Johan Forssblad
August 13th, 2006, 09:26 AM
Hi, I would appreciate some recommendations for improvement on the sound quality with the XL H1.
Background:
I like to have easy managed equipment which could be operated by a crew not larger than two. I shoot with one XL H1, for instance a museum where they show people around or an orchestra or wedding party and similar. I aim to get a quality superior to what most ameteur can make but it doesn't need to reach broadcast quality.
I have found out I need more than the stereo microphone onboard the H1. For instance I'm filming a person telling a joke, then I turn around to get the laughing public. This destroys the audio track from the camera when the speaker suddenly are in the muted zone behind the camera. Thats why I need one or two additional audio tracks which are more continously recording what's going on. When I reposition the camera or framing, I edit in still photos, details and others which are shot later.
Which is the way to go:
1. Use the four channel mode on the camera and accept 12-bit sound instead of 16 bits. Connect channel 3 and 4 to one or two wireless receivers and have lavalier mics and/or boom mic with transmitters.
Audio will be neglected due to lack of possibility to shoot and monitor audio at the same time. Camera has to run all the time to not miss any sound. I'm afraid the audio will not have quality enough especially because the photographer cannot keep the audio level correctly adjusted and for safety has to use a low level which is not good with only 12 bit dynamic range. "EDIT: Wrong, see A.J. Lange´s comment below - the audio is 16 bit in HDV even when using 4 channels!"
According to other threads capture is time consuming requiring to capture twice to get channel 3 and 4 to Final Cut Pro.
2. Use a separate solid state recorder like M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 or Sound Devices 702T to collect two tracks with a steady sound from boom mike or lavalier with wireless. One person operating these sound channels. Timecode to sync the tracks in post.
3. Leave a solid state recorder like a Microtrack 24/96 in the pocket of the actor with lavalier. Omit wireless. Hope the sound setting is good enough.
-
The XL H1 is fine but often it will not pickup the right sound because it is too far away from a speaker or you like to have an orchestra filmed with sound from the conductor postion and then use the onboard mic more sparingly when you shot closeups from the side etc.
I must also add that I like to keep the weight and size down of the equipment especially when travelling. It is getting harder and harder these days to carry all the stuff in the hand luggage when flying ...
Any comments will be appreciated! /Johan
Background:
I like to have easy managed equipment which could be operated by a crew not larger than two. I shoot with one XL H1, for instance a museum where they show people around or an orchestra or wedding party and similar. I aim to get a quality superior to what most ameteur can make but it doesn't need to reach broadcast quality.
I have found out I need more than the stereo microphone onboard the H1. For instance I'm filming a person telling a joke, then I turn around to get the laughing public. This destroys the audio track from the camera when the speaker suddenly are in the muted zone behind the camera. Thats why I need one or two additional audio tracks which are more continously recording what's going on. When I reposition the camera or framing, I edit in still photos, details and others which are shot later.
Which is the way to go:
1. Use the four channel mode on the camera and accept 12-bit sound instead of 16 bits. Connect channel 3 and 4 to one or two wireless receivers and have lavalier mics and/or boom mic with transmitters.
Audio will be neglected due to lack of possibility to shoot and monitor audio at the same time. Camera has to run all the time to not miss any sound. I'm afraid the audio will not have quality enough especially because the photographer cannot keep the audio level correctly adjusted and for safety has to use a low level which is not good with only 12 bit dynamic range. "EDIT: Wrong, see A.J. Lange´s comment below - the audio is 16 bit in HDV even when using 4 channels!"
According to other threads capture is time consuming requiring to capture twice to get channel 3 and 4 to Final Cut Pro.
2. Use a separate solid state recorder like M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 or Sound Devices 702T to collect two tracks with a steady sound from boom mike or lavalier with wireless. One person operating these sound channels. Timecode to sync the tracks in post.
3. Leave a solid state recorder like a Microtrack 24/96 in the pocket of the actor with lavalier. Omit wireless. Hope the sound setting is good enough.
-
The XL H1 is fine but often it will not pickup the right sound because it is too far away from a speaker or you like to have an orchestra filmed with sound from the conductor postion and then use the onboard mic more sparingly when you shot closeups from the side etc.
I must also add that I like to keep the weight and size down of the equipment especially when travelling. It is getting harder and harder these days to carry all the stuff in the hand luggage when flying ...
Any comments will be appreciated! /Johan