Final Digi V Flashcards
(151 cards)
1
Q
Who is credited with developing the first practical sound recording device? What was this device called?
A
Thomas Edison
The phonograph
2
Q
How did the first sound recording and sound reproduction systems work?
A
A horn funnels the sound into the diaphragm, this is attached to the stylus that cuts grooves.
As the cylinder spins the stylus cuts grooves into the cylinder
3
Q
What was the early motion picture camera developed by Edison called?
A
Kinetophone
4
Q
What is a Kinetophone?
A
A motion picture camera that had a phonograph inside.
A peephole allowed you to view the tape and an early set of headphones was put on, allowing you to see and hear.
5
Q
What was the first motion picture to receive a US copyright?
A
Fred Ots Sneeze
6
Q
When was the Silent Film era? Were the films actually silent (explain)?
A
1902 - 1926
The films had pit orchestras that the theaters would hire
The dialogue was captioned on the screen
7
Q
What was one of the most important electronic inventions in the 20th century?
A
The Vacuum tube, 1906
ushered in the era of electronic sound
8
Q
What was the first film to have an amplified soundtrack?
A
Don Juan
1926 contracted with AT&T
9
Q
Which film ushered in the era of the “talkies”?
A
The Jazz singers
1927
10
Q
Why is King Kong an important film in terms of sound design? When was the original King Kong released?
A
1933
This film is important because it is the first movie that used sound design.
11
Q
What were some of the technological developments related to the film Fantasia?
A
It is the first movie to use surround sound
And have timecode
pan pot
overdubbing
12
Q
What are some of the wide screen formats? When were these in use?
A
Cinemascope 4. Channel surround system
Cinerama 7-channel surround system
These were used to compete with color tv
Oklahoma
The robe
13
Q
What is Dolby A and Dolby SR? What are some films that used the Dolby SR?
A
Dolby A reduced tape hiss and an improved signal:noise ration
Dolby SR is the 2nd generation recording system
Robocop
And
Interspace
14
Q
What was the first film in Dolby Stereo?
A
A star is born
15
Q
What is Dolby stereo? How many channels are encoded in this format?
A
Left Center Right and surround
16
Q
What is Dolby Digital? How many channels does this format utilize?
A
L, C, R, LS, RS, LFE
5.1
17
Q
What was the first film in Dolby Digital?
A
Batman returns
5.1
18
Q
What is SDDS? How many channels does this format utilize?
A
SSDS stands for SONY DYNAMIC DIGITAL SOUND
8 channels 7.1
19
Q
What was the first film in SDDS?
A
Last Action Hero
20
Q
What is Dolby Surround 7.1? How many channels does this format utilize?
A
BACK Left surround, Left surround, Left, center, right, right surround, back right surround
21
Q
What was the first film in Dolby Surround 7.1?
A
Toy Story 3
22
Q
What is Dolby Atmos? When was it introduced?
A
2012
Dolby Atmos expands on the feeling of 3D sound everywhere around you.
23
Q
What was the first film in Dolby Atmos?
A
Brave by Pixar
24
Q
How many speaker channels are used in Dolby Atmos?
A
64
25
What categories of sonic elements are required in a sound for picture project (i.e. a movie)? Which of these elements are created during the production phase? Which are created during post-production?
Dialogue: production dialogue/post-production
SFX: Post production
music: post production
26
What is the sound captured on set called?
Production dialogue
27
What are some problems associated with sound captured on set?
Noise on set could be in the way of a clean recording
28
Why is sound important to a movie?
Sound conveys the mood/emotion of a scene
it can direct a scene in a specific direction.
Establishes the setting
It affects the image, enhances
Dialogue moves the plot
29
Why do so many low budget movies sound so bad?
This is because many producers don’t see it as a priority they are more focused on the picture and the visual elements than the sound.
30
What is the first step in post-production?
Dialogue redo
31
What is ADR? Why is it necessary?
