Concert Filming - audio too loud for mic?

John Willett · November 20th, 2009, 01:44 AM

It's more likely to be the camera distorting than the mic.

Many cameras have the level control *after* the mic. preamp - so the mic. pre. can be distorting and you can't turn down the level as the control is later in the chain.

Insert a pad (-10dB for example) in-line in the mic. cable (you can get these as XLR barrels from such places as Canford Audio) - this should cure the problem.

If this cures it, it was a camera problem - if it still distorts it's the mic.

Ilya Spektor · November 20th, 2009, 11:03 PM

I use Rode NTG-1 (which is actually the same, as NTG-2, but without a battery) with Sony PD-170 camera. I agree with Steve, that a weak battery can reduce the max SPL (it is in the mic's specs...)

So, the first thing I'd recommend is to use NTG-2 without battery, with phantom power from the camera. Secondly, during a wedding reception, when DJ plays music at huge levels, I switch mic attenuator on my PD-170 to -20db, and that helps to eliminate distortions. If your camera doesn't have internal attenuator, you need to use an external one: -10db to -30db, depending on the situation. There are many available, even with a barrel switch.

At least, my experience...

Battle Vaughan · November 21st, 2009, 09:02 PM

Here's the link I referred to earlier: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ud-venues.html

I believe the NTG2 overloading is a known issue, it has been raised here several times and I have seen it in a colleagues' system. If the mike overloads no amount of post-mike attenuation will correct it, the diaphragm is just maxed out. Take a listen to the samples...
/ Battle Vaughan

November 20th, 2009, 01:44 AM	#16
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	It's more likely to be the camera distorting than the mic. Many cameras have the level control after the mic. preamp - so the mic. pre. can be distorting and you can't turn down the level as the control is later in the chain. Insert a pad (-10dB for example) in-line in the mic. cable (you can get these as XLR barrels from such places as Canford Audio) - this should cure the problem. If this cures it, it was a camera problem - if it still distorts it's the mic. __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

November 20th, 2009, 11:03 PM	#17
Ilya Spektor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 99	I use Rode NTG-1 (which is actually the same, as NTG-2, but without a battery) with Sony PD-170 camera. I agree with Steve, that a weak battery can reduce the max SPL (it is in the mic's specs...) So, the first thing I'd recommend is to use NTG-2 without battery, with phantom power from the camera. Secondly, during a wedding reception, when DJ plays music at huge levels, I switch mic attenuator on my PD-170 to -20db, and that helps to eliminate distortions. If your camera doesn't have internal attenuator, you need to use an external one: -10db to -30db, depending on the situation. There are many available, even with a barrel switch. At least, my experience... __________________ Thank you.

November 21st, 2009, 09:02 PM	#18
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Here's the link I referred to earlier: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ud-venues.html I believe the NTG2 overloading is a known issue, it has been raised here several times and I have seen it in a colleagues' system. If the mike overloads no amount of post-mike attenuation will correct it, the diaphragm is just maxed out. Take a listen to the samples... / Battle Vaughan