ALC....disadvantages?

[cgrosso74]

I usually like to leave auto-anything off. I understand that ALC is not a Automatic Level Control, but a limit control...Barry's book explains this very well. Are there any disadvantages to leaving ALC on? My typical audio situation is using a wireless or boom in channel 1 and/or 2. I will leave the on board camera mic on if a channel is free for ambient.

I was on a shoot recently doing interviews, typically I'd have an audio guy with me, this time I was flying solo so I wasn't watching audio as much as the picture. ALC was off. The audio overall is fine, I just have to have our editor take the level down a bit in post...I guess what I'm asking is, is there any audible compression or anything with ALC on?

[crazyczech]

It just limits louds noises (-6 db and higher) and tries to keep them at -4db and away from the dreaded 0db (aka distorted ugly unusable sound). I always leave it on as it only affects extremely loud noises....which should only happen infrequently. ALC no disadvantages.

[Barry_Green]

If you're using an external mixer with its own limiter control, you might want to turn off the ALC on the DVX. Other than that, I pretty much leave it on all the time.

[HorseFilms]

I also leave it on all the time... but Barry is the Guru, so who cares what I do? ;D