PD170 Sound Quality at DVinfo.net

Troy Christie · July 11th, 2006, 11:07 AM

Hello,

I recently puchased the PD170. So far Iv'e used it on 2 weddings and have noticed what I consider pour sound quality with ambient sound. I'm using a stock mic attachment that came with the camcorder. The sound in both weddings sounds like it's in a car. No bass what so ever. My partner uses a vx2000 and his ambient sound has much more bass. What can I do to get better ambient sound from my PD170.

Troy

Mike Rehmus · July 11th, 2006, 11:16 AM

You will have to replace the microphone. It isn't very good for much.

Find a nice Cardiod to replace it and you will be much happier.

David Ennis · July 12th, 2006, 09:08 AM

Troy, what do you mean by "ambient sound?" What sounds in particular are lacking bass?

The way you said it implies that the ceremony and vows sounded fine, but that other room sounds lacked bass. Is that right?

Troy Christie · July 31st, 2006, 04:37 PM

Fred,

Sorry it took so long to get back with you. You are right the vows sound fine with the wireless lav I used. However, the reception sounded like it it needed a lot of bass.

I've been looking at the Senn me64. I've gotten mixed reviews on that. I've been told I cannot overcome the onborad sound problem and that I have to use a set mic near the sound source. That won't work for me.

My second cameraman uses a vx2000 and he's getting better ambient sound than I do. Much more bass. How can I match his?

I'll try to be more responsive from now on with replies back.

Thanks,
Troy

David Ennis · July 31st, 2006, 06:16 PM

If most of the sound you want to cover is in front of you a good cardioid will sould better, as Mike said. The AT3031 at $170 might be a good choice. I have two of them. I often use one for ambience when shooting stage productions from the back of the hall (I use the two together for stereo).

If you want to cover situations where the sound is all around, like cruising around at a reception without having the sound change as you pan, then an omni would be better. The AT3032 is such an omni.

Troy Christie · August 1st, 2006, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the advice Fred

Simon Antoniou · August 8th, 2006, 02:52 PM

Quick dumb question:
If im recording from 2 separate mic’s plugged into Channel 1 and 2, could I have two separate sound waves dragged into my NLE system?

Thanks

Richard Zlamany · August 8th, 2006, 03:52 PM

Yes. You can.

I just switched my stock mic on the pd170 to an at835b. After doing a comparative test at a reception, the at83b sounds the best with sweet bass that rolls through the speakers. The only problem is the mic is too big for the camera and looks awkward.

Does anyone know if the at897 sounds the same as the at835b?

July 11th, 2006, 11:07 AM	#1
Troy Christie New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 7	PD170 Sound Quality Hello, I recently puchased the PD170. So far Iv'e used it on 2 weddings and have noticed what I consider pour sound quality with ambient sound. I'm using a stock mic attachment that came with the camcorder. The sound in both weddings sounds like it's in a car. No bass what so ever. My partner uses a vx2000 and his ambient sound has much more bass. What can I do to get better ambient sound from my PD170. Troy

July 11th, 2006, 11:16 AM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	You will have to replace the microphone. It isn't very good for much. Find a nice Cardiod to replace it and you will be much happier. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 12th, 2006, 09:08 AM	#3
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Troy, what do you mean by "ambient sound?" What sounds in particular are lacking bass? The way you said it implies that the ceremony and vows sounded fine, but that other room sounds lacked bass. Is that right? __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

July 31st, 2006, 06:16 PM	#5
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	If most of the sound you want to cover is in front of you a good cardioid will sould better, as Mike said. The AT3031 at $170 might be a good choice. I have two of them. I often use one for ambience when shooting stage productions from the back of the hall (I use the two together for stereo). If you want to cover situations where the sound is all around, like cruising around at a reception without having the sound change as you pan, then an omni would be better. The AT3032 is such an omni. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

July 31st, 2006, 04:37 PM	#4
Troy Christie New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 7	Fred, Sorry it took so long to get back with you. You are right the vows sound fine with the wireless lav I used. However, the reception sounded like it it needed a lot of bass. I've been looking at the Senn me64. I've gotten mixed reviews on that. I've been told I cannot overcome the onborad sound problem and that I have to use a set mic near the sound source. That won't work for me. My second cameraman uses a vx2000 and he's getting better ambient sound than I do. Much more bass. How can I match his? I'll try to be more responsive from now on with replies back. Thanks, Troy

August 1st, 2006, 10:51 AM	#6
Troy Christie New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 7	Thanks for the advice Fred

August 8th, 2006, 02:52 PM	#7
Simon Antoniou Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 73	Quick dumb question: If im recording from 2 separate mic’s plugged into Channel 1 and 2, could I have two separate sound waves dragged into my NLE system? Thanks

August 8th, 2006, 03:52 PM	#8
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	Yes. You can. I just switched my stock mic on the pd170 to an at835b. After doing a comparative test at a reception, the at83b sounds the best with sweet bass that rolls through the speakers. The only problem is the mic is too big for the camera and looks awkward. Does anyone know if the at897 sounds the same as the at835b?