All Things Audio -- topics from 2002 thru 2004

Mike Rehmus · November 1st, 2003, 06:12 PM

AFAIK, you can only record to one stereo channel at a time. The other channel is for inserted sound.

You also can normally only transfer one of the stereo channels at a time IIRC.

Jared Akers · November 5th, 2003, 12:01 PM

I've been cruising these posts for days and there's so many options or ways of recording audio I'm not sure which way to go.

I have a Canon XL1s, no MA-100/200

I'm going to be shooting interviews in bars and also a "game show" type setup. I've found that the onboard mic for the XL1s is GREAT and very directional, although I'd like to have more control over the audio. It just scares me a little to think that is my only source of sound for the productions. I think the onboard mic will work fine for the interviews but for the other scenerio I was thinking maybe two shotgun mics on stands ( out of frame ) and recording to an external source such as a laptop or dat.

If I use a laptop, I do have an Omni I/O breakout box but need to find some type of USB/Firewire solution for it, possibly the Omni Quatro but don't really have the extra $$$.

If I use 2 shotgun mics on booms or stands should I just record directly into the XL1s or a dat, minidisc, laptop, etc. ? If I use an external sound recorder, do I still use the onboard mic?

I know this is a lot of questions and info, sorry.. I'm just looking for any suggestions for a newbie. I'm not against looking up all the info for myself, I know everything I need is more than likely here on the board already but I'm running out of time and need a solution quick.

Thanks,
jared

Dan Measel · November 7th, 2003, 10:15 AM

I am going to buy some sofware to help fix up some audio in a project of mine. There are a lot of threads discussing sound forge and how good it is, but I am having trouble figuring out which they are talking about. On the SF (sony) website they have Sound Forge 7.0 and Sound Forge Studio 6.0 listed with a significant price difference. If I want to remove back ground noise and improve some other dialogue that was recorded with the mic too far away which product do I need? I don't mind spending the money on 7.0 but don't want to if the Studio 6.0 can do what I want. I'll download the demos and try them out but thought someone here might be able to steer me in the right direction and save me some time. Thanks as always for you input.

Mike Rehmus · November 8th, 2003, 01:08 AM

Regardless of the version, you will have to buy the add-on Noise Reduction filter to make Sound Forge remove noise.

Mike Rehmus · November 8th, 2003, 01:18 AM

Some of the answer depends on how noisy the environment is where you will be recording.

Shotguns aren't really made for noisy environments. They can quickly be overwhelmed and deliver bad sound.

My first choice for an interview in a noisy environment would be a wired lavaliere. Second choice, if one doesn't mind the microphone in the shot is a hand-held 'interview' microphone. Those are long and have a small head.

Instead of 2 shotguns which really won't bring you any advantage with a single interviewee, if the environment is quiet enough to use a shotgun, get someone to handle the shotgun in a shockmount. Something like the Light Wave Systems supermount which is easy to manage and aim. Then hire yourself someone at minimum wage to hold it. That requires minimum skills as opposed to putting the microphone on a boom pole. You really cannot depend on your untrained talent to stay in the focus point of a shotgun on a stand. Even sitting they can move enough to affect the sound.

Game shows are either boomed or the people use lavalieres. Wireless lavalieres.

Dan Lahav · November 12th, 2003, 05:49 PM

Does anyone use this microphone? I'm a newbie planning on getting a DVX100 pretty soon. I've heard mixed reviews about the SenheisserME66 so I heard this was a good step up? Is this true? How would I mount this? Thanks.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 12th, 2003, 05:56 PM

The NT4 is a stereo mic and huge by standards. Not something you'd want to carry on an everyday basis. Dave largent does and he explains it in a post.

Do a search on "NT4" , you''ll come upwith 11 hits

Marco Leavitt · November 12th, 2003, 09:46 PM

Finally! Too bad it didn't happen sooner. I could have saved some money.

Dave Stewart · November 16th, 2003, 08:45 PM

Has anyone tried putting a microphone on a mike stand and miking one of the audio monitors? I've been asked to do a wedding and only have one wireless mike - a handheld. I have another lav mike, but the receiver is not a camera mountable type. I thought that if they have house sound, I could just place a mike in front of one of the speakers.

Robert Butler · November 17th, 2003, 10:38 AM

I think this issue has been mentioned before, but I couldn't find the thread. Anyway, I borrowed a friend's ATR55, and it only seems to record on the left channel. Is there some kind of on-camera setting that will activate both channels? This isn't a "mono" mic, is it? Oh, and for the record, I'm using it with a GL2.

This mic is only temporary, for I intend to "trade up" later (maybe Santa will be kind to me this year). I'd like to have this problem cleared up anyway, in case it happens with whatever mic I get later.

