Dec 18, 2006 8:42 PM

When the production crew of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition set out to cover the demolition and renovation of the Llanes family home in Bergenfield, N.J., they were faced with a challenge. During a typical episode, the family goes on vacation during the weeklong home makeover. While away, they receive a tape of the demolition and construction of their new home. With three members of the Llanes family legally blind and one legally deaf, the crew had to find another means to involve them in the renovation project. Using a surround-sound recording captured by Holophone's H2-PRO surround microphone, the crew created an account of the construction process in a movie-trailer format and presented it to the Llanes in a surround theater at Walt Disney World.

For this project, one H2-PRO was placed right in front of the house to record the ambient sounds of the machines and crew together. Additional omnidirectional condenser and shotgun microphones were placed around the perimeter of the house to supplement the sound being captured by the H2-PRO. The entire project was recorded using Pro Tools on 32 channels; 16 for Holophone and 16 for the additional microphones.

In addition to the stationary surround mic, another handheld H2-PRO was used to capture more specific sounds of the construction process such as trucks, the sawing of a tree in the yard and of braces in the garage. The H2-PRO's wind screen protected the mic from dust caused by construction, allowing the mic to go wherever it was needed. The H2-PRO's elliptical design allowed the crew to think of the microphone as their own head, picking up sounds from left, right, center, center rear and top. These sounds were not only used for the family's tape, they were also used as ambient sounds in the final edited version of the show.

When the recordings were brought back to the studio, the H2-PRO provided an even mix of all channels. When incorporated with all the other production elements, the H2-PRO was able to help provide the Llanes family with the sensation of being there as their house was transformed.

For more information, visit www.holophone.com.

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.