Hi Michael

Interesting question. I never would have thought of that one.

I checked, and the line out jack is hot when recording so I guess it would be possible.

However, I wouldn't recommend using it that way. because by going to the camera you'd be degrading the sound. The Sony captures at 96k Hz per second and 24 bits PCM uncompressed whereas I think the camera would be at 48k Hz and 16 bit compressed, so right away there would be a degradation in quality. Also, by going through the Sony's pre-amps and A to D and then D to A and then into the camera's A to D (and maybe through the camera pre-amps - not sure if they bypass the pre-amp on line in or just put a pad in-line and then make the trip through the camera pre-amps anyhow) you're running through a lot of electronics which inevitably adds noise at every step.

Much better to just import the PCM audio from the recorder into your editing package and line it up with the video, I think. You might want to use the camera mic to make it easy to synchronize the two, but I think for what you"re doing the sync doesn't have to be as precise as for lip-sync - a frame or so off I don't think anyone would notice. (I might be wrong!)

Re batteries - I got a really rather good recharging unit (Powerex) and I use rechargeables for the Sony and for my Sound Devices mixer. They work fine.

As I had mentioned, I'll be in Sante Fe in a couple of weeks and would be happy to bring the Sony as well as the Schoeps mics for you to compare.

OK so it seems the Sony is not really suitable for this. I was wondering more in the case of an emergency situation where plugging into the Sony would be better than the Mic onboard the XH-A1.

Thanks for helping with this.

Yes by all means lets get together when you are here in Santa Fe. Better to email me at this address.
michaelthames1@mac.com

505 474 6628

One more question Jim, then I'll leave you alone on this Sunday afternoon. Does the Sony work as a interface for the computer. In other words can I use it as a plug in mic for doing voice overs or narration in Soundtrack or Garageband?

Michael

Michael

Don't worry about my schedule - My real job is as a business development consultant for Japanese companies with US partnerships so I work almost Japan time - it's already Monday in Tokyo so this makes a nice break between phone calls across the Pacific!

I think the only reasonable way to use the Sony is to record to it and then upload the files to the PC over USB. No reason you couldn't use it for voice over, but it would be best to record to a file and then upload it.

I think though that there are probably better mics for VO. I'm quite happy with my (reasonably priced) Rode NT2-A in Omni mode and I have a small cigar sized unit that has an XLR connector on one end and a USB interface on the other - it's called a micport pro and it works very well indeed - even provides phantom power to any XLR mic. Link follows.

CEntrance -> MicPort Pro (http://www.centrance.com/products/mp/)

The Schoeps CMC641 is also great for voice (and other things) as Ty says, but it's pricey.

[QUOTE=Jim Andrada;1180155]Michael

Don't worry about my schedule - My real job is as a business development consultant for Japanese companies with US partnerships so I work almost Japan time - it's already Monday in Tokyo so this makes a nice break between phone calls across the Pacific!

I think the only reasonable way to use the Sony is to record to it and then upload the files to the PC over USB. No reason you couldn't use it for voice over, but it would be best to record to a file and then upload it.

I think though that there are probably better mics for VO. I'm quite happy with my (reasonably priced) Rode NT2-A in Omni mode and I have a small cigar sized unit that has an XLR connector on one end and a USB interface on the other - it's called a micport pro and it works very well indeed - even provides phantom power to any XLR mic. Link follows.

What A great job you have. I've spent a lot of time on that side of the pond, and love it over there.

Well thanks to your recommendations I bought the Sony D50, should get here tomorrow. After going back in the archives here, I came across your post comparing the Scheops, and the Sony D50, very interesting, considering the investment. For me at this point I think the Sony d50 will be much more useful for my purposes.

My wife, and her girlfriend, went to the Opera last night, (starts way too late for my tastes). They came home early, it was a modern opera, (dang, I forget the name) and my wife being Italian likes the classic Italian composers. Wonderful production, and setting out doors and up on the hill.

When I was a teenager I was a bellboy at the Inn At Lorretto here in Santa Fe. I remember taking Nino Rota's ( wrote music for Fellini's films) bags up. He was premiering an Opera that year in Santa Fe. I asked him to come and hear me play classical guitar during "happy hour" in the bar.

I was a bellboy by day, and played guitar there by night great job, in those days.

I think you'll be happy with the Sony - most people are pretty satisfied with it.

I'll get in touch before heading to Santa Fe - would still like to come by and say hello. My wife used to be a concert pianist in Japan and was a rehearsal pianist for San Jose Opera for several years when we lived in the Bay area. I'm purely an amateur musician and play tuba in a British style brass band. I studied classical guitar for a few years, but never had enough talent or dexterity (or dedication???) to play well so I gave it up.

Jim thanks again for the recommendation on the Sony PCM D50, I think it's amazing! Here is a video I did yesterday with it.
YouTube - Patrick Sise plays Bach, violin suite BWV 1001 Fugue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTp9vo8wQ0o)
I used Pluraleyes to sync up the video and audio together. This software is a real lifesaver!
Singular Software (http://www.singularsoftware.com/)

Michael

I thought you'd be happy with it. For the $$$ it's hard to beat. I think the clarity is much better than some of the other links you've posted and it does indeed seem to do a good job of showing off the high end of the guitar.

I think now it's a matter of experimentation with positioning and distance. Closer would be a bit better I think, but it might also interfere with the video if you wanted to keep the unit out of the picture. As with all things, it's a matter of trading off the various constraints to get the result that's important to YOU.

We'll be in Santa Fe week after next. If you're around, we'd like to stop by.

Michael

I thought you'd be happy with it. For the $$$ it's hard to beat. I think the clarity is much better than some of the other links you've posted and it does indeed seem to do a good job of showing off the high end of the guitar.

I think now it's a matter of experimentation with positioning and distance. Closer would be a bit better I think, but it might also interfere with the video if you wanted to keep the unit out of the picture. As with all things, it's a matter of trading off the various constraints to get the result that's important to YOU.

We'll be in Santa Fe week after next. If you're around, we'd like to stop by.

By all means please stop by!