PMW-200 -- any tips / advice on how to correctly use "AGC Spec" & "Limiter" settings?
The Sony PMW-200 manual is a bit cryptic (for novices, at least) when it comes to the audio's automatic gain control and limiter settings and I could use some help.
The manual merely states switchable settings like so:
AGC Spec
–6 db / –9 db / –12 db / –15 db / –17 db
(Select the audio input level AGC.)
Limiter Mode
Off / –6 db / –9 db / –12 db / –15 db / –17 db
Select whether to activate the limiter when a loud signal is input while the AUDIO SELECT switch is set to MANU (manual).
I'm shooting mostly documentary and event-type footage using a Rode NTG-3 with a rated sensitivity of -30dB ± 2dB.
In my previous experience with DSLRs, I've treated AGC as "bad, bad" because of the way it artificially boosts quiet sounds. Does this translate into the world of the PMW-200 as well? Should I leave the AGC at -17db?
And in a related question, does the Limiter setting refer to the amount a crashing, clipping sound will be lowered in dB? Or does it indicate the level past which a limiter will kick in and lower the volume level?
The Sony PMW-200 manual is a bit cryptic (for novices, at least) when it comes to the audio's automatic gain control and limiter settings and I could use some help.
The manual merely states switchable settings like so:
AGC Spec
–6 db / –9 db / –12 db / –15 db / –17 db
(Select the audio input level AGC.)
Limiter Mode
Off / –6 db / –9 db / –12 db / –15 db / –17 db
Select whether to activate the limiter when a loud signal is input while the AUDIO SELECT switch is set to MANU (manual).
I'm shooting mostly documentary and event-type footage using a Rode NTG-3 with a rated sensitivity of -30dB ± 2dB.
In my previous experience with DSLRs, I've treated AGC as "bad, bad" because of the way it artificially boosts quiet sounds. Does this translate into the world of the PMW-200 as well? Should I leave the AGC at -17db?
And in a related question, does the Limiter setting refer to the amount a crashing, clipping sound will be lowered in dB? Or does it indicate the level past which a limiter will kick in and lower the volume level?