FS7: FS7 Audio settings.... the confusing part.

[Amadou]

We just rented an FS7 as second camera. We are using a shotgun microphone and going into LINE 1 with XLR cable and monitoring with headphones. Looking at the audio menu settings and trying to figure out what they mean is a nightmare. The manual explains nothing. Internet FS7 videos do not discuss audio. Could somebody please explain what this means.

1 Audio Level + Side.... as opposed to....... Audio level. ???? What's the difference ?

2 INPUT1 MIC Reference –60dB / –50dB / –40dB ......... what does this mean? Should it be left at 50?

3 CH1&2 AGC Mode Mono / Stereo..... what does this mean? No explaination in the manual.

4 Audio input level... Why would one set it up here when there is a dial on the side already?

5 Limiter Mode Off / –6dB / –9dB / –12dB / –15dB / –17dB.... again... should this be left off to avoid issues or should it be on at all times....?

6 Final question: The level meters at the bottom of the display are very small. Is there a way to make the more visible while using the camera?

Thank you very much for your help. I hope I will be spared the rant about getting a professionnal sound recordist. We don't have the budget. Thank you.

 

[jc01108]

You might want to think about hiring an audio tech for your shoot. They will know what the settings mean and how to set them for your particular gear and needs.

 

[Paul F]

I see your misery. The manual is useless on some of these issues. Hopefully, someone can provide clear answers, but here is some information.

#1 - Some information from JWsound. Not very clear, but might help - http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/23467-sony-fs7/
#1 - Here is more information, but still not clear - https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/142/883324

#2 - here is some information - http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?343305-Reference-audio-levels.

#3 - leave AGC off and then you can ignore this. You don't want to use AGC.
#4 - see the jwsound link in #1
#5 - It depends on what you are shooting. If you are shooting dialog that doesn't have a lot of range of loudness (shouting), then leave it off.

 

[Publimix]

2. depends on microphone you use, normally 50 is OK.
6. push status button to get up to four huge audio meters in viewfinder.

7. " I hope I will be spared the rant about getting a professionnal sound recordist. We don't have the budget. Thank you." Nice try but this wont work here as I quote:

You might want to think about hiring an audio tech for your shoot. They will know what the settings mean and how to set them for your particular gear and needs.

 

[egproductions]

I'm a believer that here on DVXuser we should be holding ourselves to a higher standard than the trolling and bashing you see elsewhere on the internet and social media. That is part of the reason this has been such a strong and consistent community for so long. We all have at least one common bond which is the reason we are all here, let's not lose site of that.

Amadou, I agree people should not be responding to your posts as they often do. Just one piece of constructive criticism that might help...you have a tendency to flood the forum with many posts and questions all at once. I know there are times I myself get very inquisitive about a camera or topic and want to know everything about it so I can't blame you there. That being said, please realize that we are all logged on during our free time to help each other as a whole, not just one person. Please respect the community and show a little restraint by posting questions a little less frequently and taking the time to give back by answering other people's questions or by sharing your own experiences that don't end in a question mark.

 

[Alex H.]

This is the one and only warning. I’ve cleaned up some of the nastier responses here.

This question was posted in multiple forums around here - against forum guidelines - and it has been answered in detail, twice, in one of them.

This thread is done. If there’s any more of this garbage, especially the language, trolling, and personal insults, there will be no second chance.