quiet audio at DVinfo.net

David Mesloh · March 25th, 2002, 12:40 AM

I recently worked on a project where I was using a Senn ME66 shotgun mike with the K6 capsule. I was using it with an MA-100 and the mike was on a boom about 3 feet above the actors. If I play back the sound direct from the XL-1 it sounds great. Little or no background noise, good volume, etc.

When I get to Premiere the sound is barely audible even with the gain and mixer at max. Ideas?

Also when I was shooting I found that I had to turn the dials to max and the headphone monitor to max just to hear what I was shooting.

i gotta be missing something.

David

Nori Wentworth · March 25th, 2002, 03:57 PM

I experience the same "lack" of volume from my headphone out as well! What's the deal with that anyway?

Don Palomaki · March 25th, 2002, 07:23 PM

Did you set the Audio 1 inputs to operate at MIC level? (You do this from the menu.) The input may default to consumer line level input, which is about 45 dB below MIC level and 25 dB below MIC ATT20 level.

You should see the audio level peaking around the -6 or so level on the XL1 VU meter.

Some headphones are not very sensitive, and the XL1 cannot drive them adequately even with normal recorded sound levels. If the meter levels are normal, you should to check the headphone specifications.

David Mesloh · March 25th, 2002, 08:55 PM

After I posted this thread I had this stupid suspicion that I set for line and not mic. Freekin'.......duh. Now my brain hurts. Oh well....pays to make yourself a little checklist.

Also I read in another thread that some headphones need serious power to work well. Since the XL-1 isn't like a stereo amplifier I can see that could be a problem.

Thanks guys.

David

Adam Wakely · April 5th, 2002, 02:47 AM

I had the same problems as well. New headphones made the difference. Some need alot of power to drive them and some don't. Just test them out when you buy them and get a set that sounds the loudest. I use my headphone volume at the half way mark! It's almost too loud some times. They also block out surrounding sounds as well.

March 25th, 2002, 12:40 AM	#1
David Mesloh Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	quiet audio I recently worked on a project where I was using a Senn ME66 shotgun mike with the K6 capsule. I was using it with an MA-100 and the mike was on a boom about 3 feet above the actors. If I play back the sound direct from the XL-1 it sounds great. Little or no background noise, good volume, etc. When I get to Premiere the sound is barely audible even with the gain and mixer at max. Ideas? Also when I was shooting I found that I had to turn the dials to max and the headphone monitor to max just to hear what I was shooting. i gotta be missing something. David

April 5th, 2002, 02:47 AM	#5
Adam Wakely Quantum Productions Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada Posts: 161	I had the same problems as well. New headphones made the difference. Some need alot of power to drive them and some don't. Just test them out when you buy them and get a set that sounds the loudest. I use my headphone volume at the half way mark! It's almost too loud some times. They also block out surrounding sounds as well. __________________ Adam Wakely, Quantum Productions

March 25th, 2002, 03:57 PM	#2
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	I experience the same "lack" of volume from my headphone out as well! What's the deal with that anyway?

March 25th, 2002, 07:23 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Did you set the Audio 1 inputs to operate at MIC level? (You do this from the menu.) The input may default to consumer line level input, which is about 45 dB below MIC level and 25 dB below MIC ATT20 level. You should see the audio level peaking around the -6 or so level on the XL1 VU meter. Some headphones are not very sensitive, and the XL1 cannot drive them adequately even with normal recorded sound levels. If the meter levels are normal, you should to check the headphone specifications.

March 25th, 2002, 08:55 PM	#4
David Mesloh Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	After I posted this thread I had this stupid suspicion that I set for line and not mic. Freekin'.......duh. Now my brain hurts. Oh well....pays to make yourself a little checklist. Also I read in another thread that some headphones need serious power to work well. Since the XL-1 isn't like a stereo amplifier I can see that could be a problem. Thanks guys. David