setting up audio

F

fitstrider

Member
so i've had a dvx100a for awhile now and just haven't been happy with the audio i've been receiving
what would be the best settings for good audio, i believe the previous owner used an external mic before so the settings might be weird, not sure

if you could help that would be good
thanks
chris
 
This is a very complex issue, and goes far beyond settings on the camera. What is it about the audio you record that you aren't happy with? I gather from your post that you might be using the built-in mic?

The stereo mic that's built into the camera is essentially worthless. Yes, you should use an external mic. Ideally, you'll have it on a boom, and a second crew member there to operate the boom. The camera is the least desirable place to put the microphone, though there are certain times that call for that.

As for "settings," the camera has few audio settings. Just source selection and input level, really. There's an ALC setting in the menu, but I'd stay away from using that.

You can also get into issues such as external mixers/pre-amps and wireless mic systems.

There's a wealth of information here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=29

Long story short: the best way to good audio: get a good mic, and learn how to use it. Your recorded sound can be no better than the microphone that collects it.

One other note: get some good headphones (such as Sony MDR-7506) and use them while you shoot. Then you know exactly what kind of audio you are recording, when you are recording it.
 
There's an impedance setting in the menu right?
Could you enlighten us on the differences between the settings (off the top of my head one is -50 and the other 0)-=---== but, of course, I could be entirely WRONG!

Thanks for your clear & concise explanation. (especially the part about the boom ON the camera being the least desirable place for it!)
 
NoNoob said:
There's an impedance setting in the menu right?
Could you enlighten us on the differences between the settings (off the top of my head one is -50 and the other 0)-=---== but, of course, I could be entirely WRONG!
Click to expand...

That's a mic-level gain setting, and is selectable between -50dB and -60dB. What this does is gives you 10dB of boost/cut. If you have a hotter mic-level source and are having trouble getting it tamed with the input level control on the side of the camera, try -60dB if you aren't already there. Or, if you're set to -60dB have a source that's not quite strong enough and you're having to open the imput levels almost all the way up, try -50dB.

NoNoob said:
Thanks for your clear & concise explanation. (especially the part about the boom ON the camera being the least desirable place for it!)
Click to expand...

My post said nothing of putting the boom on the camera, as that would be really awkward and unwieldy. :beer: It's the microphone that you really don't want mounted to the camera, at least in most situations.
 
C2V,

I disagree that he should stay away from using the ALC. It is a common misconception that many think ALC means"Automatic Level Control ". I realize it is used with that connotation in many US audio products including other cameras.

In Panasonic speak, it is "Automatic Limiting Control". When "on", it kicks in at -6db and aims to limit signal to -4.5db. It does have a weakness in that it can't control very brief loud noises at close range ( gun shots, loud claps,etc) but does well for most overall levels.

It is recommended that it be kept on unless there is another limiter in the chain.

Page 83, The DVX book, by Barry Green, et al.

Ken
 
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C2V said:
My post said nothing of putting the boom on the camera, as that would be really awkward and unwieldy. :beer: It's the microphone that you really don't want mounted to the camera, at least in most situations.
Click to expand...

It was the run on sentence that got me.

'boom' and 'mic on cam' kinda sounded like one thing.

I do see lots of folks putting mics on cameras though.
Run n' gun style ENG thing.
 
kenackr said:
C2V,

I disagree that he should stay away from using the ALC. It is a common misconception that many think ALC means"Automatic Level Control ". I realize it is used with that connotation in many US audio products including other cameras.

In Panasonic speak, it is "Automatic Limiting Control". When "on", it kicks in at -6db and aims to limit signal to -4.5db. It does have a weakness in that it can't control very brief loud noises at close range ( gun shots, loud claps,etc) but does well for most overall levels.

It is recommended that it be kept on unless there is another limiter in the chain.

Page 83, The DVX book, by Barry Green, et al.

Ken
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know what it actually is. I'm not a fan of it's response curve (as you pointed out that it cannot handle sudden peaks and "aims to" limit the signal), which is why I stay away from it and rely instead on careful gain staging. I also usually have an external mixer with a reliable limiter, but even without I set my levels to avoid peaks above -6.
 
NoNoob said:
It was the run on sentence that got me.

'boom' and 'mic on cam' kinda sounded like one thing.
Click to expand...

Just curious... where's the run-on?

C2V said:
The stereo mic that's built into the camera is essentially worthless. Yes, you should use an external mic. Ideally, you'll have it on a boom, and a second crew member there to operate the boom. The camera is the least desirable place to put the microphone, though there are certain times that call for that.
Click to expand...

Sorry... I studied English and I proof my posts over and over. Yes, mistakes slip by, but I cannot seem to find the offending run-on.
 
<<The stereo mic that's built into the camera is essentially worthless. Yes, you should use an external mic. Ideally, you'll have it on a boom, and a second crew member there to operate the boom. The camera is the least desirable place to put the microphone, though there are certain times that call for that.<<

Well, a 'run on' in a stream of consciousness kind of way.

You vault from the on-board (built-in) mics being worthless, then answer the guy's question about an XLR connected mic being better, which should then be mounted on a boom pole, best held by a third party. With an aside (apparently) that the camera is low on the food chain for where to mount said mic.

Ain't disagreeing at all- of course.

it's just that i got this mental picture of the one-man-band guy mounting the BOOM (itself) to the handy shotgun holder on the camera.
I think there's a fish that does that to entice it's prey....

Did you REALLY study English?

It ain't an "offending" run-on. Really.
 
Yeah, I studied English. It happens. Then a career in production came along, and I'd already had some training in live TV and live stage. I have worked with a whole lot of folks who are full-time in this industry, very good at what they do, and have degrees in everything but TV/broadcasting/film.

And I meant "offending" in a "poor syntax" kind of way, not in the sense that some one was taken aback by it.

Trust me, I'm not mad at all. I was seriously looking at that post and trying to figure out where I'd gotten lost. I proof my posts... often editing them three or four times before I leave them alone. It's who I am. :)
 
ah, but that good ol' beer smilie will get you far in this disembodied kind of communication (at least with me!)

Double Diamond- nectar of the Gods I think. :beer:
try to find it- if you haven't partaken of it yet!
 
To quote Homer Simpson, "Mmmm... beeeeer."

I will look for Double Diamond. That is one I have not yet tried. My favorite to date is Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, but I have to drive up to Kentucky to get it.
 
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