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Nicholas Young
Registrace 25. 05. 2009
Exploring filmmaking, photography, and more through an engineer’s lens. Learning and exploring, together, using the scientific method as a guide. Stay curious, friends.
EPIC Production Suite and Office Tour for 2024: Treatment, ADAM A7V Monitors, Sub, Lights, and More
Over the last month, when not dealing with home maintenance emergencies, I have built a state-of-the-art post production and CZcams-powering studio in the basement of my new home, roughly 25 minutes from Colorado's famous Red Rocks.
Welcome to Ignition. Turn the key, and fire it up. Make something worth watching.
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BOOK THE STUDIO: contact@fictiveflame.co
Shirt by Dan Grzeca: www.dangrzeca.com/product/moog-monster-tee
Story Protocol (On-Chain IP Licensing): www.storyprotocol.xyz
Music from Musicbed; Get 1 Month Free with Link: www.musicbed.com/invite/m3BCI
Camera: Sony FX3
Lens: Sony 24-70mm GMaster II
Filter: Nisi 1-5 VND
Recorder: Atomos Ninja Ultra
Software: Final Cut Pro X
Color: Sony SLog3.Gamut3/ProRes Raw/Fictive Flame Grade
Directed, Shot, and Graded by: Nicholas Young
Welcome to Ignition. Turn the key, and fire it up. Make something worth watching.
---
BOOK THE STUDIO: contact@fictiveflame.co
Shirt by Dan Grzeca: www.dangrzeca.com/product/moog-monster-tee
Story Protocol (On-Chain IP Licensing): www.storyprotocol.xyz
Music from Musicbed; Get 1 Month Free with Link: www.musicbed.com/invite/m3BCI
Camera: Sony FX3
Lens: Sony 24-70mm GMaster II
Filter: Nisi 1-5 VND
Recorder: Atomos Ninja Ultra
Software: Final Cut Pro X
Color: Sony SLog3.Gamut3/ProRes Raw/Fictive Flame Grade
Directed, Shot, and Graded by: Nicholas Young
zhlédnutí: 130
Video
Purchasing a House and Building a New Studio | Channel Update - Spring 2024
zhlédnutí 217Před měsícem
Several months ago, the situation in our apartment became untenable. Space was at a premium, and noisy neighbors often prevented me from recording during the times I wasn't working on my day job. Something had to change. Over the last month, we have shopped for, purchased, and began moving into our new home. Along with the improvements for the family, I also gain a new, separate workspace that ...
Daily Routines - Fresh Air: Awareness vs. Access
zhlédnutí 23Před měsícem
Did you know there's a difference between access and awareness? We have many "awareness" months, but the enthusiasm fades after it passes, leaving the people who need to be noticed disappointed and tossed to the wayside. This year, I'm asking not for Limb Difference Awareness, but for Access. Access, you will note, requires action. If it's a little quiet around here, don't worry; I'm not fading...
Espresso - Daily Routines: Making Art Among Chaos
zhlédnutí 46Před měsícem
My family has spent the past 8 years in this small apartment, and it's time to move on. There is little space for ourselves, let alone the creative work I'm doing. If it's a little quiet around here, don't worry; I'm not fading, but instead, preparing for the next chapter. During this time, I’m seeking comfort in the familiar. Daily Routines is a short visual essay series attempting to make art...
Does Vinyl Sound Better? CDs and Downloads Compared by an Audio Engineer
zhlédnutí 862Před 2 měsíci
The age-old debate between audiophiles: does vinyl sound "better" than CDs or high-resolution downloads? Today, we're exploring why vinyl sounds different, although perhaps not "better" for all. Music from Musicbed; Get 1 Month Free with Link: www.musicbed.com/invite/m3BCI Camera: Sony FX3 Lens: Sony 24-70mm GMaster II Filter: Nisi 1-5 VND Recorder: Atomos Ninja Ultra Software: Final Cut Pro X ...
VB99 Pro V-Mount Battery Review | Power for Your Camera, Lights, Audio Recorder, and More
zhlédnutí 316Před 2 měsíci
After several months of daily usage, I'm ready to share my thoughts on the Smallrig VB99 Pro Video Battery. As I mention in the review, this is my personal battery, I purchased it with my own money, and nobody is paying me for this opinion. In fact, if Smallrig hears about this video, they'll probably be less-than-pleased, but unlike most CZcams Reviewers, I wasn't sent this gear to review. I b...
