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To Split or Not to Split?
I have a question about shooting a podium speech and the philosophy of backing up the audio by splitting the channels between the wireless and natural audio. Should I split or keep audio input 2 on both channels recording it stereo?
Steve
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5 Replies
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Definitely split- stereo does nothing for you with voices.
Noah
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That’s the way I am used to shooting. Thanks for confirming this.
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It’s true, there is nothing to be gained by recording a voice in stereo, since it’s a mono source. However, if it’s a podium speech, and it’s a live thing with no chance of a re-shoot, then here’s something to consider. If you’re using the DVX100, you can plug the microphone into the mic2 input, and record it to both channels. The benefit is not to get a stereo recording. It’s to get a SAFETY recording. It’s common in documentary shooting to record the same input to both channels, but to record 1 channel 3db down from the other. That way, if your main channel overmodulates, you have a back-up. I suggest this, because after 15 years as an audio engineer, I can tell you definitively that camera mic audio is USELESS. If you have to resort to using the sound from the camera mic, you have a BIG problem. I’m actually shooting a bunch of speeches tomorrow, and I’ll be doing the 3db down thing. Good Luck.
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That’s a very good point. One that gets by most people. That also helps in some cases where you might have momentary drop out.
Also, if you don’t have a mixer with a good limiter, set the reccord levels with one slightly lower than the other. That way, if you get a momentary peak that crashes the first channel, you MIGHT have it on the second channel.
Regards,
Ty Ford
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Thanks.
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