What about sound recording? at DVinfo.net

Carlos Osterling · November 11th, 2006, 12:50 AM

Maybe I missed some threads, but does any of these cameras (i.e. SI-2k)record sound? I haven't read anything about microphone inputs or audio compression. Are we supossed to record sound separately, like in film? Thanks in advance.

Ari Presler · November 11th, 2006, 05:06 PM

The best Audio will be from a dual-system sound configuration, just like Film production!

The SI-2K supports:

* Stereo Mic/Line Level inputs with 16-bit/48Khz sampling

* Audio Recording multiplexed into .AVI (.Mov with QT release)

* Speaker/Headphone output

The audio is input via Intel HD Audio on Core 2 embedded mobo.

Alternatively, you can use an isolated USB Audio Interface with XLR/Preamps and recorded thru its wav interface.

Valeriu Campan · November 11th, 2006, 06:34 PM

Is there any form of time code implementation?

Rohan Dadswell · November 11th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Would the Edirol R-4 pro (www.edirol.com/products/r4pro/index.html ) be any good as a USB pre amp/mixer or would the 4 channels of audio cause problems. Or even better would the SI-2K accept 4 channels of audio.

As the R-4 is a recorder with timecode as well it should be fine for double system recording but it would be nice (quicker) not to have to sync up in post.

Jason Rodriguez · November 11th, 2006, 10:59 PM

The problem with 4-channels of audio is that the current AVI's only can take a 2-channel mux (Video For Windows limitation), so we'd have to mix-down the 4-channels to 2-channels anyways.

Yes, there is timecode implemented. Right now it's time of day, but we're working on getting the whole gamut of timecode implemented with external LTC timecode syncing.

Mathieu Kassovitz · November 12th, 2006, 01:52 AM

What about this sound device?

http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...1901&brandID=4

Can it be useful? Only as audio interface or also as recording device?

Timecode?

Ari Presler · November 16th, 2006, 11:57 PM

I would like to hear some input on which audio intefaces are most popular and which ones we should directly support?

The Samson looks interesting with integrated mics and recording.

Ian Savage · November 17th, 2006, 05:31 AM

To be honest I have never used a USB external device on a set,only ever Firewire and the most popular from my experience and the one I use is the Motu Traveller due to the fact of a 4pin XLR in the side making a true mobile Pro interface on a sound trolley and the fact Mac users are used to it as much as me a PC user is.

Are you going to support Firewire Audio devices in the future ?

I'd be intrested in hearing about others experiences recording with USB devices myself.

Ari Presler · November 17th, 2006, 07:26 AM

Ian,

Our first target is to support a small form factor USB device for portable applications where an external Mic/PreAmp is desired for use with a Notebook (or desktop) being used as the video and audio (2-ch for now)recording system.

Here is one device proposed:

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm

For dual system sound, the "Spoon" team used the MOTU traveller for a dedicated recording system. There was a recent update on their blog:

http://indiefilmlive.blogspot.com/

MOTU does also have a USB version:

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/828/

Ian Savage · November 18th, 2006, 05:53 AM

The 828 works fine having used 3 of them to help record 50 odd tracks of a stage show but it isn't mobile for location recording hence the traveler being so usefull, for what we do it must be 12v and if at all possible have a 4 pin XLR in the side for power, now one small unit we have used in a few situations to great effect for 2 channels is the creative Audigy 2 ZS notebook PCMCIA card, we had some situations 2 years ago on a drama where ease of moving was needed but we wanted to try out using a laptop and the end result was very good considering the cost and it not really being a pro unit or at least advertised as such, I'd have no problem if you had a pcmcia slot in the camera at some time in the future, worst problem really is the lack of xlr's but I'm sure a set of tails strapped to the camera would be fine, after all it's not like we don't do that now with xlr's to a 10pin hirose. I'm not sure of the top of my head though if the creative stuff is only ASIO though and I can't remember if you were supporting that to start with or not.

