Recording screams at DVinfo.net

Jon Goodman · July 14th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Hi all,
I have a short film coming up. It's a parody of B grade horror films ( stalker and girls).
The director has mentioned, several times, that he wanted "lots of screams". I wonder if anyone here has any tips for recording screams? Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jon

David Beisner · July 14th, 2008, 06:08 AM

Just get you some girls, all ages, set up a couple mics, and have 'em start screaming.... maybe introduce some spiders or snakes or mice so the screams are more realistic!! :-)

Wayne Brissette · July 14th, 2008, 08:04 AM

Limit, limit, limit... You're going to have to make sure you use the limiter on your mixer or recorder. If it ends up anything like what I've done in the past where screams were part of the script, then people are talking right up to the point where they started screaming. With a limiter enabled, you should be able to keep the volume down so it doesn't start clipping.

You can also do the same thing with a compressor, if you have that available.

Wayne

Jon Goodman · July 14th, 2008, 08:15 AM

I don't have a compressor, but will enable the limiters on the mixer. I was considering using a dynamic mic, as I thought a condenser might be overloaded.
Cheers
Jon

David Beisner · July 14th, 2008, 09:14 AM

Yes! Limiter/Compressor is a must. And if you're going for close micing, then yes, definitely use a dynamic mic. If you're going for a wider micing with more ambient noise and natural reverb, then a condensor would be your best bet.

July 14th, 2008, 05:26 AM	#1
Jon Goodman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 74	Recording screams Hi all, I have a short film coming up. It's a parody of B grade horror films ( stalker and girls). The director has mentioned, several times, that he wanted "lots of screams". I wonder if anyone here has any tips for recording screams? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers Jon

July 14th, 2008, 06:08 AM	#2
David Beisner Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dayton, TN (USA) Posts: 219	Just get you some girls, all ages, set up a couple mics, and have 'em start screaming.... maybe introduce some spiders or snakes or mice so the screams are more realistic!! :-) __________________ David Beisner Media Specialist, Bryan College, Dayton, TN -- www.bryan.edu

July 14th, 2008, 08:04 AM	#3
Wayne Brissette Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 383	Limit, limit, limit... You're going to have to make sure you use the limiter on your mixer or recorder. If it ends up anything like what I've done in the past where screams were part of the script, then people are talking right up to the point where they started screaming. With a limiter enabled, you should be able to keep the volume down so it doesn't start clipping. You can also do the same thing with a compressor, if you have that available. Wayne __________________ Mics: KMR 82 i, NTG-1, MKH418S, MKH8040, SR77, QTC1, QTC40, SR30 Recorder: Zaxcom Deva 5.8 & MIX-12. Wireless: TRX900 stereo, Lectro 411

July 14th, 2008, 09:14 AM	#5
David Beisner Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dayton, TN (USA) Posts: 219	Yes! Limiter/Compressor is a must. And if you're going for close micing, then yes, definitely use a dynamic mic. If you're going for a wider micing with more ambient noise and natural reverb, then a condensor would be your best bet. __________________ David Beisner Media Specialist, Bryan College, Dayton, TN -- www.bryan.edu

July 14th, 2008, 08:15 AM	#4
Jon Goodman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 74	I don't have a compressor, but will enable the limiters on the mixer. I was considering using a dynamic mic, as I thought a condenser might be overloaded. Cheers Jon