Published 2020-03-01.
Last modified 2025-06-22.
Time to read: 2 minutes.
This page is part of the
av_studio collection.
The following steps have been carefully ordered for optimum results: No one said that this would be easy!
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For best results on a weaker computer (no longer necessary with
my latest computer):
- Shut down Thunderbird.
- Shut down all web browsers.
- Exit Facebook Messenger.
- Start Pro Tools. Do this now because it takes so long. (no longer true with my latest computer)
- Display TotalMix.
- Use RME TotalMix to mute the speakers.
- Launch MusicBee and select the playlist, if required.
- Start OBS Studio if required.
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Verify the OBS Studio output directory is set to
E:\media\staging(for WSL this is the value of$staging). - During daylight, close the curtains or the video will not be lit correctly.
- Turn on at least 3 LED lights (2 in front, 1 in back) and turn on the overhead light in the front room. Turn off the overhead light in the back room.
- Load or create the song being worked on in Pro Tools or Ableton Live.
- Check audio levels in RME TotalMix for each microphone and instrument that will be used with the RME audio interface. The camera should show levels of -12dB to -18dB. If any inputs go through the Behringer ADA8200, look at the physical unit as well as TotalMix to verify the levels are okay.
- Check the levels for the audio outputs for the cameras in TotalMix. Use cueing to verify that mix seems appropriate for each output.
- Turn on the camera(s).
- Look at each camera and check the audio levels.
- If Pro Tools is not being used, disconnect the Sony A7iii mic jack from the audio mix from Pro Tools so the built-in A7iii mic array is used. This microphone array is excellent. Otherwise, connect the camera to the audio mix by plugging in the 1/8" connector from the RME UFX Analog 7/8 output. The audio mix for the camera is provided on RME Analog output 7/8.
- If a mobile device is to be used as a Pro Tools Eucon device, or a TotalMix Remote device, start those apps on the mobile device(s) now.
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For cameras, fully automatic mode usually gives a marginally acceptable result, but never a great result.
For manual mode: set ISO to auto, then set the frame rate, then set the shutter speed.
Manual settings Frame Rate ISO 24fps or 30fps is common for a cinematic look, but to capture the finger motion of musicians, higher rates are better. YouTube accepts the following frame rates of uploaded videos: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps.
A rule of thumb is to set the shutter speed to the reciprocal of the focal length. For example when using a 50mm lens, set the shutter speed to 1/50s (or less).
Another rule of thumb is to set the shutter speed to double the frame rate. For example, if shooting at 60fps, a shutter speed of 1/120s is suitable. For a more "staccato" or sharp look, a higher shutter speed can be used, while a lower shutter speed will introduce more motion blur.
After computing the fps values from each of the above rules of thumb, use the highest value. You could probably round up the value a little without hurting anything.
From the above, we can see that we never need shutter speeds over 200 fps.High ISO values will be noisier; avoid ISO values of 6400 or higher. Use auto ISO, but ensure that the camera gets enough light. This video provides an excellent explanation:
- Record arm or monitor any Pro Tools or Live tracks that provide effects for the talent to hear.
- Ensure the levels are good for the headphones in use. You can copy submixes between TotalMix channels. Take care to either adjust the mix in Pro Tools or add in the live mix from the channels of interest in TotalMix.
- Focus the camera on where the talent will be located.
- Start OBS Studio recording and/or camera recording and/or Pro Tools recording. This is much harder than it sounds!