Automated dialogue replacement
This is important because it allows for a clean dialogue to be recorded
32
What is another term for ADR?
Looping
33
Footsteps and prop sounds are known as _______.
Foley effects
Body movements as well
34
Describe the process of how Foley is recorded?
Foley is created on a foley stage
The foley walkers will watch the film and decide what sounds need to made for a scene
A Foley mixer records the activity
35
What is THX?
THX is a system that was put into place for theaters to play the music and audio exactly how they are supposed to sound, how the filmmakers intended
A set of standards movie theaters have to adhere to
36
What is source music? How is it different than the score?
Source music is part of within the film, the actors hear it.
While the score is not, it is not heard by the actors in the scene but it is heard by the audience
37
oley is comprised of three categories of sound. What are these three categories?
Footsteps, cloth momevemts and props
38
These sources of SFX for movies come from either sound libraries or from sound designer
Foley, background, hard sfx
39
Explain what critical listening entails. Why is this skill important when capturing sound on set?
This is important because you need to be able to listen to the world around you and the sound that is being recorded on set.
40
Explain the sound design technique of "worldizing".
Amplifying sound elements through a speaker in the real world then recording the sound as you playback. Like ramping
41
What is pre-lapping in the context of film editing?
This is when you can hear the sound of the scene that is up next before it begins
42
List the 5 steps involved in a film production and give examples of the work done during each step.
1. Development
2. Preproduction
3. Production
4. Post production
5. Distribution and archiving
43
Define what a synopsis is in the context of the film making process.
It happens in development, Synopsis is a 2-page description of what the movie is about
44
Define what a treatment is in the context of the filmmaking process.
This a 20 - 30 page narrative that defines the interests and key points of interests, Like the storyline, mood, and characters.
45
What is a screenplay?
A screenplay is at the end of the development state. At this stage, a screenwriter is hired, this screenwriter writes the dialogue and the descriptions of the actions on the set.
46
What does it mean if a film project receives a “green light”?
This means that it has been approved and has received funding from the studio/production company. Allowing it to move forward to the next step of production.
47
What are “dailies” in the context of the film making process?
Dailies are the assembled takes put together into a rough cut.
48
What is a “rough cut” and how does it differ from the “final dub”?
A rough cut is when the film and sound combine to create a rough mix.
The final dub is where all the sfx are put together with the the Final Cut of the film
49
What is Ben Burtt’s title?
Editor - sound designer
50
Which of the sound design components are addressed in this featurette?
Sound Recording
Sound design
ADR
Sound efx editing
Foley Recording
Alien language creation
Final mix
51
How do you restore old analog tape?
Heat It up
52
11) Would analog tape be a good archival medium? Why or why not?
Yes, because it is the nbest way to archive stuff
53
What is Matt Wood’s title?
Supervising sound editor
54
What are some of the supervising sound editor’s responsibilities?
Provide raw sound efxs
Work with editors to make sure all sound design is done
in charge of ADR
55
What is one of the criteria when field recording sound effects?
Look for something unique you have never heard before
56
What are ISDN lines? Give an example of their use?
ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network. This is a set of communication standards that can be used to make phone calls, video calls, and it can also transmit data
In the film they used isdn to send the audio which is encoded to sound/CD quality
57
What is Matt Wood’s definition of Foley? Describe the process of how Foley is recorded.
Sound effects that are to specific to be found in the library
58
How long (on average) does the final mix of a Star Wars movie take?
A month
59
What does the re-recording mixer do? Who were the re-recording mixers in this featurette?
Gary Rydstorm, Michael Semanic
60
1. LTC
longitudinal time code
has to be moving at 25% of normal transport time in order for it to be read. XLR or TRS analog cables
61
VTC
(Vertical time code) has to be recorded during the video can be read in slow mo. BNC connector
To sync we need a sync X (gives us 9pin control)
62
MTC( midi time code)
Hour:Min:Sec: Frames midi cable
63
Bi level
standard def
64
Tri lev
high Definition
65
Avid Mojo
9pin control: transmits time code, syncs up video
66
What is word clock used for?
