Magic Lantern 0.1.5 release

Bob Gates · July 16th, 2009, 07:48 PM

I am completely new to video, being a still photographer who bought the 5D II as an upgrade to the original 5D. But I have fallen in love with the video footage and started using it for family videos (i.e complete amateur here). Because of the camera noises recorded on the internal mic, I bought the Rode Videomic external mic, but it gives me a lot of extra background noise (between a hum and a hiss) which I understand is caused by the automatic gain control, right? I know nothing about sound editing, I would just like to get noise-free or less-noise sound with my videos. So my question is, if I use the Magic Lantern software and don't adjust any settings, will that be likely to get rid of some of this noise? In other words, I understand it turns off the automatic gain at the default settings, right?

Jon Fairhurst · July 17th, 2009, 01:45 AM

You want Magic Lantern and an active preamp with gain - or an external recorder...
5. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed - Noise on Vimeo

Bob Gates · July 17th, 2009, 02:52 AM

Hi Jon, thanks for your response. And yes, I know that is ideally what I want, but I want a lot of things I can't afford! If I do more video I may eventually be able to buy more equipment, but right now that is not in the cards. So what I am asking is if Magic Lantern will be of any use to me, with my limited budget and the equipment I now have and can afford, which is this one external mic.

Dan Chung · July 17th, 2009, 02:56 AM

Bob,

Magic Lantern will benefit you even if you are just using the Rode Videomic directly into the camera. You can still set the audio levels manually and avoid excessive noise. The levels you record may be on the low side but will be cleaner than you are getting now. Set the camera to an analogue gain of around 17 and then do the rest digitally.

Dan

Bob Gates · July 17th, 2009, 04:28 AM

Thanks very much Dan, that's what I was hoping to hear.

And thanks so much to Tramm, Jon, Chris, and everyone else who has worked on this great addition to the camera.

Manus Sweeney · July 18th, 2009, 05:31 AM

im also curious how the results of a mic plugged directly into the camera are.. is it possible to get a cleanish signal?? is the main disadvantage a lack of dynamic range? or just a low signal to noise ratio?

cheers

Wayne Avanson · July 18th, 2009, 09:42 AM

Just tried the Magic Lantern for the first time and once I got the settings on screen I couldn't scroll down to alter any values, OR get rid of them once they were on there. Then the liveview disappeared until I hit the autofocus button. The cinemascope lines were also flickering which I don't think is normal

Tried a few times and switched off the cam and took out the battery each time.

Shame, I was looking forward to having a play with it.

Avey

Chris Barcellos · July 18th, 2009, 10:00 AM

Wayne. These issues are on list of fixes. The best way to set your camera up is use the config file, changing setting before hand on your CF card, using a text editor. This avoids menu, that some are having trouble with.

As far as using Menu, while I haven't confirmed it, I think I have trouble sometimes because I turn my on switch on to the second level, which I think is a lock position for some selections. Try turning on to the first level of "on" to see if that makes a difference.

Menu scrolling is done with the toggle switch. Up and down to go to the menu selecttion. Depress it or the set button to select.

I can usually clear the menu screen by hitting the Menu button a couple of times, or alternating between it and the Picture style. Info button will also help clear some time.
Tramm reports that using the magnify button will clear it eventually.

Multiple use of the menu will be an issue too. Tramm believes it may be a memory leak.

Don't let these issues dissuade you. You are in for a treat with the benefits...

Remeber we are Beta testers, and we can expect to run into these issues in the early development.

Again, I heartily recommend setting up by config file, if the menu issues put you off.

Wayne Avanson · July 19th, 2009, 03:30 AM

Cheers Chris! Helpful as ever mate.

I'll have another play later today

Avey

Yang Wen · July 20th, 2009, 08:22 PM

Anyone having success with the latest ML firmware and after market battery? It's not working for me..

When the firmware reboots the camera, the battery prompt message comes up.. I would say "OK" and go to the live view screen. However, the top quick dial will not work.. Nor would the picture style button enable the ML menu.. I'm using Phottix batteries..

