Using an XLR connection on one channel and internal mic on the other

[fishcough]

Hi,

I don't think this should cause a problem but just wanted to check in and ask.

Using a Canon XF100. In the past, when using an external mic, I've always connected the XLR to CH1 and had it record to CH1/CH2. When needing to go the onboard Mic, I'd just switch from ext to int and re-set the level.

I'm doing a solo job where I'll be switching quickly from on-camera interviews (where the lav picks up the quick responses from the subjet) to jumping back behind the camera to get ambiant and some solo subject comments. Would it make sense to have the lav set to record to ext CH1 and the onboard set to int CH2 and just leave both on to get audio? I realize that will give me two mono recordings, but is that a bad thing? Assuming the levels are all correct and monitored, any problems I'm not thinking of?

Thanks

 

[Alex H.]

Would it make sense to have the lav set to record to ext CH1 and the onboard set to int CH2 and just leave both on to get audio? I realize that will give me two mono recordings, but is that a bad thing?

Simply recording one mic to two channels does not make it "stereo". It's dual mono. Further, the best thing you can do when recording one mic to two channels is to set the second channel to -6dB lower, as a safety track in case a sudden peak overmodulates (distorts) the first channel. In post, you'll split the audio tracks and only use one, generally the primary track unless it is clipped and you have to fall back on the safety track.

As for your situation, remember also that on-camera is the last and worst place to have a mic for much of anything... especially interviews/dialog. This can make one-man-banding a little challenging, but perhaps a wireless hand-held would make it easier to transition from on-cam interviews to off-cam. That way, the mic can stay in front of the camera without the need for a boom op, and without having to rig a wireless lav to a string of people. Plus, conducting an on-camera interview with two people, and having a mic on only one of them, is much less than ideal.

Regarding ambient sound (b-roll, background sounds, things that don't feature on-cam dialog), it may be helpful to carry something like a Zoom H1 just to record sound. The built-in stereo mic array is perfectly suitable for recording sound beds.

 

[Sam Mallery]

Would it make sense to have the lav set to record to ext CH1 and the onboard set to int CH2 and just leave both on to get audio? I realize that will give me two mono recordings, but is that a bad thing?

Yes, that makes sense, and no, it's not a bad thing. Don't worry about the difference between Stereo and Mono, it doesn't apply to the kind of work you're doing.

Assuming the levels are all correct and monitored, any problems I'm not thinking of?

Like Alex said, the built-in mics on cameras are usually pretty lousy sounding. But, that said, I always like it when a camera gives you those little switches that enable you to use an external microphone on one channel, and a built-in mic on the other. Not all cameras have that, and I think it's a nice feature. Built-in mics may not sound too great, but if you're in a pinch - you can make it work with those switches.

...jumping back behind the camera to get ambiant and some solo subject comments...

A second external microphone to capture those "solo subject comments" would give you a significant bump up in sound quality. A not terribly expensive option would be to get a handheld interview mic like the Electro-Voice RE50/B and an XLR cable to plug into that 2nd XLR input.

 

[fishcough]

Thanks very much guys. I don't think I have much choice re: the onboard. Filming in a spot where having a shotgun or even a handheld would attract too much unwanted attention. The lav can be pretty well hidden. So, just keep both mics on and then switch audio tracks in post as needed, right?

Thanks again!