Double system sound becoming a requirement?

January 20, 2012 forum topics
Happy new year to all. Hope it is better than last : )

Have a client I’m acting as production coordinator for some shoots in my neck of the woods. Putting together the package… gaffer, grips, lighting and grip, dolly, etc.

I’m also doing the sound for these shoots. They (DP and AC) are hinting at going double system sound on these jobs and I’m looking for some guidance from any audio pros out there.

The camera will more than likely be the Sony F3. In fact, we just completed one shoot this week using the F3 and with the new Sony zoom lens. I fed audio to the camera as normal and I also recorded a protection track on my Zoom H4N.

On the one hand the producer is explaining to me how he needs to keep things simple and also keep the file size down so he can edit with his own Final Cut Pro system. One reason he does not want to go with the Red One and the 4k files. It only means converting everything to Apple Pro Rez.

That being the case I see no reason to start shooting double system sound. I can only assume the audio on the F3 is more than suitable for TV commercial use and the fact that a backup is available if there ever was an issue should be comfort enough.

Help me to understand where they are coming from on this.

Thanks for the help and advice.