Unexpected loud sounds clipping on my EX3 at DVinfo.net

Anthony McErlean · June 24th, 2010, 10:15 AM

I have the EX3 and an onboard K6/ME64 mic.
Right or wrong I do have the audio setting set at auto and although I know its not ideal it suits me to keep it at that.
Sometimes I would get clipping with unexpected loud sounds. Is there any camera settings I should change from the default its at at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

Rick Reineke · June 24th, 2010, 10:43 AM

While I not familiar with the EX3, nor can I find an online manual to peruse. Check the internal user menu settings for ''Mic/Audio' or 'level' setting. For instance if is set to -50dB, set it to -40dB . If that is not possible or it doesn't help, you will need a 'in-line' 10dB pad, inserted between the mic and the camera audio input.
Run the mic on 'Phantom Power' instead of a battery if that's an option. The higher power enables the mic to handle a higher SPL, if you are trying to record something extremely loud and the mic is overloaded.
Addendum: found the manual:
http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebService...ops_manual.pdf
Page 122, under AUDIO SET > Subitems and setting values > "Trim Settings"

Don Bloom · June 24th, 2010, 10:47 AM

If you're only using the shotgun split the audio into 2 channels. What I mean is set channel 1 to AUTO and channel to manual and set the level lower in the manual channel. This will give you 1 track with 2 different levels of sound so even if one channel clips the other should get it at a lower level and then in post you can cut to that and kill off the clipping.
At least thats how it worked on almost every other Sony camera I've ever owned or used.

Anthony McErlean · June 24th, 2010, 11:45 AM

Thanks to you both for the advice, I'll check that out.
I did look and I saw my trim settings are at -41dbu btw.

Don, the only thing is I use Ch2 for a radio mic.

Warren Kawamoto · June 24th, 2010, 12:12 PM

If you're still clipping at -41dB, try -35dB.

Don Bloom · June 24th, 2010, 12:17 PM

Oh sorry Anthony, didn't realize you had a 2nd mic going there. The aproach I told you certainly won't work.

Anthony McErlean · June 24th, 2010, 12:20 PM

Thanks, I also found this.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...uestion-2.html

Anthony McErlean · June 24th, 2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

Oh sorry Anthony, didn't realize you had a 2nd mic going there. The aproach I told you certainly won't work.

No Don, my fault, I should have first pointed this out but thanks anyhow.

Jay Massengill · June 24th, 2010, 02:41 PM

Keep in mind the K6/ME64 (and ME66) put out a very hot mic signal.
They have considerably more output than for example an AT897 or Rode NTG-2.
It's something to keep in mind when working in different environments with different levels of sound volume and trying to match up your camera's audio settings.

Gints Klimanis · June 24th, 2010, 02:51 PM

The initial clipping you describe is caused by the automatic gain control (AGC) of the Auto gain mode. Another artifact is that the ambient noise is usually 20-30 dB louder than it should be. Avoid this mode if possible. I like to use the dual mic system with a more sensitive microphone set to a lower level. Sony EX series has a Limiter that can not be disabled, and that function also causes distortion of peaks.

Anthony McErlean · June 25th, 2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gints Klimanis

The initial clipping you describe is caused by the automatic gain control (AGC) of the Auto gain mode..

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Anthony McErlean · June 26th, 2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Massengill

Keep in mind the K6/ME64 (and ME66) put out a very hot mic signal.

Instead of the K6/ME64 what other on board camera mic would be a good choice for weddings.

Don Bloom · June 26th, 2010, 07:36 AM

I use the Audio Technica 897. Some here use the Rode NTG 2 I believe. Everyone has their preference but as Jay said, the ME64/66 is just to hot for weddings. I used to use one and was never able to get it the way I wanted it. Got the 897 and never looked back.

Anthony McErlean · June 27th, 2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

I use the Audio Technica 897. Some here use the Rode NTG 2 I believe. Everyone has their preference but as Jay said, the ME64/66 is just to hot for weddings. I used to use one and was never able to get it the way I wanted it. Got the 897 and never looked back.

