Recording Audio directly to camera at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders

Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders
Canon XH G1S / G1 (with SDI), Canon XH A1S / A1 (without SDI).

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 5th, 2008, 02:44 PM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 34
Recording Audio directly to camera

Hi -
I'm shooting a project in a few months and we're inthe process of sorting out...well about a million things. Its a scripted series, (actors, locations, extras, the whole she-bang). Now I'm used to shooting double system. However our budget is so low that I'm extremely tempted to hire 1 audio person and plug the boom mic(AT 897) right into the A1. Why does this scare me?? Should it?

Also - there is the possibility of running the mics into a mixer (my older Mackie 12 channel) and running the L and R from the mixer directly into the camera.

I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'll get good results.

I don't think a 2 person audio crew with an FR-2 is doable.

Or - am I looking for trouble and should I "find the money" and shoot double system??

Thanks
Mike Stivala
Mike Stivala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 5th, 2008, 04:11 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Posts: 325
I've shot with an AT 8035 shotgun mic on a boom pole connected directly to the A1 a few times (wearing headphones the entire time). I had good results. However, If I had the option of having another person on a small mixer I certainly would have chosen that. Making quick adjustsments to the levels while you're also shooting is near impossible. A dedicated sound person on a mixer or second system would be better able to ensure proper sound levels at all times.

Even if you shoot on a second system, I would also run a patch to the camera as backup...just in case.

If you have the ability, test all 3 methods prior to the shoot and see which one you can live with.
Marcel D. Van Someren is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 5th, 2008, 10:33 PM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Golden Isles, GA
Posts: 25
I agree, trying to make adjustments while shooting is a disaster map.

The other bad thing is that with the A1's XLR, there's not a way to set two levels, as you could when using, say, a wireless mic with the 1/8" mini plug. With the mini plug, I set the left channel to the appropriate level and the right channel a little lower in case the talent gets excited and clips the audio all of a sudden. But as far as I know, there's no way to do that with the XLR inputs, unless you split the signal. (Of course if you figure out a way in camera to do that, take advantage of that, and please let me know).

Definitely go with an audio mixer if you have the chance and the money to hire one. You can never compromise on audio. And being mainly a camera operator, you have PLENTY to fear when doing audio too. I hope this has been very encouraging to you ;)
Mike Browning is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 6th, 2008, 04:37 AM   #4
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 4,487
Quote:
there's not a way to set two levels, as you could when using, say, a wireless mic with the 1/8" mini plug. With the mini plug, I set the left channel to the appropriate level and the right channel a little lower in case the talent gets excited and clips the audio all of a sudden.
Hmmm. Are you speaking a the single, balanced output from a wireless mic? If so, be aware that the sound on the right channel is 180 out of phase with the left channel. This can result in some potentially unwanted audio effects such as cancellation if you attempt to mix the channels.

You can set the level of the XLR input channels independently, and it is much easier to insert external attenuators, etc in the XLR input circuits than with the 1/8" mic input.

Using output from the Mackie should be fine. As noted test and practice a bit before the real shoot so you are comfortable with which ever setup you decide upon..
__________________
dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com
Don Palomaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 6th, 2008, 07:48 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 425
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Browning View Post
The other bad thing is that with the A1's XLR, there's not a way to set two levels, as you could when using, say, a wireless mic with the 1/8" mini plug. With the mini plug, I set the left channel to the appropriate level and the right channel a little lower in case the talent gets excited and clips the audio all of a sudden. But as far as I know, there's no way to do that with the XLR inputs, unless you split the signal. (Of course if you figure out a way in camera to do that, take advantage of that, and please let me know).
There is a way around this: use a splitting XLR cable, so you feed the same signal into both left and right sockets, then adjust your camera levels for "normal" and "safety" levels.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Browning View Post
Definitely go with an audio mixer if you have the chance and the money to hire one. You can never compromise on audio. And being mainly a camera operator, you have PLENTY to fear when doing audio too. I hope this has been very encouraging to you ;)
Can your Boom operator also use a simple mixer at the same time? Maybe that needs too many hands...! Make sure that the boom operator can hear what the camera is recording, so the mic doesn't wander too far from the dialogue. That might mean quite a long headphone cable-run.

I know I have read various discussions about exactly this sort of situation on the audio forum (used to be "Now Hear This"). There are lots of good suggestions for suitable equipment and alternative arrangements.
__________________
Steam Age Pictures - videos in aid of railway preservation societies.
Mark Fry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 6th, 2008, 12:31 PM   #6
Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 4,449
If you're going to have a soundman, which you should, then you need a mixer. Otherwise he won't have a workable way to adjust levels. But if he's wearing a mixer around his neck and you're more comfortable doing double system, he could still do double system if you wanted. I don't see your cost savings going directly into the camera, since you have the soundman anyway.
Bill Pryor is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:24 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network