Cinematography vs Videography
zhlédnutí 305Před 2 měsíci
Specialization in the visual arts is as old as art itself. Recently, I encountered a question that is probably more common than I realize: "what is the difference between cinematography and videography?" As someone who has worn both titles (and felt they were each correct, at the time), I have a few things to add to the discussion. - Music from Musicbed; Get 1 Month Free with Link: www.musicbed...
Should You Shoot in ProRes RAW? 12-Bit RAW vs. 10-Bit XAVC S-I Codecs Compared on the Sony FX3
zhlédnutí 3KPřed 3 měsíci
The question isn't why you should use ProRes RAW, but instead, when. In 2024, many cameras support outputting a RAW signal (like my Sony FX3), the question is when you should use it in an artful manner. In this short video, I compare clips from multiple shoots, each captured in XAVC S-I (Sony's H.264 intra-frame compressed internal codec) to ProRes RAW recorded externally from my Ninja Ultra. T...
ETHDenver 2024 Recap | Shot on Sony FX3
zhlédnutí 83Před 3 měsíci
A snappy recap of Day 2 at ETHDenver 2024. There was plenty to keep everyone busy! I especially enjoyed conversations at the Proof of Data Day. Music from Musicbed; Get 1 Month Free with Link: www.musicbed.com/invite/m3BCI Camera: Sony FX3 Lens: Sony 24-70mm GMaster II Filter: Nisi 1-5 VND Recorder: Atomos Ninja Ultra Software: Final Cut Pro X Color: Sony SLog3.Gamut3/ProRes Raw/Fictive Flame G...
Red Rocks Park, Morrison, Colorado - Escapades: Episode 1 | Sony FX3 Cinematic Travel Film
zhlédnutí 90Před 3 měsíci
Today, I want to let you in on a secret. I’m an outdoorsman, with a lifelong love of conservation; but as of 2020, I am also a double amputee. This has forced me to adapt how I play and work outside. When I launched this channel, I decided to keep these details to myself. I was concerned, after all, that my disability would become the story, instead of simply a part of the greater narrative. I ...
Secrets of Solo Documentary Production: How I Made Earth at Play, the Art of Pottery
zhlédnutí 114Před 4 měsíci
Secrets of Solo Documentary Production: How I Made Earth at Play, the Art of Pottery
Earth at Play: the Art of Pottery with Anna Feldman | Shot on Sony FX3
zhlédnutí 108Před 4 měsíci
Earth at Play: the Art of Pottery with Anna Feldman | Shot on Sony FX3
Before You Press Record: Pre-Production 101
zhlédnutí 48Před 4 měsíci
Before You Press Record: Pre-Production 101
Shotgun vs. Lavalier Microphones: Which to Choose?
zhlédnutí 85Před 4 měsíci
Shotgun vs. Lavalier Microphones: Which to Choose?
Engineering as a lens to view the world
zhlédnutí 30Před 5 měsíci
Engineering as a lens to view the world
I have the first one vb99 havent tested it
Resonance on vinyls is so alluring and the dynamics of it.
This is exactly the point I was after. Even if the source is a modern, perhaps less-compressed digital master destined for the vinyl plant - the results will be inherent to the medium the sound is reproduced in, and in the case of vinyl, the forced dynamic requirements make it more pleasurable to listen to. Thanks for watching!
In my opinion it is always down to the indiviual what sounds better. Pre 90s vinyls was lovely as the the vinyl had the analogue master copy . Now the vinyl is from a digital master mainly. However the differences are down to tasteits like swapping different synth sound when making music. 2 minute 2 sounds great, then another sounds better.. I love the spund of vinyl in many ways i prefer it. Then gowever i prefer the clean sound of mt DAC. All depends what day it is.
There are definitely records I prefer on digital, and now, that I have a set of ribbon tweeters (see the latest video featuring my Adam A7V's), I'm finding some previously intolerable productions are in the realm of enjoyability.
The DAC is an issue that must be taken into account and is frequently absent from the discussion. A Delta Sigma based converter employs algorithms that guess at what was recorded. R2R topology reconstructs what was actually laid down. Audio Note DACs forgo the active, I/V conversion process, usually via op amps, for transformers, the least compromised technique.
Correct, Delta Sigma DACs approximate sub-sample values when translating to analog (I am also an electrical engineer, so welcome to a new facet of this channel). While I agree that is a bit imprecise, how would you suggest improving on the translation in the absence of sampled data? (In this case, I used a 96kHz/32-bit floating point signal downsampled - with mastering grade dithering - to 44.1kHz/16-bit to hopefully account for some of the differences, but I doubt that is perfectly a match. Still, I doubt it is so imprecise the data in this video could be disproven with anything but hearsay.)
