GH3 GH3 and Rode/Senheisser Mic Question

I

Ianscreations

Well-known member
Has anyone used the GH3 with the Rode Video Mic Pro or Senheisser Wireless system yet?
If so, what Mic Level Settings Have you Found Work Best?
I wish there were an "auto level" function like on most videocameras.
I know I don't want the levels to peak, but I'm not sure how high above the
default setting I should raise them.


Also, for some reason, I can't figure out how to turn "Handy Cam" on/off.
Is there a way to make that a custom button?

Thanks!
 
It really doesn't matter what camera or mic or digital recorder, you want to keep your peaks averaging around -18db and never, ever let anything clip at 0.

If in doubt set it so nothing ever hits -6db to be safe.
Unlike analog audio, there's no latitude for clipping digital signals and anything that hits 0db will clip and it will sound like crap when it does.

You really don't want "auto level" which is just inexpensive limiting/compression on-board - it can give a very unnatural and pumping quality to audio.
Just get a good level that stays below -6db and keep an eye on your audio meters for reference.
 
GH3 works best with a strong audio signal ( -15 dB ) and the camera level set to 1.

When the camera audio level is set higher, the AGC circuit kicks in and ruins the noise-floor of the camera.

With the camera level set to 1, the noise-floor sits at -66 dB RMS, and the AGC circuit will only raise this by 3 dB ( -63 dB RMS ) after about 5 seconds of silence.

When the camera level is set to 19, the noise-floor rises to about -45 dB after about 12 seconds of silence. ( I consider anything over -60 dB to have noise )

The rule of thumb is to use a good pre-amp with XLR mics to feed a strong signal to the GH3, or if you are using a Rode Video Mic Pro set it to the +20 dB setting and set the GH3 audio level low.
 
Eek, I didn't really record audio to cameras, so I didn't realize the GH3 had a default AGC.
That's too bad, I thought it had full manual control of audio.
 
Last edited:
jimagine said:
Eek, I don't really record audio to cameras, so I didn't realize the GH3 had a default AGC
Click to expand...

Most DSLRs have an AGC circuit.

The one built into the GH2 / GH3 is fairly subtle if you set it to a low setting.

Also the GH2 / GH3 audio circuitry will also limit maximum signal, so you really have to stomp on it to get it to clip.

The GH3 audio is recorded in 16-bit LPCM format when you shoot in MOV mode, so with a good audio signal it should sound very good.

Here's a sample of audio recorded directly by my GH2 ( no recorder ) : Ronnie Burkett Interview
 
TheDingo said:
The GH3 audio is recorded in 16-bit LPCM format when you shoot in MOV mode, so with a good audio signal it should sound very good.
Click to expand...

That's audio quality better than what was available for a good deal of the music I produced over the years so it's an absolutely professional format.
It's the AGC nonsense that will be an issue with any serious audio recording.
I'll test it out with my Neumann and with a Rode, the Rode being the mic I would probably use if I were DIing to the GH3 as a backcountry run and gun option.
 
jimagine said:
It's the AGC nonsense that will be an issue with any serious audio recording.
Click to expand...

What I would like to find ( or have custom made ) is a 15 dB inline XLR pad, so I can feed LINE level directly to the GH3 camera and not carry anything else with me.

Right now I use a BeachTek DXA-2s which uses passive pots to adjust the signal level, but it features "free" cross-talk between the stereo channels at about -35 dB. ( I don't know if this was fixed in the newer model )
 
TheDingo said:
GH3 works best with a strong audio signal ( -15 dB ) and the camera level set to 1.

When the camera audio level is set higher, the AGC circuit kicks in and ruins the noise-floor of the camera.

With the camera level set to 1, the noise-floor sits at -66 dB RMS, and the AGC circuit will only raise this by 3 dB ( -63 dB RMS ) after about 5 seconds of silence.

When the camera level is set to 19, the noise-floor rises to about -45 dB after about 12 seconds of silence. ( I consider anything over -60 dB to have noise )

The rule of thumb is to use a good pre-amp with XLR mics to feed a strong signal to the GH3, or if you are using a Rode Video Mic Pro set it to the +20 dB setting and set the GH3 audio level low.
Click to expand...

Interesting. So I should actually move the mic level on the GH3 in the opposite direction but boost the Rode and Senheisser? I will try the Rode at +20.
Can anyone recommend an output setting on my Senheisser? I have this system:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=orderHistory&A=details&Q=&sku=618739&is=REG

This board is great! Thanks so much guys. You are making the transition to DSLR video so much easier for me :)
 
Just as additional information.. I run the Rode VideoMic Pro with my GH3 and JuicedLink DS214 pre-amp and have been very happy with the results. I tested 2 scenarios - DS214 + Mic Level 1 and No DS214 + Mic Level 10 and found that there was much less noise when running Mic Level 1 + DS214. I also tested the new Panasonic DMW-MS2 + Mic Level 10 with no DS214 and still prefered the DS214 preamp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top