So I am new to the GH3 and trying to figure out how to get the best audio from the components listed. One thing I just figured out was that by connecting the 3.5mm line out on the Tascam to the mic input on the GH3 I can push the record button on the Tascam just once, this supplies 48v to the mic and allows for monitoring without recording to the Tascam. This also sends the mic signal from the shotgun through the Tascam to the camera. So if I hit record on the camera I am able to capture the sound with the shotgun mic being powered by the recorder. Basically it is working like a JuciedLink providing power to the mic, has 2 XLR inputs, preamps etc. In this configuration I could also hit record on the Tascam which allows me to record tracks at different sound levels. Essentially I would have three recorded tracks for the same footage although I would have to sync the Tascam audio in post if I choose it over the cameras on board recording. Which leads me to this question. By doing it this way am I adding to the noise floor by recording the audio in the camera? Is it better to just use a clapboard, record to the Tascam and sync in post?
GH3, Tascam DR100Mkii, AT875R - what's best audio set up?
- Thread starter thercman
- Start date
It seems you have NO knowledge of what your trying to do.......... My sugestion is take some time and read the manuals that come with each unit first.
Also you need to understand what the diffence between what 'line level' is and what 'mic level' is.
After you have read the basic operations section in each manual come back and we can help you from there.
Also you need to understand what the diffence between what 'line level' is and what 'mic level' is.
After you have read the basic operations section in each manual come back and we can help you from there.
YES I do! I also understand gain, and what preamps do. The recorder has preamps and so does camera albeit crappy ones. So My thought is by eliminating the camera preamp it would reduce line level noise. Every item inserted into the line creates noise, the more crap in line the more noise... Which is why when I record in my studio the chain is as short as possible. I am sure just recording to the Tascam would produce better audio but I risk of sink drift... NVM this forum is worthless. I'll figure it out on my own.
scorsesefan
Veteran
The Tascam supports phantom power so if you're willing to sync in post why not just shoot dual system and do just that? I have never had any really issues with sync drift that I couldn't overcome. Also if you want to add a cleaner preamp to the chain I have heard this is a good inexpensive pre, but I haven't tried it yet: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/615405-REG/
Every time you feed audio into a GH3 ( or any other DSLR camera) it MUST go through the marginal preamps.
So by going into the Tascam recorder and using the phantom power is fine, you can now record the signal onto the Tascam, by using the line out of the Tascam now to feed the input of the camera....The line output needs to be dropped back to mic level to match the camera input via a 'pad' cable this then is plugged into the camera and goes through the 'crappy' (as you describe) preamps.
Some things that need to be considered is the output of the Tascam in sync with the input as most digital recorders have a latency from input to output?
So by going into the Tascam recorder and using the phantom power is fine, you can now record the signal onto the Tascam, by using the line out of the Tascam now to feed the input of the camera....The line output needs to be dropped back to mic level to match the camera input via a 'pad' cable this then is plugged into the camera and goes through the 'crappy' (as you describe) preamps.
Some things that need to be considered is the output of the Tascam in sync with the input as most digital recorders have a latency from input to output?
Rick R
Veteran
Sescom makes attenuation/adaptor cables specifically for HP/line out to DSLR mic input.
http://audio-video-supply.markertek.com/search?w=DSLR+cable
http://audio-video-supply.markertek.com/search?w=DSLR+cable
Best audio is...
1- Mic placement ( and using proper wind-protection when working outside )
2- Recording dual-system with your Tascam ( sync drift is a very basic thing to fix in post, even when syncing hours of footage )
3- Set your GH3 audio level to 1 and feed the camera a strong, but NOT LINE level signal. ( GH3 works best with a -20 dB audio signal ) Working this way the GH3 has a noise-floor of -63 dB RMS, which is pretty much silent if you are not boosting the levels in post.
4- Always use the 50 Mbps MOV setting when shooting with your GH3, as this records audio in uncompressed LPCM format.
...For quick'n'dirty work I record audio with my GH3, otherwise I use a dual system with a Sound Devices mixer that feeds LINE level to a small digital recorder. ( usually a Olympus LS-12 or Sony PCM-M10 recorder )
1- Mic placement ( and using proper wind-protection when working outside )
2- Recording dual-system with your Tascam ( sync drift is a very basic thing to fix in post, even when syncing hours of footage )
3- Set your GH3 audio level to 1 and feed the camera a strong, but NOT LINE level signal. ( GH3 works best with a -20 dB audio signal ) Working this way the GH3 has a noise-floor of -63 dB RMS, which is pretty much silent if you are not boosting the levels in post.
4- Always use the 50 Mbps MOV setting when shooting with your GH3, as this records audio in uncompressed LPCM format.
...For quick'n'dirty work I record audio with my GH3, otherwise I use a dual system with a Sound Devices mixer that feeds LINE level to a small digital recorder. ( usually a Olympus LS-12 or Sony PCM-M10 recorder )
Bruce Watson
Veteran
Most likely. Try it and see.
Yes. Better yet, continue to record to camera while you are recording to Tascam. The camera's scratch track can be used to make it easier to sync to the audio from the Tascam if you need to, especially over longer takes -- IOW, to help take care of any drift that occurs.
The real problem with recording to the GH3 is that you can't stop the AGC. What most people seem to be doing is setting the GH3 audio to the lowest setting that will still record (one up from zero, whatever that's called on a GH3) to minimize the range of the AGC, then they use the upstream device to act as preamp / amp to feed sufficient levels to the GH3 that it records correctly even when turned way down. Clearly, this would be easier using a device such as a MixPre-D. But I think you should be able to do something similar with the Tascam.
As I mentioned the latency problem with many digital audio recorders, I know that Cannon 5D & 7D have at times up to a 2 frame delay in the audio when recording.....
So if you feed a delayed audio signal from an audio recorder into a camera that delays the audio also you might be 4-5 frames out of sync, by using the cameras internal mic and not a direct feed you might only be half of that.
It will be a lot of trial and error to get it right, but when you do have it right the delay will be constant for all of your shoots.
So if you feed a delayed audio signal from an audio recorder into a camera that delays the audio also you might be 4-5 frames out of sync, by using the cameras internal mic and not a direct feed you might only be half of that.
It will be a lot of trial and error to get it right, but when you do have it right the delay will be constant for all of your shoots.
This is a DSLR issue, and has nothing to do with digital audio recorders. All sound recorded internally by these DSLRs will show the same 1-2 frame delay, which you can fix in post. ( it's a pain if you shoot a lot of short clips )
What delay are you referring to? Digital audio recorders normally do not have any delay, but like most non-Pro audio gear, they will drift out of sync over time, which is easy to fix in post. ( in most cases the recorders are accurate for the first 10 minutes of recording )
Okay, first I don't know what I was thinking with the line level into the mic port on the GH3 so I ordered the Sescom LN2MIC-TAS-MON from B&H. That should help a lot but I hope not to much since it drops the signal 35d. Thanks Rick!
Well, I should have the cable in a few days and will start to record some footage and play around with the audio syncing.
Good advice thanks!
Well, I should have the cable in a few days and will start to record some footage and play around with the audio syncing.