No audio on tape from channel 2

M

MartyEdwards

New member
I own the DVX 100 (not the A) I have both switches switched to mic on the front of the camera. Under the LCD I have the L channel to input 1 and the R channel to input 2. I have the Senn. ME 66 shotgun, and the G2 wireless lavs. My problem is no audio being captured on tape through ch. 2 even though I can hear it thru the headphones, and see it on the cameras lcd audio meter during capture. I have tried switching the lav input w/the shotgun input to see if I had a mic. or cable problem, and I always capture the mic going to input 1, but not input #2. Again, even though the audio signal reads for ch.2 on the lcd display, and comes through the headphones.

Please help.

Thanks very much.

Marty Edwards
 
How are you listening to your audio? If you're playing back the tape and the audio meter is showing activity of both channels, then chances are the problem is with your playback system.
 
Well, actually I was listening back through the camera in vcr mode. Couldn't hear it thru the camera's external speaker nor thru the headphones.
 
When you play back the tape, does the audio meter show good levels on both channels? If so, then the audio is on the tape. Try capturing to an NLE and see. In an NLE, you can also play just the L or R channel to see exactly what is on each channel.

Another possibility may be that the slider switch for CH2 select (on the DVX) is not fully set to Input 2. In that case, you're just recording from the built in mic.
 
nope, no meter reading on screen, very frustrating because I could hear the audio thru phones, and see the meter tripping during recording. Interestingly, when I did have just the lav plugged in to ch1 input and I watch it back, both Ch 1 and Ch 2 meters are tripping, like I recorded in stereo w/1 input, yet during rec. only one side of phones were registering, as well as only ch. 1 meter. AAAAHHHHHGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
 
There's a menu item that tells the camera what audio channels to play back. You can set it to left only, right only, or both. Sounds like you might have that menu item set to "left only"...
 
Barry, thank you. Forgive my ignorance, I've been through (I think) every menu option umpteen times...what is it called, or how is it listed in the menu? There isn't anything that I can find that offers left/right audio playback options.

Thanks again,

Marty Edwards
 
The menu is called "playback functions", the menu item is "audio out". It should be set to "ch1-ch2" for both tracks output. If it's set to "ch1" then that means only track 1 is being output.
 
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!! I found it on the VCR side, not the record side of the menu settings. You have no idea how relieved I was when after changing that simple menu setting VOILA! suddenly there was sound from both channels where before there wasn't. Next question is should I have both sides (rec & playback) set to 12 bit or 16 bit audio rec/playback...what's the difference, and does it matter what it's set on?
 
Glad to help.

99% of all DV is shot at 16 bit. 16 bit records better-quality audio. 12-bit has one redeeming feature -- you can record four tracks of 12-bit audio, but only two tracks of 16-bit.

However, you can only record two tracks at a time (unless you're using an XL1 or XL2). So on a DVX (or almost any other DV camera), in 12-bit mode, you can record two tracks, and then later dub in two more tracks. But practically nobody does this; instead they'll bring the footage into their NLE and add as many tracks as they want (which will all get mixed down to two on final output).

So 12-bit is something that hardly anybody uses unless they have a specific need for it. Everyone uses 16-bit because it's better quality audio.
 
Barry...you should consider writing a book! (I just noticed that you already have in another post) Seriously, thanks for putting your advice/help on here for me, especially in a language I can understand...I'm really not stupid (I keep telling myself) it's just that I'm brand spankin' new at this stuff and going it alone. Anyway,

Thanks again so much.

Marty E.
 
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