Why is my audio so low? at DVinfo.net

Svein Rune Skilnand · May 15th, 2008, 06:17 AM

I recently did an interview with my 201. Put one line on auto and the other on manual. The mic was one meter ( 3 feet? away ) On the manual input I couldn`t get higher than about -18 dB. Auto hitting - 30dB. I was using my AKGC1000 mic which has worked fine for ten years. On my Panasonic HVX200 it hit - 6dB.

Any suggestions?

Svein Rune

Shaun Roemich · May 15th, 2008, 06:31 AM

I'll assume that you are in fact setting the Audio Input switches to Mic and not Line Level.

In the Menu: Under "Audio/Mic", try changing the "Input x Mic Ref." of the input you are using for your mic.

Steve Oakley · May 15th, 2008, 08:23 PM

there is a setting for -50 or -60db in the audio menu. should be on -60. if you are on -50 that would be a -10db loss

other possibilities - phantom power off & dead battery ? or mic doesn't like phantom power from camera ? bad cable ? pad on mic turned on ?

realistically, that mic is a close up use mic. at 3ft I can't imagine getting anything useful. most mics wouldn't do well at that distance. get the mic closer.

Svein Rune Skilnand · May 16th, 2008, 02:54 AM

Shaun. The camera is set to mic 48 phantom power.

Steve. I did try to set it to -60dB. That just added a lof of noise. And the mic does work at this distance. With my old Panasonic DVX100 and Canon XL 1 it worked fine. The sound would normally hit - 6 dB. The cable works fine with my other mics.

Jim Boda · May 16th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svein Rune Skilnand

Shaun. The camera is set to mic 48 phantom power.

Steve. I did try to set it to -60dB. That just added a lof of noise. And the mic does work at this distance. With my old Panasonic DVX100 and Canon XL 1 it worked fine. The sound would normally hit - 6 dB. The cable works fine with my other mics.

-50 is only for really loud environments. Switch it back to -60. Turn off any automatic gain controls. Using automatic gain raises the noise floor.

You want your dialogue to come in between -20 to -12. You don't need anything going to -6. You will be getting dangerously close to distortion.

And what is your limiter set at?

In a perfect world, you are sending your mics through a quality mixer and coming into the Camera at line level. I would NOT be happy with mic placement that is not under 18" in a interview setting... especially with a carioid pattern.

Shaun Roemich · May 16th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Regardless of preference in terms of proximity, one should be able to get over 0dBfs at 3' with a C1000. There is obviously a problem here that we aren't catching.

Jim Boda · May 16th, 2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun Roemich

Regardless of preference in terms of proximity, one should be able to get over 0dBfs at 3' with a C1000. ....

Not if the limiter is turned on.

Please list a detailed account of all your audio settings and switches.

Also, remove the battery from the C1000. Or if the battery is already removed...add the battery and turn "off" phantom power on the JVC 201.

May 15th, 2008, 06:17 AM	#1
Svein Rune Skilnand Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fidjeland, Norway Posts: 289	Why is my audio so low? I recently did an interview with my 201. Put one line on auto and the other on manual. The mic was one meter ( 3 feet? away ) On the manual input I couldn`t get higher than about -18 dB. Auto hitting - 30dB. I was using my AKGC1000 mic which has worked fine for ten years. On my Panasonic HVX200 it hit - 6dB. Any suggestions? Svein Rune

May 15th, 2008, 06:31 AM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	I'll assume that you are in fact setting the Audio Input switches to Mic and not Line Level. In the Menu: Under "Audio/Mic", try changing the "Input x Mic Ref." of the input you are using for your mic. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

May 16th, 2008, 01:02 PM	#6
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Regardless of preference in terms of proximity, one should be able to get over 0dBfs at 3' with a C1000. There is obviously a problem here that we aren't catching. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

May 15th, 2008, 08:23 PM	#3
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	there is a setting for -50 or -60db in the audio menu. should be on -60. if you are on -50 that would be a -10db loss other possibilities - phantom power off & dead battery ? or mic doesn't like phantom power from camera ? bad cable ? pad on mic turned on ? realistically, that mic is a close up use mic. at 3ft I can't imagine getting anything useful. most mics wouldn't do well at that distance. get the mic closer.

May 16th, 2008, 02:54 AM	#4
Svein Rune Skilnand Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fidjeland, Norway Posts: 289	Shaun. The camera is set to mic 48 phantom power. Steve. I did try to set it to -60dB. That just added a lof of noise. And the mic does work at this distance. With my old Panasonic DVX100 and Canon XL 1 it worked fine. The sound would normally hit - 6 dB. The cable works fine with my other mics.