Mike Rehmus · November 17th, 2003, 11:36 AM

I do it quite frequently. I use a Shure Beta58 with a wireless plug-on transmitter. One could use a wired microphone if necessary but that's a lot of wire and limits movement.

I lay the microphone on the top of the monitor with the ball-end sticking out over the top lip of the monitor. I then tape the microphone to the top of the monitor with Gaffer's tape after first asking the owner if it is OK. The ball is covered with a fuzzy wind screen to avoid pumping noises (Monitors can move a LOT of air) and to avoid vibration where the microphone contacts the monitor case.

I've tried this with a lav and it failed miserably. The microphone element was overloaded and distorted badly.

I think a dynamic microphone is the best choice in these situations.

Matt Gettemeier · November 17th, 2003, 09:04 PM

The ATR-55 is a mono mic... you'll find that MOST shotguns are mono... a cheap-junk stereo shotgun may be out there, but for the most part stereo shotguns are VERY high dollar... even an me66 is mono... some cams can combine the L/R inputs but if not then there's an adapter from RadioShack that'll do it... otherwise just click "duplicate left" in your audio properties of that clip in the timeline.

I started out with ATR-55's and you'll be blown away when you go to an me66 or similar mic of that class... (if not better).

Stephen Sobel · November 18th, 2003, 06:23 PM

I'm trying to decide between the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and the Creative MegaWorks 2.1 speakers (and yes, I know these aren't studio quality). I'm interested in comparisons regarding sound quality for moderate gaming, listening to CDs while surfing the net, and listening to the sound while video editing (when I'm not using headphones).

Can anyone give me feedback?

Tony Teulan · November 20th, 2003, 09:16 AM

Testing cameras for a shoot tomorrow and both pick up soft static-y noise (along with other sounds) whether it's set to built-in mic or external shotgun mic.

Any ideas?

Ong Wan Shu · November 21st, 2003, 09:32 PM

hi all,

THe camera I am using, DVX100, has 2 audio input plug and 2 recording channels.

My question is at times when sound is coming from 1 input plug, ie there is only 1 mic, is it better to record it in only 1 channel or in both channel for best results?

Cheers
wan shu

November 1st, 2003, 06:12 PM	#166
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	AFAIK, you can only record to one stereo channel at a time. The other channel is for inserted sound. You also can normally only transfer one of the stereo channels at a time IIRC. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 5th, 2003, 12:01 PM	#167
Jared Akers Tourist Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1	Mobile solution. I've been cruising these posts for days and there's so many options or ways of recording audio I'm not sure which way to go. I have a Canon XL1s, no MA-100/200 I'm going to be shooting interviews in bars and also a "game show" type setup. I've found that the onboard mic for the XL1s is GREAT and very directional, although I'd like to have more control over the audio. It just scares me a little to think that is my only source of sound for the productions. I think the onboard mic will work fine for the interviews but for the other scenerio I was thinking maybe two shotgun mics on stands ( out of frame ) and recording to an external source such as a laptop or dat. If I use a laptop, I do have an Omni I/O breakout box but need to find some type of USB/Firewire solution for it, possibly the Omni Quatro but don't really have the extra $$$. If I use 2 shotgun mics on booms or stands should I just record directly into the XL1s or a dat, minidisc, laptop, etc. ? If I use an external sound recorder, do I still use the onboard mic? I know this is a lot of questions and info, sorry.. I'm just looking for any suggestions for a newbie. I'm not against looking up all the info for myself, I know everything I need is more than likely here on the board already but I'm running out of time and need a solution quick. Thanks, jared

November 7th, 2003, 10:15 AM	#168
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	sound forge 7.0 vs studio 6.0 I am going to buy some sofware to help fix up some audio in a project of mine. There are a lot of threads discussing sound forge and how good it is, but I am having trouble figuring out which they are talking about. On the SF (sony) website they have Sound Forge 7.0 and Sound Forge Studio 6.0 listed with a significant price difference. If I want to remove back ground noise and improve some other dialogue that was recorded with the mic too far away which product do I need? I don't mind spending the money on 7.0 but don't want to if the Studio 6.0 can do what I want. I'll download the demos and try them out but thought someone here might be able to steer me in the right direction and save me some time. Thanks as always for you input.