I prefer CDs because they're easier to handle and it's easier to deal with a CD player than a turntable which can be a hassle, I think that how well the recording is and how good it's mastered is more important than whether it's on vinyl or CD, both can be excellent for me personally, I understand that people love them for different reasons, I just can't really get into it, too much of a hassle, CDs have done right by me so far.
Oh the effort in flipping a vinyl. Don't get blisters !!
It makes me pay attention to the music, so I don't mind; but to each their own. Nothing is wrong, if you're enjoying the music.
"Does vinyl sound better?" How could vinyl sound better when the master tape is in digital format?
You seem to be a bit confused. Outside of DAT, tape is an analog format; and even then, it’s often limited to 48 kHz. Many digital audio workstations, and my digital studio, work at 96 kHz. It isn’t always better, but while digital formats have the ability to reproduce better, the qualities that would enable that simply aren’t used in common practice.
The first recordings in digital form, were made in the mid-1970s. I haven't even mentioned all of the many disadvantages of analog.
@@secretfader If your analog R/R deck is recording, "48Khz", then the low frequencies are absent.
I have both cds and vinyl. A lot of vinyl. I find myself pulling an lp to play most often. Usually every day. I tend to be more engaged with lps. Cds sound good, are more convenient, but don't grab me. Plus the record covers are more satisfying than the little cd cases. But I'm ocd so I don't mind cleaning lps, putting em in sleeves, etc.
Exactly. I, too, find comfort in the process and routine of vinyl records. Thanks for watching!
The quick answer to the question you used in the thumbnail headline "is vinyl better than digital" is NO.... We can now move on with life.
Maybe not technically, but there are merits as you seem to have picked up from the video. Thanks for watching!
Can you turn off the display if you hold down the power button? I've seen tons of reviews of that battery and in many of them, the display is off...
If nothing is connected and the battery is functioning correctly, yes. If not, it is defective.
If vinyl sounded better, the music industry would use it as a master source for digital files, not vice versa.
Is anyone making the argument tape sounds better than other formats? It was the source for many years… Not that I suggested it did sound better. Just different.
Hi. I think the DnR of a vinyl LP is 55db-65db not 50db. What is most often over looked with this is that most music by and far is well accommodated within this range but Im glad that you voiced the compression problem with CD (which to me anyways) is a crime and causes as you also said listener fatigue. What I've never understood about "brick walling?" is why the artists comply. Imagine if fine arts painters had been told to "paint everything red it will sell more", what a f*k-up that woulda been. A red Mona lisa. A red Starry Night. Musicians should take more pride in what they create.
Theoretically, yes, that would be the dynamic range in an ideal environment. However, you’ll find that is impacted by the grounding, motor noise, bearing friction, and cartridge surface noise (which varies by calibration) and a whole host of issues. What I gave here is a measurement from the system I have, and reflects a more real world number for many folks systems. It’s mostly the labels who demand louder masters; the artists often back off when fans ask for better: even Metallica has learned louder isn’t always an improvement.
I have the same problem with mine, it definitely doesn't feel right,
That’s not good! If it isn’t shutting off when no devices are connected, definitely reach out to Smallrig support (or, if recent, where you purchased it). I have a full recap of my experience in a video on my channel. Hopefully this helps!
So I did reach out to Smallrig, and they are in fact, sending me a new battery.
@@carloschavez6208 Sounds like you had a better agent. Hopefully it all works out this time!
It was all through email, they did required to send a video and an explanation of the problem. Yes unfortunately I couldn't go back to B&H because it was 4 months after.
Nope. Never.
Everyone’s got their preference, but it doesn’t contain more total dynamic range. That’s a fact.
Hi Nicholas, first of all I want to say your videos are gorgeous! I love the way you are shooting your subjects. I am actually on the fence whether to try ProRes RAW. With XAVC S-I, I felt honestly that I get better results just by using picture profile 10 (HLG) and foregoing log recording, because my grading just came out wrong if I tried to do anything more than REC709 conversion, and then it's pointless, I can just do it in camera. I am aware I'm not a professional colorist, but I am planning on a solo project.
