GH5 gh5 users: how is your audio?

R

robfilms

Veteran
i have been thinking more about the gh5 as a small rig, low profile interview camera.

my interviews vary from studio lit to corporate environment to ambient light.

i know the sony axxxx series might be preferred dues to the aps-c chip or the canon cxxx series due to the daf but since i presently have a g7 and a small compliment of m43 lenses, i'm investigating whether the gh5 would be good for me.

what do gh5 shooters do for audio?

how are the gh5 preamps: great-good-good enough-so so-stink?

is anyone using the panasonic xlr adaptor box mounted to the gh5 hot shoe?

if so, please share your experiences.

if folks are going double system, care to share your setup?

thanks for any insights you can offer.

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
I shoot everything dual-system these days, but I will try and do an in-camera audio test over the next day or two, and then post the results. I don't own the XLR adapter, but the reviews I've read have been pretty good, just don't expect miracle amounts of gain to cure a low signal mic. If I was going to go back to in-camera audio I would buy the GH5 XLR adapter and use my Sound Devices mixer to deliver a top notch signal to the adapter.
 
I shoot direct to the XLR device on the GH5 and I think the pre-amps are excellent, definitely comparable to my Tascam DR60 and much less hassle having everything in one device. It does burn battery life a little bit faster though so worth getting an extra battery or two.
 
The XLR adapter is great. You can shoot directly to that. If you're using a GH5 it's unlikely your clientele are so high level that they'd ever even think to have a problem with the audio captured in that way... it's good.

If you need better still, or want something universal, you can pick up a Sound Devices MixPre-3 or used MixPre-D depending on preferences. But the GH5 XLR adapter is super convenient. Other factors in your audio chain will likely be more important.

If you're doing a lot of unlit interior work then a larger sensor would be handy. Otherwise the GH5 is a no brainer. If doing a lot of unlit interior work it's not a no for the GH5; it's just an extra consideration. I'd probably still choose the Panasonic with fast glass because of how great everything else is though.
 
By the way check out Curtis Judd YouTube on the XLR audio unit. I think the noise floor he tested was around -70db on the audio unit.
 
I just did a noise-floor test of the MIC input on my GH5 and it's roughly the same as the GH4, showing a noise-floor of -69 dB RMS. So the GH5 internal audio is fine as long as you feed it a good signal so that you can keep the camera's internal preamp at -6 dB or lower.
 
filmguy123 said:
Other factors in your audio chain will likely be more important.
Click to expand...

100% +1. I've done a ton of 2 mic (shotgun / lav) shoots direct to the XLR breakoutbox and it is perfect for interviews. I keep the in camera to -12dB and feed it a strong signal. I've also done a ton with the beachtec breakoutbox and it works well, but the panny box is easier, phantom power and less connections to get XLR at the expense of 1 or 2 extra battery per day.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&O=&Q=&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CjwKCAjwlrnNBRBMEiwApKU4PEeBAcLnzVnvFvKdEQtNwndLvrI9u2w7tm8Ab2rp8X9sV4acdBxJnhoCcp8QAvD_BwE&is=REG&m=Y&sku=962864
 
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