Wrong settings with Rode NTG-1 on HVR V1-U ?

[Luigi Beverelli]

Hi all,
I have a problem with audio settings for my HVR V1-U with a RODE NTG-1 microphone.

I recorded some clips of a jazz band, but the sound quality is distorted sometimes when the sound is loud.
I think (and hope...) that I've used the wrong settings for that microphone, because I know that it's a good mic (I know that it's not the best...).

My settings are:

- 0db was on Trim 1 and 2.
- Gain control was set on manual at 5db.
- Rec chanel on CH-1

What should be the right settings to use with that microphone ?
It is possible to clean some distorsion from FCP6 or Soundtrack ?
Thanks for your help.

[Ian Campbell]

I don't know what the characteristics are for the Rode mic you are using, but you might want to do some testing trimming the audio down to -8 or -16 db. You mention that you left the audio trim to 0db.

Using Sennheisser mics, we find we need to trim the mics down to -8 db to get sound that doesn't clip. A lot of mic companies seem to offer levels which are either too hot or too low for your V1U. Sadly you can't up the trim beyond 0 db . . . but you can bring the trim down, which it sounds like you might need to do with the Rode mics.

Good luck . . .

Ian

[Michael Liebergot]

What you are probaly experiencing is clipping in your audio.
HD audio is worse and less forgiving than analog (SD)PCM audio. When your audio clips in HD, it can distort badly and even turn to mush.

I think that you hav to turn don your trim even more as was suggested. And always montior your audio and adjust on the fly when needed.

[Gareth Watkins]

Hi Luigi

I've found my audio has been much improved since I got a Sound Devices Mix Pre audio mixer... it has better amps, limiters and good headphone monitoring. It goes to the line-in setting on your camera

You can set a tone out to set up your camera correctly (I use from -20db to -12db) depending on your source, and you can run the levels without fear of clipping.

I use mine with a Sony Z1 (doubt its much different than the V1) with a Rode NTG2 which is essentially the same mic you use.

cheers

Gareth

[Seth Bloombaum]

Originally Posted by Luigi Beverelli

...audio settings for my HVR V1-U with a RODE NTG-1 microphone....
- 0db was on Trim 1 and 2.
- Gain control was set on manual at 5db.
- Rec chanel on CH-1

What should be the right settings to use with that microphone ?...

The settings will have to be tested and adjusted for different recording situations. There is no "set and forget" group of settings

To do this, the audio must be monitored with the camera's meters (Status menu), and listened to with headphones while the musicians are playing at their loudest. Usually, you'd want to do this during sound check, but this is not always possible.

Meters should peak at somewhere between -20 and -10db, adjust the gain to make it so. When they are doing so, the sound from the headphones should be clean.

If there is distorted sound in the headphones while meters are peaking between -20 and -10 you probably need some attenuation. As mentioned, if your gain setting is very low to get the meters to read correctly, this can also be an indication to do some attenuation.

[Luigi Beverelli]

Thank you all....

I think that the trimming should be set to -16db for my Rode NTG-1.
Also the ACG was to high in my opinion....