VX-2100 Audio question at DVinfo.net

Ben Moore · January 23rd, 2008, 10:18 PM

Would it be better to use a mini to XLR adapter to get audio from a sound board as opposed to going through a BeachTek device? The reason I ask is because the beachTek I have outputs audio at mic level. The VX has a mic/line switch. If I switch to line I could bypass the pre amps in the camera. Do you think this would improve my sound? The audio I get through the BeackTek is not bad I just feel it lacks in dynamic range. I do dance recitals and a local pageant, sound board quality varies, but I always get a decent signal.

I was thinking of trying something like this.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=160632&is=REG

and adding these in line pads to each XLR line.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=68600&is=REG

Any opinions would be great

Thanks
Ben

Travis Johnson · January 24th, 2008, 10:22 AM

I'd say that since you're doing videography, that the beachtek adapter would be the best bet. With that you would save so much time syncing the audio directly from the camera. Also you're not going to notice a huge difference in sound from the board as opposed to your camera. I have a VX2100 and I use a 1/8' audio input directly to the camera with a RODE NT3 mic. I've filmed several live music performances and have had great results with it.

Ben Moore · January 24th, 2008, 01:10 PM

Thanks Travis for the reply.

Where do you locate your Rode NT3? Does it work well for Tap performances? I have found soundboard sound to be weak on tap unless they have a mic on stage turned on during the performance, So Im also looking to add a mic for that purpose, We shoot we three cams and I mix the audio to suit in post. Maybe next time I will try the Rode with one of the cams, again thanks for the response.

Ben

David Ennis · January 24th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Using line level switch doesn't bypass the VX2100's preamps. It attenuates the level down to mic level and the preamps are still used. To get superb audio with the VX2100, get the very well regarded Greg Winter modification. A search on his name here or on google will turn up the details.

There's no difference in dynamic range between using line or mic at the VX2100 end, unless you use Auto mode for one and manual for the other. Auto mode will certainly shrink the dynamic range and add other undesirable effects.

If the house doesn't have any mics on or above the stage, that's pretty lame. What are you getting from the board, CD music? You can do better yourself. A Rode Stereo Videomic on a stand near the stage, recorded into a Zoom H2 recorder would work well.

Ben Moore · January 24th, 2008, 04:01 PM

They do have mics on the stage just not on during dancing and tap usually, So I do get the mic feed through the mixer when they are on for vocals.

David Ennis · January 24th, 2008, 06:01 PM

Oh, I see. That makes sense. Too bad though that they don't just mute the audio to the PA for the taps but leave the mics on for you.

Ben Moore · January 24th, 2008, 10:19 PM

Yeah, Thats a good idea. I will ask the sound guy about that, but using a Rode up close would work I think as well, and I could mix in most when I needed it.

Travis Johnson · January 28th, 2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Moore

Thanks Travis for the reply.

Where do you locate your Rode NT3?

Ben

http://dvcreators.net/rode-microphones

January 23rd, 2008, 10:18 PM	#1
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	VX-2100 Audio question Would it be better to use a mini to XLR adapter to get audio from a sound board as opposed to going through a BeachTek device? The reason I ask is because the beachTek I have outputs audio at mic level. The VX has a mic/line switch. If I switch to line I could bypass the pre amps in the camera. Do you think this would improve my sound? The audio I get through the BeackTek is not bad I just feel it lacks in dynamic range. I do dance recitals and a local pageant, sound board quality varies, but I always get a decent signal. I was thinking of trying something like this. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=160632&is=REG and adding these in line pads to each XLR line. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=68600&is=REG Any opinions would be great Thanks Ben

January 24th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#4
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Using line level switch doesn't bypass the VX2100's preamps. It attenuates the level down to mic level and the preamps are still used. To get superb audio with the VX2100, get the very well regarded Greg Winter modification. A search on his name here or on google will turn up the details. There's no difference in dynamic range between using line or mic at the VX2100 end, unless you use Auto mode for one and manual for the other. Auto mode will certainly shrink the dynamic range and add other undesirable effects. If the house doesn't have any mics on or above the stage, that's pretty lame. What are you getting from the board, CD music? You can do better yourself. A Rode Stereo Videomic on a stand near the stage, recorded into a Zoom H2 recorder would work well. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

January 24th, 2008, 06:01 PM	#6
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Oh, I see. That makes sense. Too bad though that they don't just mute the audio to the PA for the taps but leave the mics on for you. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

January 24th, 2008, 10:22 AM	#2
Travis Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Roxboro NC Posts: 166	I'd say that since you're doing videography, that the beachtek adapter would be the best bet. With that you would save so much time syncing the audio directly from the camera. Also you're not going to notice a huge difference in sound from the board as opposed to your camera. I have a VX2100 and I use a 1/8' audio input directly to the camera with a RODE NT3 mic. I've filmed several live music performances and have had great results with it.

January 24th, 2008, 01:10 PM	#3
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	Thanks Travis for the reply. Where do you locate your Rode NT3? Does it work well for Tap performances? I have found soundboard sound to be weak on tap unless they have a mic on stage turned on during the performance, So Im also looking to add a mic for that purpose, We shoot we three cams and I mix the audio to suit in post. Maybe next time I will try the Rode with one of the cams, again thanks for the response. Ben

January 24th, 2008, 04:01 PM	#5
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	They do have mics on the stage just not on during dancing and tap usually, So I do get the mic feed through the mixer when they are on for vocals.

January 24th, 2008, 10:19 PM	#7
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	Yeah, Thats a good idea. I will ask the sound guy about that, but using a Rode up close would work I think as well, and I could mix in most when I needed it.