So, I did my little podcast video the other day and it well……ish.

Considerations made so that a workable “anyone can do it” system is achieved;

• No sound treatment in a bare little room, a melamine table top and covering four panelists with my Lewitt 040 matched pair in X/Y config, overhead on a boom into an H5. Sound was clear but “boxy”.

• No control of lighting apart from a little fill light from an ancient Bowens flouro unit (found in the work store room). Light was flat, unexciting, but even. More light is not an option becasue I am not hauling it in every Wednesday and the idea is to be able to adapt, not control, so we can go on in the future.

• The camera was a G9, lens 12-60 at 12 (not a big room), with a 0.5 Black Mist Kenko filter on in Natural mode (-5, -5, -2, -2). Not enough post control and the filter was too soft.

This in mind, we managed a 30min single take, with a 1 min over-run thanks to the G9 limit.

What I would have done differently with this setup.

• I would have used a single mic, as the X/Y was not required (subjects quite far away, but tightly grouped).

• I would have at least sound treated the table.

• Can’t do much with the rest, as it needs to be sit and go.

What I am going to try though, with a desire to up the ante a little, but make the whole thing less difficult to set up is;

• Switch to the S5 in Flat mode (like V-LogL/Cinelike D, but closer to useable OOC and better skin tones probably set to -2 contrast). The 20-60 will also give me more framing options.

• Treat the table with a cloth (a big blue rug to match the backdrop).

• Use the F1 and SSH-6 mid/side shotgun, probably on about -5 M/S, but I will play around with it, placed about 4 foot back, low and in front (hence the table treatment). The SSH-6 is more focussed and tonally resonant than the highly sensitive Lewitts and considerably easier to set up. I can also hide 1 3.5 cable easier than 2x XLR’s.

• There will also be a backup H1n X/Y mounted. This may even be on the backup G9 incase all this goes pear shaped.

I will also take the X/Y capsule for the F1, in case hiding it behind a football prop mid table is a better idea. It has a shock mount, so the table should be fine.

Last time I went in with a backpack, roller case and shoulder bag. This time, the whole lot will fit in a backpack. The isea is to shoo this every Wednesday, even if I am off, so the whole kit needs to be simple and easy to use.

So, after the second recording, sound was better, but I will push it in a little closer. I have ordered a foamy to make the F1+SSH6 look more table top-like, the dead cat was a little distracting. The mic was more resonant than the 040’s, but I can reduce noise (self and ambient) and improve depth if I get just a half foot closer. The SSH-6 on 30 degree mid/side covered everyone evenly.

Video quality was fine. The S5 in flat mode was far more flexile than the Natural G9 files. Lighting is still rubbish, but it is what it is. We have a dedicated room, it is shared by the whole team though.

We did another 12 minute single take.