Word clock is the clock signal that controls the sample rate of multiple digi audio devices . Does not contain audio
67
What is the rule of thumb when transferring audio digitally between devices?
Use a SPDIF cable. Make sure the clock source is set to spdif while transferring audio and that the machine receiving derives its clock source from the digital signal that is being received
The receiving device receives the clock from the incoming digital audio signal, which can be from SPDIF, AES, ADAT, MADI, etc.
68
What is jitter?
Jitter is timing errors in a digital clock signal
69
List three causes of jitter. (3 points)
- Can be caused by varying times in circuit paths from one device to another
- Poorly designed phased lock loops (PLL)
- Waveform distortion due mismatched impedance’s this in turn causes reflections which in turn causes destructive interference.
70
When is jitter most problematic, when recording or playing back digital audio? Explain. (2 points)
It is a larger problem when recording because click and pops that are recorded in the audio can not be fixed.
71
List the following digital audio transfer protocols by channel format.
2 channel (list two):
AES/EBU
SPDIF
72
List the following digital audio transfer protocols by channel format.
8 channel (list two):
Optical(lightpipe) ADAT
T/DIF
73
List the following digital audio transfer protocols by channel format.
More than 8 channels
MADI
74
What is timecode synchronization?
Time code synchronization is a system that makes audio and video recording align correctly
75
What does the acronym SMPTE stand for?
the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
Positional reference
76
What are the two concepts that need to be independently addressed in order for synchronization to happen?
Positional reference - Where are we?
LTC
VITC
MTC
Clock reference - How fast are we going ?
Word clock,
black burst, '
midi beat clock
77
Clock reference - How fast are we going ?
Word clock, black burst, midi beat clock
78
What is an example of a common clock source used for midi production?
MIDI beat clock
79
What is an example of a clock source used for digital audio devices?
SMPTE
80
What is an example of positional reference?
SmPTE
81
What do LTC and VITC stand for? What is the difference between the two? (4 points)
Longitudinal time code - time code recorded onto analog track cannot be read at slow speeds
Vertical interval time code - recorded onto video tape, this can be read at stop speed/shuttle speeds
82
What is a synchronizer used for?
A synchronizer is primarily used to synchronize tape based systems
It provides a stable clock source for Analog and video tape recorde
83
What is a black burst generator? How is it used in a post-production studio? (2 points)
A black burst generator produces a timing reference that is used as a clock source for video
Works with analog and digital devices
In a post-production, a black burst generator serves as clock source for pro tools daw. Or as master clock of entire system.
84
What is the name of the port on the Avid SYNC peripheral (Sync X or Sync HD) that is used to connect black burst or house sync?
Vid reference in
85
What is the name of the port on the Avid SYNC peripheral (Sync X or Sync HD) that would be used to distribute a common clock to multiple HD‐series audio interfaces?
Loop sync
86
List the most commonly used timecode frame rates for each of the following: PAL, NTSC, Film. (3 points)
PAL: 25
NTSC: 30 or 29.97
Film: 24
87
When changing the Session Start time, what happens to existing audio in your session when you choose the option Maintain Relative Position? What happens when you choose the Maintain Timecode option? (2 points)
- Maintain relative position applies global offset to the clip s in the session
- maintain time code will cause the clips to move on the the time line when you change the session start time
88
what is the telecine process
Th telecine process is transferring a film to colored video tape
89
List two ways you can change the clock source in Pro Tools. (2 points)
Session Setup window > select clock source > drop down menu
Setup> hardware setup > clock source > select option
90
Which location options are available in the Video Import Options window?
Session start
Song start
Spot
Selection
Original time stamp (avid video only)
91
What is the quick key to put Pro Tools online?
Command J
92
What is the difference between media files and sequence files? Give two examples of media file formats. Give two examples of sequence files.
