4 Channel Audio Capture & XL-2 at DVinfo.net

Jeff Carr · June 4th, 2006, 08:09 AM

I am trying to find a time and cost effective way to capture 3 or 4 channels of audio from my Canon XL-2. All of Premier's products including the Pro version will only capture 2 at a time. The XL-2 does not have a selective means of sending channels 3 and 4 only through the firewire connection. This results in only being able to capture channels 1 and 2 to Premier from the XL-2. Is there a better PC software to use? Any other solutions? Premier's expert support cannot help me and Canon's only suggestion was to capture with their $500 Console software, then edit in Premiere. Help!!!

Mike Cassidy · June 4th, 2006, 12:34 PM

I know the feeling! I use a Casablanca Machine, you can't, mix the audio, through firewire, either, I have to go through the RCA Cables to do that. It's not too bad once you stop trying to do something, that's not possible!
You never know, upgrades, sometime happen.
Regards, Mike.

Jonathan Jones · June 4th, 2006, 12:41 PM

These forums are filled with posts on this specific topic. Using the Search function will give you many such hits. The general consensus as far as I have been able to tell is that if you are using a Windows machine, you will be able to do what you are asking by using an applications called Scenealyzer (sp?).

This app will allow you to capture the 4 channels of audio from the XL2 all in one pass via firewire, and allow you to retain the track independence of each channel.

Hope this helps.
-Jon

Ash Greyson · June 5th, 2006, 05:45 PM

Actually, most everything will do it but as far as I know, they all require 2 passes. I use FCP to capture a mix down of the 4 channels for my assemble edits, then recapture the 4 tracks seperately for the final sound mix. Scenalyzer requires 2 passes as far as I know but it is automated.

ash =o)

Richard Hunter · June 5th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Scenalyzer captures all 4 channels in a single pass. 2 channels are in the AVI file with the video stream, the other 2 are in a WAV file with a related name. The WAV file is the same length as the AVI, and starts from the same point. You just need to line them up in an NLE and they are in sync.

The main advantage of using Scenalyzer is this single pass capture, because it is so easy to sync up the separate audio clip.

Richard

Ash Greyson · June 5th, 2006, 07:27 PM

Interesting... wonder why Final Cut 5 (which can handle 8 audio track capture) can only capture 2 at a time...

ash =o)

Richard Hunter · June 7th, 2006, 04:38 AM

Can't speak for Steve Jobs, but wouldn't be surprised if it's due to the 12 bit audio in DV 4-track mode. Many apps don't seem to know what to do with this.

Richard

Ash Greyson · June 7th, 2006, 10:29 AM

You can set FCP to 12bit audio and 32khz... the 4 tracks will still only show up as a mix down.

ash =o)

June 4th, 2006, 08:09 AM	#1
Jeff Carr Tourist Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Highland Village, TX Posts: 1	4 Channel Audio Capture & XL-2 I am trying to find a time and cost effective way to capture 3 or 4 channels of audio from my Canon XL-2. All of Premier's products including the Pro version will only capture 2 at a time. The XL-2 does not have a selective means of sending channels 3 and 4 only through the firewire connection. This results in only being able to capture channels 1 and 2 to Premier from the XL-2. Is there a better PC software to use? Any other solutions? Premier's expert support cannot help me and Canon's only suggestion was to capture with their $500 Console software, then edit in Premiere. Help!!!

June 4th, 2006, 12:41 PM	#3
Jonathan Jones Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Healdsburg, California Posts: 1,138	These forums are filled with posts on this specific topic. Using the Search function will give you many such hits. The general consensus as far as I have been able to tell is that if you are using a Windows machine, you will be able to do what you are asking by using an applications called Scenealyzer (sp?). This app will allow you to capture the 4 channels of audio from the XL2 all in one pass via firewire, and allow you to retain the track independence of each channel. Hope this helps. -Jon __________________ "Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?" - Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974

June 4th, 2006, 12:34 PM	#2
Mike Cassidy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tyneside/ United Kingdom Posts: 47	I know the feeling! I use a Casablanca Machine, you can't, mix the audio, through firewire, either, I have to go through the RCA Cables to do that. It's not too bad once you stop trying to do something, that's not possible! You never know, upgrades, sometime happen. Regards, Mike.

June 5th, 2006, 05:45 PM	#4
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	Actually, most everything will do it but as far as I know, they all require 2 passes. I use FCP to capture a mix down of the 4 channels for my assemble edits, then recapture the 4 tracks seperately for the final sound mix. Scenalyzer requires 2 passes as far as I know but it is automated. ash =o)

June 5th, 2006, 06:36 PM	#5
Richard Hunter Trustee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lipa City Batangas, Philippines Posts: 1,110	Scenalyzer captures all 4 channels in a single pass. 2 channels are in the AVI file with the video stream, the other 2 are in a WAV file with a related name. The WAV file is the same length as the AVI, and starts from the same point. You just need to line them up in an NLE and they are in sync. The main advantage of using Scenalyzer is this single pass capture, because it is so easy to sync up the separate audio clip. Richard

June 5th, 2006, 07:27 PM	#6
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	Interesting... wonder why Final Cut 5 (which can handle 8 audio track capture) can only capture 2 at a time... ash =o)

June 7th, 2006, 04:38 AM	#7
Richard Hunter Trustee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lipa City Batangas, Philippines Posts: 1,110	Can't speak for Steve Jobs, but wouldn't be surprised if it's due to the 12 bit audio in DV 4-track mode. Many apps don't seem to know what to do with this. Richard

June 7th, 2006, 10:29 AM	#8
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	You can set FCP to 12bit audio and 32khz... the 4 tracks will still only show up as a mix down. ash =o)