How to get Audio coming from the PA system:

J

jrod81

Veteran
Hello Gang,
I have been asked to shoot a Cherokee Indian celebration this Saturday. In order to get good audio I was thinking I would just run the PA mix into my camera. I am using a JVC Gy-HD200 if it matters. It has 2 audio channels. I was just going to run an XLR from the PA board into Channel 1 of the JVC and then use the on board shotgun mic into channel 2...
First of all, does that sound like a wise plan? Secondly, what am I looking for on the board? I have never done this and don't know alot about running sound, but I assume there is a master mix XLR out on the board... and if that is the case, can I just run an XLR from that output and run it into my jvc input? Anything else I should be aware of on this?
thanks a ton guys!!!!
jared
 
Yes, you should be in great shape with a board feed. There are a couple things to remember though.

I'm a live sound guy, primarily. We're there to do the live sound. We're generally nice guys - at least after we've had our coffee - and we're happy to give you some kind of feed, but remember that our focus has to be on the live sound, so connecting the source we give you to whatever you're recording with is your problem to deal with. We're probably able to help out, but be prepared in case we can't.

Many smaller boards have limited XLR outs (maybe even none, the horrors!) and those are going to be main outs that are going to be used up by the live setup. So, you're likely to get stuck with a 1/4" or even ye olde-timey RCA connection to deal with. If it's a balanced 1/4", no problem, 1/4" TRS to XLR cables are easy to find. If you're given RCA or 1/4" unbalanced, then you're going to want to turn that into a balanced signal before you run to your camera.

If possible, give the live guys a call before the gig and see what they're able to give you. A little heads-up is always appreciated, and they might be able to get you a simpler feed to work with if they don't have to deal with it right before the show.

Hope that makes at least a little sense, it's far too late for me to think clearly.
 
Remember that you are taking a LINE OUT from the board so make certain that you are using LINE IN on yout camera!
 
Something else to consider from the camera end of the equation, is to purchase/construct some adapter cables for your particular camera. For instance, you have to deal with either -10DbV (RCA or 1/4" unbalanced) or +4DbU (1/4" Balanced or XLR) Line Level coming out of a mixing console, tape deck, CD player, etc. So why not purchase or make some adapter cables so you can use unbalanced microphones in a pinch, tie in to a FOH mixing console, or dub from your home stereo system to your camera... Of course Radio Shack and Mouser Electronics offer a complete line of adapters and adapater cables ready built.

Check the specifications of your particular Camera/Recorder so you know what type of signals you can Input/Output. You could also keep a Specs list on a piece of paper with your camera kit so you know the specs of all your various pieces of audio kit.

Good luck!
 
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