AC160 XLR Volume is too low

kwkeirstead

kwkeirstead

Well-known member
I recorded a concert last night with one XLR input to ch2 and one on-camera Rode mic input on ch1.

The setting for ch 2 was -60db, the setting for ch 1 was -40db. The volume dial levels were 8 for ch2 and 4 for ch1

The audio meter for ch2 was very low. Normal for ch1

And, during editing, I boosted ch 2 as much as possible - result, sound too low.

So, is it the mixer that is giving me too low a signal OR am I failing to do proper setup at the camera?

This is about the 3rd experiment I have made with XLR inputs, pretty much the same result each time except this time because I only took one channel from the mixer, I was able to make two .mp4 files (ch1 only, ch2 only) where the sound level difference is clearly documented.
 
Can you have the sound person send you tone from the audio board ahead of time? Typically you would take 0 VU tone from an analog mixer and use that to set your camera to -12, leaving you 12 DB of headroom. I would also recommend using line level from the audio board to the camera rather than mic level, less chance of noise being picked up.
 
Hi Walter
I found that the audio specs were completely inaccurate..a Rode has an output of -38dba and if you set the camera to -40db you will get virtually no audio at all. Technically it should be correct but sadly in real life it's way out!! I had to set the Rode Mic's up to -60db for normal audio and -50db is high volume situations....try that otherwise your signal will be very low!!!

Chris
 
I had no issue with volume on the Rode VideoMic (I also have a Rode VideoMic Pro).

It's with the direct XLR feed from the mixer with the channel switch at "Line" that even at -60db gives very low volume.
 
Hi Walter

Then it's not a line level output they are giving you! Line out should be 0dbA and changing camera setting is ONLY for the mic level not the line level. I did a theatre job and had the same issue and found that the feed was actually in the region of -40db not zero...switch the XLR channel to mic for the feed and see what you get. you will probably find that it's pretty much OK at -40db with the manual level around halfway.

Chris
 
I would say you had a weak feed from the board. This varies wildly between venues in my experience. I always try to get a group send from the board (if it has one) first as the sound tech then can boost the group level outside of the main mix if I need more signal. Sadly, often the signal is weak. Does the AC-160 have the ability to attenuate the line input? My old DVC-200 had this (-60, -50, & -40 on the line input) and it really helped in dealing with different venues.
 
Thank you for the input. I had more or less reached the same conclusion and will have a chance to test it with a different sound group on Aug 31st.

Yes, the AC160 has a - 60, -50, -40 option (manual page 90) where it says "Sets the input level of the external microphone connected to the AUDIO INPUT1/2 terminal"

This leaves me to now figure out if that extends to switch settings of "Line" versus "Mic" - I should be able to test this by asking for a signal and then going from say -40 to -60 to see if the audio meter confirms an increase in volume.

The answer appears to be on page 42 - "<Line> - The input level is 0 db" and then in the next para "<Mic> The factory setting is -50 Db. The input level cano be changed to -40db or -60 db so my conclusion is the -60 -50 -40 option ONLY applies when switches point to Mic.
 
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