Sony FS-7

Peter Richardson · October 22nd, 2014, 07:37 PM

Hey guys,

Does anyone know if it's possible to record 3 or 4 discrete channels of audio to the new FS7? The configuration I'm interested in is:

1: Camera-mounted Shotgun
2: wireless channel 1
3: wireless channel 3
4: ?

On my old Panasonic Varicam HPX2700 it was possible to have a dual channel slot wireless receiver taking two discrete channels, plus a shotgun up front and 1 additional channel through the rear. Really an amazing audio setup for intimate docu work.

I see on the FS7 that there are two XLR inputs, but ALSO a hot shoe on top that can take one of Sony's proprietary wireless systems. If this could be put onto a discrete third channel that would be amazing.

Anyway, if anyone knows the answer I'd be grateful. And if this is the wrong forum - my apologies!

Thanks,

Peter

Alister Chapman · November 4th, 2014, 01:59 PM

No, I don't think it's possible.

Peter Richardson · November 8th, 2014, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the reply Alister - too bad! I wish more manufacturers, especially of cameras aimed at the documentary market, would take this into consideration as it can make a huge difference in the field.

Peter

Phil Goetz · November 12th, 2014, 10:22 PM

Clips pop up in premiere with 8 tracks of audio... I wasn't recording audio so there was nothing on any of them...

Peter Richardson · November 13th, 2014, 06:38 PM

Thanks Phil -- sounds just like the F55 which also displays 8 channels of audio. I just wonder if it can actually record 4 discrete channels. It really would be amazing if it could, especially for documentary purposes.

Peter

Mike Watson · December 14th, 2014, 10:55 AM

That's the most frustrating - when the camera is recording multiple channels of audio, the camera has multiple audio inputs... but the lines between the two aren't drawn. I agree it'd be a huge get if they could make this happen.

Paul Cronin · December 19th, 2014, 07:16 AM

Peter, my experience with the F55, F800, PMW300 and I think the audio is the same for the FS7 is you can get two discrete channels. Yes, it will show 8 channels but it is not really 8 channels from my experience.

I use four wireless transmitters often with two dual receivers trying to get four channels with one talent on each channel. Each receive is plugged into one of the XLR on the camera sending two channels. What happens is one receiver ends up as channel 1&3 and the other 2&4.

I would be happy to hear if there is a better solution, without additional audio gear?

Daniel Epstein · December 19th, 2014, 08:13 AM

I had asked Juan Martinez of Sony at the recent Javits center show this question and he said the camera only had controls for 2 channels. He implied it was a marketing/design decision. If you want 4 channels of Audio you from Sony then you are looking at the F5/F55. Seemed a bit arbitrary but what can you do.

October 22nd, 2014, 07:37 PM	#1
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? Hey guys, Does anyone know if it's possible to record 3 or 4 discrete channels of audio to the new FS7? The configuration I'm interested in is: 1: Camera-mounted Shotgun 2: wireless channel 1 3: wireless channel 3 4: ? On my old Panasonic Varicam HPX2700 it was possible to have a dual channel slot wireless receiver taking two discrete channels, plus a shotgun up front and 1 additional channel through the rear. Really an amazing audio setup for intimate docu work. I see on the FS7 that there are two XLR inputs, but ALSO a hot shoe on top that can take one of Sony's proprietary wireless systems. If this could be put onto a discrete third channel that would be amazing. Anyway, if anyone knows the answer I'd be grateful. And if this is the wrong forum - my apologies! Thanks, Peter

November 4th, 2014, 01:59 PM	#2
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? No, I don't think it's possible. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

November 8th, 2014, 02:13 PM	#3
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? Thanks for the reply Alister - too bad! I wish more manufacturers, especially of cameras aimed at the documentary market, would take this into consideration as it can make a huge difference in the field. Peter

November 12th, 2014, 10:22 PM	#4
Phil Goetz Austinite Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Austin Posts: 550	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? Clips pop up in premiere with 8 tracks of audio... I wasn't recording audio so there was nothing on any of them...

November 13th, 2014, 06:38 PM	#5
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? Thanks Phil -- sounds just like the F55 which also displays 8 channels of audio. I just wonder if it can actually record 4 discrete channels. It really would be amazing if it could, especially for documentary purposes. Peter

December 14th, 2014, 10:55 AM	#6
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? That's the most frustrating - when the camera is recording multiple channels of audio, the camera has multiple audio inputs... but the lines between the two aren't drawn. I agree it'd be a huge get if they could make this happen.

December 19th, 2014, 07:16 AM	#7
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? Peter, my experience with the F55, F800, PMW300 and I think the audio is the same for the FS7 is you can get two discrete channels. Yes, it will show 8 channels but it is not really 8 channels from my experience. I use four wireless transmitters often with two dual receivers trying to get four channels with one talent on each channel. Each receive is plugged into one of the XLR on the camera sending two channels. What happens is one receiver ends up as channel 1&3 and the other 2&4. I would be happy to hear if there is a better solution, without additional audio gear? __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

December 19th, 2014, 08:13 AM	#8
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Sony FS-7 - 4 Channels of Audio? I had asked Juan Martinez of Sony at the recent Javits center show this question and he said the camera only had controls for 2 channels. He implied it was a marketing/design decision. If you want 4 channels of Audio you from Sony then you are looking at the F5/F55. Seemed a bit arbitrary but what can you do.