How to connect GL2 to stage sound board at DVinfo.net

Jim Painter · May 24th, 2004, 02:10 PM

I'm shooting a dance recital w/2 GL2's next week and would like to connect one directly to the auditorium's sound board. I've made a patch cable that splits the GL2 stereo mini plug into 2 XLR plugs, one of which can be plugged into the sound board.

My question is "is this ok?" From what I understand the GL2 wants a low impedance 600 ohm microphone - and here we are plugging it into a sound board.

Will this work ok?

Mark Newhouse · May 24th, 2004, 04:44 PM

You'll want to get there early and work with the sound guys to get it working the way you want. They should be able to set you up with your own channel that they can tweak.

Also, you'll want to turn on mic attenuation (check the manual for how - I don't have my kit in front of me at the moment). That should help.

Miguel Lombana · May 24th, 2004, 07:46 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jim Painter : I'm shooting a dance recital w/2 GL2's next week and would like to connect one directly to the auditorium's sound board. I've made a patch cable that splits the GL2 stereo mini plug into 2 XLR plugs, one of which can be plugged into the sound board.

My question is "is this ok?" From what I understand the GL2 wants a low impedance 600 ohm microphone - and here we are plugging it into a sound board.

Will this work ok? -->>>

This may work ok, but watch the levels! Most of the pro or semi-pro guys here will typically use an XLR input device, these have a matching transformer circuit that will take the levels and make minor corrections to the impedance to get them into the camera at the proper line level.

What you might find (I'm a former club sound man) is that the board will likely be sacred to the mix master, they may not even want to have you take a feed from them, or you may find someone very willing. The other issue is what feed do you take, club or concert sound does not typically sound the same off the mix as it does to the ears, you might find a ton of boom from the drum mix or over driven vocals or any combination.

Ideally the way to do this is to have them direct a sub-mix to your camera. This way they can send you exactly what you need at the exact levels that you need them to be. The vocals won't be too hot, the drums won't fight the bass guitar etc. Only problem with this is that a good sound man will sub-mix everything and since boards have a limited number of subs avail (typically 8 for high end boards) they will likely have the drums on 2 mixes, the background and main vocals on a couple, the string instruments on a couple etc. The reason for this is that the soundman now only have to get the inputs (instruments, vocals etc.) at a solid level and then only have to worry about the submix channels for the final output plus a little effect.

I think that you're going to have a bit of a time with this unless you're in tight with the man at the mixing console and they have a good understanding of sound for recording. Just because they can get a band to sound good live doesn't mean they can setup the perfect video / audio mix.

Hope this doesn't totally mess up your ideas...

Jim Painter · May 24th, 2004, 08:33 PM

Mark/Miguel,

Thanks for your responses. I've already met with the sound guy and he's more than willing to give me a feed. The setup is pretty simple - pre-recorded music for the dances, a floor mic to pick up tap shoes etc., and another mic for the announcer.

The mic attenuator function seems like a good idea and may be the ticket on managing levels. From reading the manual, taming an external feed is why the feature is there.

Guess there's no way to find out other than to try it.

Mark Newhouse · May 25th, 2004, 09:08 AM

I forgot to add that a decent pair of headphones are absolutely necessary! Don't rely on the levels in the display to give you a correct indication of the sound quality. I had a very "hot" signal coming in that was distorting things, especially in the high end, yet the bars were never pegged in the display.

Your second GL2 will help you out if that happens, as you can mix in the "house" sound and take care of some of that. Also, you'll need the house sound for applause and audience response that the board mix won't pick up.

Jonathan Maynard · May 26th, 2004, 11:43 AM

Most boards should have an AUX out that is "line-level" It's typically 1/4" and you can get a cable to go into the mic input of the cam. The sound-guy can then give you a separate mix. (If they are willing) This way you'll get a custom mix that is seprate from the "house mix"

May 24th, 2004, 02:10 PM	#1
Jim Painter New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metamora, MI Posts: 17	How to connect GL2 to stage sound board I'm shooting a dance recital w/2 GL2's next week and would like to connect one directly to the auditorium's sound board. I've made a patch cable that splits the GL2 stereo mini plug into 2 XLR plugs, one of which can be plugged into the sound board. My question is "is this ok?" From what I understand the GL2 wants a low impedance 600 ohm microphone - and here we are plugging it into a sound board. Will this work ok?

