Audio quality from this setup ?

[Michael Conn]

Hi - I just got asked about making a music video. I have 2 Canon XL2's. I am thinking about using 4 XLR mics (probably sennheiser) to record on the XL2's and get the tracks to Audition 2.0 to mix. What kind of audio quality can I expect from this setup ? I'm trying to avoid buying more equipment. I would say I'm a noob, but thats an understatement.

[Guy Cochran]

Usually a music video would be recorded without sound unless it is a "live" event music video. In that case, I would take a feed off the board into your XL2 as well as to another recording device. The band should know more about recoding a solid soundtrack and you can plan accordingly in pre-production. You should concentrate on the video and capturing great footage. It may be beneficial to let someone else get the audio and sync in post. With a music video, the more cameras and angles the better. In this case, wearing too many hats could get you in over your head. Don't be afraid to delegate sound to someone with more experience and learn from them.

Hope this helps,

[Michael Conn]

Thanks Guy,
I'm probably already in over my head, but the water feels great.

[Kris Bird]

This definitely sounds like a "live music video", rather than a "music video" ...

When we're approached about a "music video" then 99% of the time this means a video recording with the STUDIO audio track dubbed on top ... i.e. the band are miming along to the pre-recorded audio, no mics required. The classic MTV style video. This is what's wanted/needed when promoting a band's single release. In fact, it doesn't have to contain the band at all .. so long as it contains the audio track.

Make sure that you confirm what the band are looking for... Is this for a single release? Web distribution? EPK to show the strength of their live performance..? Make sure that you ask what it's for, what's the delivery format ... you'll find that a lot of people have surprisingly vague answers to this question :)

Kris
www.thehold.co.uk

[Steve House]

Look at some of the live concert footage airing these days and pay particular attention to the visible mics on-stage. Caught Brian Setzer's Orchestra on HDNET the other evening and PBS's 'Priarie Home Companion New Years' last night, for example. Virtually every performer and instrument was close-mic'ed to get the big live-concert sound.