How to record low level audio signal?
- Thread starter Lor
- Start date
Thanks for the response. I just purchased the MKH70 and I was thinking that after putting the blimp and fur cover on, it must affect the recording levels and what if I can't move any closer to the talent. However, from reading another thread similar my situation, it seems riding the gain on the mixer is one way. But what if I don't have a mixer, can I use the gain on the camera's?
Steve House
Veteran
Riding gain is riding gain, no matter where you do it. BUT twiddling with the camera's audio controls during the shot is going to jiggle the camera and spoil the shot. And then there's the matter of how many things one person can pay attention to at once. Looking through the viewfinder, operating the camera controls, and recording the best visuals is a full-time job. Running audio, watching the levels, and recording the best audio is also a full-time job. One person just can't be in two places at once.
What if you don't have a mixer? Easy answer to that .... go get one. That question is kinda like asking "How can I shoot my movie if I can't afford a lens for my camera."
John Willett
Veteran
A Rycote kit should not affect this at all really.
Make sure you have not switched on the -10dB pad switch on the MKH 70 - there are three switches on the side: -10dB pad, bass roll-off (high pass filter),treble boost switch.
The pad should be off.
Make sure you are feeding it with proper 48V phantom power and have set up the gain correctly on the recorder.
The MKH 70 has a good output level and you should not be suffering from this at all.
I hope this helps.
John
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Ridding gain may also cause you real problem in post so you need to be careful with that. If you are as far away as you say and the level is low then riding the gain is going to make the background noise go up and dow and that is going to be a problem in post. If it's a constant level noise there is a reasonable chance it can be reduced in post. But if it's going up and down all over the place it's pretty much locked in and that is going to sound bad.
Chadfish
Veteran
YOu simply need a mixer. Riding the recorder/camera gain is not cool because you will be causing the recorder's noise to fluctuate, causing problems when you may need to remove the noise in post. And you don't have to have a blimp with fur on the mic if the amount of wind doesn't call for it. I was audio consultant for an indi film and the boom op had that blimp on and the furry, yet they were standing in an area surrounded by trees, with no wind at all. He was just using everything out of habit. That stuff does affect the sound by cutting the highs. If a foam windscreen will do use that, then go blimp if need be, then if that's not enough put the furry on the blimp, then start engaging low/cut. Always start with as little wind protection as possible.
So start saving for a mixer/preamp now so this doesn't happen next time. Get the mic closer. Re-frame the shot if need be, or try putting the mic under their mouths. All these things together will get you there.
So start saving for a mixer/preamp now so this doesn't happen next time. Get the mic closer. Re-frame the shot if need be, or try putting the mic under their mouths. All these things together will get you there.