AGC and audio distortion at DVinfo.net

David Morgan · November 8th, 2008, 09:00 PM

OK, how well does the AGC work on this camera? I'm going into a run and gun situation and must rely on auto levels for audio. Banquet envirn. with band playing. I won't be on top of the speakers but must protect against distorted audio. (The camera doesn't seem to have a limiter feature).

John Cline · November 9th, 2008, 01:34 AM

Actually, the AGC on the PD170 acts more like a limiter than an automatic gain control. It doesn't raise low level signals like an AGC and only compresses as the audio approaches 0db. Whereas a limiter has an infinite compression ratio above threshold, the PD170 basically has a compressor with a fairly high compression ratio. It works quite well. Of course, if you overload the mic inputs, all bets are off.

Don Bloom · November 9th, 2008, 07:38 AM

on my 150/170/250 I use AGC for wedding receptions all the time. I use a Sennhieser E604 drum mic running to my wireless receiver placed about 4 to 6 inches inf ront of the DJs speaker and my hypercaroid on camera. It's a great setup for me and has cut my post pro time to next to nothing for reception audio AND even with the DJ (or band) cranking out I've never had a clipping problem. The camera is faster than I am riding the wheel to control the levels and since at most receptions the levels are pretty much the same thruout most of the event (loud) I let the camera do the work and the AGC (limiter) does work quite well.

Don

Jeff Harper · November 9th, 2008, 08:04 AM

I couldn't live without it. The AGC works superbly for me with bands and DJs.

David Morgan · November 9th, 2008, 10:32 AM

Whoo.....glowing reviews!
Better responses about this than I thought. Encouraging as well.

Thx to all.

Don Bloom · November 9th, 2008, 11:42 AM

I did forget to mention thatwhen I run AGC for DJs and bands the hypercaroid on my camera is set to -10 db and the woreless transmitter on my SennyE604 is set to -6 db and I can go lower on both. I have a 10db attenuator that I can set up on the Senny plus the camera has an additional 20 for each channel. I've never had to use that but the addtional 10 has been used on occassion. Make sure you watch the bars and monitor with phones, AGC CAN bite you but most of the time it's a gentle nip ;-)

Don

November 8th, 2008, 09:00 PM	#1
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	AGC and audio distortion OK, how well does the AGC work on this camera? I'm going into a run and gun situation and must rely on auto levels for audio. Banquet envirn. with band playing. I won't be on top of the speakers but must protect against distorted audio. (The camera doesn't seem to have a limiter feature).

November 9th, 2008, 01:34 AM	#2
John Cline Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 333	Actually, the AGC on the PD170 acts more like a limiter than an automatic gain control. It doesn't raise low level signals like an AGC and only compresses as the audio approaches 0db. Whereas a limiter has an infinite compression ratio above threshold, the PD170 basically has a compressor with a fairly high compression ratio. It works quite well. Of course, if you overload the mic inputs, all bets are off.

November 9th, 2008, 07:38 AM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	on my 150/170/250 I use AGC for wedding receptions all the time. I use a Sennhieser E604 drum mic running to my wireless receiver placed about 4 to 6 inches inf ront of the DJs speaker and my hypercaroid on camera. It's a great setup for me and has cut my post pro time to next to nothing for reception audio AND even with the DJ (or band) cranking out I've never had a clipping problem. The camera is faster than I am riding the wheel to control the levels and since at most receptions the levels are pretty much the same thruout most of the event (loud) I let the camera do the work and the AGC (limiter) does work quite well. Don

November 9th, 2008, 08:04 AM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	I couldn't live without it. The AGC works superbly for me with bands and DJs.

November 9th, 2008, 10:32 AM	#5
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	Whoo.....glowing reviews! Better responses about this than I thought. Encouraging as well. Thx to all.

November 9th, 2008, 11:42 AM	#6
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I did forget to mention thatwhen I run AGC for DJs and bands the hypercaroid on my camera is set to -10 db and the woreless transmitter on my SennyE604 is set to -6 db and I can go lower on both. I have a 10db attenuator that I can set up on the Senny plus the camera has an additional 20 for each channel. I've never had to use that but the addtional 10 has been used on occassion. Make sure you watch the bars and monitor with phones, AGC CAN bite you but most of the time it's a gentle nip ;-) Don