The sound devices USBpre unit is a great choice btw, I'd have no problems with that being a recomended device to use in a basic recording straight to camera situation.

Mathieu Kassovitz · November 18th, 2006, 06:43 PM

Merci Ari.

I'd like to play with the Samson and maybe I'll order an unit but I'd like to check if could it have any future field use? Or not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathieu Kassovitz

What about this sound device?

http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...1901&brandID=4

Can it be useful? Only as audio interface or also as recording device?

Timecode?

Ari Presler · November 19th, 2006, 01:37 PM

Mathieu

I will be interested to hear your feedback on this unit and see if you would recommend to others on the forum.

Ari

Alex Raskin · August 7th, 2009, 11:49 AM

Three years on, what are the currently recommended mobile sound input devices for SI-2K + laptop?

Something with quality mic preamps with phantom power.

Justin Lovell · August 7th, 2009, 01:36 PM

I have used these options with my si2k setup in Toronto:

1. M-Audio Box -USB interface. Work quite well, though we did have one glitch on the last shoot, which made the audio go all 'wobbly'. Very random, was unable to determine what the cause of it was.. luckily the sound guy was recording to a hard drive as a backup just in case.
2. Rhode Microphone - XLR>1/8" Mic jack Setting levels with Windows Microphone controls (not great audio, but usable)
3. Senheisser Wireless mics - XLR>1/8" Mic Jack
4. Recording seperate system to a ZOOM portable recorder.

FrameDiscreet.com transfers // cinematography for the latest news in our cinematographer collective!

Alex Raskin · August 7th, 2009, 01:44 PM

I'd think Firewire would be preferred due to the latency introduced by USB devices??

Maybe this:

PreSonus | FireBox Interface | FIREBOX | B&H Photo Video

But I do not know if it plays nicely with the Windows' original sound panel, which SI says must be used for their software' sound input?..

November 11th, 2006, 12:50 AM	#1
Carlos Osterling Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 34	What about sound recording? Maybe I missed some threads, but does any of these cameras (i.e. SI-2k)record sound? I haven't read anything about microphone inputs or audio compression. Are we supossed to record sound separately, like in film? Thanks in advance.

November 16th, 2006, 11:57 PM	#7
Ari Presler Silicon Imaging Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York or Hollywood Posts: 214	USB Audio Interface I would like to hear some input on which audio intefaces are most popular and which ones we should directly support? The Samson looks interesting with integrated mics and recording.

November 17th, 2006, 07:26 AM	#9
Ari Presler Silicon Imaging Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York or Hollywood Posts: 214	Ian, Our first target is to support a small form factor USB device for portable applications where an external Mic/PreAmp is desired for use with a Notebook (or desktop) being used as the video and audio (2-ch for now)recording system. Here is one device proposed: http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm For dual system sound, the "Spoon" team used the MOTU traveller for a dedicated recording system. There was a recent update on their blog: http://indiefilmlive.blogspot.com/ MOTU does also have a USB version: http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/828/ Attached Thumbnails

November 18th, 2006, 05:53 AM	#10
Ian Savage Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: England Posts: 88	. The 828 works fine having used 3 of them to help record 50 odd tracks of a stage show but it isn't mobile for location recording hence the traveler being so usefull, for what we do it must be 12v and if at all possible have a 4 pin XLR in the side for power, now one small unit we have used in a few situations to great effect for 2 channels is the creative Audigy 2 ZS notebook PCMCIA card, we had some situations 2 years ago on a drama where ease of moving was needed but we wanted to try out using a laptop and the end result was very good considering the cost and it not really being a pro unit or at least advertised as such, I'd have no problem if you had a pcmcia slot in the camera at some time in the future, worst problem really is the lack of xlr's but I'm sure a set of tails strapped to the camera would be fine, after all it's not like we don't do that now with xlr's to a 10pin hirose. I'm not sure of the top of my head though if the creative stuff is only ASIO though and I can't remember if you were supporting that to start with or not. The sound devices USBpre unit is a great choice btw, I'd have no problems with that being a recomended device to use in a basic recording straight to camera situation.

