Sound for Video Session: Sound Devices 633 Setup Basics
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- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
- If you're interested in learning how to record and post process dialogue sound for video, please look at my courses available at school.learnlightandsound.com
In this week's Sound for Video Session we walk through the basics of setting up your Sound Devices 633 for recording.
Links to gear we discussed or used to record this session:
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Sound Devices 633 Audio Mixer/Recorder - my main pro-level recorder
DVeStore: bit.ly/2tEHGRa
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Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone - I wanted to record this session with a dynamic microphone because there was a lot of wind outdoors and some gremlins watching TV upstairs. I don’t love the sound of this mic for recordings like this, especially on my voice, but it is a reliable mic and good to have one in the kit.
Amazon: amzn.to/2v8qE0F
B&H: bhpho.to/2va9GNO
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Panasonic GH5 Camera - This session shot on the GH5
Amazon: amzn.to/2v8yO8U
B&H: bhpho.to/2vtqlOH
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Olympus 45mm f/1.8 Lens - This session shot with this lens
Amazon: amzn.to/2fiRe1q
B&H: bhpho.to/2jJDVEw
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Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.
*Corrections* (thanks to RallenMan and Scott Vanderbilt): knobs for channels 4 - 6 are faders, not trim as I said. False take does NOT delete the take, just moves them to the false take directory and sets the take number back one.
instablaster...
@@isaackase4762 ?
Fantastic Tutorial. What a time saver! Cheers
I'm glad you gave kudos to the SD manuals. I haul their paper manuals around with my kit, they are so well organized and written.
Thanks, so many manuals are useless today but those from SD are a clear exception.
thanks a lot, i will use it tomorrow for a short film sound recording, it really helps to be fluid on this :D
Great explained. Thank you.
Thanks!
Very useful tutorial. Thank you.
Thanks, Joseph.
thanks for saving my day!
👍 Happy recording!
Love these guides - I don't suppose you've got an 8 series tutorial in the works - the new folder structure and ability to set different mixes to various busses is a bit of a head scratcher. Best, craig
Thanks Craig. Sounds like a good idea to add to the list - thanks!
Excellent as always Curtis! Just a point about poly WAVs... Not all DAWs will accept polys - eg I use Mixcraft Pro 7 which doesn't. So I (or anyone else without a poly-compatible DAW) must either sacrifice the convenience of poly files or use some intermediary software such as SD's Wave Agent to convert the files to individual monos. First time I encountered polys (set by default in my then recorder) I was in a sweat as I'd recorded tracks on location for an album and didn't know how to retrieve them for mixing in post!
Thanks Mike, very much appreciate the insight. I had no idea that some DAWs didn't support poly wav files. Makes sense why that option is there now. :)
It is possible to create safety tracks on the 633 by using the X1 & X2 channels. Activate the PFL for a channel and select X1 or X2. Exit PFL. Use the Selector knob to select X1 or X2. Push down the Selector knob for 2 seconds and release. In the bottom right corner of the screen, orange dB numbers will be displayed for just a few seconds. When the numbers are orange you can twist the Selector knob to increase or decrease the dB level to create a safety track.
Excellent - thank you Michael!
Thanks for the great video, Curtis. Were can i get the screen protection for the 633? Would be got ti know
Hi Bullyma Black - mine came with the screen protector. You can also buy a replacement protector over at B&H: bhpho.to/2hnuzCy
(full disclosure - this is an affiliate link. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases)
Grrrrrrrrrr
Curtis, I had same issue (problem) with my MixPre6... I did a job today and recorded a great interview (Sound Device 633). When I checked playback everything was A-Okay, sounded great in headphones and have strong meters. I just WeTransfered the files to director. While they were on my desktop I played them through VLC and they are shockingly low in volume. In a sound app like Audacity, the meter is peaking between 18 to12 (lav) and 15 to 9 (boom). I have to crank the desktop speakers I order to hear comfortably, but my desktop has ok sound for things like RUclips. I'm not worried about the 633 files because there is plenty of head-room to adjust in edit. I'm not doing something right in the field, any thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Leo, is that -18 to -12dB? If so, you’ve got those exactly where they should be. Loudness normalization is a job for post where they can decide how loud the final piece needs to be and how much compression and limiting they want. You nailed it on the production end.
Leo Mahoney you probably got it by now but you should consider that the 0 in the meter (0dBU) equals -20dBFS. So you should aim for the RMS meter to be around it (above it means loud). If you peak at -18 dBFS (on Audacity) that’s way too low. Forget peaks, pay attention to RMS. Or just forget it all and get a LUFS meter.
Hello Curtis. Thanks so much for this great Video. This was actually one of the decision makers for me to purchase a 633 device. I really like your Videos. I have one question however. Now with the upcoming 4 Channel XLR Mics (Rode NT-SF1) how would I connect it to the 633 having only 3 x XLR? Do you think it would be possible to use a XLR to AES converter cable to use one of the AES channels to connect the 4th channel? How might affect this the 48V phantom power. Hopefully you could share some insights as I could not find anything around it so far. Thanks!