Chris Barcellos · July 20th, 2009, 09:10 PM

Re: Cheap Batteries amd 0.1.5

With my cheap batteries, I could not get it to record by pushing set button, or access the buttons, except for the camera menu button, and I could not get into the Magic Lantern menu. Screen showed up with level meters, but mp recording could be activated. I did try setting config with the start delay, but that didn't work either.

Yang Wen · July 20th, 2009, 09:21 PM

Chris: I think it has to do with the the message that pops up when using chipless batteries.. otherwise, there should be no operational difference between Canon branded and 3rd party batteries..

Bob Gates · July 21st, 2009, 12:54 PM

Following up my earlier question about whether ML would help me get a cleaner signal from my external Rode Videomic plugged directly into the camera, I tried the firmware, but the audio cuts off after a few seconds. I was trying it without changing anything in the menu (and without editing the cfg file) just to get a sense of how it worked. Is there something I should change in the cfg file that is causing this?

Chris Barcellos · July 21st, 2009, 01:05 PM

1. Is the mic battery charged (new, 9 volt I understand)

2. Mic Power switch on ?

3. What is PAD setting ? You need mic as hot as possible.

4. In Magic Lantern config, I would start with analog set at 5 which translates to 17 db. If you are not getting into green, maybe you have to push to 23.

Report back results cause we are all learning what Magic Lantern can do with various mics.

Also note, it is reported by Jon Fairhurst, resident expert here on sound into ML, that the first instance of a recording after starting Magic Lantern, will result in a wrong level. Just do a 3 sec record first, and then you would be good to go. On next recording.

Bob Gates · July 21st, 2009, 01:26 PM

Hi Chris, thanks for the prompt response.

I can see now that it has something to do with the levels. If I set mgain and dgain high enough, I get sound. I will have to play around and try different settings until I learn how to use it (I am a total novice in both video and audio, in case you can't tell!).

Bob

July 16th, 2009, 07:48 PM	#31
Bob Gates New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 20	very basic question I am completely new to video, being a still photographer who bought the 5D II as an upgrade to the original 5D. But I have fallen in love with the video footage and started using it for family videos (i.e complete amateur here). Because of the camera noises recorded on the internal mic, I bought the Rode Videomic external mic, but it gives me a lot of extra background noise (between a hum and a hiss) which I understand is caused by the automatic gain control, right? I know nothing about sound editing, I would just like to get noise-free or less-noise sound with my videos. So my question is, if I use the Magic Lantern software and don't adjust any settings, will that be likely to get rid of some of this noise? In other words, I understand it turns off the automatic gain at the default settings, right?

July 17th, 2009, 01:45 AM	#32
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	You want Magic Lantern and an active preamp with gain - or an external recorder... 5. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed - Noise on Vimeo __________________ Jon Fairhurst

July 17th, 2009, 02:52 AM	#33
Bob Gates New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 20	but Hi Jon, thanks for your response. And yes, I know that is ideally what I want, but I want a lot of things I can't afford! If I do more video I may eventually be able to buy more equipment, but right now that is not in the cards. So what I am asking is if Magic Lantern will be of any use to me, with my limited budget and the equipment I now have and can afford, which is this one external mic.

July 17th, 2009, 04:28 AM	#35
Bob Gates New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 20	great Thanks very much Dan, that's what I was hoping to hear. And thanks so much to Tramm, Jon, Chris, and everyone else who has worked on this great addition to the camera.

