On Thursday, we have learnt how to use the sound mixer with Sony Ex-3 camera. To be honest, it was quite challenging for me because I haven’t used any sound mixer before, and this one seems quite complicated. There are so many buttons on the machine, and some of them work independently or together with each other’s. It took a while for me to remember what they do. But just knowing what each button does is not the most difficult part. For me, connecting the mixer to the camera and make them work together is the most difficult part: when it is not working, there are too many possibilities that may cause the problem, and you need to check them one by one until you find the reason. For example, there are signals on both the camera and mixer, but after shooting you find there is no sound or the sound is not from the place you want (like it was recorded by the built-in mic rather than the plug-in mic), it could be because the cable connecting mixer and camera was not working properly or you forgot to select the external mic on the left side of camera or maybe there is something wrong with the channels. If any of these happens it could cause the problem, but it is your duty to find out and handle it.
This reminds me again that being a camera operator, or a director, there are much more things you need to know besides those filmmaking theories, devices and techniques. Things written on books are useful but real experience of using camera and other equipment for shooting is also valuable and essential. I should borrow those equipment and practice not only in class but also whenever I get chance.