Sound levels issue in camera at DVinfo.net

Michael Foo · October 19th, 2007, 08:12 PM

Hi all,

Let's see if I can properly explain this. I'm using a Canon XH-A1 with a SD-302 mixer. I have a wireless receiver plugged into input 1 (mic level, DYN), then coming out of the mixer to the camera (ch 1). I then send tone to the camera and adjust the camera levels to -20db. During recording I watch the mixer levels and ensure they are normal. The resulting audio on the camera is completely blown out (too high), even though the levels never go above -20 on the camera or the mixer. The levels on the camera also seem to be locked absolutely at -20 (bars never go above). Not sure what's going on. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Michael

ps. should also mention that I've recorded audio on the the other output to a flash recorder and it came out fine.

Ty Ford · October 19th, 2007, 08:56 PM

I'm guessing you're setting the 302 to line level and the camera is set to mic level input.

You can actually throw line level tone to a mic input and set level. If you listen in the headset, you can hear the distortion hair around the tone compared to when you set the camera to line level input and hear normal sounding (no hair) tone.

Welcome to the wonderful world of pro audio. :)

Regards,

Ty Ford

Gerry Gallegos · October 19th, 2007, 09:24 PM

Do you have the output of the wireless receiver set up to out put line and the input of the mixer set up to receive Mic? that is what it sounds like its the problem . the distortion is happening between the receiver and the mixer rather than the mixer and cam, which explains distortion with meters showing a normal level. "gain staging" thats the key, research it, it is way too complicated to go into here. but it is critical, not to mention that when you master it you get the quietest silence you can achieve out of your gear.

Michael Foo · October 19th, 2007, 11:32 PM

Ty/Gerry, thank you for your replies. You were absolutely correct. I feel pretty dumb now. The output jacks on the SD-302 are configured as Line by default. I set the XLRs on the camera to match the signal input. Problem solved.

Thanks again.

Ty Ford · October 20th, 2007, 05:10 AM

Michael,

Hey! At least you figured it out before you got out there and recorded without listening and botched the job.

You win big time in my book because you listened, learned, got it and moved on!

You'd be amazed at the number of people I hear from who blow a whole shoot because they didn't listen during shooting.

Regards,

Ty Ford

October 19th, 2007, 08:12 PM	#1
Michael Foo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 41	Sound levels issue in camera Hi all, Let's see if I can properly explain this. I'm using a Canon XH-A1 with a SD-302 mixer. I have a wireless receiver plugged into input 1 (mic level, DYN), then coming out of the mixer to the camera (ch 1). I then send tone to the camera and adjust the camera levels to -20db. During recording I watch the mixer levels and ensure they are normal. The resulting audio on the camera is completely blown out (too high), even though the levels never go above -20 on the camera or the mixer. The levels on the camera also seem to be locked absolutely at -20 (bars never go above). Not sure what's going on. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Michael ps. should also mention that I've recorded audio on the the other output to a flash recorder and it came out fine.

October 19th, 2007, 08:56 PM	#2
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	I'm guessing you're setting the 302 to line level and the camera is set to mic level input. You can actually throw line level tone to a mic input and set level. If you listen in the headset, you can hear the distortion hair around the tone compared to when you set the camera to line level input and hear normal sounding (no hair) tone. Welcome to the wonderful world of pro audio. :) Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

October 19th, 2007, 09:24 PM	#3
Gerry Gallegos Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 262	distortion Do you have the output of the wireless receiver set up to out put line and the input of the mixer set up to receive Mic? that is what it sounds like its the problem . the distortion is happening between the receiver and the mixer rather than the mixer and cam, which explains distortion with meters showing a normal level. "gain staging" thats the key, research it, it is way too complicated to go into here. but it is critical, not to mention that when you master it you get the quietest silence you can achieve out of your gear.

October 20th, 2007, 05:10 AM	#5
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Michael, Hey! At least you figured it out before you got out there and recorded without listening and botched the job. You win big time in my book because you listened, learned, got it and moved on! You'd be amazed at the number of people I hear from who blow a whole shoot because they didn't listen during shooting. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

October 19th, 2007, 11:32 PM	#4
Michael Foo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 41	Ty/Gerry, thank you for your replies. You were absolutely correct. I feel pretty dumb now. The output jacks on the SD-302 are configured as Line by default. I set the XLRs on the camera to match the signal input. Problem solved. Thanks again.