what you need for audiopostproduction?

[datafeist]

Hi,

What are the basic tools you need to do some decent audiopostproduction?

Thanks

[charles maynes]

you will receive many answers on that- some will not be very helpful-

The gear requirements are varied, and will be defined by your location, the sort of work you expect to do (editing vs mixing) and a whole bunch of other variables-

the best thing to do is scan through the postings here to get a feel about what others use.

[Rick Sanchez]

Originally Posted by datafeist

Hi,

What are the basic tools you need to do some decent audiopostproduction?

Thanks

Equipment wise, just go through the forum and see what other people who do what you hope to do are using.

Most importantly, the patience of Buddha, the ability to listen and bite your tongue, a healthy imagination and a burning desire to keep learning new things.

[FullFrequency]

Originally Posted by Rick Sanchez

the ability to listen and bite your tongue, a

Do any of us actually have a tongue to bite any more? i'm down to just a stub

FF

[AdamJ]

an understanding of eq and noise
good headphones
good speakers
a DAW like protools or Logic pro on a computer
soundsoap by bias

[Left Coast]

experience.. experience.. experience..

[BillBoy]

You can't get any experience without getting something to work on!

[PoxyMusic]

Originally Posted by datafeist

What are the basic tools you need to do some decent audiopostproduction?

What's your budget?

[Uncle Bob]

A fairly powerful computer.

A solid DAW platform.

A solid audio interface.

Nice speakers.

A video monitor.

A quiet, treated room.

This will allow you to edit.


If you want to do sound FX work you will need a sound FX library (ever growing), a soft synth and/or a soft sampler or two plus a few other noise toys (your choice). If you really want to get into it a small mic collection and a field recorder/mixer.

For ADR/VO work a separate medium-sized, sonically isolated, acoustically treated room and a few nice mics.

For Foley work a separate fairly large sonically isolated, acoustically treated room, a few nice mics and an ever growing collection of props.

(Obviously the ADR/Foley room can be the same room.)

For rerecording work you do the best you can in your own control room or go to a certified dubbing facility.


You also need to be a creative problem solver, be a diplomat, have the patience of half a dozen saints and the thick skin of a rhinoceros.

[Left Coast]

Originally Posted by BillBoy

You can't get any experience without getting something to work on!

I agree, and that is why you need to start out as an assistant, or at some capacity where you can learn and gain experience.

experience is multi-layered like an onion.

experience is the most important tool in your toolbox.

[soundfx]

Working ears. Good new Apple computer. Pro Tools. 10K at least worth of SFX files. Great monitors (10K). 50K worth of plug-ins at the least. Mouse. Internet. Good room to mix in. That's all bare minimum.

[nucelar]

... and clients.

Although I wouldn't call them tools, at least not in front of them

[Jfriah]

All of the above, yes.
Read posts, yes.

Computer.
Speakers/headphones depending what you wish to do first.
Software.
Ears unaffected by past damage, preferably.
Psychology degree.
Clairvoyance.
Omnipotence.
Sense of humour...
Friends who can give you something to work on as you begin to get experience.
Friends to hang out with and 'observe/train under'.
Training.
Be familiar with the style/genre you are trying to work in.
Luck.
Clients. (hah--good train of thought, Nucelar!)

Jeff

[tom_lowe]

Originally Posted by soundfx

10K at least worth of SFX files. 50K worth of plug-ins at the least.

Where are you getting that from?! Lots and lots of people work in professional post without $50K worth of plug-ins, I agree sound effects are important, but again, you can work with less than that.

As for a recent Mac and Pro Tools - well a Windows PC will do just as good, as long as it's not off the shelf, and lots and lots of people are very successful with Nuendo, Pyramix and others.

[BillBoy]

Originally Posted by Left Coast

.

experience is multi-layered like an onion.

.

I like this, and yes it is good to start assisting or in a job but you can gain experience with your own setup. Although you cant get the 'dealing with clients' experience which, at least in what I do, is just as important as the actual engineering!

and 50k of plugins?!? Thats a bit far, but of course all depends on what type of post you are actually doing.

[Whitecat]

Are there even $50k worth of plug-ins out there, assuming you bought the top-level bundles of everything that everyone makes?

[soundfx]

I think I was on crack when I wrote that. Perhaps a slight exaggeration.

[jozzafunk]

You think you were on crack??

+1 Clairvoyance

+ A significant other with a full-time job, at least for the first couple of years.

[Modo]

What monitors and headphones have you all had success with in the post world?

[Jfriah]

-you also need to have a metabolism where you can work through periods without eating when the clients want to work through meals and the mixer can't really eat since your hands are 'full' already...


Fave meal orders to eat without using your hands?

[Liam Judah]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

A fairly powerful computer.

A solid DAW platform.

A solid audio interface.

Nice speakers.

A video monitor.

A quiet, treated room.

This will allow you to edit.


If you want to do sound FX work you will need a sound FX library (ever growing), a soft synth and/or a soft sampler or two plus a few other noise toys (your choice). If you really want to get into it a small mic collection and a field recorder/mixer.

For ADR/VO work a separate medium-sized, sonically isolated, acoustically treated room and a few nice mics.

For Foley work a separate fairly large sonically isolated, acoustically treated room, a few nice mics and an ever growing collection of props.

(Obviously the ADR/Foley room can be the same room.)

For rerecording work you do the best you can in your own control room or go to a certified dubbing facility.


You also need to be a creative problem solver, be a diplomat, have the patience of half a dozen saints and the thick skin of a rhinoceros.

Pretty solid, and straight forward answer. Thanks to the OP for the question, and cheers to you for the answer.

[007]

Originally Posted by soundfx

Working ears. Good new Apple computer. Pro Tools. 10K at least worth of SFX files. Great monitors (10K). 50K worth of plug-ins at the least. Mouse. Internet. Good room to mix in. That's all bare minimum.

While I think that is certainly a luscious arsenal to have at your disposal, I'm not sure I agree with it being a 'bare minimum'. The OP didn't really elaborate on what level of post-production, perhaps he implied 'what does one need to start out with'? I've heard some amazing audio post done on a fraction of that, and no ProTools in sight. If we're talking "I want to compete with the big boys in Hollywood", then yes, you're onto something, although on crack or not, as you said, the numbers are still a bit, umm... exaggerated.

[Player1]

You better make sure you have the "tools" to get clients! All of the rest of that means nothing without clients. Know your market and collect the marketing tools to get the clients a long with knowing how to use the hardware as it applies to lock to pic.

[Sonsey@mac.com]

I've said it before, I'll say it again...

Two ears, one brain... everything else is based on that. Audio Post existed LOOONG before ProTools, Plug-ins and Computers (although I really don't want to give up any of those...).

[Jfriah]

Originally Posted by Sonsey@mac.com

I've said it before, I'll say it again...

Two ears, one brain... everything else is based on that. Audio Post existed LOOONG before ProTools, Plug-ins and Computers (although I really don't want to give up any of those...).

On a day like today where I'm just packing it in, Howard. I'll debate you to the grave on that one... give me mag and sprockets and roll-back...

Something to be said for 'forced' breaks.

Jeff

[Sonsey@mac.com]

OK Jeff, we can debate that whilst stuck in our respective snowstorms!

My point was that too many post-production folks starting out focus entirely too much on the TOOLS, as opposed to learning the TECHNIQUES. A good set of tools is nice, but it shouldn't be what defines your post-production ability. Good technique allows you to work with whatever tools you have at your disposal.