Thanks! I’m still developing my style, so I hope you’ll stay tuned. I’d say the main reason at this point for shooting in RAW or an in-camera log profile would be for future post production scenarios. HDR standards are still developing, and it’s a question of how long you hope the project will go before it looks or sounds behind current trends. Now though, in camera colors look really good: so you do need to less tweaking for fast deliveries (especially for web). Maybe look up the Atomos support for RAW, rent a Ninja for a day and see what difference it makes. There’s no replacement for research.
this is truly inspirational
Thanks for watching, and I'm very glad you enjoyed the story. More episodes in this series are on the way.
it depends on the mastering and your system but on the whole i think vinyl sounds more organic.
It’s mostly a factor of the requirement for less compression, as I mentioned. You can test this theory by getting access studio tapes from the 60s-80s; those were the source for many vinyl LPs, and still sound great when converted to high resolution digital without remastering. In fact, many recordings that weren’t “remastered” still sound better to my ear, regardless of format, due to the higher dynamic range index. Thanks for watching!
Kinda bums me out that Sony isn’t supporting the 16 bit linear RAW on the FX line. My FS700 and F55 BOTH shoot 16 bit RAW. Hell my F55 can shoot X-OCN. Maybe there will be some NAB news coming. I do love the look of FX line. Great video, keep up the good work!
For what it’s worth, the output is 16-bit on the FX3. It’s the ProRes codec which captures at a compressed 12-bit. I’m not sure there is quality being lost, but I’d like to evaluate further to be certain. Nevertheless, this is one of the cheapest cinema grade RAW rigs, so that’s cool.
HI Brother, If you love to shoot prores raw and prores raw hq please don't update the new firmware 3.0 I made a mistake by updating the new firmware to my Sony A7s3 and now I am not able to shoot prores raw hq with my Atomos ninja v more than 30 seconds...The camera now outputs DCI 4k to Atomos and I think there is some compatibility issue. Maybe soon Atomos will rectify this with new firmware. But you can record in prores raw compression. and it captures smoothly. As I always use prores raw h q. I am totally disappointed with the new firmware from Sony. Another thing is that if we choose xavcs I in the camera to shoot 23.976 fps , it automatically turns the frame rate to 59.9 fps when connected to Atomos ninja v...
Thanks for the heads up, though that was one of the first first things I did on my Ninja Ultra! I’ve had issues with less than ideal cables causing record issues though, so you might test that.
@@secretfader YOu are right. Will change the HDMI cable "
Nicely explained! 10bit looks nice until you see something better haha! After using 12bit raw for a while, I can never unsee it.🤦♂️
Thank you! Rendering can sometimes be recovered through careful color grading, but there’s no ignoring the fact that a straight conformance looks better when there is more data to sample from.
Nice! (From an old guy trying to earn how to make things like this😊)
Glad you enjoyed it! Which are you trying to make? Pottery or film? I can confidently say both have become more readily accessible in recent years.
Everyone is asking "Why Prores RAW," but no one is asking how is "Prores RAW."
What would you like to know? File size comparisons, tools to capture, or something else entirely? I’d love to hear so I can answer accordingly.
I’ll do you one better, WHO is ProRes RAW?
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the comment. Hopefully your day is better than mine was yesterday.
Simple differentiation: Videographers just shoot in way to make look good, events, products etc. A Cinematographer on the other hand, needs to be intimate with the bible of cinema specific, visual language as it is laid out in the book: The Five C's of Cinematography. Videographers do employ some of those C's but not all of them as would be necessitated by Cinema work. You are correct to point out that 'modified' light is another difference. Most videographers I know, don't know how to light for film, nor how to expose.
Indeed. I’d say professional camcorders ruined them, but many probably never got to that level. Thanks for chiming in!
Why they are looking different on 8 bit 422 rec709 youtube video, if you didn’t applied colorgrading? What is your colorgrading pipeline and which colorspace you used as intermediate? Did you used ACES? Your video is quite interesting, but it inspired more questions, than gave me the answers;)
It’s the additional color data being conformed to a Rec 709 rendering space. ACES is more useful if you’re matching multiple cameras as part of an overall color management workflow, these where straight out of the same camera with only the codec (and recording color space) being different. In an HDR space, both expand to look similar. In this case though, the extra values were collapsed into the 709 rendering. Just so you’re aware, CZcams uses 420 subsampling, too, not 422.
