Field recording audio for XDCAM EX3

[Ron Pestes]

To much hassle for me. I have had nothing but great success with my Sennheiser lav.

Apple Certified Master Pro FCS 2
Sony EX-3
MacBook Pro

[Dean Sensui]

Here’s the setup I’m using:

Two ATW-1800 dual wireless systems to provide four channels of audio. The Audio Technica 1800 systems have proven to be rock solid and durable. Sounds pretty good, too, if they’re set up properly and good mics are used.

Edirol R-44 4-track recorder.

All are powered by an A123 Systems nano-phosphate battery pack that I built.

It records constantly. Both the camera and the recorder are set to time-of-day timecode. I use SequenceLiner with Final Cut Pro to roughly correlate the audio track with the video clips.

Here’s a photo of the recorder system. It’s in a small Pelican case. The four antenna leads are attached to a small antenna mast (just out of frame). If I shut it the system’s weatherproof, although it does get warm in there if it’s not shielded from direct sun.

https://hawaiigoesfishing.com/images/audio_box.jpg

Here’s an example of the results. In post I can mute unwanted tracks or boost desired tracks. Very helpful when everyone is talking simultaneously. The on-camera mic, an AT-4051a, provides a backup and ambient if needed.

https://hawaiigoesfishing.com/shelter2009_silver2.html

This is single-camera coverage, in real-time. Unscripted.

Dean Sensui — Hawaii Goes Fishing

[C. Kauffman]

Honestly I’ve had so much trouble getting decent sound when shooting as a one man band that I’d love to know what you come up with. I don’t know if there’s a problem with the audio system in my EX1 or the Sennheiser G2 wireless system or my Rode N2G shotgun mic, (or all of them) but things always start off sounding fine then a few hours in I get plauged by all sorts of brief hits of static and other problems that I don’t have time to figure out in a doc situation.
On my last job I brought along a Zoom H4 SD recorder set at 48khz and used my old slate as needed, which while not a perfect solution, at least gave me 2 additional tracks as back up for when everything else started acting up. Which it did.
Dean, great set up by the way.
Guess the best solution is convincing the client it’s worth it to hire a sound guy.
PS iPhones and Black Berrys give off a nasty pulsating hit when too close to wires or mics. Don’t ask me how I know

Sony EX1
Canon 5d mark 2
FCP 6.06

[Craig Seeman]

[Chandler Kauffman] ” things always start off sounding fine then a few hours in I get plauged by all sorts of brief hits of static”

I use Sennheiser G2 system. That sounds like a wireless issue. Possibly low battery, bad cable, interference on the frequency you’re using. Check Sennheiser frequency chart if you’re in USA. Also use the scan frequency. RF interference conditions can definitely change throughout the day.

[Chandler Kauffman] “ther problems that I don’t have time to figure out in a doc situation. “

For example?

[Chandler Kauffman] “Guess the best solution is convincing the client it’s worth it to hire a sound guy. “

That always helps unless the size of the crew itself becomes an impediment as might happen in certain doc situations.

[C. Kauffman]

Other issues have been using the G2 wireless and Rode shotgun driving in the middle of the night through a desolate stretch of Long Island (they do still exist apparently) and after about 20 minutes getting a rhythmic pulse of static on the shotgun signal. This was before I had an iPhone but it sounded a lot like the interference I’ve heard from that. Car radio was off, no other RF that I can think of.
Another example was using my Rode as a boom mic armed in over a guy for a talking head kind of thing. The level just progressively died until I barely got anything, including when the interviewee was thrashing on his electric guitar which blew the other mics out. Tested the AA battery and its fine.mics out. Tested the AA battery and its fine.
Do channels 1 and 2 on the EX1 correspond to Audio tracks 1 and 2 in FCP once you’ve begun editing?
True about crew size, but I’ve checked audio going into the camera from the sound guy and it’s always way better than what I get

Sony EX1
Canon 5d mark 2
FCP 6.06

[Chris Eller]

Dean,

That’s a pretty impressive rig you’ve created there, very nice work.

The original poster mentions the EX3 camera specifically; the EX3 does output a genlock and TC-link signal, can receivers like your rig ingest the genlock and TC-link? If so, you’re perfectly in sync when it comes time for post. Since I shoot mostly in 3D, I use the genlock and TC-link capability of the EX3 cameras extensively and it’s a real life saver. If that can also help with off-camera audio, that’s something he should look into.

Thanks for sharing the image and video.

—
Chris Eller
* Advanced Visualization Lab – Indiana University
* Chris Eller Photography, LLC
* Starrynight Productions, Inc.

[Craig Seeman]

[Chandler Kauffman] ” driving in the middle of the night through a desolate stretch of Long Island (they do still exist apparently) and after about 20 minutes getting a rhythmic pulse of static on the shotgun signal.” desolate areas sometimes can be near transmitter sites. I’m not sure how heavily this would impact the shotgun though. GPS maybe but I can’t imagine that being a cause either.

[Chandler Kauffman] “Another example was using my Rode as a boom mic armed in over a guy for a talking head kind of thing. The level just progressively died until I barely got anything,”

This sounds like a power issue. I can’t see the camera preamp being the issue. I’ve seen a little “sluggishness” on the EX’s built in limiter and slow response when changing levels but nothing quite like you describe.

[Chandler Kauffman] “Do channels 1 and 2 on the EX1 correspond to Audio tracks 1 and 2 in FCP once you’ve begun editing? “
They should in the viewer window. Keep in mind it will come in to FCP center panned so that can impact things. I like things panned hard left and right so I know what’s happening in each channel.

[C. Kauffman]

Center panned as in it’s mixing channel 1 and 2?

Sony EX1
Canon 5d mark 2
FCP 6.06

[Dean Sensui]

Can’t be the GPS. It relies on being able to pick up very weak signals, and can’t afford to spew any RF of its own.

If you’re experiencing strange interference on long stretches of desolate road, beware of UFO abductions.

Was the shotgun connected to the wireless transmitter, or was it hardwired into the camera? Seems like you’re experiencing way too many problems, and it’s more than just a wireless issue.

And, yes, certain cell phones can be a serious problem. Some producers will insist that all cell phones be turned off, not just set on silent. I was at a bar where the performer’s PA system was picking up interference from a Nokia phone. It’s a wonder the FCC approves such devices.

Dean Sensui — Hawaii Goes Fishing

[C. Kauffman]

No GPS in the car, the shotgun was hard wired. I think I even tried using the on camera mic and got the same thing. But, whenever I’ve been tethered to a soundguy’s set up everything has been fine.
The dealer I bought the equipment from in NYC mentioned I might “need the mic grounded” which sounded kind of odd to me. Wouldn’t that be something built into the camera, mics etc at the factory?

Sony EX1
Canon 5d mark 2
FCP 6.06