Production Audio Qs at DVinfo.net

Paul Bravmann · January 26th, 2004, 11:48 AM

I'm shooting a mostly interview based documentary with a GL-2. I just bought an AT897 shotgun (which i'm mounting on the camera), and the sign video xlr-pro.

my question is, how do i put this equipment to use? i'm hoping maybe some of you could break down the steps you take to capture good audio, from set up, through shooting.

this much i know: how to attach the xlr adaptor, mic and shockmount, and how to cable them together (duh). i've set the audio rec level to manual. now what?

the Qs that come to mind are: xlr adaptor set to stereo or mono? do i need to make in camera mic adjustments, and if so what kind of adjustments. does "riding the gain" mean fiddling with the levels on the xlr adaptor, or on the camera? should i be using the roll off switch on the mic?

if anyone is willing to walk me through some basic steps to get rolling with audio, it would be a huge help.

thanks in advance,
phb

Christopher C. Murphy · January 26th, 2004, 11:53 AM

You probably want to post this in the GL2 forum because you're asking about the menu options on the camera.

In short, definately record 16-bit - not 12-bit. You'll have audio/video sync problems if you do. Also, sample rate should be 48k - not 44k (48k is for video applications and 44k is for CD's - not the same thing)

If you can go XLR - that's best because it's balenced. If you are converting make sure you are doing it right. If the end of the cord (the part you actually plug in to the camera or deck) has ONE black strip around it - it's mono - if it has TWO - it's stereo.

Make sense?

Murph

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 26th, 2004, 06:23 PM

First, I'd recommend mono for most interview and straight work. stereo only brings headaches during processing, and if it's a single source, re; interview, then mono is best during the editing stage. Less confusing for the ear and eye.
If it's an interview, absolutely roll off the low end, it will clean up the audio.
16 bit 48K is the DV standard. 32K is silly, and shouldn't even be found on better cameras.
You've already got the cabling down, so on the camera, learn to set the input levels so you are approximately 3dB down at the PEAKS of audio. Average will be around -18dB down from zero. Hitting zero means you'll lose audio, and never be able to recover the lost bits. Setting this level too low means you lose resolution.
You don't want to be 'riding the gain' as that's a silly thing to have to do, and especially w/digital, it's a foolish thing to do. Set a level for production, learn it during quick sound checks, monitor during record, and process it in post if necessary. Worst thing to have is lots of levels floating around, and that's what 'riding the gain' does, create lots of levels.

Marty Wein · January 26th, 2004, 06:25 PM

As far as setting the XLR adapter to Mono or Stereo:

1) If you are only using one mic and you want to get the sound on the Right and Left channel, you must set it to MONO

2) If you are using two mics and would like to record one mic on the right channel and one on the left, set it to STEREO

3) If you are using two mics and would like to get a mix of both mics onto both channels, set it to MONO.

January 26th, 2004, 11:48 AM	#1
Paul Bravmann Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 44	Production Audio Qs I'm shooting a mostly interview based documentary with a GL-2. I just bought an AT897 shotgun (which i'm mounting on the camera), and the sign video xlr-pro. my question is, how do i put this equipment to use? i'm hoping maybe some of you could break down the steps you take to capture good audio, from set up, through shooting. this much i know: how to attach the xlr adaptor, mic and shockmount, and how to cable them together (duh). i've set the audio rec level to manual. now what? the Qs that come to mind are: xlr adaptor set to stereo or mono? do i need to make in camera mic adjustments, and if so what kind of adjustments. does "riding the gain" mean fiddling with the levels on the xlr adaptor, or on the camera? should i be using the roll off switch on the mic? if anyone is willing to walk me through some basic steps to get rolling with audio, it would be a huge help. thanks in advance, phb

January 26th, 2004, 11:53 AM	#2
Christopher C. Murphy Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,707	You probably want to post this in the GL2 forum because you're asking about the menu options on the camera. In short, definately record 16-bit - not 12-bit. You'll have audio/video sync problems if you do. Also, sample rate should be 48k - not 44k (48k is for video applications and 44k is for CD's - not the same thing) If you can go XLR - that's best because it's balenced. If you are converting make sure you are doing it right. If the end of the cord (the part you actually plug in to the camera or deck) has ONE black strip around it - it's mono - if it has TWO - it's stereo. Make sense? Murph __________________ Christopher C. Murphy Director, Producer, Writer

January 26th, 2004, 06:23 PM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	First, I'd recommend mono for most interview and straight work. stereo only brings headaches during processing, and if it's a single source, re; interview, then mono is best during the editing stage. Less confusing for the ear and eye. If it's an interview, absolutely roll off the low end, it will clean up the audio. 16 bit 48K is the DV standard. 32K is silly, and shouldn't even be found on better cameras. You've already got the cabling down, so on the camera, learn to set the input levels so you are approximately 3dB down at the PEAKS of audio. Average will be around -18dB down from zero. Hitting zero means you'll lose audio, and never be able to recover the lost bits. Setting this level too low means you lose resolution. You don't want to be 'riding the gain' as that's a silly thing to have to do, and especially w/digital, it's a foolish thing to do. Set a level for production, learn it during quick sound checks, monitor during record, and process it in post if necessary. Worst thing to have is lots of levels floating around, and that's what 'riding the gain' does, create lots of levels. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 26th, 2004, 06:25 PM	#4
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	As far as setting the XLR adapter to Mono or Stereo: 1) If you are only using one mic and you want to get the sound on the Right and Left channel, you must set it to MONO 2) If you are using two mics and would like to record one mic on the right channel and one on the left, set it to STEREO 3) If you are using two mics and would like to get a mix of both mics onto both channels, set it to MONO.