I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of color space and bitdepth. What's different between both these takes is that the internal video has the "sony" image processing applied and the raw skipped all that and gave that control to mr secretfader. He can do whatever he likes to the image since it's just bater data. The problem with the internal is that it's been processed already. You're now basically trying to do better or undo what the image processing did. It also has twice the color resolution (444 instead of 422) it's decoded back to 16bit linear from the atomos 12bit log, which is in itself a big change causing the much richer tonal range. So basically when it comes to raw, you only go with it when you want full control of the image. You now have to tweak the colors, the wb, the exposure, the sharpening and especially the noise reduction. But if you want a quick turnaround or a simple flow where you do not push the image or have to do all that extra stuff, go with internal. You even skip the color correction in editing by adjusting the saturation, black level, color phase and even depth from the picture profile menu for a "fully corrected" image to your liking. This turned into a whole essay 💀
I primarily film weddings, as my brand is specifically tailored to wedding films, but I also shoot running documentaries and other passion projects. I approach wedding films with a cinematographer mind, because without lights, speeches and dancing would look terribly noisy both with luma and chroma noise. In my process, I discuss with couples this is just my process, and that's how I can get the look and feel o the films I make.
Sounds like a lot of folks are growing more comfortable with the whole setup, with you leading them in the right direction. After all, it really does mean a better product for them at the end!
I love ProRes raw…
As do I. The Ninja adds quite a bit of bulk to my rig, but worth it when capturing important stories. I’m following up with a guide in grading for SDR and HDR. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more.
How many hours do your battery last? Mine get like 2 hours with only two small lights and a monitor before it runs out, no camera. It’s my first v mount battery so I don’t know if it is an acceptable run time
It depends heavily on the light wattage, but 2 hours sounds very reasonable with that load. I am able to run my Ninja, FX3, and F6 audio recorder all day (and then some) but they are all fairly low power devices.
several people have reported the Pro doesn't last as long as the regular one.
If it never shuts off, no wonder. I am currently recording no use drain all day.
@@secretfader I really like my (org) VB99 and I don't need another yet but if I did I still buy the original based on what I've seen and heard
Same, the Pro just brings new bugs without enough connectors to make the hassle worthwhile.
Little bit after a year purchasing a brand new smallrig VB99, USB-C connector has some slack, which causes loss of electrical signal, leading to power interruptions during charging through this port. I believe it requires opening up the VB99 and soldering a new USB-C port. How should I proceed? Have you ever had to open a VB99?
@@fabianoslack4269 Nope opening battery is a high risk low gain process so I've never open a battery
The NTG-2 clearly sounded the best. I don't have Video mic 2 - I have a NTG, but I think it sound a similar (not nearly as good as the Sennhiesner MKH-50) - If I recording a person I use 3 to 4 mic almost every time. 2 shotguns and 1 Track E and a mic plug into the camera to have better scratch audio (just in case)
Completely agreed. That shotgun requires what some call obscene amounts of gain, but I am a dynamic guy so who cares. I have yet to get my hands on a Sennheiser in this studio space, but the MKH50 would be great tester. Especially if the lav is flat (like here) double micing and mixing for intelligible human voice timbre is the way to go.
Great information 👍.. Waiting for more videos..
Thanks, friend! More are on the way, including BTS from a recent short-form documentary shoot and a review on the new Smallrig VB99 batteries.
I think the Sound Devices are better than zoom but that may be just a Coke vs Pepsi personal choice. I have the Sennheiser MKH50 for studio use, or when I'm in a rush for voice, over I use the Earth Works mini-icon (the only USB mic I own) right into my editing computer. I like the Aputure MC Pro over the regular one or Smallrig. Pretty much all I buy is Aputure light anymore. In the field, I have made a major change (I sold most of my professional equipment when I retired). Now, I am just doing passion projects So I no longer use expensive Shure Axient wireless and instead double mic people one with the DJI mic and the other is the Tentacle Sync Track E (COS 11D Lav) SInce the DJI goes into the Camera with Tentacle Sync I can replace that audio with the audio of the Track E in post without any issue. Your video was more informative than most of the ones I've seen sad you don't have a following but keep it up I think you will get there! Camera? Lens? Tripod?
Thanks, Matt. I haven't tried the Sound Devices recorders, but I've often heard the MixPre is a solid choice. What impressed me the most from the F6 was that I didn't need my CloudLifter to get decent levels out of the Heil dynamic mics, but I'd like to do a technical analysis of both recorders. Given that I've already bought into the Tentacle ecosystem, I will probably get the Track E. Still, you use the kit you have, and I'm taking my Rode NTG-2 and PinMic Lav on a shoot tomorrow, so I expect to upload at least one BTS video from that shoot. This was shot on my FX3, using the Atomos Ninja Ultra, in ProRes Raw on the G Master II 24-70 at approximately 35mm. I think it was on the Peak Design Travel Tripod at the time. Thanks for watching!