Two tracks,one source - which one should I pick ?

[Drorsh4]

Hey,

This is a very popular. We have 2 tracks (PT) from 2 different mics from the same source and location.
one mic sounds fuller, warm with more beefy touch to it but it also noisy and hissy. The second track have a very weak and thin response buton the other hand, this track is much cleaner and smooth.

Should i go on the rich and noisy where i'll need EQ's and NR ? or maybe i should go on the cleaner and weaker and just amplify it as hell?

Thank you..

[tribeofenki]

Use the 2nd with some aid from the low freq. of the first

[Cuchillito]

i suffered that same dilema over and over the years working for reality Tv shows here in argentina. In many cases the chief production manager, hires people with no experience at all in location sound (at least, please hire a couple of experienced guys and a couple with no experience to work and learn at the same time, but no...) or even worse, they rent very cheap equipment, in order to save money...
I would try first with the clean and poor level track. Just amplify to the necesary and use some X noise to clean it. With a little help of some EQ low pass, to limitate even more the hissss. Then if it doesnt work, expend more time trying to adjust the other track with EQ´S.

hope it works !

[Lipflap]

Pay attention to what's going on with the picture, for there are times when the "better" mic is inappropriate for the image, story, character, etc. That aside, I fully agree with the other posts in saying that in general you want to pick the channel that gives you the most to work with. A robust but noisy track will probably give you more happiness than a quieter but deeply damaged track. If there's nothing to work with, there's nothing to work with.

[charles maynes]

that is a very sketchy question- if you are preparing the tracks for a mixer, You should carry both, in sync, and allow them to choose-

If YOU are mixing the track, the typical goal will to be to have as smooth of a track as is possible- you might have varying degrees of both channels running depending on camera angles and the like.

[PoR]

Well... How much work do you want to do? First track: open up two plug in windows. Second track: open up one plug in window.
I would choose the latter. After all, didn't "they" create DAWs to eliminate any need for expertise and knowledge of recording sound?

[Drorsh4]

Ok,
I decide it is better to use both. The full, strong but noisy one just feels more natural according the picture in 95% of the shots. the 2nd one feels more like some kind of early reflections carrier, so on some shots it will work with the 1st track. there are some shots where the 2nd mic is better for the shot.

Thank you all.

[Cuchillito]

Originally Posted by PoR

Well... How much work do you want to do? First track: open up two plug in windows. Second track: open up one plug in window.
I would choose the latter. After all, didn't "they" create DAWs to eliminate any need for expertise and knowledge of recording sound?

I think that soundpost, is created to enhance audio possibilites. Not, to be cheap in location, make mistakes, dont care about audio, and then work with post. You can improve a lousy location audio, but if you have a professional and nice audio source, is so much better for the product, and of course, to the industry. There are so many elements of the mix that you can work and improve, not just the Dx. But if you have a lousy DX, maybe you dont have time to work your magic in the other elements of the final mix.

[Bill@AudioVision]

Sounds like a typical boom/lav setup. I prefer the boom IF it works with the camera angle or perspective. I'm not a big fan of lavs as many get buried under clothes which kills the topend and can add rustle noise. Avoid fighting impact noises vs constant noise. In other words, the boom might have a higher noise floor due to room ambience, but it could be easier to clean up. Pick your battles, but go with the overall cleaner track. Also, decide as late as possible. Wait if possible, until all other elements are in place (music, FX, ADR if needed) to make the final call.