Sync Sound: Raghav Ramesh

Sync sound use to record on location sounds in film making. it is useful way to record ambiance of the location. it is easiest way to record dialogues and real time sounds. its best way to save budget.

For most of the films dialogue is recorded in a dubbing format during post production of the project.

Sync sound is unique format where actors dialogue is recorded during shooting which is always realistic,time saving method.

Earlier Indian Cinema sync sound was used from Alam Ara to earlier 1960’s with mitchell camera in use.

Then film was shot in more in outdoors with modern Arri cameras scenario changed from Sync sound to Dubbed format.

But recent years saw growth in Sync sound with Lagaan, Dil chatha Hai…many bollywood productions prefer sync sound feature.

In Tamil Kamal Hassan was keen on Sync sound with films like Hey Ram,Virumaandi,Manmadhan Ambu.

Very recent Vijay Sethupathi starrer film Seethakadhi had  sync sound technician behind was Raghav Ramesh.

In conversation with Raghav Ramesh:-

1) Tell us about your educational qualifications ?
I had  B.SC electronic as education   After that I did my internship with Udhaykumar sir and then studied D.F.tech at Adyar film institute  (2013-2016).

2) Tell us about initial stages of your career ?
I worked with Mr. Sampath Alwar as a dialogue editor for a web series in Mumbai. Then i got a opportunity to work in a film called Maadu which was later shelved . From there I later worked in films like Seethakaathi and many documentaries.
3) What are the different types of sounds available ?
Three types of sounds are available :-
a) Dialogue – this includes sound sync
b) Music
c) Effects – this includes Folley , Incidental sounds , Ambience ( field recording )
These 3 sounds come under Sound Mixing.

4.What are the sound formats available  ?
LCR means Left Center Right LS means left surround RS means Right Surround ,LFE means low frequency effects . In earlier days DTS time for was present in film positive prints and decoded separately .

5) Why sync sound is required ?

Sync sound is required to get the actual emotion of the actor on spot . Ambience can be recorded later or during a break time in shoot but voice is in sync with the camera .

example :- Akiro Kurashowa shot his film in day and did sound sync in night to record the sounds of forest clearly.

6) Will there be any loss of sound in theatre ?
Sound sync is mainly controlled by 3 levels of frequencies – low , mid , high just like a cinematographer/colourist refers to RGB in visuals.

Speaker callibrated around to 82-85 . Quality of speaker is also important . In OTT few have -12 or -14 LUFS standards
7) Why foreign films have better sound sync quality than Indian films?
This is actually based on the psycology of people in different countries as they are prone to different noise levels or pollution .
European countries have less noise pollution than India and their people are used to hearing very less noise , but whereas in India it is the other way round .

8) Equipments required for sound sync

Sound devices 664
Shotgun mic – Sennheiser MKH series ,Shoeps shotgun mic
Capsule for Transmitter -DPA lavs, Sanken Lavs and Sennheiser Lavs

9) How can we calculate or know the signal level in order to avoid it crossing 0 DB while recording ?

VU + Peak meter is used while recording . In general limiter is applied to avoid signal crossing 0 DB while recording . Recording a dialogue between -18 – 6 is safer for post production
10) Is there any compression formats available for sound quality as we have “RAW” format for visual ?
Sample rate and Bit rate decides the quality of sound .
Formats available are :- Wave , AIFF – High compression and mp3 gives lossy compression .
Now there is a format called 32 BIT FLOAT , It can handle upto 144 DB to give high dynamic range .
11) Why sound quality varies from centre seat in a theatre to that of a corner seat in a theatre ?
Obviously sound quality is much better when we sit on centre seat
in a theatre.

12) What are the requirements of sound  equipments for sync technician for a feature film

Sound Recorder,Shotgun mics with kits like boom pole ,wind hammer blimp etc ,Mics,Wireless Radio units with lav and mounts . A bag or cart for recorder and also accessories like tapes ,scissors,wind jammers etc

13) How does a cinematographer play a vital role in collabrating with Sound sync technicians while shooting ?
There must be a good collaboration between a DOP and a sound sync technician because the mics should not be seen in frame and it will good if a DOP listens to our suggestions or requirements and support us if we are not able to achieve better quality of sound due to that angle or maybe due to a noise from a fan nearby . Even a sound from light kept nearby affects the sound recording . Likewise, if our combination with DOP works well we can find solutions to attain a better quality of sound without disturbing the visual quality.
14) Will you suggest the DOP to keep the frame in such a way that it helps you to do something with sound for that shot ?
Yes, We would suggest the DOP to take some particular shot in a way we can contribute with sound if it’s required .
15) How can you control the noise of the generator ?
A silent generator must be kept 50m away from the shooting place . If it is a normal generator , we can do noise reduction if the noise from the generator is constant.

16) How did sound sync technology re enter into Indian cinemas ?
In 90’s , Nakul Kamte re introduced sound sync in the bollywood film “Lagaan”. Success of the film again made sound sync spread across India .

17) What are the films to be watched to experience sound sync ?
Bollywood and few south Indian sync sound films to be watched . Tamasha ,Black ,Slumdog millionaire ,Manto,Pink , In Tamil sethakaathi,Saravam thaala mayam,Sethum ayiram pon film .

18)Share us about Audio Restoration.
Audio restoration is like fixing process in post production. During this process we remove hums, background
noises, and hiss from the sound recorded. We clean and enhance the audio. It’s so important to keep in mind
the audio signal must be constant during recording to ease the process of audio restoration.

19) Finally how should audience feel about best of Sync Sound.

According to me best sync sound should be like Audience should not feel any difference and get dissolved with the film.

Article compiled by : Rohin Senthil

Edited by : C.J.Rajkumar Author/ Cinematographer.