Is a DVX alone good enough for sound?

[MattinSTL]

Hmm... I see somebody asking if they need a mixer for a DVX. I've read posts before that say the DVX sounds really good, but not good enough for music... There's always somebody thinking they may need to improve the DVX audio for some reason... If you don't know me by now that's yet another myth I intend to smash. For camcorder audio the DVX is closing in on perfection.

In the process of testing every mic I can get my grubby hands on I enjoy testing the capabilities of the DVX. I love this camera... let me repeat it... I LOVE this camera... The audio section is SO good that you are doing something wrong if you think you need a seperate mic pre. Sure, for extra channels or additional mixing... or maybe even special circumstances... but for the average, run of the mill, indy film-maker/documentary producer?

The DVX can handle your needs young man (or woman)... don't sweat it.

I had a lot of fun tonight really testing out some mics in a real world music situation... here's a clip of two of my cheap-ass Oktava mics in a buddy's house. Standard room, nothing special.

Since I always offer clips for you guys to do whatever you want with I have to say that THIS ONE IS COPYWRITE ELLIOT GENTHER 2004. Listening ONLY please! If you're a record producer then I can assure you that this guy is a real find. He writes/sings/plays his music and this is just a tiny drop from the well.

For the rest of you buggers... dig the quality from just a DVX and a couple average mics.

Click HERE to listen to Elliot Genther.

[taubkin]

That was freaking amazing. Thank god I have a DVX!

[MattinSTL]

Thanks for the compliment Taubkin ... obviously I give all the credit to Elliot.

Here's another one... 2 NT1000s... just as we were setting up. In this one we hear an aquarium and a computer... I shut off the aquarium but couldn't kill the computer so that's why I have the Oktava clips... they took care of the computer. Less sensitive you know... but anyway I still wanted to post this one because it really maxes out the DVX.

See if you can hear a full bottle of beer hit the floor... you gotta' listen carefully. ;)

Click HERE for NT1000 pair on Elliot Genther.

[taubkin]

Very cool. I had my earphones on and I tought the beer bottle fell here in my room. There's definately a lot of room tone, but the quality was amazing. It's impressive how clear the DVX's pre's are. Your buddy has got it also, that ought to help. But I'm thinking we could easely mix down a CD from those DVX's recordings in terms of quality (OK, not the best there is, but still commerciable). Maybe in a quiet studio. But then again who actually needs it?

[dmitriandsnow]

Nevermind the sound quality, this musician knocked me out of the chair. Great melodic stuff in the beginning and very interesting vocals later on. Does he have an album? Would he be interested in some short films?Oh yeah by the way good job with the sound.

[MattinSTL]

LOL... THAT'S the reaction I expected! Warmstep... this is my favorite use of the mics and gear I've got... my brother thinks I'm exaggerating, but to me it feels like I'm just hanging out with Eric Clapton... of course I really like acoustic guitar...

The guy's voice is great. He's a young, good looking guy, and his music and lyrics are genius, and he's got this really cool, humble personality to boot... he WILL be somebody one day. I would NEVER erase any of the tapes I make with Elliot... lol.

The computer that you hear was capturing sound from 2 mics feeding a 24/96 interface to ProTools... that's why I couldn't shut the computer off. This was kind of an impromptu experiment so things weren't set up right... I had the unused pair running into my camera... whichever pair that happened to be at the time.

Later this week... maybe even today... I'm going to get an acoustic space set up as good as I can get it. Then I'll have Elliot do a bunch of songs with the Rodes.

I'd like to do a video for him and he likes the idea also... so when I get that together you really will hear what the DVX can do. I'm going to do ALL the sound with the DVX and keep it out of the computer entirely... just for the hell of it. I think it would be cool to have a video shot COMPLETELY in a stock DVX that showcases it's picture and sound.

If I can help Elliot get discovered in the process... all the better! ;)

I'm sharing one of the moments that I truly thank God for my senses... I've always been obsessive about sound and stuff like this is why... it speaks straight to my soul... sorry to be cheesy... but back on topic, I'm glad the DVX can communicate information like this. ;D