Having trouble with clipping...

[DammitJanet]

Hey all. I'm running an AT4073 into my Canon XHA1, and I'm having some issues with clipping. I don't have (and won't have anytime soon) a sound guy, or an external mixer, so I'm having to monitor the sound and adjust the levels on the fly.

Whenever I get an actor to raise his voice or call out to another character offscreen I get some bad clipping. I adjust the level or have the boom man move the boom higher and have him do the line again, but it doesn't seem to help much. The audio either comes out too quiet, or clipped to where it's useless. I know there's very little to do about this in post except record ADR, and I don't want to do that any more than I have to.

So, I hesitate to use any sort of auto modes for audio recording, but I could really use some help here. Any ideas?

:dankk2:

Also, the Rycote softie that came with our kit doesn't seem to have any effect at all on wind noise outside, even when it's a slight breeze. Either I'm doing something wrong, or it's a piece of crap. Thoughts?

 

[saneproductions]

That is one of the many things that a mixer would help with. The limiters on the mixer would prevent the clipping (there is still some distortion, but it is passable and sounds nothing at all like clipping). A mixer would also allow you to ride the levels during a scene and turn them down before the problem line. The Sound Devices MixPre is $665 new, but you can bet them used for as little as $500 and it will save you a world of trouble. It seems like you have quite an investment going already (in time and money) and so it may be worth charging something on the dreaded credit card. There are many many more reasons to have a mixer, do a search.

Do not use automatic audio levels at all costs! They constantly bring up the noise when people are not talking. It is not fun to mix later (if it can be saved at all).

As to the rycote, I am not sure what your definition of "light breeze" is, but it doesn't sound the same as rycote's. You may need to move up to a zeppelin. the k-tek k-zepp is well thought of and relatively cheap ($500).

 

[THoff]

Record the audio on two channels using different levels, and then mix them in post as needed.

 

[SMuir]

Record the audio on two channels using different levels, and then mix them in post as needed.

That little trick has saved my day on numerous occasions.

However, be sure that neither the mic nor the camera's input are clipping. The best solution probably is to use a small mixer (eg. the MixPre) with good limiters and run line-level into the camera (if the camera will allow it).

I'll second the "avoid auto-gain at all costs." It may not even have a fast enough reaction time to keep the start of the loud lines from distorting. Meanwhile, your levels will be wildly pumping as the auto-gain changes its mind mid-sentence. Auto gain is generally only useful if the camera sound is to be used only as guide for ADR.