EX1 as audio recording device, how´s that working for you? at DVinfo.net

Magnus Eklof · July 25th, 2008, 09:43 AM

Hi all! I posted this question in the XDCAM EX-forum but did not get any answers, I don´t know if it´s maybe bad form to post the same question here, I guess someone will let me know if that´s the case so here goes...

So far I´ve only been shooting with my Sony PMW EX1 in non sync-sound situations, so if recording audio at all, I´ve only used the internal mics for "reference" sound.
I have some projects coming up that requires sync sound and will use a few different mics (ME66, Senn lav wireless & Oktava 102 Hypercardioid and no, not all at once, but these are those I have to work with) going through a field mixer (Mixpre) and into the EX1. For the next 2 weeks I have let a friend use the EX1 so I can´t run any tests with it, hence my question;
What´s the verdict on the EX1 as an audio recording device? Audio will reach camera at line level, does anyone know of any problems with this setup? does audio recorded in a proper way sound "good" or "right" on the EX1??

Magnus

Abe Dolinger · July 25th, 2008, 01:47 PM

Sounds quite good for a camera in its price range, better than the HVX. I recorded a feature on one and was happy with the product. Also decent headphone amp. Remember to hit Display twice to see the level numbers on the meter!

Magnus Eklof · July 25th, 2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe Dolinger

Remember to hit Display twice to see the level numbers on the meter!

Thanks Abe!

Magnus

Marco Leavitt · July 25th, 2008, 09:04 PM

Hey Abe, did you use a mixer with the EX1? I had a shoot today, and am having all kinds of problems. I have to turn the gain all the way up, and even then a full scale tone on my SD302 won't quite reach the read. Tried it with line and mic levels, same thing. I'm also hearing lots of distortion on the return feed. I'm wondering if there is a limiter engaged or something in the camera that I can't find a way to turn off. I have definitely set the camera to manual audio control.

Abe Dolinger · July 26th, 2008, 08:21 AM

I was using a 302 as well. I never tried full-scale tone but didn't have a problem getting my 0-tone on the 302 to match -20 on the camera. Maybe try bumping up the output on the 302? Or, just mix a little hotter [:

edit: I believe the camera has trim settings in the menus. I don't know what the defaults for those are, but maybe checking the manual could tell you if yours is set low.

Magnus Eklof · July 26th, 2008, 01:11 PM

Thanks Marco for the heads-up about this potential problem!
Will run tests I guess...
Thanks again!
Magnus

Marco Leavitt · July 27th, 2008, 08:21 AM

Abe, are the trim settings only active when using mic in? How do you determine the correct settings?

Abe Dolinger · July 27th, 2008, 01:11 PM

I'm not sure. I doubt it but have no real reason for this.

I guess trim settings would be correct when they match up with your mixer! If it's an electronic attenuation (as it seems to be) it probably doesn't affect sound quality a whole lot to bump it up a few notches.

The other solution would be - if you can only get 0 on the mixer to -22 on the camera, just mix a couple of dB hotter than you normally would. It eats into your headroom, but for a lot of situations, it would work . .

Marco Leavitt · July 30th, 2008, 10:43 PM

In answer to my own question, the guy at this site -- http://www.vimeo.com/1408795 -- says the camera has a non-defeatable limiter. Explains what I experienced perfectly.

July 25th, 2008, 09:43 AM	#1
Magnus Eklof Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 33	EX1 as audio recording device, how´s that working for you? Hi all! I posted this question in the XDCAM EX-forum but did not get any answers, I don´t know if it´s maybe bad form to post the same question here, I guess someone will let me know if that´s the case so here goes... So far I´ve only been shooting with my Sony PMW EX1 in non sync-sound situations, so if recording audio at all, I´ve only used the internal mics for "reference" sound. I have some projects coming up that requires sync sound and will use a few different mics (ME66, Senn lav wireless & Oktava 102 Hypercardioid and no, not all at once, but these are those I have to work with) going through a field mixer (Mixpre) and into the EX1. For the next 2 weeks I have let a friend use the EX1 so I can´t run any tests with it, hence my question; What´s the verdict on the EX1 as an audio recording device? Audio will reach camera at line level, does anyone know of any problems with this setup? does audio recorded in a proper way sound "good" or "right" on the EX1?? Magnus

July 25th, 2008, 01:47 PM	#2
Abe Dolinger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 111	Sounds quite good for a camera in its price range, better than the HVX. I recorded a feature on one and was happy with the product. Also decent headphone amp. Remember to hit Display twice to see the level numbers on the meter!

July 25th, 2008, 09:04 PM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Hey Abe, did you use a mixer with the EX1? I had a shoot today, and am having all kinds of problems. I have to turn the gain all the way up, and even then a full scale tone on my SD302 won't quite reach the read. Tried it with line and mic levels, same thing. I'm also hearing lots of distortion on the return feed. I'm wondering if there is a limiter engaged or something in the camera that I can't find a way to turn off. I have definitely set the camera to manual audio control.

July 26th, 2008, 08:21 AM	#5
Abe Dolinger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 111	I was using a 302 as well. I never tried full-scale tone but didn't have a problem getting my 0-tone on the 302 to match -20 on the camera. Maybe try bumping up the output on the 302? Or, just mix a little hotter [: edit: I believe the camera has trim settings in the menus. I don't know what the defaults for those are, but maybe checking the manual could tell you if yours is set low.

July 26th, 2008, 01:11 PM	#6
Magnus Eklof Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 33	Thanks Marco for the heads-up about this potential problem! Will run tests I guess... Thanks again! Magnus

July 27th, 2008, 08:21 AM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Abe, are the trim settings only active when using mic in? How do you determine the correct settings?

July 27th, 2008, 01:11 PM	#8
Abe Dolinger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 111	I'm not sure. I doubt it but have no real reason for this. I guess trim settings would be correct when they match up with your mixer! If it's an electronic attenuation (as it seems to be) it probably doesn't affect sound quality a whole lot to bump it up a few notches. The other solution would be - if you can only get 0 on the mixer to -22 on the camera, just mix a couple of dB hotter than you normally would. It eats into your headroom, but for a lot of situations, it would work . .

July 30th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#9
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	In answer to my own question, the guy at this site -- http://www.vimeo.com/1408795 -- says the camera has a non-defeatable limiter. Explains what I experienced perfectly.