Which Input Level is best for receiver - Line or Mic ?

M

mccannondsl@eircom.net

Member
Is the line level on the 302 less sensitive than typical camera line level inputs?


I just recently acquired my 302 so I'm working my way through the settings and configurations. I set up channel 4/5 today and plugged in my AT 1800 receiver to find that the input level was a little lower than I might have expected even with the output level on the 1800 maxed. I then tried my Sennheiser G2. This was a bit more respectable - with the RTN Gain turned fully up I was getting a good level.


I then tried both receivers on the XLR inputs - again the Sennheiser was stronger - With the Gain and Fader fully up I was getting a good level. I then tried the receivers with the INPUTS set to MIC LEVEL - now, I could set the Gain and Fader to unity and I was getting a signal of approximately the same strength. Again the AT 1800 was a few pips lower but the signal on MIC level was acceptable where the Line level was a bit low.


As it so happens I haven't been recording camera sound for a few years so I'm rusty but I'm sure I've never used MIC level with with either receiver before and I've never found the signal to be too low - that's going straight into the camera.


So, it seems Mic level is the way to go.


It appears that channels 4/5 are not a option for the AT 1800 and the G2 is just about usable on 4/5.


This isn't what I expected - could I be doing something wrong here?
 
Last edited:
mccannondsl@eircom.net said:
I just recently acquired my 302 so I'm working my way through the settings and configurations. I set up channel 4/5 today and plugged in my AT 1800 receiver to find that the input level was a little lower than I might have expected. I then tried my Sennheiser G2. This was a bit more respectable - with the RTN Gain turned fully up I was getting a good level.


I then tried both receivers on the XLR inputs - again the Sennheiser was stronger - With the Gain and Fader fully up I was getting a good level. I then tried the receivers with the INPUTS set to MIC LEVEL - now, I could set the Gain and Fader to unity and I was getting a signal of approximately the same strength. Again the AT 1800 was a few pips lower but the signal on MIC level was acceptable where the Line level was a bit low.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity... in any of these configurations, did you adjust the output levels on the receivers? On the 1800-series, it's a rotary pot on the bottom of the receiver (or two of them, if you have the dual-channel system). With the G3, it's the AF Out setting in the menu.
 
Most prosumer camcorders have -10dBv nominal "consumer" line level inputs. The Sound Devices mixers expect a stronger "professional" or "studio" line level of either 0dBu or +4dBu.
 
Yeah Alex, output on the AT 1800 is maxed and the levels are a little low. The Sennheiser is at +6db needs to be maxed on the 302 gain but the sound quality and noise level is a lot better than at +12db. The sound quality takes a big hit at +12 but there is some headroom on the levels there.
 
mccannondsl@eircom.net said:
Yeah Alex, output on the AT 1800 is maxed and the levels are a little low. The Sennheiser is at +6db needs to be maxed on the 302 gain but the sound quality and noise level is a lot better than at +12db. The sound quality takes a big hit at +12 but there is some headroom on the levels there.
Click to expand...

Never hurts to ask. You'd be amazed at that "one thing" that often gets overlooked.

Okay... what about transmitter levels? G3: are you running at about 75% of the level meter? AT: can't remember how the readout works on the receivers here, but we use the same belt pack transmitters at our parish... what input level setting are you using?

I've had absolutely no issue with Sennheiser systems and SD field mixers, and I certainly haven't had to max the input level adjustments on the mixer. And I've had the receiver's output set to +12dB without any affect on signal quality.
 
I normally run the Sennheisers AF out set to -18, with the SD mixer set to mic level. Never had any noise issues.
 
I just did some recording tests with the Sennheisers at different levels including +12db line and - 18db mic and there is no difference in noise levels.

Rick: At -18 i had to max the gain. I'm not sure why you prefer this as it means you have no way where to go if the sound your recording goes quieter.

However, it appears there is no problem with the Sennheisers at either line or mic.

The original concern arose from my trying to use the AT 1800 on 4/5 input. It would appear that we are all on the same page regarding the Sennheisers - what of the AT 1800 - is it simply that they have a much inferior output to the Sennheiser?

The has a red led which indicates when the transmitter is connecting to the receiver. There is no meter determine the strength. It does have headphone sockets and the output pots you spoke of.

The output level goes from -6 to +12 - it is on +12.
RF can be set to low or High - it's on High.
 
"Rick: At -18 i had to max the gain. I'm not sure why you prefer this as it means you have no way where to go if the sound your recording goes quieter."ti
Don't know where your transmitter's senstivity settings is, but again, with my G3's AF @ -18dB, feeding a 302 @ MIC level, the gain is around 2 o'clock, channel volume are around 12 o'clock.. plenty of additional gain if I need to 'reach' for something.
Don't have an AT1800
 
Habit I guess. The portable 100 series Sennheiser receivers do not put out a lower than normal +4 signal. (nominal) In 'some' instances, adequate levels can be an issue. If one's mixer has a -10dB input option, this may not be an problem. But with SD preamps, mic level is not much of a compromise.
 
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