C100: Ninja Star audio levels much lower than in camera

[Erick Stoll]

I just purchased Atomos Ninja Star and am happy to find that it works just as promised. However, I'm finding that the audio recorded in the star through the HDMI is at least 10db quieter than the on-sceen audio meters read.

Any idea what is up with this? As far as I can tell, there is no way to boost the levels on the Atomos. Should I trust the level meter on the atomos, or on Canon's lcd? If the lcd tells I'm peaking, but the Star says I'm a -10db, is the signal recorded by the Star clean?

Thanks

 

[slavikb]

Hmm, in my experience, the C100 audio meters are not accurate, so maybe the Star records at the same level as the internal recording, but the Star is showing a more accurate level? Can you check if the Star audio is lower than the audio recorded to the SD card?

I usually record close to full hot, occasionally letting it hit the big red square, which the C100 says is 0db but is more like -6db.

 

[bengiles]

Run a 1KHz tone from the camera (Audio Setup>Audio Input>1KHz Tone) and record to both your SDHC card and your Star at, say, -18 dB. Play both back in your NLE of choice. Compare - I'd be surprised if they're different.

The way the meters respond between the 2 units may be down to the ballistics/response times of the respective meters - so one may respond quicker and display peaks, while the other is slower and gives you a more averaged measurement.

An external mixer with PPM-style ballistics is your safest bet - but it's extra gear to buy and carry, of course.

My experience is with a Ninja Blade and C100 combo and, when not using an external SD 302 mixer - for example, when filming solo interviews with minimal crew to carry stuff, I tend to just use the C100 meters and ignore the Blade meters - partly out of habit, but also because I've learned to trust them and know how far into the limiter I can push things before they start to sound overly compressed and then go into clipping. I've run calibration tests between the 2 units and I trust the NB to give me identical levels.

You can also run a mono signal at 2 levels, when using an external mixer - which will give some comfort room, if you've got unpredictable levels. One recording channel can run lower than the other, allowing you to switch channels in post if and when your main channel clips. Unfortunately, Canon have engineered the C100 XLR bridge to only allow dual mono inputs at exactly the same level, running from the same pot.

Also, don't skimp on headphones - I recommend Sennheiser HD25s - it makes it much easier to then trust what you hear.

Ben.

 

[MattDavis]

don't skimp on headphones - I recommend Sennheiser HD25s - it makes it much easier to then trust what you hear.

+1 and all that.

However, I'd also like to put in a vote for Etymotics in-ear monitors. I find the HD25s very uncomfortable, though their sound is 'true'. The Etymotics are very similar, but are in-ear - you can feel them scrape behind your eye-balls. They also provide -20db protection when shooting in loud environments. ER4 and HF5.