built-in mic: why do they bother?
- Thread starter powerdog
- Start date
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
Well, here's my thought.
A lot of people only end up using one external mic on productions, usually a boom. So sometimes it's useful to have that second channel recording from the onboard mic "just in case". Running that second channel, while I didn't intend to actually use it, I did end up putting it in my edits a few times to cover handling noise, to get room ambience, and occasionally I had to use it because the because the boom mic distorted on loud dialogue.
I agree that it's cheap and crappy sounding, but I've found it to be helpful as a back up, and it's saved me from looping a couple of times.
Well, here's my thought.
A lot of people only end up using one external mic on productions, usually a boom. So sometimes it's useful to have that second channel recording from the onboard mic "just in case". Running that second channel, while I didn't intend to actually use it, I did end up putting it in my edits a few times to cover handling noise, to get room ambience, and occasionally I had to use it because the because the boom mic distorted on loud dialogue.
I agree that it's cheap and crappy sounding, but I've found it to be helpful as a back up, and it's saved me from looping a couple of times.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
True, but I'm suggesting a use in a situation where you only want the audio of your interview subject but for editing purposes, you still need to hear the question asked by the interviewer.
A lot of documentaries never have the voice of the interviewer actually asking the question and instead cut straight to the answer.
If you mic your subject with a lav, you're not goign to hear your interviewer's voice asking the questions, sometimes making your edits more tedius.
True, but I'm suggesting a use in a situation where you only want the audio of your interview subject but for editing purposes, you still need to hear the question asked by the interviewer.
A lot of documentaries never have the voice of the interviewer actually asking the question and instead cut straight to the answer.
If you mic your subject with a lav, you're not goign to hear your interviewer's voice asking the questions, sometimes making your edits more tedius.
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
OK, im confussed! hehe
If I just use the onboard mic I will get a stereo recording, which will translate into 2 audio tracks in fcp?
if, instead, I use the onboard mic for say channel 1, and a shotgun mic for channel 2, will I have two independant stereo (4 tracks in FCP) to choose from in my nle? (1 left onboard, 1 left boom, 1right onboard, 1right boom?) or will it composite the two inputs into a single pair of stereo tracks?
OK, im confussed! hehe
If I just use the onboard mic I will get a stereo recording, which will translate into 2 audio tracks in fcp?
if, instead, I use the onboard mic for say channel 1, and a shotgun mic for channel 2, will I have two independant stereo (4 tracks in FCP) to choose from in my nle? (1 left onboard, 1 left boom, 1right onboard, 1right boom?) or will it composite the two inputs into a single pair of stereo tracks?
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
You would have one stereo track.
You would have one stereo track.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
Okay, sorry if I confused you. I mean to say that when you record with any stereo camera or camera with two audio inputs...your NLE will import two tracks of audio.
How those two tracks appear in your NLE depends on the system. Some systems will show it as two seperate tracks, linked together and panned left and right...ie- stereo. Some will show it as a single stereo track that you can seperate into two individual tracks, and yet further still...depending on settings, some will import as two center panned unlinked audio tracks (1 & 2 mono).
The important part being that you'll have two tracks that can be made to be a single stereo or 2 track mono depending on your needs.
If you use a shotgun on 1 and the onboard mic for 2 it will still only result in 2 mono tracks total. Your NLE might import the audio as a single linked stereo pair, but then you just have to pan them both center to get back to 2 individual mono tracks.
Okay, sorry if I confused you. I mean to say that when you record with any stereo camera or camera with two audio inputs...your NLE will import two tracks of audio.
How those two tracks appear in your NLE depends on the system. Some systems will show it as two seperate tracks, linked together and panned left and right...ie- stereo. Some will show it as a single stereo track that you can seperate into two individual tracks, and yet further still...depending on settings, some will import as two center panned unlinked audio tracks (1 & 2 mono).
The important part being that you'll have two tracks that can be made to be a single stereo or 2 track mono depending on your needs.
If you use a shotgun on 1 and the onboard mic for 2 it will still only result in 2 mono tracks total. Your NLE might import the audio as a single linked stereo pair, but then you just have to pan them both center to get back to 2 individual mono tracks.
