theatre event, audio feed to camera?

F

firehawk

Veteran
Hi,
I am shooting a 3 hr live recital/play event with multiple (2-3) cameras (DVX100b) and have a question about audio recording. I intend to record some audio from external on-camera mics to get crown noise but I want to also record audio (music/Voice) straight from the theatre audio system into the audio-in connection on a camera. I have heard there can be damage from doing this if done incorrectly. What audio out source should I use to plug a line into my camera?
Also, since the event is well over the length of a mini-DV tape, any suggestions on how to record all this? I figure we start and stop cameras at different times to allow for overlap and then have to sync it up in post. Not a big deal concerning camera footage, but I don't want to lose any of the audio-in sound which will be the most important audio I record.
Thank you for any help or suggestions
 
Well, if they are doing anything more than playback, then they'll need an audio guy. You'll need to talk to him to see what he can give you and what you need to do. There are a lot of other posts that go into more detail by people more experienced than me, so use the search function and read those. However, whatever you do be nice to the sound guy. He was hired to mix for the house and he doesn't have to do anything for you. Thus, you should figure out a way to get audio without his system as a backup.

As for the tape problem, I would send the right channel of audio to one camera and the left channel to another. You'll then be able to sync them up in post and have the full stereo signal most of the time. Just make sure both cameras don't change tape at the same time, and you'll always have at least 1 channel of audio.
 
Consider using the 'chain' function on the DVX's. You can attach smaller (consumer) MiniDV cameras to the DVX's via firewire cables, then set the DVX's for 'chain'. When the tape runs low in the DVX, it will automatically switch to recording on the tape in the attached (consumer) MiniDV camera. This gives you time to put a new tape in the DVX. When the tape runs low in the attached camera, it will automatically switch back to recording on the (new) tape in the DVX. Using chaining, you could conceivably record almost endlessly.
 
Excellent advice everyone. Thank you. I was wondering if there was some sort of inexpensive audio recording device that i could connect to the audio booth equipment and could record the entire 3 hours without having to be interrupted like switching tapes. Any ideas? It seems it would be best to have the audio feed uninterrupted since it is most important and then sync the other audio to it in post... In case I somehow mess up splitting the channels to the chained cameras. As a backup.

I am going to talk to the audio guy before hand and test the chaining function. I forgot about it being able to do that.
Thanks again
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638090-REG/Sony_PCM_M10_BLACK_PCM_M10_Portable_Audio_Recorder.html

Looking at this to use as backup audio recording. And in the future with a lav mic at weddings in case I have problems with my wireless mice.
Any comments about this unit?
 
I hadn't heard of the chaining function. Is the chaining function on the 100a also? Is it on the HVX in tape mode? That's very cool.
If you can get an audio recorder in there, might be a good idea. Maybe the sound person has a device he's be willing to rent you. Win/win
 
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