Merging of reel to reel audio and 16mm film became much simpler with the advent of the computer.
At one time, reel to reel sound recording was the epitome of professional audio. As late as the 1980s, most advanced amateur and professional recordists used the high-quality reel to reel, also known as open reel, recorders. The 16mm film format has been the favorite of advanced amateur, student and independent filmmakers since at least the 1930s following Kodak's introduction of it in 1923. Except for early strips of optical sound on 16mm film, most people who shoot it --- professionally or not --- record sound separately and then combine the two. With modern digital technology, you can do this yourself.
Instructions
1. Set up a dark area in which to project the 16mm film. A basement with the lights out and the windows blocked from light usually will do. Set up the 16mm projector at the closest distance to the screen you can where the image still will focus. Also, give yourself enough room to set up the video camera without getting in the way of the projected image, and making considerations for focus on that camera. Because you only will be making video of the film and no sound yet, turn off the sound on the video camera. Start the video camera, then the 16mm projector and record your film.
2. Transfer your video to your computer. If you use a digital video camera, make your standard transfer. If you have a videotape camera, connect it to your computer via the phono plugs and the analog-to-video converter. Start your video editing software and select "Capture" to start the digital recording. "Capture" may appear in different places in your software, depending upon the brand. When the entire video of your 16mm film has been transferred, stop the "Capture."
3. Hook up the reel to reel tape deck via the analog-to-digital converter using phono plugs on the end that connects to the tape deck and USB or FireWire on the computer end. Open your audio recording software. Start the digital recorder on your computer, then press "Play" on your reel to reel tape recorder. When the entire reel to reel recording has been digitized, stop the digital recorder and the reel to reel.
4. Edit your digital audio to your specifications. Analog tape, such as that used on the reel to reel recorder, may have a tape hiss noise that most digital sound recorders can suppress to greater or lesser extents. Look for "Filters" in the digital sound recording software to fix the sound.
5. Import the digital video and digital audio into your digital video editing software. There are several different brands of this type of software, but most of them work the same way. You will have a long strip or bar of video with a long strip of audio beneath it. The software allows you to merge and sync your sound and video together. By moving, cutting or adding effects, you can create a fully integrated sound and video combination of your reel to reel and 16mm source materials.
Tags: reel reel, video camera, 16mm film, digital video, sound video
