Audio questions
 

Hi all. In reading Jay Rose's book I've been trying to match some of what he suggests for settings to the DVX100, and am trouble finding/understanding what he means sometimes. For example:

* he says turn off mic ALC (found that one) but also says to turn on Mic ATT, which I cannot find.

* he says to keep volume control at 50%, which I'm assuming is the ch1/2 dials strainght up (correct?), but he also says to make sure the recording level is at "-12 dBFS." How do I do that? Do I need a pre amp or mixer to set precisely? I'm not finding this on menus anywhere.

* he says to use line in instead of mic in if the camera can handle that. How do I know? I'm planning on using the Senn ME66 and 64 on booms, plus the Evo 100 wireless with the ME 2 for a lav and am looking at the Shure SM 58s to plug in to go wireless for man-on-the-street stuff. Does the equipment make a difference in line vs mic in capapbility or is it just the camera? I thought line in was just when you had studio recording equip. set up... shows what I know about audio!

Any other settings you recommend?

Thanks for any help in advance,
Marcia

-12 is easy to find -- it's where the audio meters change from white to red. There's a small vertical white line, and that line represents -12.

The DVX audio meters are calibrated such that each dot represents 2 db. So, full peak clipping audio, that shows the max red (with the vertical red line) happens at 0 db. Then, six dots lower, the white begins (which corresponds to -12 db). The lowest point on the graph represents -34db.

I've read Jay's book and it is excellent. However, he does not specifically address the DVX 100 and so the points he makes do not apply as you have stated them. Specifically,

* DO use the ALC. There is no ATT on the DVX and the ALC works very well on this camera.

* use the audio meters in the LCD/EVF to gauge your sound. You should be peaking in the reds - first one or two reds bars is fine. Set your levels accordingly depending on your setup. You do not need a mic preamp.

* with your mic set up, use the "mic in" NOT "line in".

Get good headphones so you can monitor sound at the camera. Get the mic's as close to your talent as possible. Practice, practice, practice.

Wow, thanks guys! Exactly what I needed to know, and the kind of advice I was hoping to get. Really appreciate it.

Marcia