Thanks Don for your advice, I might look into the 897. Thanks

Anthony McErlean · July 27th, 2010, 09:23 AM

I had a look at the Audio Technica 897 but its 11" long my K6/ME64 is about 8" in length so I think its just a bit too long for the EX3. When I would use my IDX light it might/would throw a shadow.

Any other short mic, not to hot, that would be suitable for weddings.

Thanks.

June 24th, 2010, 10:15 AM	#1
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,081	Unexpected loud sounds clipping on my EX3 I have the EX3 and an onboard K6/ME64 mic. Right or wrong I do have the audio setting set at auto and although I know its not ideal it suits me to keep it at that. Sometimes I would get clipping with unexpected loud sounds. Is there any camera settings I should change from the default its at at the moment. Thanks in advance. Last edited by Anthony McErlean; June 24th, 2010 at 01:06 PM.

June 24th, 2010, 10:43 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	While I not familiar with the EX3, nor can I find an online manual to peruse. Check the internal user menu settings for ''Mic/Audio' or 'level' setting. For instance if is set to -50dB, set it to -40dB . If that is not possible or it doesn't help, you will need a 'in-line' 10dB pad, inserted between the mic and the camera audio input. Run the mic on 'Phantom Power' instead of a battery if that's an option. The higher power enables the mic to handle a higher SPL, if you are trying to record something extremely loud and the mic is overloaded. Addendum: found the manual: http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebService...ops_manual.pdf Page 122, under AUDIO SET > Subitems and setting values > "Trim Settings" Last edited by Rick Reineke; June 24th, 2010 at 11:06 AM. Reason: Addendum

June 24th, 2010, 10:47 AM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	If you're only using the shotgun split the audio into 2 channels. What I mean is set channel 1 to AUTO and channel to manual and set the level lower in the manual channel. This will give you 1 track with 2 different levels of sound so even if one channel clips the other should get it at a lower level and then in post you can cut to that and kill off the clipping. At least thats how it worked on almost every other Sony camera I've ever owned or used. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

June 24th, 2010, 12:17 PM	#6
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Oh sorry Anthony, didn't realize you had a 2nd mic going there. The aproach I told you certainly won't work. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

June 26th, 2010, 07:36 AM	#13
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I use the Audio Technica 897. Some here use the Rode NTG 2 I believe. Everyone has their preference but as Jay said, the ME64/66 is just to hot for weddings. I used to use one and was never able to get it the way I wanted it. Got the 897 and never looked back. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

June 24th, 2010, 11:45 AM	#4
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,081	Thanks to you both for the advice, I'll check that out. I did look and I saw my trim settings are at -41dbu btw. Don, the only thing is I use Ch2 for a radio mic.

June 24th, 2010, 12:12 PM	#5
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	If you're still clipping at -41dB, try -35dB.

June 24th, 2010, 12:20 PM	#7
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,081	Thanks, I also found this. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...uestion-2.html

June 24th, 2010, 02:41 PM	#9
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Keep in mind the K6/ME64 (and ME66) put out a very hot mic signal. They have considerably more output than for example an AT897 or Rode NTG-2. It's something to keep in mind when working in different environments with different levels of sound volume and trying to match up your camera's audio settings.

June 24th, 2010, 02:51 PM	#10
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	The initial clipping you describe is caused by the automatic gain control (AGC) of the Auto gain mode. Another artifact is that the ambient noise is usually 20-30 dB louder than it should be. Avoid this mode if possible. I like to use the dual mic system with a more sensitive microphone set to a lower level. Sony EX series has a Limiter that can not be disabled, and that function also causes distortion of peaks.

July 27th, 2010, 09:23 AM	#15
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,081	I had a look at the Audio Technica 897 but its 11" long my K6/ME64 is about 8" in length so I think its just a bit too long for the EX3. When I would use my IDX light it might/would throw a shadow. Any other short mic, not to hot, that would be suitable for weddings. Thanks.