July 18th, 2009, 10:00 AM	#38
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Wayne. These issues are on list of fixes. The best way to set your camera up is use the config file, changing setting before hand on your CF card, using a text editor. This avoids menu, that some are having trouble with. As far as using Menu, while I haven't confirmed it, I think I have trouble sometimes because I turn my on switch on to the second level, which I think is a lock position for some selections. Try turning on to the first level of "on" to see if that makes a difference. Menu scrolling is done with the toggle switch. Up and down to go to the menu selecttion. Depress it or the set button to select. I can usually clear the menu screen by hitting the Menu button a couple of times, or alternating between it and the Picture style. Info button will also help clear some time. Tramm reports that using the magnify button will clear it eventually. Multiple use of the menu will be an issue too. Tramm believes it may be a memory leak. Don't let these issues dissuade you. You are in for a treat with the benefits... Remeber we are Beta testers, and we can expect to run into these issues in the early development. Again, I heartily recommend setting up by config file, if the menu issues put you off. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 17th, 2009, 02:56 AM	#34
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	Bob, Magic Lantern will benefit you even if you are just using the Rode Videomic directly into the camera. You can still set the audio levels manually and avoid excessive noise. The levels you record may be on the low side but will be cleaner than you are getting now. Set the camera to an analogue gain of around 17 and then do the rest digitally. Dan

July 18th, 2009, 05:31 AM	#36
Manus Sweeney Major Player Join Date: May 2009 Location: Amsterdam, NL Posts: 217	im also curious how the results of a mic plugged directly into the camera are.. is it possible to get a cleanish signal?? is the main disadvantage a lack of dynamic range? or just a low signal to noise ratio? cheers

July 18th, 2009, 09:42 AM	#37
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Just tried the Magic Lantern for the first time and once I got the settings on screen I couldn't scroll down to alter any values, OR get rid of them once they were on there. Then the liveview disappeared until I hit the autofocus button. The cinemascope lines were also flickering which I don't think is normal Tried a few times and switched off the cam and took out the battery each time. Shame, I was looking forward to having a play with it. Avey

July 19th, 2009, 03:30 AM	#39
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Cheers Chris! Helpful as ever mate. I'll have another play later today Avey

July 20th, 2009, 08:22 PM	#40
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	Anyone having success with the latest ML firmware and after market battery? It's not working for me.. When the firmware reboots the camera, the battery prompt message comes up.. I would say "OK" and go to the live view screen. However, the top quick dial will not work.. Nor would the picture style button enable the ML menu.. I'm using Phottix batteries..

July 20th, 2009, 09:10 PM	#41
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: Cheap Batteries amd 0.1.5 With my cheap batteries, I could not get it to record by pushing set button, or access the buttons, except for the camera menu button, and I could not get into the Magic Lantern menu. Screen showed up with level meters, but mp recording could be activated. I did try setting config with the start delay, but that didn't work either. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 20th, 2009, 09:21 PM	#42
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	Chris: I think it has to do with the the message that pops up when using chipless batteries.. otherwise, there should be no operational difference between Canon branded and 3rd party batteries..

July 21st, 2009, 12:54 PM	#43
Bob Gates New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 20	What am I doing wrong? Following up my earlier question about whether ML would help me get a cleaner signal from my external Rode Videomic plugged directly into the camera, I tried the firmware, but the audio cuts off after a few seconds. I was trying it without changing anything in the menu (and without editing the cfg file) just to get a sense of how it worked. Is there something I should change in the cfg file that is causing this?

July 21st, 2009, 01:05 PM	#44
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	1. Is the mic battery charged (new, 9 volt I understand) 2. Mic Power switch on ? 3. What is PAD setting ? You need mic as hot as possible. 4. In Magic Lantern config, I would start with analog set at 5 which translates to 17 db. If you are not getting into green, maybe you have to push to 23. Report back results cause we are all learning what Magic Lantern can do with various mics. Also note, it is reported by Jon Fairhurst, resident expert here on sound into ML, that the first instance of a recording after starting Magic Lantern, will result in a wrong level. Just do a 3 sec record first, and then you would be good to go. On next recording. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 21st, 2009, 01:26 PM	#45
Bob Gates New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 20	rode videomic Hi Chris, thanks for the prompt response. I can see now that it has something to do with the levels. If I set mgain and dgain high enough, I get sound. I will have to play around and try different settings until I learn how to use it (I am a total novice in both video and audio, in case you can't tell!). Bob