Audio meter question at DVinfo.net

Kent Beeson · April 8th, 2010, 03:13 PM

I'm using Sennheiser G3 ew 112 wireless with a Countryman B3 mic, rode NTG-1 shotgun. I've set my EX1R audio trim to -44db for both. Got my camera meter dials at 5 each, set audio to ext, manual.

So it sounds OK in the headphones, but I just wonder if -44db is too high or when would we use say -20db or -35db? Is it all dependent on the type of mic? Should I set to manual or auto on back of camera? Any other settings I should deal with given the mics I'm using?

Thanks greatly

K

Allan Black · April 8th, 2010, 07:59 PM

Hi Kent. You can't nominate any trim/dial settings because it depends on how loud your sound source is. It'll always vary so will your settings.

The best thing to do is record some tests making sure you don't record too loud on your EX1R because you can't fix distortion but you can always raise the levels in post.

I don't know that cam but for voice I'd turn on its audio limiters to avoid peak distortion.
Cheers.

Kent Beeson · April 8th, 2010, 08:20 PM

Interesting thought about audio limiter - always thought it best to keep off, but will try it...with my mics I did record a test and -44 trim seems very good, have to only raise it in FCP by maybe 1 or 2 db to get it just right.

Jeff Wallace · April 8th, 2010, 08:56 PM

I use the audio limiter on my Ex1r and it works great. That way if someone starts yelling or talking loud into the mic, the levels won't clip.

April 8th, 2010, 03:13 PM	#1
Kent Beeson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: West Texas Posts: 266	Audio meter question I'm using Sennheiser G3 ew 112 wireless with a Countryman B3 mic, rode NTG-1 shotgun. I've set my EX1R audio trim to -44db for both. Got my camera meter dials at 5 each, set audio to ext, manual. So it sounds OK in the headphones, but I just wonder if -44db is too high or when would we use say -20db or -35db? Is it all dependent on the type of mic? Should I set to manual or auto on back of camera? Any other settings I should deal with given the mics I'm using? Thanks greatly K

April 8th, 2010, 07:59 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Hi Kent. You can't nominate any trim/dial settings because it depends on how loud your sound source is. It'll always vary so will your settings. The best thing to do is record some tests making sure you don't record too loud on your EX1R because you can't fix distortion but you can always raise the levels in post. I don't know that cam but for voice I'd turn on its audio limiters to avoid peak distortion. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

April 8th, 2010, 08:20 PM	#3
Kent Beeson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: West Texas Posts: 266	Interesting thought about audio limiter - always thought it best to keep off, but will try it...with my mics I did record a test and -44 trim seems very good, have to only raise it in FCP by maybe 1 or 2 db to get it just right.

April 8th, 2010, 08:56 PM	#4
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	I use the audio limiter on my Ex1r and it works great. That way if someone starts yelling or talking loud into the mic, the levels won't clip.