baylor gear)

    • audio recorder = Zoom recorder + Rode mics in ORTF stereo setup on mic stand (Baylor gear)

    • minimum length = 1min

    • Edit using Davinci Resolve

      • sync audio and video

      • set levels to -14LUFS and -1TP

      • fade in from black at the beginning

      • fade out to black at the end

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:

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)

Video Editing (in Crouch Music Lab)

  1. open DaVinci Resolve (free software from Blackmagic Design)

  2. create a new project

  3. click on the "Edit" tab at the bottom if the screen

Auto Sync Audio (here's a tutorial)

  1. drag your video file and your audio file into the media pool

    • if asked, change the project to match the frame rate of the media

  2. select both files (video and audio)

  3. right click on the files and choose "Auto Sync Audio > Based on Waveform"

  4. drag the video file (only) onto the timeline (which should include the new [superior] audio file)

Conduct further editing

  1. use Blade Edit Tool (press "b") to split track where you want the video to begin and end

    • slice the track where you want the video to begin

    • use the Selection Tool (press "a") to select the part you want to delete (from beginning to where you just sliced)

    • hold down Shift and press delete

    • use Blade Edit Tool to cut off the end of the video as well, select it and delete it

  2. fade in from black and fade out to black

    • choose the Effect Library tab at the top

    • under Toolbox, choose Video Transitions

    • drag the "Dip to Color Dissolve" to the beginning and end of your video

    • select the transition that you just added (on the video track) and change color from white to black on the settings in the right sidebar (you may have to select the "inspector" tab)

Get Audio Loudness Set (-14LUFS and -1TP)

  1. watch this video = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyWFLS4VWvA

    • File > Project Settings > Fairlight > Audio Metering > Target Loudness Level = -14 LUFS

    • set "Loudness Meter" to show -14 at top by clicking on three dots (...) and choosing = absolute level

    • True Peak can be seen on the Control Room meter (you cannot set it to anything, you just need to keep it below -1.0TP)

Render the video

  1. Choose the "Deliver" tab at the bottom

  2. Choose the settings for Youtube

  3. add to queue

  4. render

  5. upload to Youtube

  6. embed in your Wordpress site on the MUS1331 page

Saving Resolve Projects

When you work with Resolve on your own computer, you can just click "save" and your projects get saved in a database on your own computer.

BUT, if you work on a Resolve project in a university lab or on someone else's computer, you'll want to save it in a way you can open it again on another computer ... and you'll want all the media to stay with the project!

Export Project Archive ...

  1. File > Project Manager ...

  2. right click on the project you want to export and choose "Export Project Archive ..."

  3. choose where you want it saved

  4. when asked, make sure you put a checkmark on "Media Files" for options of what you want to include in the archive

  5. if you want to then upload the archive to Box, I suggest you right click on the archive folder and compress it to a zip file

  6. when you are ready to work on the project again, download the zip file, unzip it, and double click on the project file in the folder (a file with the extension .drp)

Last updated