Camcorder Audio in Loud areas at DVinfo.net

John Gross · July 7th, 2004, 11:42 AM

Do most camcorders (sub $1000) have some way of limiting extremely loud audio during recording? For example, will most camcorders do a decent job of picking up sound at a live concert. I know not to expect great quality, but I was wondering if the sound would be blown out and distorted. Any recommendations on a good line of camcorders to look at would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Pete Bauer · July 7th, 2004, 12:22 PM

Of course, every microphone has its upper limit before the mic itself can't handle it, but I believe that just about any consumer / prosumer miniDV camcorder will have Automatic Gain Control (AGC). A few of the prosumer camcorders allow you to switch to manual settings -- you pay more to get manual control of your audio! I'm pretty sure AGC is a "given."

Mike Rehmus · July 8th, 2004, 12:37 PM

The camcorder with on-board microphone will not pick up what anyone would call 'professional' quality sound. It just takes more and better placed gear than that.

That said, you will probably get a reasonable result with an on-board microphone unless you are standing next to the loudspeaker stack. Reasonable means that you will hear the music with the crowd sounds mixed right in.

July 7th, 2004, 11:42 AM	#1
John Gross Tourist Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2	Camcorder Audio in Loud areas Do most camcorders (sub $1000) have some way of limiting extremely loud audio during recording? For example, will most camcorders do a decent job of picking up sound at a live concert. I know not to expect great quality, but I was wondering if the sound would be blown out and distorted. Any recommendations on a good line of camcorders to look at would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

July 7th, 2004, 12:22 PM	#2
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Of course, every microphone has its upper limit before the mic itself can't handle it, but I believe that just about any consumer / prosumer miniDV camcorder will have Automatic Gain Control (AGC). A few of the prosumer camcorders allow you to switch to manual settings -- you pay more to get manual control of your audio! I'm pretty sure AGC is a "given." __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

July 8th, 2004, 12:37 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	The camcorder with on-board microphone will not pick up what anyone would call 'professional' quality sound. It just takes more and better placed gear than that. That said, you will probably get a reasonable result with an on-board microphone unless you are standing next to the loudspeaker stack. Reasonable means that you will hear the music with the crowd sounds mixed right in. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!