May 24th, 2004, 04:44 PM	#2
Mark Newhouse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 63	You'll want to get there early and work with the sound guys to get it working the way you want. They should be able to set you up with your own channel that they can tweak. Also, you'll want to turn on mic attenuation (check the manual for how - I don't have my kit in front of me at the moment). That should help. __________________ --Mark

May 24th, 2004, 07:46 PM	#3
Miguel Lombana Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Litchfield Park, AZ (W/of Phoenix) Posts: 502	Re: How to connect GL2 to stage sound board <<<-- Originally posted by Jim Painter : I'm shooting a dance recital w/2 GL2's next week and would like to connect one directly to the auditorium's sound board. I've made a patch cable that splits the GL2 stereo mini plug into 2 XLR plugs, one of which can be plugged into the sound board. My question is "is this ok?" From what I understand the GL2 wants a low impedance 600 ohm microphone - and here we are plugging it into a sound board. Will this work ok? -->>> This may work ok, but watch the levels! Most of the pro or semi-pro guys here will typically use an XLR input device, these have a matching transformer circuit that will take the levels and make minor corrections to the impedance to get them into the camera at the proper line level. What you might find (I'm a former club sound man) is that the board will likely be sacred to the mix master, they may not even want to have you take a feed from them, or you may find someone very willing. The other issue is what feed do you take, club or concert sound does not typically sound the same off the mix as it does to the ears, you might find a ton of boom from the drum mix or over driven vocals or any combination. Ideally the way to do this is to have them direct a sub-mix to your camera. This way they can send you exactly what you need at the exact levels that you need them to be. The vocals won't be too hot, the drums won't fight the bass guitar etc. Only problem with this is that a good sound man will sub-mix everything and since boards have a limited number of subs avail (typically 8 for high end boards) they will likely have the drums on 2 mixes, the background and main vocals on a couple, the string instruments on a couple etc. The reason for this is that the soundman now only have to get the inputs (instruments, vocals etc.) at a solid level and then only have to worry about the submix channels for the final output plus a little effect. I think that you're going to have a bit of a time with this unless you're in tight with the man at the mixing console and they have a good understanding of sound for recording. Just because they can get a band to sound good live doesn't mean they can setup the perfect video / audio mix. Hope this doesn't totally mess up your ideas...

May 25th, 2004, 09:08 AM	#5
Mark Newhouse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 63	I forgot to add that a decent pair of headphones are absolutely necessary! Don't rely on the levels in the display to give you a correct indication of the sound quality. I had a very "hot" signal coming in that was distorting things, especially in the high end, yet the bars were never pegged in the display. Your second GL2 will help you out if that happens, as you can mix in the "house" sound and take care of some of that. Also, you'll need the house sound for applause and audience response that the board mix won't pick up. __________________ --Mark

May 24th, 2004, 08:33 PM	#4
Jim Painter New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metamora, MI Posts: 17	Mark/Miguel, Thanks for your responses. I've already met with the sound guy and he's more than willing to give me a feed. The setup is pretty simple - pre-recorded music for the dances, a floor mic to pick up tap shoes etc., and another mic for the announcer. The mic attenuator function seems like a good idea and may be the ticket on managing levels. From reading the manual, taming an external feed is why the feature is there. Guess there's no way to find out other than to try it.

May 26th, 2004, 11:43 AM	#6
Jonathan Maynard Tourist Join Date: May 2004 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 1	Most boards should have an AUX out that is "line-level" It's typically 1/4" and you can get a cable to go into the mic input of the cam. The sound-guy can then give you a separate mix. (If they are willing) This way you'll get a custom mix that is seprate from the "house mix"