Question on Running from Board into Camera

[John Fishback]

You’ve got the right idea. You take a mix from the board and feed it to your camera. The board op should be able to set this up for you. If you have to operate the board and you’re unfamiliar with the process, hire someone. Either way, there are a number of pitfalls to avoid.

Most of the time you’ll receive a LINE LEVEL feed from the board, not MIC LEVEL. Be sure you camera’s audio inputs are set for LINE IN. Also make sure the line level from the board isn’t too hot (loud). Have the board op send you tone at “0.” Adjust your camera’s input so the meter reads “0”.” Now, make sure your volume controls are not turned below the half-way setting. If they are, ask the board op to lower the feed’s level. Then you can turn up your volume controls to “0” again. The purpose here is to make sure the feed audio doesn’t overload the camera’s first audio amplifier that comes before the volume controls.

Another thing that can happen is the board op may not ride gain during the show, so if the performance gets loud the audio could clip (distort) in the camera. So you may have to keep an eye on your levels and adjust them as needed. If the board can run a brickwall limiter on your feed, then the maximum level on the send can be set and you can rest easier.

Hopefully there’s a rehearsal or sound check where you can try all this. If it’s possible, ask the performers to do the loudest portion of the show. That way you’ll know for sure.

John

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[Jared Smith]

thanks for the help… just a few more questions for you:
1. first of all, is an xlr the only cable i will need for this?
2. how will i know if it is a mic or line level output from the board?
There actually won’t be a rehearsal, of course! So, if i can go in as prepared as possible that would be outstanding!!!
once again,
I appreciate it so much
jared

[John Fishback]

1) Most professional boards will have XLRs. However, it might have a 1/4″ jack. Check with the PA person to find out or bring a phone plug to XLR adapter. If it is a phone plug make sure it’s a balanced connection or you might pick up hum.

2) It’s most likely line level. But, ask the board op to be sure. After you have hooked up the feed to your camera with line inputs selected, if you hear no or very low audio, it may be mic level. Then, switch the inputs to mic level and see what you have. If you still have a problem, it’s probably the cable.

In any case, always record some audio and play it back and listen carefully. During the ceremony, it will be too late to make major adjustments. Request some kind of sound check. I can’t believe the people handling the PA won’t be doing checks. Be there when they do, record their sound check and make sure your audio is good.

Again, if you can find a more experienced audio person, even if only to help with the hook up, it might save you a lot of trouble.

John

MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.5 QT7.5.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870
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24″ TV-Logic Monitor
Final Cut Studio 2 (up to date)

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[Jordan Wolf]

Jared,

As a live sound guy and a broadcasting major, I see this all the time.

First: are you going to run off of battery power the entire time? If not, one of the FIRST things you must do is talk to the mixer and let him know you want to plug into his AC power. If he’she knows their stuff, they’ll understand and will let you; if they don’t, kindly explain that this will keep any AC grounding issues to a minimum since you will be on the same circuit as the other audio gear.

Second: You will most likely get a feed from an Aux Send or a Matrix. If you get one from an Aux Send, the mixer can determine just how much of each individual vocal/instrument, etc. you are getting. This takes time to dial in and if something on stage gets louder, it might impact your mix more noticeably than if you were given a Matrix feed.

Third: Don’t expect that the audio person will have the cabling that you need. Bring everything you think you will need, toss it in a gig bag; if you need it, it’s there. I would go out and buy some of the following cables:
2 XLR(M)-TRS
2 XLR(F)-TRS
2 XLR(F)-XLR(F)
2 XLR(M)-XLR(M)

Having those will be a great investment. They don’t have to be long (no more than 12″). If you know how to solder you could just make your own.

Wolf
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[Ty Ford]

All extremely excellent advice.

I like the idea of a good audio tech with his/her own mixer and bag of tricks.

The mixer I use, Sound Devices 442, has come in very handy for jobs like this where you don’t really know what to expect.

I’ve been told the XLR feed is line level. Um, well no, it isn’t. It’s closer to mic, but higher. The input and outputs of the 442 are extremely adjustable and both inputs and outputs have limiters.

I run my 442 with an external battery so I don’t need to plug into AC, thus bypassing most of the ground loop problems.

During the show, with a mixer I can adjust levels to feed the camera continuously. It’s always needed. Always.

Regards,

Ty Ford

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[Jared Smith]

hey guys,
finally got in touch with the sound guy and here is what he said… could someone tell me what i need to buy (and again i apologize for my lack of knowledge)… here is his email:
“I think that the sound board they connect probably has 1/4″ outs, which would need an adapter from 1/4″ to XLR, if that’s what they need.”
So I will bring XLRs for sure in hopes that he is wrong with his guess, but if he is right what should I go buy between now and then (then means Saturday)…
thanks so much
jared

[Jared Smith]

got one at radio shack…

[John Fishback]

The board output may be unbalanced in which case you’d use a 1/4″ plug divided in two sections (tip & sleeve), or it’s hopefully balanced in which case the 1/4 plug should have 3 sections (tip, ring & sleeve). These three sections correspond to the three pins of the XLR. If you use the wrong adapter you will either get hum or the audio will sound thin and tinny. Get the other type of adapter, too. It’s best to be prepared.

John

MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.5 QT7.5.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870
ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE Enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
24″ TV-Logic Monitor
Final Cut Studio 2 (up to date)

Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[Jared Smith]

thanks again… so you’re saying buy:
1. tip and sleeve adapter
2. and a tip, sleeve, and ring adapter
is that right?

[Jared Smith]

would a direct box be a better buy?