Filming a Live Event....

Elmy

Elmy

Well-known member
I wasn't sure if this was the best place to ask this, but since I'm using an HMC150 I thought I'd try.
I was wondering if anyone knows of a source where I can find some good information on shooting live events, specifically ones with loud music, concerts, but can be any live event. I mainly need advice on sound issues. Best Mic types to use, settings, ect.. I've been using my shotgun mic which I like but obviously when I move around it picks up the sound differently, especially if I point away from speakers to film the crowd, and so I run into issues. I also was wondering if its best to set my volume on my camera all the way down (I'm usually right next to the speakers) and try to not hit the red, or keep it kinda higher then I would think? Anyone with experience in this area would be great, Keep in mind I'm a poor semi-amateur :D
 
your onboard mic will not be the best route for usable audio. Ive shot a lot of concerts from the barricade right next to speaker stacks but we ususally had a second cam in the back of the venue rigged with an audio-technica stereo mic which did an ok job. ive also used mini-disc recorders with stereo mic back/center of venue. maybe hook up with a local show taper that has a decent kit they would be able to get you a better audio recording or someone with a portable pro-tools rig you can get direct feeds pre-monitor mix and multitrack the show to be mixed and mastered later.
 
The on board mic has had trouble with loud audio where it will pop and crack even if the volume is way down. Hopefully this is something Panasonic will fix. I've filmed many concerts and for a low budget setup there are three good things I would recommend.

-Get a condensor microphone and set it towards the back of the room pointing at the middle of the stage. This will ensure an even and steady sound no matter where you move the camera. Need to go wireless for this.

-Get a condensor mic and mount it on camera. Although this way is easier if you don't have a wireless setup, but the audio will not be as good. Whatever instruments you are closest to/pointing at will sound the loudest.

-You could get a line out from the mixing board. Depending on how it's mixed you can get good audio to not so good. The mix is set for live sound and not set to listen to through the mix so the instruments can be way off. Also, not all venues mic every intrument.

A combination of a line out of the mix in one input and a condensor in the other is a combo to work with. I would keep the volume levels at around -12db. You can go 1 or 2 notches above that but keep it well below peaking.
 
Really your best bet is to get some kind of portable recorder with a line in (the Zoom H4n comes to mind but you don't have to go that far) and have the board guy plug your recorder into the Stereo line out. Then just record the wild sound onto the onboard mic for reference. If you tie the line out to the camera your mobility will be greatly reduced and any other mic solution will either hinder your movement or cause the same audio variance due to spatial placement in the room.

Our sound guy is buying a fantastic device from Fostex that looks to be very cool and professional but I can't remember the model number. I know it is another $600 so that may not suit your needs.

Good luck.....
 
thanks for the imput, Ill look into the wireless condenser, ill have to probably live with the shotgun mic I have for now =/. A little strapped for cash since I purchased my Fluid tripod. Naanan let me know about that device when you can also :D
 
Your best source of information is asking questions on video forums like this one!

If you will be on tripod, get a long mic cable and set up a mic in a good location and run it to your camera. The other channel can be for your shotgun or onboard mic.

The most important thing if you are close to a loud sound source is to not overload the preamp in the camera.

This would mean attenuating the mic or in camera settings.

Condenser mics often have a switch (0, -10 -20) on them that regulates the amount of sound let into the mic. So if you a plcing it by a snare drum, you would roll some off and set it to -10 or -20.

This shields the preamps from massive sound and lets you record a clean track.

The camera has some settings (-50 & -60) which need to set per your mic to give it the most range without clipping.
 
One more thing, recording the audio in your camera is the safest bet as exernal recorders will "drift" over time.

If you have along event the audio from the recroder and the video from your camera will not line up over a certain period of recording time. Sometimes only 10 minutes.

This is cured by using a digital timepiece device to sync the audio recording device with the video signal if the audio device can accept it.

But trust me, you do not want to get home from a 2 hour concert to find you need to re-sync the audio very 10-15 minutes!
 
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