Very low sound levels using Sound mixer and PD 170
 

I'm running a:

radio mic (Audio Technica ATW R160) Into a

sound mixer (Spirit - M4) into a

Camcorder (Sony PD-170) then direct into

PC via firewire cable, capturing with Serious Magic DV RAck Software.


Now for some reason I am experiencing very low sound levels which I have to boost and then obviously im stuck with alot of noise. I have checked all the levels on all the different devices and when I monitor the sound through the sound mixer headphone jack, it all sounds good.

Anyone have any idea why the sound is so low when its going through the camera?

So, you are saying that the signal from the Spirit into the PD170 is good? In other words the Spirit's output is okay into the PD170 set to line-in and the PD170 audio levels set at about 50%?

I have heard that the PD170 needs more gain than normal line level, but I have not seen any data to back that up.

Buddy

Yes the signal from the spirit is good but when it goes into the PD170 via the line in, the sound levels are very very low (-30db). If I turn up the level controls on the camera or the spirit then im getting alot of hum and background noise and the occasional distortion when someone laughs etc.

LOL, I rang Sony and their exact words were, "Its not a very good camera".

What do you say to that? :)

Well, I think it is a very good camera for it's intended purpose. It has good low light performance in a relatively small package at reasonable cost.

However, the audio is not that good. One suggestion from some of the other audio forums is to run the PD170 in the Mic Att input mode. Depending on the mixer output, this may mean putting an attenuator between the mixer and the camera.

Buddy

Where are you taking the output from the M4, and what are you using for a cable? Sometimes that's the problem.

If not, Buddy's suggestion is very plausible. Even with MIC ATT active, the M4's output will be too hot for the 170's mic input, so you will no doubt need that inline attenuator. The AT8202 is a nice one, switchable between -10, -20 and -30 dB.