Media files are raw audio or video, can be seen to hear
Sequence files are files, like ptx files.
93
What is metadata? What are 5 examples of types of metadata information?
Metadata is the information contained within a media file
Ex, scene #, sample rate, clip names, bit depth, frame rate.
94
What is the purpose of AAF/OMFI and MXF files?
These files allow you to move projects between different daws as well as
95
Describe what an AAF file is.
Advanced Authoring Format
An AAF file is a sequence-only file.
It does not contain media.
This file knows where all the media will go in the session but does not contain media
96
Describe what an OMFI file is.
Open media file interchange
Is both sequence and media.
97
Describe what an MXF file is.
Media exchange format
Contains only media
You can use with AAF files but not OMFs
98
Describe the difference between an AAF with embedded media vs. an AAF with linked media.
An AFF file with embedded media results in a large file that has all the media files and metadata
A AFF with linked media will result in a file(one) that contains all the metadata and all the media files go into separate files.
99
Give a scenario where an AAF with linked media would be preferred over an AAF with embedded media.
In a work environment where a common server is shared that different editors can access, this allows them to take much smaller files and work art a faster pace
100
What happens after you open an AAF file in Pro Tools?
Will create a new session
And automatically opens import track session window
101
What are some of the import options available when importing an AAF into a pre-existing Pro Tools session?
Import session data command, open s new session or import into current
\
102
Describe how to export a Pro Tools session as an AAF file.
You can go to file > export selected tracks as NEW AFF FILE
103
What does the audio media option, Consolidate Handle Size (Milliseconds) do? Why is it a good idea to leave this set to one second?
This feature lets you keep a portion of the original audio at the beginning and end of each clip. Its best to leave at one second so that the edits don’t sound unnatural
104
Why is the Quantize Edits to Frame Boundaries option necessary?
This option is necessary so that when you edit a video, the frame lines up in the timeline and is accurate
105
1) Which types of microphones are used in about 90% of sound for picture recordings?
Shotgun/hyper cardioid, cardio, lavalier
106
What types of microphone accessories are necessary for capturing sound on set?
Microphone mount
Zeppelin
Windsock
Boom pole
107
Which types of microphones can be hidden in an actor’s clothing?
Lavalier microphone
108
What are impedance matching devices used for on set?
Used for interfacing pro to consumer gear.
A powered impedance-matching device provides a better result.
Useful for dubbing setups
109
6 links in sound chain
sound
Microphone
cables accessories
mixer routing
recording medium
monitoring/playback
110
What is the fourth link in the chain for location sound recording? What benefits are associated with this link?
The fourth link is Mixing and routing devices.
This link is important because it can make the difference between a quality recording/sound or not quality sound
111
What is “dual system sound” in regards to location recording?
Dual system is recording audio separately from video during filming
It does offer better audio quality but requires ALOT more work
112
Who are the main crewmembers in a location audio crew?
Mixer,
Boom operator
Utility person
113
What are the main responsibilities of the location audio crew?
In charge of equipment, crew, and all requirements needed for the shot
114
Why are reverberant spaces a concern of location audio recording?
Because reverent spaces can affect the effect of the setting, it can lead to hollow sounding recordings as well.
115
Who determines the sample rate and bit depth settings for a shoot?
Location recordist documents
116
What is metadata? Give three examples of important metadata from a production sound recording.
Data about data
Artist name, song title, character name, take, scene name,
117
Location sound crew
Mixer
Boom operator
Utility
118
Sound effects crew
Supervising sound editor
sound designer
- re recoding mixer
119
Connector that uses a BNC and allows you to sync to black burst or bi lvl/tri lvl sync is
Video ref
120
Track lay techniques
Checkerboarding - split each character dialogue into each track
Split track - all character track on one track (boom mic and lavalier mic)
121
Strip silence
Strip - removes noice below threshold
Extract - extracts below threshold removes above threshold
Separate - makes clips at threshold
Quick Key - command+ U
122
locking clips
time lock - control option L. can't move clip but it can be EDITED
Edit lock - Command L, is filled in can be edited or anything
123
Pencil tool
Destructive tool
consolidate clip before doing this
-there is an issue when an MXF file attempts to be edited,
124
Auditioning loop recorded takes
preferences: automatically create new playlist when loop recording
quick key : use selector tool, select clip command click.
only works on Audio
125
what does pencil tool greyed out means?
it is referencing an MXF file, consolidate clip to edit with pencil tool.
