Ok clever people can you help me Q2 at DVinfo.net

Simon Gee · November 20th, 2007, 09:25 AM

Audio inputs for the HD7.
Ok I have setup a an av cable with a 3.5mm jack to feed a pair of headphones doing it pretty much the way Steve mullen suggests in his excellent manual.
On the input side my question is:
I have a 3.5 mm jack that splits to 2 x mono sockets, this means I can have 2 mikes, 1 on each channel. As the levels in the HD7 are auto, does anybody know of a simple mike level that i can put in line that will let me optimise the sound from each mike before it gets diggested by the camera? Does waht i am thinking make sense or am i being hopelessly optimistic.
As an observation the mike and sound from the on board mike is incredibly good...we just climbed some climbing and with the on baorad mike picked the sound of fingers on the rock 40cm away and the sound of landing when jumping off 3m away at near studio quality. I will see if i can make somekind of of wind muffler to use with it.

Jean-Jacques Gaudel · November 23rd, 2007, 09:11 AM

Check out this site, this might be what you are looking for:
http://www.blowsmeaway.com/ordering.html

Simon Gee · November 23rd, 2007, 11:08 AM

Thanks J-J...weird stuff. I have found a beachtek (beachtek.com) and am bidding away on ebay. These units accept XLR and a 3.5 i.e for radio mike and sandwiches under the camera. See how we get on. and keep you posted.
Im in the UK so getting stuff from the US can be expensive on shipping (if not on actual price atthe moment)

S

Steve Mullen · November 23rd, 2007, 07:34 PM

[QUOTE=Simon Gee;778567As the levels in the HD7 are auto, does anybody know of a simple mike level that i can put in line that will let me optimise the sound from each mike before it gets diggested by the camera?[/QUOTE]
The H7's AGC -- Auto Gain Control -- for audio is a simple limiter. I'm pretty sure a limiter on EACH channel. This should take care of any mic that is overly loud. If not, then one of the in-line volume controls should work.

So the question becomes -- is one of your mics way too soft. If it's not -- then you don't really need to AMPLIFY its signal.

There's no need to record with near equal levels.

So before buying anything -- test your mics to see how they work.

PS: Simon, note the changes I made.

Steve Mullen · November 24th, 2007, 04:07 PM

Simon -- how do you like your JVC mic?

PS: Simon, note the changes I made in the previous post. Did you check your mics.

Simon Gee · November 24th, 2007, 05:00 PM

Steve
I see waaht you mean, it makes sense. I guess I might not need to adjust anything.
I originally bought a crappy mike 'yoga'- when i got the camera but now I realise that audio is everything...so im going for 1 of these Azden SGM-1X (please don' t say it sucks too!) and a pair of UHF radio mikes...expensive weekend!

As for the JVC onboard mike...excellent sound quality...everything except the music was recorded from the on board mike outside (fortunately not a windy day. I am currently experimenting with making a deadcat type of cover to velcro over the onboard...any particular materials you can reccomend?
S

Steve Mullen · November 24th, 2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Gee

Azden SGM-1X

I am currently experimenting with making a deadcat type of cover to velcro over the onboard...any particular materials you can reccomend?
S

I tested one of the Azden mics a few years ago. The one with a rigid mount. Picked-up tape transport noise -- so I took it back. This should not be a problem with the HD7. :)

I was asking about the JVC add-on mic in the pix you posted. I'm thinking of getting one to avoid wind noise.

But, if you succeed in wind filter for the onboard mic -- that would be great. A sheet of 1/8 or 1/4 in thick foam should work. Velcro pads to attach. Although nothing may stick to foam. :(

PS1: And, yes -- there would seem to be no need to have equal level mics. You'll adjust in post.

PS2: Before shooting -- go to PLAYBACK mode. Use the ZOOM lever to adjust audio gain to MAX. Now go to SHOOTING mode. If you are lucky, the HD7 will remember the audio level and so you MAY not need your Booster.

Simon Gee · November 25th, 2007, 03:35 AM

The Mic in the picture is a crummy model made by Yoga from the UK electronic chain Maplin, its not the JVC model...its very hissy.

