60d for sound

Audio Test

Audio Test

About to head off to work here...but curiosity got the best of me...

have quickly grabbed a couple of older mics I had...Sony Lapel and a Sony Condensor..(not the most expensive mics in the world by any stretch!)

Recorded a quick test direct into the 60D..manual setting..imported into Premiere Cs4....unlinked the video....exported to wav...

2 mics in the one file...

You can download it from here:

https://www.yousendit.com/download/ ZGJjSU5DeFVoeWJ2Wmc9PQ

See what you think....it has a bit of hiss in it...maybe that is my mics or the setting?

I'm going to try and get hold of an XLR to 3.5mm adapter so I can test out my more professional DPA4061 lapel mic...
 
thanks mangler but a setup like that is a bit over my budget. kinda just trying to get a low cost setup at the moment thats gonna be better than the in camera mic.
would the h1 setup i talked about work?
thanks
 
Thanks Mavoz! Those sound like pretty cheap mic's indeed but that's alright, how high was your rec level setting? If it's not the lowest it might explain it, since the 60d's preamp isn't that great. Maybe an external preamp would a better job like Mangler said. Gonna check if there's a cheaper alternative though the price of that thing is bs
 
Can the inputs of the 60D accept both mic and line level inputs? If one uses a mixer or pre-amp in the signal path before the camera, having to feed it line level is a possibility.

Discussing sound on a camera forum is always problematic at best because camera guys are not sound guys. It's a very different discipline. Having to do your own sound is a bit like trying to do your own dental work. It's better left to someone who knows about it so you don't have to worry.
 
So Back to The Original Question., Would it be a Good Idea to Buy a 60d and USE it For Sound and Film in orderto Complement a 7d set up and do away with using the H4N in a RUN and GUN situation.

IS THE QUALITY OF THE 60 Manual Controls GOOD enough for Professinal Work.

I THINK we CAN AGREE that YES it is.
 
JPM Photography said:
Even though there is manual adjustment, the sound quality will still not be amazing at all because it records in Linear PCM. Plus there is no phantom power. Idk, for me, it just makes more sense to continue recording with the H4N.
Click to expand...

For the record, Linear PCM is an uncompressed format, and is as good as it gets in pro cameras. My Sony EX1 uses Linear PCM and it's sweet. The audio on something like HDV video is the same as 320kbps mp3, and should be avoided.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_pulse_code_modulation

Though I personally would use 2nd system sound in a good recorder like the Tascam RD-680 or the Sony PCM-D50, in either case (into camera / into recorder) a mixer is the best way to not only improve your signal to noise ratio, but ensure protection from clipping with limiters. Something like the Sound Devices MixPre has all the front end you need for any recorder be it audio or DSLR, however for DSLR you have to buy an attenuation cable to take the line level MixPre signal down to the mic level 60D. That would be the Best way to record as far as signal to noise, clean gain, low cut filters, and optical limiters on both the input and output rendering your properly calibrated signal virtually unclippable. An economical 2nd choice would be something like a juicedLink mixer. Though they do not have limiters or low cut (for wind rumble), some models provide Phantom power, they are also switchable between mic and line level (you need mic level) AND they actually have gain, meaning you can turn up the mic and turn down the recording level - resulting in less noise. With a Beachteck you have no gain, and can only turn down from the level the mic would be if you plugged it straight in.

The H4N is an OK recorder, but it's pres are somewhat noisy, it's levels are adjusted through the menu and it's only one level for both channels, the limiter is software based, and harsh. If you ran a mixer into the H4N you would be much better off than trying to plug a mic straight in. Yes you can get good recordings under optimal conditions, but the H4N remember is designed for bedroom musicians to capture ideas, not for a situation where you need to change levels quickly. The inputs are prone to distort too. That is avoidable, but for a 300.00 recorder you trade off usability/reliability for the low price point.

I'd try a mixer first and see what it sounds like because you want one whether you record into the camera or a recorder.
 
Yeah, Linear PCM outstanding quality. Never let me down. 16 or 24bit sounds great!
 
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Linear PCM is an uncompressed format. Compressed variants are widely used for telephony and other low-bandwidth applications. Maybe you should explain why you just throw out an unfounded "Wrong" to this bit common knowledge draven. "Wrong" is such a combative way to communicate disparity a point, only to delete it from your post when you found out it was you who were mistaken.

http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/fdd/fdd000016.shtml

• On PCs, the term PCM and LPCM often refer to the format used in WAV (defined in 1991) and AIFF audio container formats (defined in 1988). LPCM data may also be stored in other formats such as AU, raw audio format (header-less file) and various multimedia container formats.
• LPCM has been defined as a part of the DVD (since 1995) and Blu-ray (since 2006) standards.[9][10][11] It is also defined as a part of various digital video and audio storage formats (e.g. DV since 1995[12], AVCHD since 2006[13]).
• Linear pulse code modulation is used by HDMI (defined in 2002), a single-cable digital audio/video connector interface for transmitting UNCOMPRESSED digital data.
 
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Level button on the side? Awesome upgrade from the H4! Still I'd prefer to bypass it's preamps with something professional feeding that recorder.

By "Levels" on the H4N do you mean it has separate levels for each channel, or rather one level(singular) for both? Maybe that's another upgrade in the right direction to be happy for.
 
No you cannot control the levels for each channel in stereo mode but can in multitrack mode. I only use the stereo mode. The hardware button on the side adjust the level of both in stereo mode at the same time so that is not ideal but hey it's something. Sorry if you seem to think that this is an upgrade that sucks from the H4.
 
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"I don't know why you seem so pissed. Calm the heck down."

Not pissed friend, just noting the rudeness of replying with "WRONG" whether someone is wrong or not. We're all trying to help each other here. Let's use positive language like, "I don't agree, and here's why..."

"Anyway just calm down man."

Apology accepted. Now let's get back to finding those audio solutions.
 
All in all I totally agree. Using a hardware mixer with the 60d is a great idea! Thanks for sharing Chadfish!!
 
Draven, I believe I've already said this (Can't keep track training new DSLR guys on audio) but the JuicedLink is a better deal. Important: The Beachtecks are PASSIVE, meaning they get no louder than the mic plugged straight in. All you can do is turn down. The JuicedLinks have gain that you can turn up, and get your signal up louder than the noise. Also the JuicedLinks are just quieter themselves, so they don't introduce their own noise to the mix. Write Robert at JuicedLink and he can explain better why.

Or watch this video to see some comparisons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-_72AX-naE
 
Yeah I saw that it was passive right after I posted and meant to take down the link. (was at work and got busy) Meant to edit that. Good news is that now when someone looks that certain model up in a thread they will see your reply and know why the one you've explained is better.
 
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