How to add sound to amateur films (1954)

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1 . It is evident that you can reduce the playback level of the projector noise by turning down the volume while you are recording. Equally, you can preserve the playback level of your commentary by raising your voice during recording. Provided the recording level indicator is just flashing in both cases, you will record your voice at the same level, but reduce the projector noise. Unfortunately you cannot extend this principle very far. Quite independently of volume level, it is easy to tell whether a commentary has been shouted or merely spoken. In most cases a shouted commentary is inappropriate. So use a loud clear voice, but do not shout. 2. By speaking closer to the microphone, you can again record your voice louder relative to the projector noise. In doing this, however, you will record a preponderance of the low frequencies in your voice. Consequently the recording sounds "boomy" on playback, particularly at high volumes. You can correct this to some extent by manipulation of the tone control — preferably during recording. When you speak close to the microphone, the distance at which you speak becomes very critical. Speaking at 18 inches from the microphone, you can move 6 inches either way with little effect on the sound. Speaking at 3 inches, however, you must move no more than 1 inch. You will find it difficult to keep your head sufficiently still in such circumstances, particularly when you want to look from script to screen at intervals. A partial solution lies in holding the microphone in your hand. You can easily learn to keep it at a constant distance from your lips. However, this practice usually introduces all sorts of handling noises — rustles and thumps at every movement. The best compromise is to mount the microphone on a separate table or chair back and speak from a distance of about 6 to 9 inches. Take care not to touch the microphone support as this will spoil the recording with thumps. 3. Some microphones are directional, i.e., they are 98