Basic mic/audio questions

[stanw]

I am new to all of this, so pardon my ignorance:

1.) When should a microphone be connected directly into the input of the HVX as opposed to being plugged into a mixer before being plugged into the HVX?

2.) Does 4 channel uncompressed digital audio recording mean you can connect up to 4 separate mics into the HVX?

Thanks.

[THoff]

Plugging a mike directly into the camera is the easiest and cheapest way to connect an external mike, but using a mixer allows more control and given a high-quality mixer possibly better audio. In particular, gain control and clipping may be handled better using a mixer.

DVCProHD allows for up to eight uncompressed audio tracks, but the HVX can only record four, and two of them are for the internal mikes. You thus have only two additional channels that can be used with external mikes, and the audio level dials in the back of the camera will only control INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 -- whatever sources are assigned to INPUT 3 and INPUT 4 are always recorded with the level equivalent to a dial that is in the center position.

[stanw]

1. Are INPUT 1 INPUT 2 for the externals?

2. Why are INPUT 3 and INPUT 4 limited to the level equivalent to a dial that is in the center position?

Thanks.

[THoff]

INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 can be assigned to either the two internal mikes or the XLR inputs.

The lack of independently adjustable input levels for the remaining two inputs is one of the flaws of the HVX 200. Since you can control only two channels with the dials, the other two default to a level that's pegged at 50% -- that seems reasonable given the aforementioned limitation.

I have a Sennheiser G2 wireless lavalier system, and since it has adjustable output levels, I use the internal mikes for INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 with the G2.

When using my Audio Technica AT-835ST stereo shotgun, I use INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 for it, since controlling the shotgun level is more important than controlling the internal mikes.

On the HPX500 which is the next level up in camera performance/cost, you can controll all four channels independently.

[stanw]

Thanks for all of your help!

[Dick Campbell]

It should also be pointed out the that the 4 channels are only available when using the P2. Tape only records the two channels (either onboard or externals, but not both).

[Mark-P]

When you said:

"I have a Sennheiser G2 wireless lavalier system, and since it has adjustable output levels, I use the internal mikes for INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 with the G2."

Why do you use the internal mic while also using the G2?

If I understand correctly, to use an external mic:
- I connect the XLR to the Input 1
- I switch the Input 1 option to "on"
- I switch the toggle next to Input 1 to "Mic" because I have an external mic connected.
- I switch CH 1 SELECT to Input 1 and leave CH2 SELECT set it INT (R)

What am I missing? I am not successfully recording audio?

[THoff]

When you said:

"I have a Sennheiser G2 wireless lavalier system, and since it has adjustable output levels, I use the internal mikes for INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 with the G2."

Why do you use the internal mic while also using the G2?
I use the internal mikes for backup. It won't always be useable, but since the camera always records four channels (if you use P2 cards), you might as well set your camera up in such a way that you can use the audio from the internal mikes if you have to. Having the audio from the internal mikes can also be useful for recording ambient sound for mixing.


If I understand correctly, to use an external mic:
- I connect the XLR to the Input 1
- I switch the Input 1 option to "on"
- I switch the toggle next to Input 1 to "Mic" because I have an external mic connected.
- I switch CH 1 SELECT to Input 1 and leave CH2 SELECT set it INT (R)

What am I missing? I am not successfully recording audio?Whether you need to set the level to MIC or LINE depends on the audio source. Likewise, not all XLR sources require power, and some may be damaged if you send 48V phantom power to them.

[mcvideo]

what was the outcome of this? wondering since i too am having issues getting g2 series to record. i pretty much followed the same outline posted by Mark-P with no luck. Checked the hvx dvd (BG) just in case this was covered... nope! Anyone know of useful resource that would walk me through. I know this sounds ignorant and its probably very simple to do but i'm new to the hvx still with little time available to really get my hands wet with the hvx. i normally edit, not record. bare with me guys. :)