Hi Reiner, thanks for the question! I don't believe that the 633 is capable of supporting the 4 channel ambisonic microphones both in terms of number of inputs or encoding. While the first physical XLR supports two channel AES input, I don't believe that you can still use physical input 2 to get a total of 4 channels. Also, I don't believe that most of the ambisonic microphones support AES output. This is based on using AES output from my Audio Ltd. two channel wireless receiver into the 633. But you might check with Sound Devices support to confirm. Best wishes!
Thanks Curtis. I have contacted the support and it seems not to work. So I added a MixPre10-T as a backup device and if more XLR inputs are needed.
Hey Curtis,
I have a question about Outputs on the 633. Normally, I record on the SD Card and don’t really deal with the XLR Outputs on the 633. Thus having discreet audio for all sources instead of a Mix coming out of the 633. So, the other day I had an intense shoot requiring five lav’s going separately into my 633. I wanted a Mix of all coming out to the Left XLR. So, I could ride the levels and send just one XLR Out. I for the life of me couldn’t figure out how to do this. I was just getting Ch. 1 and Ch. 3 to the Left XLR. I was hearing all in my headphones. And the recording had them all on separate tracks. But, not all Mixed going to the L XLR. I read the manual and toyed around. Still can’t get it to work.
My normal workflow is Jam TC to all my sources and deal with everything in Post. Which, always works without fail. Just wanted to have this single Mix of everything going into the 633 Out on a single XLR. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Michael
I think I figured it out. I had my Pan Controls going Left on Ch. 1 and Right on Ch. 2. Making the Outputs going to the L XLR and Right XLR respectively. There is nothing worse than trying to diagnostics when you are under pressure. Luckily Record everything with TC Jammed.
Good catch! Yes, when under pressure, it's tough to get to the bottom of the issue as devices like the 633 are so rich/powerful.
How do you create a sound report when not using Wingman. Every time I try to do it, I get a “ no files detected “ I’ve done it in the past but forgot the steps. Any info would be much appreciated.
Curtis ! Nice job ! If i need to land a 747 and need to talk to some one i am calling you ! i will for sure check out your other videos
Haha! Thanks Gregg!
When would you want to record poly wav vs poly wav (ISO only)? Is it not better to always include a LR mix as well?
That’s completely up to those running the project. I’ve worked on a number of commercial and short narrative films where they ONLY wanted ISOs.
Hey Craig so I'm used to dbfs so these meters were weird to me where do I want my average levels to land and where do I want the peaks to land and at what point do I start clipping??? Thanks you're the best
Hi Bobby, these are dBu meters. I believe they clip at +24dBu or possibly +22dBu (I don't have the 633 any longer so I can't check for certain. You might contact SD support to confirm for sure.) Also note that the limiters are great on the 633. For scripted dialogue which doesn't have any big laughs, you can often push hotter than 0dBu. Otherwise 0dBu is safe and the preamps and converters on the 633 are really good so it isn't a problem to leave that amount of headroom.
@@curtisjudd I found that tone (default everything) from the SD633 gives me a -10dB reading in audacity so I like hot signals and try to peak a little over 0dB on the SD.
I'm perplexed again. I record in Poly Wave so I can control the channels individually in post. On my last job I had mics in inputs 1 & 3, both panned center. In the mics PFL, I have L/R MIX highlighted in red. When I playback only L/R has a VU meter level, tracks 1 & 3 have no individual VU meters. I know the fix is staring me right in the face, but I haven't found it. I reset the mixer to factory default, but I still only get a muxed L/R playback with no VU on the mic channels 1 & 3.
The recordings were good, but here is a section with lav picking up clothing rustle that we want to fade, but can't control the track.
What setting do I have wrong?
Still working on it, and I am in the manual!
PS... doing the reset cleared the problem and I can adjust track levels independently on NLE mixer. I still can't see were I went wrong on my last job. THANKS!
Hi Leo, Sorry to hear of the frustration. I'm not sure I follow all the details of the issue, but I would recommend contacting SD support. My experience is that they're very good at helping sort out problems. Best wishes!
Glad it worked out! Happy recording!
Hi Curtis, What is the best way to send and return stereo audio from SD 633 to the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K? What cables can I use? Which connector of the SD 633 can i use?
Hi simone, You can use the X3/X4 3.5mm output with a standard 3.5mm stereo mini-jack cable (3.5mm TRS to 3.5mm TRS cable). Then you'll need a second cable - exactly the same 0 to feed audio back from the camera via its headphone output to the 633's return input. Best wishes!
Curtis Judd Thank you sir!
Nice overview. One thing, the input channel 4, 5, 6 knobs are not trim controls, they are faders, the trims are in the channel menus and are set with the left encoder.
+RallenMan good catch, thanks for keeping me honest Allen!
Hi Curtis, I recently sold my late husband’s SD633 and the buyer claims that the pinout for the timecode port is wrong. Is this pinout configurable? What do you think is wrong? Thanks
Hi May, wow. The buyer should contact Sound Devices support for help. It is highly unlikely that your late husband re-soldered the timecode output.
