Newbie audio questions
 

Hello everyone! I'm gearing up to shoot some weddings in Atlanta, GA. I've been reading this forum for over a month now, and I've had many of my questions answered. However, I'm still a little unsure about how I will mic the groom.

Many of you seem to love the iRiver 700/800 + Giant Squid combo, and the price is definitely right. My biggest concern with this setup is not being able to monitor the audio during the ceremony, and having faith that I'll be able to tweak the levels in post if someone is too quiet. (I guess I'll get over that after a few ceremonies.)

I am willing to invest $500 in a UHF wireless lavaliere set if that is ultimately going to be the best method to acquire the vows and other audio from the bride/groom/officiant.

My background is in writing, producing and editing DV shorts. I agree 100% with those of you who state that audio is as important if not MORE important than the picture. I'm doing three freebies in April for the experience, and I definitely want to find a setup that I am confident in before I start charging this summer.

I know there are no right or wrong answers. I'm just looking forward to reading your opinions.

Thanks in advance!
Christopher

Whether it's iRiver or wireless for primary, make sure you have a backup audio source if the primary fails. At the very least, a decent shotgun mic for backup.

These settings should get you clean audio. Practice first. Always have a backup:

***SETTINGS***

(NEW) Upon initial use, hold down the record button (far right of top three buttons) until you get the 4 selections to choose from (Mp3-Radio-Voice-Line in). Select "Line In"

Timer (manual section 5-17)

- Sleep power off - OFF / Beep OFF
- Stop Power off - 60 min

Control - (manual section 5-22)

- Line in recording mode:
Mono
44.1KHz
160 Kbps

Stereo
44.1 KHz
320 Kbps

- Line In Rec Volume: 45 (Giant Squid Mic) 50 (MT830 mic) 50-55 (Azden 503)

- Line In Auto Sync: OFF

- Line In / Ext Mic: EXT MIC

***SETUP***

1. Connect mic to line-in jack
2. Set line in rec mode as above (SETTINGS)
3. Press and HOLD "Mode/Rec" button
4. Select Line-In mode
5. Press "Nav/Menu" button to go to PAUSED record mode
6. Press REC
7. Engage the LOCK!

***STOPPING***

1. Unlock
2. Press "Mode/Rec" button
3. Press and HOLD the STOP button

Expected record times based on 512 Mb model (256 will be half...1Gb will be double the record time below)
In mono:
44hz 32kbps = 35 hours: 31 minutes
" " 40kbps = 28 Hours: 25 minutes
" "" 48kbps = 23 hours: 21 minutes
" " 56kbps = 20 hours: 18 minutes
" " 64kbps = 17 hours: 45 minutes
" " 80kbps = 14 hours: 12 minutes
" " 96kbps = 11 hours: 50 minutes
" " 112kbps = 10 hours: 09 minutes
" " 128kbps = 8 hours: 52 minutes
" " 160kbps = 7 hours: 06 minutes

In Stereo:
44hz 64kbps = 17 hours: 45 minutes
" " 80kbps = 14 Hours: 12 minutes
" "" 96kbps = 11 hours: 50 minutes
" " 112kbps = 10 hours: 09 minutes
" " 128kbps = 8 hours: 52 minutes
" " 160kbps = 7 hours: 06 minutes
" " 192kbps = 5 hours: 55 minutes
" " 224kbps = 5 hours: 05 minutes
" " 256kbps = 4 hours: 26 minutes
" " 320kbps = 3 hours: 33 minutes

Waldemar - That's for iRivers, right? (for all models?) I probably will get an iRiver in the reasonably near future, but know almost nothing about them (aside from MP3 at 128mbps should provide good enough quality audio I would think, so long as the input is good and the codec works well). What sort of battery is used in them, and how long will a charge reliably last? Anything else I should know before I start looking for one to purchase?

Excellent tips on the iRiver, Waldemar! Thanks! I'm going to print them and clip it somewhere handy. I just got my IFP-899 last night. It's a refurb (by iRiver - with all the warranties) I found on eBay and, so far, it seems to be like brand new. I'm eager to start using it.

Robert, the iRiver 700, 800, and 900 series all take a AA battery. According to the spec sheet, the battery is supposed to last "up to 40 hours." After a couple uses, though, I'd probably recycle it to one of the many remote controls I have in the house and use a fresh one.

Thanks for the tips so far. I will definitely have a shotgun mic as backup.

The other appealing thing about the iRiver is that, when shooting single camera, I will be able to mix the iRiver audio with the shotgun audio in post. If I use the lav and shotgun going through a Beachtek, I will have to mix live. (I'm using a Sony FX-1, BTW.)

Waldemar,
Lets give credit to the original poster your thread was copied from:
August 6th, 2005, 11:32 PM John McManimie

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...hlight=dummies)

Even if you're trying to be helpful you should never copy someone else's post without giving credit directly or providing a link.

I always use a new AA alkalie battery for every shoot. My events are worth 35 cents and I wouldn't use a nicad they can fail suddenly.

Mike