Archive for category Equipment

Removing Audio Problems Part 2: Removing Hiss

Jul 29

Posted by Adam in Equipment, Technology, Tools, Tutorials | 1 Comment

Recently, I posted an article about the basics of removing audio problems, and the limitations that you face right out of the box when you go to fix some nasty audio. This time around, we are going to talk about removing a very specific type of audio problem: hiss.

What is Hiss?

Not to be confused with hum, hiss is a persistant noise on a recording that sounds like … well … hiss. Turn the sound up loud enough and you will almost always here some on your recording. A low levels, it isn’t much of a problem.

The problem is when you have hiss on a recording that is distracting – say from a bad microphone or from turning up low dialogue. You could also be trying to restore an old recording that has hiss on it. Wherever it comes from, however, it’s annoying and needs to be destroyed.

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Professional Contribution: Make-Up for DiY Filmmaking

Mar 7

Posted by DiY Filmmaking in Equipment, Expendables, Tutorials | No Comments

In an attempt to provide you with a wide variety of do-it-yourself filmmaking information, we here at DiY Filmmaking will often try to convince professionals in various filmmaking fields to write an article that will somehow teach you how to do things as good as them. Make-up artist Valerie Stanley is the first person to attempt this nearly impossible task. After you read her post, check out her website.

Editing Happiness is a Wacom Tablet

Mar 2

Posted by Adam in Equipment, Reviews | No Comments

I often seems to me like there are two types of editing software users: the key peckers and the touchers.

If you are a key pecker you know who you are. You love editing almost entirely by key commands, and probably started on an Avid system. Key in and out points, key into the timeline – key everything. Key peckers see the video timeline and see something that is manipulated with keystrokes point by point.

But then there are the touchers, and I have to say I’m in this group. These are the ones who see a timeline and want to move it around and re-arrange the elements via a visual interface. The timeline is something fluid, and although there are some key commands involved with the left hand, the right hand is all about the motion.

My question is though: why are all of you touchers still using a mouse?

Wacom Tablet Pen

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Equipment Basics: Cable Connector Types Guide

Feb 26

Posted by Adam in Equipment, Video Accessories | 2 Comments

Cables – they connect stuff. Most people know about the basic cable types from connecting their DVD player, but any do-it-yourself filmmaker should be able to confront any video connector without saying “I have no idea what that is. Hold me”.

Note: these are separated by connector type, not the signal. For example, a YPbPr signal can be carried by (among other things) three RCA connectors or three BNC connectors. We’ll get into that in a different article.

BNC Connector

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11 Things Every DiY Filmmaker Should Have in Their Camera Bag

Feb 19

Posted by Adam in Equipment, Expendables, Video Accessories | No Comments

Always be prepared, right? That motto is a good idea, but when dealing with things like going out on a shoot, you can’t be prepared for everything, but you can have a well-stocked bag of tricks that can make your ride a little smoother. Here’s our list of the top 11 (in no particular order):

Bag Items

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The Tripod Chronicles: Volume 1

Feb 13

Posted by Doug in Equipment, Video Accessories | No Comments

Do I Really Need a Tripod? The short answer is yes. The long answer is absolutely. A tripod’s importance to your shoot, especially as a do-it-yourself filmmaker, fits right behind making sure the lens-cap is off. A do it yourself filmmaker can achieve so much more with a tripod than without one. In some cases, [...]

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Why Gaffers Tape is Your Best Tape-Like Friend

Feb 10

Posted by Adam in Equipment, Expendables | 2 Comments

Taping things down is one of those things you never think about before a shoot but almost always end up doing a lot of once you’re there. Taping cords down over doorways so the elderly don’t trip over them, taping falling props up, and taping boom poles to animals to make them crew members are a few examples of times when something sticky comes in handy.

Many people on a shoot automatically reach for duct tape in these situations. It’s a household item that is available at practically every general purpose store, and it’s cheap. But pull out a roll of duct tape in front of a pro and they’ll be horrified. Why? Duct tape is the worst thing you can use on a film shoot, and there is a better alternative: gaffers tape.

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The internet is chock full of how to guides for doing pretty much anything you can think of to make films on a budget. DiY Filmmaking is a blog that brings you the best and the worst of all that, plus great tips, tutorials, and guides of our own.

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