126
Clip rating
control option command + number on number pad
127
creating a sync point
command + comma
128
Fit to marks
TCE : edit to timeline selection
quick key is option shift U
to make the selection command shift p in timeline
129
AVID PRE communication protocol
MIDI, Use with aux track
130
Foley recording considerations
Acoustic considerations: dead, no early reflections, sound proofed
mic types: Neumann U87, Neumann k184
Criteria for mics: detailed, transparent , low self noise
criteria for mic preamps : transparent , low self noise, and plenty of gain
131
Down mixing
take a multichannel surround mix and combine the channels to create A mix that is compatible with formats that have less channels.
132
Lt Rt Mix
(Left-Total/Right-Total)
A two Channel mix, stereo compatible, that can still be used as surround with the proper decoder ie, dolby Pro logic or Dolby stereo
If its played through a system that is only stereo the surround will be left and right instead.
133
Lo Ro Mix
(Left-Only/Right-Only)
A two channel mix, stereo compatible, that won’t produce a surround format.
134
M & E Mix
An M&E mix is a mix of music and efx, no dialogue.
The purpose of this mix is to allow the mix of a TV/film project to a foreign market to make it easier for the film to be overdubbed in a different language.
135
D & E mix
What is the purpose of a D & E mix?
This is a mix of dialogue and efx. This is made for the purpose of re-versioning with different music. Done for foreign markets where music licensing may be a problem due to legal issues.
136
Pre mix
To mix and and combine tracks with similar elements to make the mix more simplified.
This has become part of the session layout because new dubbing systems can run very large sessions
137
Stems
Finished sub mixed summed channels of audio that can be monitored separately and later combined to represent the final post production audio mix
138
Dub Stage
The room or studio in which Final mixes and sometimes premixes as well are recorded
139
Re- recording mixer(dubbing mixer)
takes final products and rerecords
140
Dolby E
Data compressed format, encodes 5.1 mix onto stereo pair of AES Digital signals. Used to carry multichannel audio over existing two channel cabling and equipment. requires dedicated encoder. Cat be listened to without decoding
141
Mirror outputs in protools
Hold control, asking output or send to multiple pathways
142
levels for dialogue
-23 to - 27
143
LUFS meters
Loudness units full scale, developed during CALM laws
144
pro tools automation
Command 4
To coalesce trim automation you can set to do it after every pass in preferences.
To manually coalesce, go to track menu and select coalesce trim
145
5.1 surround speaker setup
The center speaker found under center of screen
sub to the left of center speaker.
The L and R speakers are angled 30 degrees on either side of the center speaker. 60 degrees total Left to right. the Ls and Rs are angled 110 degrees on either side across from the center speaker.
146
What loudness level are the speakers calibrated to for film mixing? For TV mixing?
Film: 85 dBC
TV: 79 dBC
147
loudness calibration
Need a C graded SPL metered. Pink noise, -20dbfs. You want a reading of 85 dB SPL.
surround speakers to 82
148
Bass Management
requires an rta to calibrate.
Most consumer systems use five small satellite speakers, with a sub for lows. This system redirects the lows and sends them to the sub.
149
When recording a mix, should bass
management be turned on or off? Why or why not?
Yes, it should be disabled.
bass management calibrates your speakers so they react like a home theater system. Only for the rooms monitor path should not be a part of the mix
150
SMPTE film mixing calibration level standard
- -20dBFS = 0VU = 85 dB C weighted SPL
151