Collink
Well-known member
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
I just finished shooting a short film in which we had an external location audio recording setup (using boom-pole/condenser shotgun. etc) We used a slate at the front end of each take so that I could sync the location sound to the picture in post. On just a few shots my script manager (who was doing the slate) failed to actually get the slate into the shot enough that the camera picked up the visual cue. In post, the cheesy camera audio saved me time and frustration in that I could audibly hear him call out the scene and shot numbers and I could "see" the slate clap in the audio track on the timeline and I could very easily line up the same audio peak from the location sound file. Im still sane because Panasonic stuck a less than ideal mic on an otherwise ideal camera.
I just finished shooting a short film in which we had an external location audio recording setup (using boom-pole/condenser shotgun. etc) We used a slate at the front end of each take so that I could sync the location sound to the picture in post. On just a few shots my script manager (who was doing the slate) failed to actually get the slate into the shot enough that the camera picked up the visual cue. In post, the cheesy camera audio saved me time and frustration in that I could audibly hear him call out the scene and shot numbers and I could "see" the slate clap in the audio track on the timeline and I could very easily line up the same audio peak from the location sound file. Im still sane because Panasonic stuck a less than ideal mic on an otherwise ideal camera.
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
Here is a tale to chill the blood.
I was contracted to record a three camera shoot of a live CD release gig.
I was told that I would be supplied with a copy of the Live CD mix from the mixing desk for top notch sound quality.
So we recorded the event on my DVX100, a Canon XL1s and a Sony V2000. This was intercut with on stage footage during the rehearsals to give plenty of angles.
I went to pick up the CD soundtrack to synch it in only to be told that the sound guy had forgotten to press the record button on the CD burner.
So after a quick check with the original footage the soundtrack came off the DVX 100 internal mics. I am a bit supprised that it came up with the best sound considering the accessory mics fitted on the other two cameras. But they were maxing out regularly whilst my ones had the level nice and reasonable.
SO whatever the situation remember that those cheap and cheerfuls can save the day.
steve
Here is a tale to chill the blood.
I was contracted to record a three camera shoot of a live CD release gig.
I was told that I would be supplied with a copy of the Live CD mix from the mixing desk for top notch sound quality.
So we recorded the event on my DVX100, a Canon XL1s and a Sony V2000. This was intercut with on stage footage during the rehearsals to give plenty of angles.
I went to pick up the CD soundtrack to synch it in only to be told that the sound guy had forgotten to press the record button on the CD burner.
So after a quick check with the original footage the soundtrack came off the DVX 100 internal mics. I am a bit supprised that it came up with the best sound considering the accessory mics fitted on the other two cameras. But they were maxing out regularly whilst my ones had the level nice and reasonable.
SO whatever the situation remember that those cheap and cheerfuls can save the day.
steve
taubkin
Veteran
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
I only wish Panasonic would include the acessory mic with the camera and thrash the built in mic. Just like the PD-150 does. The panasonic mic is not much better than the internal, but at least leaves us the option of removing it out of our way... If they are giving 300 dolar software with the camera, they surely could have included a 100 dollar mic (and save them the burden of manufacturing that pathetic little box that hangs over our matteboxes...).
I only wish Panasonic would include the acessory mic with the camera and thrash the built in mic. Just like the PD-150 does. The panasonic mic is not much better than the internal, but at least leaves us the option of removing it out of our way... If they are giving 300 dolar software with the camera, they surely could have included a 100 dollar mic (and save them the burden of manufacturing that pathetic little box that hangs over our matteboxes...).
Re: built-in mic: why do they bother?
[quote author=taubkin link=board=Events;num=1092663039;start=0#12 date=09/11/04 at 12:08:44] If they are giving 300 dolar software with the camera, they surely could have included a 100 dollar mic (and save them the burden of manufacturing that pathetic little box that hangs over our matteboxes...).[/quote]
Which software are you talking about? My camera didn't come with any software. Am I missing something?
All the best
Fidel.
[quote author=taubkin link=board=Events;num=1092663039;start=0#12 date=09/11/04 at 12:08:44] If they are giving 300 dolar software with the camera, they surely could have included a 100 dollar mic (and save them the burden of manufacturing that pathetic little box that hangs over our matteboxes...).[/quote]
Which software are you talking about? My camera didn't come with any software. Am I missing something?
All the best
Fidel.
