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Distorted audio
Hi all
This might be a general sound question really. I have an HVX200 and a fresh out of the box HPX301. I have a Rode NTG-2 mic on the 200 and the 301 came with a Rode NTG-1.
I discovered while filming a band – about 30 feet from the speaker stack – that despite audio levels peaking around -12db, the sound was incredibly distorted and the other channel which was set to the internal microphone was spot on.
I used the HPX301 in similar circumstances and even when I was around 150 feet from the stage, the mic was still distorting even when I turned the levels right down. The audio channels were set in the menu to the -60db pad.
Do I need to put an attenuating pad on the mic or are the Rode mics not really up to the job? Or am I expecting too much in these circumstances? I don’t see how really.
I’d appreciate any input as I will be doing lots of filming of bands in this situation, to be used as footage to hang an interview on only and where a feed from the sound desk is not feasible.
Many thanks in advance.
John McKeown
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3 Replies
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[John McKeown] “other channel which was set to the internal microphone was spot on”
If this was spot on, why not use it? Not sure a shotgun mic is a smart choice for what you are trying to get. I have never heard anything worth a damn from any open mic, a feed from the FOH is the only way to get decent audio IMO. Understand that you cannot always get it, I would think less directional would be better. -
If you want to use the Rode mics you need a pad. They’re overloading the input amp stage before the level controls which is why the sound is clipped even though your levels look good. Some devices are more susceptible to this type of distortion than others. The BVW35 Beta SP deck was famous for an overly sensitive front end. If the gain controls had to be turned below half way to get a proper level on its meters distortion was likely.
John
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Thanks John and thanks Michael for your input.
I will definitely be putting a pad on the Rode on the HPX301 as this doesn’t have the benefit of having a built-in mic to rely on as with the HVX200 – I’m just glad I wasn’t missing something else.
Cheers
John
John McKeown
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