FS7: Reference audio levels

Ben Scott

Ben Scott

Veteran
Hi all,

What do you set your reference audio levels to for a) wireless lav and b) on camera shotgun use?

I think by default ch1 and 2 are set to -50db.
 
Ben Scott said:
Hi all,

What do you set your reference audio levels to for a) wireless lav and b) on camera shotgun use?

I think by default ch1 and 2 are set to -50db.
Click to expand...
It depends on your mic. I usually set the levels so 5 (half way up) on the camera scale peaks at -18 on the VU meters. On my wireless miss I can set output volume and the level is fine on my shotguns at -50.

That way I can quickly guess at unity gain and fine tune as needed. If I use an external mixer I set a tone on the mixer at -18 (digital) 0 (analog) and match in the camera at -18.
 
for a lot of lav stuff (sony wireless kit via the MI shoe) I have it on auto because I can't ride the levels while shooting. more often than not they end up pretty low.
 
Ben Scott said:
Hi all,

What do you set your reference audio levels to for a) wireless lav and b) on camera shotgun use?

I think by default ch1 and 2 are set to -50db.
Click to expand...

Input Sensitivity. As a generalisation, Condensers: -40db; Dynamics: -50db; Ribbon -60db (but I doubt you're using a STC 4038 are you?). But throwing it into Auto makes no difference as long as your not clipping the input headroom of the preamp.

It made sense initially to set the input sensitivity for condensers/capacitor mics to -40db as the output levels of such mics for similar SPLs are often higher and capable of volts at the top end than say dynamic and certainly ribbon mics. Therefore I diligently set the inputs to -50db for both Senheisser and Audio Technica radio mics and still found the levels low at 5 on the dial. Like you Ben, I can't manage to constantly monitor therefore used Auto which I hate doing. I too found low levels. But I still managed to lift the tracks to +18db at a push in post without any noticable noise.

Therefore, I have radios and on-camera (a condenser) at -50db input sensitivity and if I can get the chance set to 6 manual on the dial and leave it at that for most stuff.

Perhaps, we need someone to do some TESTS...
 
Yes I found the levels lifted very well in post with no easily discernible noise penalty. Thanks for those baseline references :)

Edit: Although obviously, testing is for squares
 
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Pretty sure I haven't ever had to change mine from the default of -50db for Sennheiser, Lectrosonics wireless or Rode / ATG shotgun mics or occasional line input.
Most often run wireless into ch1 & 2 - putting one on auto (as a backup mostly) - while keeping the other on manual. I have my status page set up to display audio levels.... great to press once to check at beginning of interview (or before rolling) to see where things are landing.
 
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