How to properly use a xlr Lav mic...

A

Asteele

Member
I am filming some interviews for a documentary so I picked up a xlr Lav mic. This is my first time using a mic other than the camera's bult in mic. My question is what are the best settings to use for the mic. Should I turn off the on camera mic so I only get the sound from the Lav mic? What else should I look for?

Also, I noticed that the on camera mic pics up more sound than the Lav mic. How can I adjust this?

Thanks!
 
What camera are you using? All cams have different nuances concerning audio acquisition.

Bottom line: If you cannot get any sound you may need (48 volt) phantom power for this lav. If you can get sound but it is very little, you need to adjust the audio trim (gain) for that channel. Does your camera blend the in cam mic with the xlr feed? If so, you want to turn off the on cam mic, but my experience is that the cam will separate each feed to a different audio track. You may need to tell the cam to record 2 16bit tracks or 4 12bit tracks. You may also need to tell the camera it is a 'mic level signal' not a 'line level signal'.

A cam like the HVX, when shooting in HD, will always record 4 tracks at 16bit. These tracks can be switched between internal and external mics (as well as adding phantom / selecting line or mic level).

I would also recommend that you track the same lav feed to two different channels, one about 6db lower than the other. That way, if you have distortion because of a loud plosive, you can use the lower track.

As for attaching the mic, it all depends on what look you are going for - you can hide it under clothes, clip it to a shirt or tie, hide in in a hat or hair...etc.


Give some more info on your camera and mic and we can help you better.


Jason
 
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