external audio monitoring

[Gunleik Groven]

You cannot go wrong with Genelec audio monitors. They’re very good and reliable and used all over broadcast here in Norway at least.

I am quite confused of how to accesss the SDI audio signal and use e.g. an AJA og BM device for audio mix and mastering with or without an external AD/DA.

The audio is embedded in the video signal on the SDI connection, right?

Then what?

Gunleik

[Kim Rowley]

Thanks for your reply. I’ll look into that brand. As for the embedded audio, yes the video and audio all travel down the same cable. I capture through the AJA I/O using the SDI input and can select any of the up to 4 channels of audio recorded on the tape. Same is true for output to tape. I go straight from the AJA I/O into the SDI in of the Digital Betacam deck. I have output up to 4 channels simultaneously from FCP to Digibeta (sometimes we do several language editions of the same show).
Hope this helps.
PS Rome may be similar to Norway at the moment. It’s snowing heavily. Quite a sight!

Dual 2.7 GHz G5, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9650, Xserve RAID, AJA IO, 2 20″ Cinema Display, FCP 5.03, OS X10.4.3

[Paul Ingvarsson]

Hi Kim,

As I understand it (not owning an AJA I/O) you have analogue audio outputs as well as SDI embedded in the Video signal. I would connect these to a PPM meter that as outputs that can drive the imputs to speakers – Genelecs are good albeit expensive if it’s your own money. If you can get a PPM meter that has a volume control switch as well. Just make sure yourself or an engineer calibrates the PPM’s to match your SDI output with a reference tone. Most PPM units have red LED’s to warn of high levels as well – although they do vary depending on the ballistics of the units themselves (ie how quickly they react to short sharp sounds in your mix)

With all this digital audio routing I personally stay away from ‘audio’ mixing desks and would opt for a control surface mixing desk instead. The advantage of this is that your entire audio ‘mix’ would be contained in the FCP project and not rely on you having your desk set up exactly the same way each time you return to the project. The Mackie MCU receives quite a lot of praise and is a control surface mixer.

Paul

[Kim Rowley]

Points well taken. The AJA has both analogue and digital outputs, though currently I’m only using the SDI In and Out. I just saw the Mackie unit you mention this morning on the web. I have to look into further as I think besides the control surface unit I’d still need an amplifier if I don’t have the self powered speaker, right? It’s kinda pricey ($1000 on the B&H website), but may be worth it….
At the risk of sounding publicly really stupid… what exactly is a PPM unit?
Thanks Paul.
kim

Dual 2.7 GHz G5, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9650, Xserve RAID, AJA IO, 2 20″ Cinema Display, FCP 5.03, OS X10.4.3

[Paul Ingvarsson]

Kim,

All about PPM’s – we use them a lot in broadcast in the UK
https://www.murraypro.com/PPM.htm

A real audio mixer won’t provide you with a built in amp. Most Nearfields like the Genelecs are self powered – ie have amps inside them – they also have volume knobs on them if you don’t mind using them – otherwise som ething like this would do:

https://www.colemanaudio.com/swtchr.htm
Check the PS1A

Paul

[Kim Rowley]

Great food for thought, Paul.
Thanks a million.

Kim

Dual 2.7 GHz G5, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9650, Xserve RAID, AJA IO, 2 20″ Cinema Display, FCP 5.03, OS X10.4.3