August 7th, 2009, 11:49 AM	#13
Alex Raskin Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,435	Three years later... Three years on, what are the currently recommended mobile sound input devices for SI-2K + laptop? Something with quality mic preamps with phantom power.

November 11th, 2006, 05:06 PM	#2
Ari Presler Silicon Imaging Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York or Hollywood Posts: 214	The best Audio will be from a dual-system sound configuration, just like Film production! The SI-2K supports: * Stereo Mic/Line Level inputs with 16-bit/48Khz sampling * Audio Recording multiplexed into .AVI (.Mov with QT release) * Speaker/Headphone output The audio is input via Intel HD Audio on Core 2 embedded mobo. Alternatively, you can use an isolated USB Audio Interface with XLR/Preamps and recorded thru its wav interface.

November 11th, 2006, 06:34 PM	#3
Valeriu Campan Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 223	Is there any form of time code implementation?

November 11th, 2006, 06:36 PM	#4
Rohan Dadswell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canberra Australia Posts: 228	Would the Edirol R-4 pro (www.edirol.com/products/r4pro/index.html ) be any good as a USB pre amp/mixer or would the 4 channels of audio cause problems. Or even better would the SI-2K accept 4 channels of audio. As the R-4 is a recorder with timecode as well it should be fine for double system recording but it would be nice (quicker) not to have to sync up in post.

November 11th, 2006, 10:59 PM	#5
Jason Rodriguez Trustee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,095	The problem with 4-channels of audio is that the current AVI's only can take a 2-channel mux (Video For Windows limitation), so we'd have to mix-down the 4-channels to 2-channels anyways. Yes, there is timecode implemented. Right now it's time of day, but we're working on getting the whole gamut of timecode implemented with external LTC timecode syncing.

November 12th, 2006, 01:52 AM	#6
Mathieu Kassovitz Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: paris Posts: 289	What about this sound device? http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...1901&brandID=4 Can it be useful? Only as audio interface or also as recording device? Timecode?

November 17th, 2006, 05:31 AM	#8
Ian Savage Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: England Posts: 88	To be honest I have never used a USB external device on a set,only ever Firewire and the most popular from my experience and the one I use is the Motu Traveller due to the fact of a 4pin XLR in the side making a true mobile Pro interface on a sound trolley and the fact Mac users are used to it as much as me a PC user is. Are you going to support Firewire Audio devices in the future ? I'd be intrested in hearing about others experiences recording with USB devices myself.

November 19th, 2006, 01:37 PM	#12
Ari Presler Silicon Imaging Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York or Hollywood Posts: 214	Mathieu I will be interested to hear your feedback on this unit and see if you would recommend to others on the forum. Ari

August 7th, 2009, 01:36 PM	#14
Justin Lovell Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 212	I have used these options with my si2k setup in Toronto: 1. M-Audio Box -USB interface. Work quite well, though we did have one glitch on the last shoot, which made the audio go all 'wobbly'. Very random, was unable to determine what the cause of it was.. luckily the sound guy was recording to a hard drive as a backup just in case. 2. Rhode Microphone - XLR>1/8" Mic jack Setting levels with Windows Microphone controls (not great audio, but usable) 3. Senheisser Wireless mics - XLR>1/8" Mic Jack 4. Recording seperate system to a ZOOM portable recorder. FrameDiscreet.com transfers // cinematography for the latest news in our cinematographer collective!

August 7th, 2009, 01:44 PM	#15
Alex Raskin Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,435	I'd think Firewire would be preferred due to the latency introduced by USB devices?? Maybe this: PreSonus \| FireBox Interface \| FIREBOX \| B&H Photo Video But I do not know if it plays nicely with the Windows' original sound panel, which SI says must be used for their software' sound input?..