November 8th, 2003, 01:08 AM	#169
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Regardless of the version, you will have to buy the add-on Noise Reduction filter to make Sound Forge remove noise. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 8th, 2003, 01:18 AM	#170
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Some of the answer depends on how noisy the environment is where you will be recording. Shotguns aren't really made for noisy environments. They can quickly be overwhelmed and deliver bad sound. My first choice for an interview in a noisy environment would be a wired lavaliere. Second choice, if one doesn't mind the microphone in the shot is a hand-held 'interview' microphone. Those are long and have a small head. Instead of 2 shotguns which really won't bring you any advantage with a single interviewee, if the environment is quiet enough to use a shotgun, get someone to handle the shotgun in a shockmount. Something like the Light Wave Systems supermount which is easy to manage and aim. Then hire yourself someone at minimum wage to hold it. That requires minimum skills as opposed to putting the microphone on a boom pole. You really cannot depend on your untrained talent to stay in the focus point of a shotgun on a stand. Even sitting they can move enough to affect the sound. Game shows are either boomed or the people use lavalieres. Wireless lavalieres. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 12th, 2003, 05:49 PM	#171
Dan Lahav Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: CA Posts: 172	Rode NT4 Does anyone use this microphone? I'm a newbie planning on getting a DVX100 pretty soon. I've heard mixed reviews about the SenheisserME66 so I heard this was a good step up? Is this true? How would I mount this? Thanks.

November 12th, 2003, 05:56 PM	#172
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The NT4 is a stereo mic and huge by standards. Not something you'd want to carry on an everyday basis. Dave largent does and he explains it in a post. Do a search on "NT4" , you''ll come upwith 11 hits

November 12th, 2003, 09:46 PM	#173
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	B&H picks up Sound Devices Finally! Too bad it didn't happen sooner. I could have saved some money.

November 16th, 2003, 08:45 PM	#174
Dave Stewart Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 109	Miking a monitor Has anyone tried putting a microphone on a mike stand and miking one of the audio monitors? I've been asked to do a wedding and only have one wireless mike - a handheld. I have another lav mike, but the receiver is not a camera mountable type. I thought that if they have house sound, I could just place a mike in front of one of the speakers.

November 17th, 2003, 10:38 AM	#175
Robert Butler New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 7	ATR55 mic mono? I think this issue has been mentioned before, but I couldn't find the thread. Anyway, I borrowed a friend's ATR55, and it only seems to record on the left channel. Is there some kind of on-camera setting that will activate both channels? This isn't a "mono" mic, is it? Oh, and for the record, I'm using it with a GL2. This mic is only temporary, for I intend to "trade up" later (maybe Santa will be kind to me this year). I'd like to have this problem cleared up anyway, in case it happens with whatever mic I get later.

November 17th, 2003, 11:36 AM	#176
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I do it quite frequently. I use a Shure Beta58 with a wireless plug-on transmitter. One could use a wired microphone if necessary but that's a lot of wire and limits movement. I lay the microphone on the top of the monitor with the ball-end sticking out over the top lip of the monitor. I then tape the microphone to the top of the monitor with Gaffer's tape after first asking the owner if it is OK. The ball is covered with a fuzzy wind screen to avoid pumping noises (Monitors can move a LOT of air) and to avoid vibration where the microphone contacts the monitor case. I've tried this with a lav and it failed miserably. The microphone element was overloaded and distorted badly. I think a dynamic microphone is the best choice in these situations. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 17th, 2003, 09:04 PM	#177
Matt Gettemeier Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 936	The ATR-55 is a mono mic... you'll find that MOST shotguns are mono... a cheap-junk stereo shotgun may be out there, but for the most part stereo shotguns are VERY high dollar... even an me66 is mono... some cams can combine the L/R inputs but if not then there's an adapter from RadioShack that'll do it... otherwise just click "duplicate left" in your audio properties of that clip in the timeline. I started out with ATR-55's and you'll be blown away when you go to an me66 or similar mic of that class... (if not better).

November 18th, 2003, 06:23 PM	#178
Stephen Sobel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 408	Speaker comparison I'm trying to decide between the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and the Creative MegaWorks 2.1 speakers (and yes, I know these aren't studio quality). I'm interested in comparisons regarding sound quality for moderate gaming, listening to CDs while surfing the net, and listening to the sound while video editing (when I'm not using headphones). Can anyone give me feedback?

November 20th, 2003, 09:16 AM	#179
Tony Teulan Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Posts: 43	Canon XL1s Picking Up Soft Static-y Noise Testing cameras for a shoot tomorrow and both pick up soft static-y noise (along with other sounds) whether it's set to built-in mic or external shotgun mic. Any ideas? __________________ - Tony Teulan Cinefoundry

November 21st, 2003, 09:32 PM	#180
Ong Wan Shu Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 74	1 input into 2 channels hi all, THe camera I am using, DVX100, has 2 audio input plug and 2 recording channels. My question is at times when sound is coming from 1 input plug, ie there is only 1 mic, is it better to record it in only 1 channel or in both channel for best results? Cheers wan shu