Will try the foam and velcro and will when I am finished post my camera mods and final expedition kit...and a picture of the trailer to carry it in.

PS2: I dont undetand how you do this. Whn i go to palyback i get to see te previous captures on the preview screen so when i hit zoom it zooms ito the deatil of a particaulr clip...how do i get to adjust audio gain...is it in your book...which page?
Cheers

S

November 20th, 2007, 09:25 AM	#1
Simon Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United kingdom Posts: 51	Ok clever people can you help me Q2 Audio inputs for the HD7. Ok I have setup a an av cable with a 3.5mm jack to feed a pair of headphones doing it pretty much the way Steve mullen suggests in his excellent manual. On the input side my question is: I have a 3.5 mm jack that splits to 2 x mono sockets, this means I can have 2 mikes, 1 on each channel. As the levels in the HD7 are auto, does anybody know of a simple mike level that i can put in line that will let me optimise the sound from each mike before it gets diggested by the camera? Does waht i am thinking make sense or am i being hopelessly optimistic. As an observation the mike and sound from the on board mike is incredibly good...we just climbed some climbing and with the on baorad mike picked the sound of fingers on the rock 40cm away and the sound of landing when jumping off 3m away at near studio quality. I will see if i can make somekind of of wind muffler to use with it.

November 23rd, 2007, 09:11 AM	#2
Jean-Jacques Gaudel New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, Al, USA Posts: 7	In line volume control for microphone Check out this site, this might be what you are looking for: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/ordering.html

November 23rd, 2007, 07:34 PM	#4
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	[QUOTE=Simon Gee;778567As the levels in the HD7 are auto, does anybody know of a simple mike level that i can put in line that will let me optimise the sound from each mike before it gets diggested by the camera?[/QUOTE] The H7's AGC -- Auto Gain Control -- for audio is a simple limiter. I'm pretty sure a limiter on EACH channel. This should take care of any mic that is overly loud. If not, then one of the in-line volume controls should work. So the question becomes -- is one of your mics way too soft. If it's not -- then you don't really need to AMPLIFY its signal. There's no need to record with near equal levels. So before buying anything -- test your mics to see how they work. PS: Simon, note the changes I made. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c Last edited by Steve Mullen; November 24th, 2007 at 04:05 PM.

November 24th, 2007, 04:07 PM	#5
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Simon -- how do you like your JVC mic? PS: Simon, note the changes I made in the previous post. Did you check your mics. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

November 23rd, 2007, 11:08 AM	#3
Simon Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United kingdom Posts: 51	Thanks J-J...weird stuff. I have found a beachtek (beachtek.com) and am bidding away on ebay. These units accept XLR and a 3.5 i.e for radio mike and sandwiches under the camera. See how we get on. and keep you posted. Im in the UK so getting stuff from the US can be expensive on shipping (if not on actual price atthe moment) S

November 24th, 2007, 05:00 PM	#6
Simon Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United kingdom Posts: 51	Steve I see waaht you mean, it makes sense. I guess I might not need to adjust anything. I originally bought a crappy mike 'yoga'- when i got the camera but now I realise that audio is everything...so im going for 1 of these Azden SGM-1X (please don' t say it sucks too!) and a pair of UHF radio mikes...expensive weekend! As for the JVC onboard mike...excellent sound quality...everything except the music was recorded from the on board mike outside (fortunately not a windy day. I am currently experimenting with making a deadcat type of cover to velcro over the onboard...any particular materials you can reccomend? S

November 25th, 2007, 03:35 AM	#8
Simon Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United kingdom Posts: 51	The Mic in the picture is a crummy model made by Yoga from the UK electronic chain Maplin, its not the JVC model...its very hissy. Will try the foam and velcro and will when I am finished post my camera mods and final expedition kit...and a picture of the trailer to carry it in. PS2: I dont undetand how you do this. Whn i go to palyback i get to see te previous captures on the preview screen so when i hit zoom it zooms ito the deatil of a particaulr clip...how do i get to adjust audio gain...is it in your book...which page? Cheers S