Gh1 audio

joe 1008

joe 1008

Veteran
Hello Guys, thought it would be good to have a thread dedicated to audio.

How good is the audio of the GH1 in general terms?

What are the limitations?

What microphone should one choose?

Is there full audio level control?

Or do I have to work with external audio?

If so, is there any possibility to syncronize external audio?
 
Audio uses a Mic-in port, or on camera stereo mic. Don't know if you can disable gain control. Panasonic makes an accessory stereo mic that goes in the hot shoe.

I believe an external BeachTek or that Zoom h4n should make up for what the camera lacks. The latter would allow you to record 4 tracks... for syncing someone suggested running the audio out of the Zoom to the camera audio in.
 
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LizaWitz said:
Audio uses a Mic-in port, or on camera stereo mic. Don't know if you can disable gain control. Panasonic makes an accessory stereo mic that goes in the hot shoe.

I believe an external BeachTek or that Zoom h4n should make up for what the camera lacks. The latter would allow you to record 4 tracks... for syncing someone suggested running the audio out of the Zoom to the camera audio in.
Click to expand...

Based on reports from the very low number of GH1 users, and from looking at the scant documentation (mostly in Japanese) provided by Panasonic, it appears extremely unlikely the GH1 allows disabling its automatic audio gain control. But it's still under investigation by users, so we'll have to wait a bit for absolute confirmation either way.

The specific BeachTek unit, initially designed for use for the Canon 5DM2, outputs an "inaudible" high frequency tone concurrent with your program audio, tricking the cam's auto audio gain to hold at a steady level. You can then use the input level controls on the BeachTek to adjust the levels for your mic/line inputs.
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa5d.html

However, it's unknown at this time if this BeachTek unit is compatible with the GH1. It _might_ work, but I don't know if it's been tested yet.

With an appropriately-wired 4-pole plug & audio signal you can input audio into the GH1's combination mic & remote control connector. However, without using a device such as this specific new BeackTek model (with its inaudible tone trick), any external audio will have it's levels (and thus its audio noise level) set and affected by the GH1's auto audio gain. This will often result in less than desirable audio performance (incorrect levels and/or too much noise/hiss/hum).

Whether or not Panasonic could or would change the GH1 (such as via a firmware fix) to allow disabling auto audio gain is unknown.

- Peter
www.peterdv.com
 
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From what I've heard/seen, onboard audio is passable but don't expect too much. you'll need a special connector for the input, it's not regular stereo. Personally, I intend on using a Zoom H4n too - good quality, availability of powered external inputs, and so forth.

Syncing is easy. You can use s slate in the traditional manner (which is a little time-consuming to sync up in post, but will give you needed time to assess footage and sicover quality problems early), or alternatively grab a few frames of the Zoom's display to have a time reference. Unsure if you can set both the Zoom and the GH1 to time-of-day recording and have it stamped in the audio & video metadata, which would be a big timesaver.

As an audio guy I would always suggest handing the job of recording to another person if quality really matters.
 
people can accept less than great visual images and be ok with it .. arty stuff and just poor shot... but bang out some nice visuals and add some crap recorded/muffled/distorted sound and people will scream foul.... the cake is a lie!
 
I'm very curious about the Bechtek approach. If the approach works, seems like it could be adapted to most recorders with ALC input. A Panasonic made integrated XLR breakout box option with built-in ALC defeat/bypass would be so great. However, there would also be a need for metering if ALC is disabled. Does the GH1 have any audio metering ability?
 
I have been thinking about making a small shoulder bag like the porta brace bag for a sound devices 744 mixer, recorder and wireless receivers but a really small version for a H4N with the sound devices mix pre and a pouch for 1 wireless reciever. Something about 2 inches thick and 6 inches long for fast in field on the go documetary shooting. Or even a belt clip type micro bag.

Would anyone have any input or suggestions?

edit: actually I'd leave the wireless receiver pouch off to save size and make the front all velcro so I can stick a receiver on it if need be.
 
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ChipG said:
I have been thinking about making a small shoulder bag like the porta brace bag for a sound devices 744 mixer, recorder and wireless receivers but a really small version for a H4N with the sound devices mix pre ...
Click to expand...

But remember, the MixPre (& other mixers) doesn't do the new BeachTek's magic inaudible tone trick -- yet.
 
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Would be good for someone with a cam to simulate an interview setting with a lav or overhead shotgun plugged in in a reasonably quiet room. This would give some sense of just how much "breathing and pumping" the ALC circuit is prone to. (My apologies if I've elicited unsuitable imagery;)
 
No one has mentioned anything about the audio controls. Does anyone know if it has auto gain. Anyone tried a mic onto fo the body like an mke400 or the mic that is sold as an accessory. I am guessing if you can control the audio it could be a great camera for documentary work with a decent small form mic attached.
 
jamesmallonuk said:
No one has mentioned anything about the audio controls. Does anyone know if it has auto gain. Anyone tried a mic onto fo the body like an mke400 or the mic that is sold as an accessory. I am guessing if you can control the audio it could be a great camera for documentary work with a decent small form mic attached.
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Phil Blooms clip was using the Panasonic optional mic, if you have a look at his post about this. He also mentions no headphone jack. For me personally, I'll do dual system with a Zoom ( with some kind of pouch ) as recorder and use the onboard mic as backup. I'm not sure I like the idea of not monitoring whats being recorded, when it's your only sound.

Adrian
 
Ohhh...missed that it doesn't have headphone jack. :(
Maybe there's a line out? I think there are some basic boxes that convert line to headphone feed. One of the problems with dual sound (Zoom etc) in a one man setup is you don't have level readout in the viewfinder. I get the sense that basic manual control/monitoring of audio may be used to separate VDSLRs from pro(sumer) vidcams.
 
Gweilo66 said:
... Maybe there's a line [audio] out? ...
Click to expand...

You bring up a good question. We've mostly discussed whether or not the GH1 has live _video_ out when it's recording (it does not).

But it would be useful to know: Does the GH1 output live line-level _audio_ (for example, the sound being picked-up by its built-in mics) via its special USB-to-RCA cable when the cam is in record mode?

Or does the audio-out go mute (as does the video-out) when recording? (Or is this a moot point if maybe the GH1 goes into "playback" mode when you plug the USB-to-RCA cable into the cam?)

Kholi, Hunter, Philip, etc.: Would you be able to do a quick check on this? Thanks!
 
Unless you have absolutely no money you should forget about using the onboard audio. No monitoring and 2.5mm mini jack input is a no go for me. Plus I expect the pre amp to sound pretty cheap.

The zoom H4n is the best option.

Does anybody have any experience with Audio Technica Lavs? I'm trying to decide between the AT's and the Sennheiser G2's.
 
I'm hearing the pre-amps are much cleaner. And the 4 track recording is a big bonus. Plus the display is much better. I sold my H4 as soon as I saw the H4n. Hopefully the pre-amps are good enough that I won't have to get a sound devices pre.
 
squig said:
Does anybody have any experience with Audio Technica Lavs? I'm trying to decide between the AT's and the Sennheiser G2's.
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Get the Sennheisers, without question. At make good capsules but I don't like their wireless system. The G2s will stand up to the rigors of real-world shooting very well, I've used them for several years on several features and have no complaints.
 
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