The Imagination Factory Newsletter, Spring 2005
What's
In This Issue
NewTech
1.
The Big Rig – Our new combination Audio/ Video Assist Rig
2. The Studio – Our new studio designed specifically for Post Production
3. New Lav Mounts – New gadgets for mounting and hiding lav mics
4. Rycote Lav Tape – Advances in more traditional methods of mounting
and hiding lav mics
5. New Website – We’ve completely changed our website. Browse around...
6. New Sound Effects – We’ve now added over 2,000 new sounds to
our Effects Library
7. New mic-ing techniques – New uses of noise-floor modeling are offering
some promising ways to get rid of background noise
Recent News
1.
Awards: We’ve just won some new awards
2. If anyone needs sound blankets, they’re selling them at Harbor Freight
for $3.99 (furniture pads).
The Big
Rig The Big Rig is equipped with a 15" LCD Monitor (with S-Video, Composite and Component Inputs). There are 3 available Channels for up to a 3-camera shoot + 2 audio ins for separate audio feeds). Accompanying the Monitor is a DVD-Recorder Unit for easy cueing of playback and a high-resolution back-up/ quick dailies review disc. Since audio is right beside assist, you get a direct feed from the mixer (Wireless Video Feed Is Available as are Wireless Headphones for Clients). And, with the Battery-Powered Speaker System, Playback sounds like a portable studio. Keep in mind that the DVD-Recorder has multiple outputs for multiple monitors (and/or our monitor can be moved as well). With S-Video In and Line Audio In, your DVD is a great back-up if, God forbid, everything else fails (and of course, it's an additional back-up for us, too). We've also got a 5" battery-powered Sony monitor (not shown) if AC Power isn't available. If you would like for us to handle your video assist just add $200 for our services and you've got audio and video assist in one, neat package (For video assist only the price is $300/day). |
The Factory Studio Has Re-Opened
And it's 60% bigger and 83% better than ever before. Re-designed specifically for Post-Production Work, the Studio sounds fantastic (and has 44% more comfort than before [including the "Comfy Chair" and a bean bag]). Client monitoring is greatly enhanced as is space to move around, including a big comfy couch and a separate feed to the Lobby. Call or e-mail us for a map and directions...
Control Room A
pano-Resized.jpg)
New
Lav Mounts
We’re
forever battling lavaliers in our profession. In theory they should never
work at all… much less hidden under clothing… but sometimes
they’re just a necessary evil. So, in an effort to figure out new
ways to use them with acceptable results, I’ve been making a few
new mounts to keep the mics in or near plain view without being detected.
Below are a few pictures… |
Rycote
lav tape We’ve been using mole skin, surgical tape, corn covers and a variety of other lav mounts/covers for years. With some new techniques we’ve had a lot of success over the last year or two in dealing with some of the toughest lav hiding scenarios possible. This has always been the scourge of the industry, driving the top soundmen in the world crazy and yet there has not been a real focus on fixing the problem (maybe because no one could figure out how). Though new techniques have helped minimize and, many times, alleviate the problem, there are certain things (such as a low talker with highly conductive clothing rubbing against itself) that we’re all still baffled by. However, Rycote has come out with a few innovative new approaches to mounting (and guarding) the mic. We’ve got some on order and ready to put on the test table. We’ll let you know how it comes out. |
New Additions to the Sound Effects Library We've added over 2,000 new sounds to our Sound Effects Library (No, it's not 2,000 versions of a kid crying). We'll be uploading some onto our FTP site (Located on the Website under "Client Downloads" [Password: zilla]) for your review. |
New
mic-ing techniques
We’re
currently looking at some very innovative new ways to minimize (and even
alleviate) background noise. There are studies under way and software
in various stages of development that will allow us to remove even highly
variable noise floors; even those that are completely on-axis. By using
noise-floor modeling we may soon be able to record a voice-over in the
median of a highway with almost studio-like ambient noise levels. We’re
also looking at a variety of other new techniques and technologies used
in forensic audio restoration to further enhance the clean up of location
audio. More to come… |
The Imagination Factory receives 3 National Awards The 2004 Aurora Awards were recently announced and The Imagination Factory hit 100%, winning with all 3 of their entries, including 2 Gold Awards for Sound Design and The Platinum Best of Show for Original Music. |
