Far Inferior Camera Mic to XL1?

M

MemphisMourns

Active member
Dear God,

I filmed a band last night, and even though it looks absolutely gorgeous - I cannot believe my ears. Is my on cam mic broken??

I know it is bad taste to use a camera mic for audio when filming a live band, but I really didn't have a choice, as it was a last minute idea. I, admittedly, just got this cam and don't know much about it... so I set the audio to manual, and just played with the levels until it was out of the red... I was on stage, so it was loud. But when watching it back, today, the audio is just all low end thumping... TERRIBLE. And it just gets worse as the show goes on. As if the mic was breaking!!

My XL1 always gets the job done. I filmed a band on stage, and it isn't perfect but it sounds really good. Just with the cam mic.

And yes I moved around, and no I wasn't stuck in front of the bass monitor... am I missing something? Is my camera broken? Is the WAY more expensive xha1 an inferior camera for live music?? HELP
 
It's not inferior for live music... but I wouldn't be surprised if its on-camera microphone is.

Never count on the on-camera mic.
 
is the mic ATT on when you were using it on stage?

But the on camera mic is never a good thing to use if you are serious with your work
 
Thanks guys!

What is the mic att? What am I missing? How can I get the best live music sound out of it if it comes up again? I mean, you cant even tell it was music...
 
Mic ATT is the microphone Attenuator, can be found on page 48 of your manual. Use it when audio gets to high. there are 3 switches. 2 on the XLR unit and one under the LCD (on top of the Camera)

BTW you should be using headphone to monitor your audio. I paid my dues so many times even though though I was looking at the audio levels. It is never the same until you hear what you are actually getting in to the camera with a headphones.
 
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Memphis was comparing to the XL1 and I found exactly the same i.e. the XL1 mic was much better and coped well with high sound levels. I filmed many bands at weddings and invariably had decent audio. OK not perfect but horses for courses as they say. I wouldn't dream of doing any serious music recording without a proper set up but I refuse to walk around a wedding with headphones on like a geek so rely on the camera to help me.

To use the XHA1 onboard mic for a band or disco I have found the only way is to use the att switch under the LCD cover. Not perfect but does the job, for weddings anyway.
 
so mic att is a limiter? If i go manual levels and use mic att does this mean i can master but when signal jumps up limiter will cut in?
 
lordybob said:
so mic att is a limiter? If i go manual levels and use mic att does this mean i can master but when signal jumps up limiter will cut in?
Click to expand...

No, it automatically suppress your current level by 10db (or 20, can't remember). Att is pretty useless for most situations. Better to just ride the level yourself.
 
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