Hey Curtis, in this video, I noticed plastic clips holding up your 633 recorder. I’ve searched online, but can’t seem to find them. Could you please reference them? Thanks, Rek
Those are built in to the ORCA sound bag.
@@LearnLightAndSoundSessions Thanks. I actually reached out to Orca, and they said I can order them. I’m going to put them on my Stingray bag too.
Sir, the line input 4,5,6 will it works on senheizer g3??..
Thank you ..
Sort of, yes. They aren't putting out pro line level, but you can make it work.
Owkeee .. thank you very much for the info sir..
Thank you for great video on audio material sir, ... it is has been great help for my working as an audio enthusiast ...
👍🏻
Another 633 question Curtis...How do you have your recording media set-up? Currently I have the CF & SD cards to record the same poly-wave so I have an identical back-up. Is anything standard in the set-up of the mixer such as putting boom on right channel lavs on the left? One video I watched (might have been yours) freaked me out! The topic was approved media for Sound Device, the SD & CF cards I am using are older than the approved media list. My recordings have been okay, but I don't want to take a chance on a failure (could you imagine NOT having sound files at the end of the day!!!). I just ordered approved media in both flavors SD & CF.
Hi Leo, I usually record the identical poly wav to both the CF and SD card. Some mixers will record a stereo mix to one and a poly wav with the mix and iso channels to the other card. The stereo mix then is used for the dailies and edit and the sound post people get the poly wav files for the dialogue edit and the rest of sound post. Good call to order approved media. Always good to avoid potential issues with media cards.
Hi Curtis, the line input 4,5,6 will it works on Rode Link?
Hi simone, no, the RODELink feeds a microphone level signal since it is designed to work with consumer cameras with microphone inputs. Inputs 4 - 6 on the 633 are line level inputs.
Curtis Judd Thank you!
Random question but do you still have T-Mobile? Need to save money and switch but I’m question it’s coverage
Yes, seems fine where I live - near Park City, Utah.
@@curtisjudd ok thanks. I’m In a metropolitan area and was just concerned for when going out to gigs. Will be sending switching from Verizon to T-Mobile
Where in the menu can you add labels like "BOOM" next to an input?
File storage --> Take List --> Edit. Then edit the Track 1 - Track 6.
@@curtisjudd Thank you! For some reason it only shows the name when I flick the PFL toggle to that track, but maybe it was older firmware that showed it between -30 - 20db column.
Ryan Buttie Ryan Buttie if you hold the switch to the channel you want it’ll open the screen to rename the channel, so you don’t have to go in the menu.
Is there a 2200 + USD difference (in quality of output) between the MixPre6 and the SD 633?
Lawrence Chestnut Yes, of course 😀.
Yes, 633 has more deep and airy sound. Better stereo imaging.
Thanks
Thanks
I don't have a MixPre to compare to my 633 but from what I read from the pro sound mixers who do have both, they are hearing better sound from the 633. That may be the case, but for me the biggest difference is the long list of pro features in the 633 that make it work on set in a professional, high pressure environment. I cannot imagine using a MixPre on set for a feature film. No doubt it would sound great but it was not designed for professional production mixing.
Hi Curtis. If i want to make 2 Mixdown tracks. for example: One for the booms and one for the lavs, then id use the X1 and X2 output bus for it right? I still dont get why you'd want to record you HP Left / Right track..
Hi sofiedmeer, Sure, you could definitely use X1 & X2 to route the boom to one and the lavs to the other. Not sure I understand the question about recording HP left and right?
Is there a way to mute channels on the 633?
Yes, in each channel menu you can mute that channel.
yes, put the faders down
Because I have Pedant's Tourette's, technically, marking a take as a False Take does not actually delete the file, but rather just moves it to the root-level False Takes folder. This is a nice fail-safe guarding against inadvertent deletions. I learned this years ago on my 664 when I absentmindedly pushed left on the transport joystick (intending to increment the scene number) rather than right, and whizzed past the confirm message. Mistakes make the best teachers! (Present company excluded, of course.)
Thanks Scott for the correction. That makes it even more useful.
In addition to False Takes not really deleting, you cannot delete any files using Delete Files. 'Deleted' files get moved to the Trash folder. You can format a card and that will delete all take files.
Thanks Allen. I think I got confused because on the MixPre, you can "empty trash"
I don't think you're confused at all. My 664, 722, 744, and 788T all behave the same way: 'Delete File' moves it to Trash folder, like RallenMan says. But, as Curtis indicates, 'Empty Trash' actually deletes entire contents of Trash folder. (I would be surprised if the 633 or MixPre functioned any differently.) Formatting media to clear space used by deleted files is overkill and totally unnecessary. I think the Delete Files function would be pretty useless if you couldn't reclaim space without having to format the card. In any event, I think we can all agree we're glad that SD put these safeguards in place to prevent inadvertent deletion of media files. :-)
Thanks Scott.