BINAUdoc : Enjoy with your Ears !

Binaural sound is a native sound recording technique that allows the viewer to experience a 360° restitution of the sound field. This listening experience requires headphones to fully enjoy it.

To learn more about binaural sound, I encourage you to read the very thorough article written by Lidwine HO (ex-engineer for FranceTV).

The idea behind this research is to work on 2 axis: image and sound. The goal is to offer a narrative, unique and immersive audiovisual experience to the viewer.

The videos you will see below convey the notion of point of view (that of the camera), and the notion of point of hearing (binaural sound) in a hyper-realistic audio sphere.

TECHNIQUE

In order for the point of hearing to match the point of view, the cameraman is equipped with two miniature microphones placed in the auditory canal of each of his ears, these microphones are connected to a digital recorder (Zoom H6). The audio tracks are then synchronized with the footage during editing.

For some shots we used a binaural head (a mannequin head equipped with two latex ears) in order to deport the microphones. This head, placed on a stand, becomes an independent microphone, allowing the cameraman to work independently.

Realization

The choice of location is decisive: for these short documentaries the soundscapes serve as the guiding thread. 

"The Sounds of Bread"

We shot "The Sounds of Bread" at the Poilâne Bakery in Bièvres, following all the steps of the baking process. The interview with Apollonia Poilâne - Poilâne's company head - was done after an initial viewing of the video using binaural recording. The focus of the interview was on her feelings and the evocation of memories linked to the noises. The goal was for Apollonia to accompany the story and give the audience more sensitive and personal informations about the bakery's universe.

"The Mill"

Here, it is clearly a more contemplative form; a succession of nature shots surrounding a mill in Charente.  

The sound recording is directly done by the camera operator ( the microphone is placed in the ear canal), adding some sound effects to the mix (insects, frogs...).

"The Sounds of Bread"

A sound journey through the baking process at the Poilâne factory in Bièvres, told by Apollonia Poilâne. 

Direction & editing : Arnaud Vincenti

Footage: Philippe Maires & Arnaud Vincenti

"The Mill"

Footage & Editing : Arnaud Vincenti