Db Levels on the HPX500

[NewYorkLion]

OK,

All my sound guys complain that unlike all other full size rigs, the HPX does not tell you what Db level you are setting tone to. Has anyone figure this out?

 

[stuckfootage]

Yes, that is frustrating. You pay $14,000 for a camera,
and they don't even bother to put audio calibration
marks on the display.

Here's a workaround:

Feed the camera a test signal from a source
that is calibrated in dB.

Adjust the level until the meter just tickles the top bar
(according to page 57 of the manual, that is 0dB).
Record some of that tone, and then boost the level
just enough to cause the OVER indicator to illuminate.
Now log and transfer the recording.
Look at the waveform of the two audio recordings
to verify that the sine wave is clean at 0db, but clips at OVER.
Now you've demonstrated that 0dB is indeed 0dBFS.

Go back to the input mode and feed the camera with
a tone corresponding to 0dbFS. On the audio source,
reduce the level by 12dB. Note where the level is
on the camera. That is -12dBFS, which is a pretty
good level to set your calibration tones and also
a pretty level for most recordings.

I hope that is useful.

Les