Audio

[robzoo]

I am weighing very heavily on whether or not to pull the trigger and buy this camera but am wondering about the audio quality, and what if any options are there for GOOD audio recording to sync along with the video that gets captured.

[Mike@AF]

Depends on what you're shooting. If you're shooting short films or other narratives, or anything else where audio is really important, then the audio is going to suck. Invest in an H4N and a good mic(s). I've been very pleased with the quality of my H4N. The only downside is that it's dual system audio so post takes a little longer. But the audio on the H4N is much cleaner than the audio on my old HVX200, so I'm happy and find it to be worth it.

Also, I do all my syncing manually with a trusty old slate or hand clap.

[robzoo]

So does that connect with the cam at all or it is a separate device that has to be synced in post?

[robzoo]

Has anyone posted any footage that has actual audio via in cam mic or an external device ? I seem to only be able to find stuff that has music added in post.

[Mike@AF]

So does that connect with the cam at all or it is a separate device that has to be synced in post?

Completely separate. Needs to be synced in post.

[Mike@AF]

I know I've seen videos with just cam audio. I've yet to create a Vimeo account of my own so I don't have anything up.

I've shot a few different ways. I always recored cam audio (with built-in mic or cam audio with a MKE400 connected) when I record separately with the H4N (with either a MKH416 connected or 2 Sennheisser G2 wireless lavs connected). I've also tried the H4N with it's built-in mic. Order of preference is...

1. MKH416 connected to H4N
2. G2 lavs connected to H4N (in some cases I'd prefer these over the MKH416)
3. H4N built-in mic
4. MKE400 connected to GH1
5. GH1 built-in mic

Trust me, a mic connected to the H4N is an enormous improvement over the GH1. There's no comparison.

[J Davis]

Mike is right, cam audio is absolutely horrendous, dual audio is the only serious solution at the moment

H4 audio sync example
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=176768
H4 audio sync slippage
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=175358

[ustein]

What about the Zoom H2?

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

Has anyone posted any footage that has actual audio via in cam mic or an external device ? I seem to only be able to find stuff that has music added in post.

Audio recorded by GH1 using internal & external mics:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...5&postcount=12
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=177740
http://vimeo.com/groups/gh1/videos/5860184
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...41&postcount=9
http://vimeo.com/6257412

The above are real-world examples of GH1 audio recordings. Its sound recording capability, especially when using good external microphone(s) and mic technique (mic placement, wind screen, etc.) can yield serviceable results.

However, one can expect the cam's automatic sound recording level control to produce undesirable results from time to time -- ALC sucks like that.

Unfortunately, the GH1's lack of a headphone jack or live audio line output for monitoring sound while recording means recording program audio into a GH1 is an inevitable disaster waiting to happen.

[robzoo]

So would it be a good idea to use the on board mic and also to have a portable device and in post layer both audio tracks for better sync and sound, or just kill the on board mic and use just the portable device?