Recording Opera-Soprano is vibrating at frequencies...

Boyd Ostroff · February 20th, 2006, 08:03 AM

I use a line input from the house board, and record mono on both channels. On my Z1 I set channel 1 for auto level and channel 2 for manual. This has saved my bacon a couple times when something unexpected happens....

Kevin Wild · February 20th, 2006, 08:10 AM

As I mentioned initially, it was definitely not a levels problem. I did fix the problem by using a different mic (Neumann TLM103). My on-camera mic still did the overload sounding thing, though levels were very low. I guess some mics just don't handle some frequencies well.

Thanks for all the help!

KW

Barry Werger · February 20th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Wild

I did fix the problem by using a different mic (Neumann TLM103). My on-camera mic still did the overload sounding thing, though levels were very low. I guess some mics just don't handle some frequencies well.

I'd still like to hear more description of the sound - the "rattle"...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve House

Sounds like a situation where duplicate recordings are in order, the backup 12 db or so lower than the primary.

Not for 17 channels, man! Just gotta set 'em RIGHT. Luckily operas have a full orchestra dress or two to figure "right" out...

Kevin Wild · February 21st, 2006, 10:39 AM

The rattle I described is really more like a sound of overmodulation. When I hear it in headphones, I expect to look down and see the meters pegged, but they're not even close. So, I guess it's a distortion, but only at a certain frequency, rather than volume-based.

Make sense?

Kevin

Keith Snyder · March 23rd, 2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Wild

The rattle I described is really more like a sound of overmodulation. When I hear it in headphones, I expect to look down and see the meters pegged, but they're not even close. So, I guess it's a distortion, but only at a certain frequency, rather than volume-based.

Make sense?

I'm late answering this, but yes, it makes sense. Operatic sopranos can put out way more energy at certain frequencies than a recordist who's used to dialogue (or even pop singers) would expect.

I've had the same problem. I don't know what's being overloaded, but my guess is it's either the mic or the A/D convertor.

I work with opera singers on original projects (short screen musicals), and it's almost impossible to get film recordists to take the problem seriously until it happens to them--by which time it's too late.

February 20th, 2006, 08:03 AM	#16
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	I use a line input from the house board, and record mono on both channels. On my Z1 I set channel 1 for auto level and channel 2 for manual. This has saved my bacon a couple times when something unexpected happens....

February 20th, 2006, 08:10 AM	#17
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	As I mentioned initially, it was definitely not a levels problem. I did fix the problem by using a different mic (Neumann TLM103). My on-camera mic still did the overload sounding thing, though levels were very low. I guess some mics just don't handle some frequencies well. Thanks for all the help! KW

February 21st, 2006, 10:39 AM	#19
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	The rattle I described is really more like a sound of overmodulation. When I hear it in headphones, I expect to look down and see the meters pegged, but they're not even close. So, I guess it's a distortion, but only at a certain frequency, rather than volume-based. Make sense? Kevin