Inexpensive audio solutions?

Evan Donn · March 10th, 2009, 02:44 PM

Did a couple hours of dual-system interviews this weekend with the H4 and ran into the sync problems others have noted in the past - I got a steady drift of ~2 frames/minute across the board (24bit/96khz).

It wasn't a big deal but did affect workflow as I was under a pretty tight deadline. Normally I'd just merge the audio & video into a new clip (using FCP) but that wouldn't work here. I basically had to create a new sequence for each clip, sync the slate, then split the audio every minute and shift the remaining audio 2 frames forward.

This meant I had to edit with nested sequences which is a little more cumbersome - you have to drag from the project window to the viewer so the sequence doesn't open in a new tab, and you can't see audio waveforms on the nested clips.

With more time I think the workflow is to pre-calculate the exact drift rate, stretch the audio file by the correct percentage, and then use merge clips. I'm hoping this isn't an issue with the new H4n.

Ray Bell · March 11th, 2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Saunders

I just got the sony PCM-D50 and it works great. It dosn't have XLR inputs though. This isn't a problem for me since I use a sound devices MixPre as the preamp. In my opinion no sub $1000 recorder with built in preamps is going to come close to the quality of the MixPre. It is a little bit of a hassle to have 2 boxes but its a lot cheaper than the Sound Devices 702.

The Sony PCM-D50 does have an optional XLR input (powered).. but the option is not cheap... but you do get great results from either the XLR inputs or the builtin mikes...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...c_Adapter.html

Chris Barcellos · March 11th, 2009, 07:36 PM

I started another thread on this, but I though you audio gurus would like to hear and comment on this test using the Beachtek DXA-4 adapter. I uploaded this simple test.

http://www.dvinfo.net/media/canon/5d2/soundtest.mp3

Thoughts.

Ray Bell · March 11th, 2009, 07:58 PM

double post, this one erased...

John Saunders · March 15th, 2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Bell

The Sony PCM-D50 does have an optional XLR input (powered).. but the option is not cheap... but you do get great results from either the XLR inputs or the builtin mikes...

Sony | XLR-1 XLR Mic Adapter for PCM-D1 and PCM-D50 | XLR-1

Yeah the adapter is like $500 I looked at it but figured the mixpre preamps would be better

March 10th, 2009, 02:44 PM	#16
Evan Donn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 795	Did a couple hours of dual-system interviews this weekend with the H4 and ran into the sync problems others have noted in the past - I got a steady drift of ~2 frames/minute across the board (24bit/96khz). It wasn't a big deal but did affect workflow as I was under a pretty tight deadline. Normally I'd just merge the audio & video into a new clip (using FCP) but that wouldn't work here. I basically had to create a new sequence for each clip, sync the slate, then split the audio every minute and shift the remaining audio 2 frames forward. This meant I had to edit with nested sequences which is a little more cumbersome - you have to drag from the project window to the viewer so the sequence doesn't open in a new tab, and you can't see audio waveforms on the nested clips. With more time I think the workflow is to pre-calculate the exact drift rate, stretch the audio file by the correct percentage, and then use merge clips. I'm hoping this isn't an issue with the new H4n. __________________ My latest short documentary: "Four Pauls: Bring the Hat Back!"

March 11th, 2009, 07:36 PM	#18
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I started another thread on this, but I though you audio gurus would like to hear and comment on this test using the Beachtek DXA-4 adapter. I uploaded this simple test. http://www.dvinfo.net/media/canon/5d2/soundtest.mp3 Thoughts. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

March 11th, 2009, 07:58 PM	#19
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	double post, this one erased...