8mm Forum: How to re record a film soundtrack

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Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on August 08, 2013, 04:59 AM:

Hi all. Firstly I know this may have been answered elsewhere but treat me as a total novice in the art of the following.
I have just picked up an Italian print (I know, probably grainy and C- in overall picture quality)but its a title I wanted so I had to buy it. It super 8 with a mag stripe but, in Italian, lovely lanquage but I dont speak it. So how do I re record using an Elmo ST1200, a DVD (OR BLU RAY) copy of the film and the dvd/blu ray player. I know the two machines independently will not run in sync, but what is the procedure to dub the film and what other hardware do I need? Or, is there a company/person in the UK that can redub the film for me if I supply both the film on super and the film on disc? I remember Keith Wilton dubbed my mute striped film, You Only Live Twice, from a VHS copy (superb job too, wonder what happended to that film?) Your advice , as always, is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 08, 2013, 06:12 AM:

Hello. I will let someone explain to you all the technicals aspects but there is something you should check first. Some films have some little variants from a country to another, so the first thing to be sure of is that your film copy and your disc copy are the same. It is far to be sure it will be the case. The best way to check this is of course to run the film and the disc at the same time (at least the first minutes to have an idea), keeping your fingers crossed.

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on August 08, 2013, 06:17 AM:

Thank you Dominique, I will do just that once the film arrives.

Posted by Maurizio Di Cintio (Member # 144) on August 08, 2013, 08:03 AM:

Hi!
As said many times, the projector must be a quartz controlled machine like, for instance, Yelco 3600 or its clone Fuji SD 25. Needless to say Elmo GS 1200 with its optional quartz sync box will do wonders. This is the only way to keep both media (film and DVD/Video) run in perfect sync, as long as there aren't missing frames in either versions, like Dominique has rigthly pointed out. Also, keep in mind films in Europe are transferred to video at 25 fps so this will be a major problem with most non-quartzed machines in the first place, unless you can override their speed with a fine control adjustment. This is, in fact, what most people do if they don't own one of the above mentioned machines: using a projector with a variable speed control: you have to be 100% weary of sync throughout the process, ever ready to detect the slightest hint of drift whenever it presents itself, and compensate for it. Not very pleasant and if the correction is done too abruptly, you won't find it pleasant either. Unfortunately the Elmo ST 1200 doesn't have such a feature. Exception: blurays actually run at 24 thanks to an ill-conceived (but effective) pulldown. Which might make things a little easier but even the Elmo can drift at some point.
Best thing is to try asking someone willing to do the job for you and I am sure there are several people in the forum, based in the UK, who will be happy to help.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 08, 2013, 01:04 PM:

Hi Mauritzio,
One of the great things about the Eumig 900 series is the very smooth and precision mechanical speed control. This makes it relatively easy to correct the sync during the recording. I have often successfully re- recorded an entire 400ft reel on the Eumig 926GL just using manual speed correction.

Posted by Maurizio Di Cintio (Member # 144) on August 08, 2013, 01:46 PM:

Hi, Paul.
I used to do the same before my "Elmo Age". I know these Eumigs very well, I got two 926 and one 938. Very fine machines, but the notion of having to alter speed is something I try to stay away from as much as I can. Also, one should consider the stres put on both film and innerworks when redubbing a 400 footer (which - I'm implying - is a digest so the sound has to be "reconciled" from the audio source...) A ot of go-stop-rewind-go... Redo if necessary... Not the ideal process to me... Just my opinion though, arising from one further conisderation: given the worth of both film and equipment repair these days (not to mention feasibility), it is imperative to lower tear and wear as much as possible. "Reconciling" a digest's soundtrack on an NLE and then transferrirng it on the print is the way to go: the print suffers just two runs: one to have it acquired on the computer and one for the final sound recording, with no stops, no mistakes, no rewinds whatsoever. A process gentle on film as much as it can be. Plus always perfectly in sync. What could one ask for more than this?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 09, 2013, 09:36 AM:

Mark
I have the two-reel version of "High Society" in stereo. I understand from a previous owner that Keith Wilton had done the stereo transfer.
Perhaps you could save yourself a lot of hassle if perhaps Keith might be able to do the job for you.

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on August 10, 2013, 03:46 AM:

Thank you Maurice, yes my first thoughts were of keith Wilton, as he had dubbed a feature for me. Does he still offer this service, via Cinetek, I think?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 10, 2013, 04:31 AM:

Mark
Filmtek, actually.
http://www.bfcc.biz/filmtek.html
Scroll down after checking link for details of Keith's address, phone number, and email.

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