[Craig Alan]

How are your finding rx 4 for removing unwanted b.g. noise? Will RX 5 work with FCP X 3?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Did you try Tony’s suggestion above.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Tony,
any features being used in that project that makes it different from the others — a lot of compounded clips or plug ins, color corrected etc.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Ty,
setting the limiter below+20 to +12 makes sense to me. So getting back to my original question:

“I normally run peak levels to -10 to -12 on the mixers and output of the 664.”

are these your peak levels or did you mean +10. If 0 on the mixer is calibrated to -20 on the camera then -12 on the mixer is going to be really low on the camera’s meters.

I set the calibration to 0mixer=-20camera and then aim for 0 +4 +8 on the 302 for peaks depending on how controlled the audio source. On less controlled shoots I aim for 0 peaks on mixer which has a lot of head room on camera if calibrated to -20.

And yes I was one of those Sony PD owners a while back who noticed that before hitting 0 on the camera’s meters it was already distorted. So I aimed for lower levels.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

So you never aim for positive +4 +6 +8 (as peaks) even in controlled conditions?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Richard for this comprehensive response. It’s also my actual practice in that I aim for higher levels only in a controlled environment and in short form films where we can reshoot if something, including audio clipping, takes place. In live events and on location, I aim for 0 on the mixer. I also only aim for -6 on the camera as a peak not as an average. In most cases, this provides enough headroom. And when I think about it, the SD302 is called a “field mixer” not a studio mixer. I also find that monitoring with headphones is of equal importance since even without hitting the limiter, audio can sound sweet or muddy or even distorted.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

unlikely but possible: check the battery contacts and makes sure there is no acid build up. if there is, wipe it clean with a tooth brush or a cleaner like Deoxit D5. Also check cables – a loose connection to the mike or to the recorder can cause drop outs. And always a good idea to have xlr cables ready in case the cordless kits are not working for one of many reasons.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

The lenses you mentioned will cost way more than the 5d. B&h has a three lens kit for 14,000. Check the mm prices you need. The 5d m4 was just released.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

We are using LEDs that were designed to wash the outside walls of buildings in our studio to light the CYC wall. Diffusion needed to be added inside the fixtures. Certainly not humid here. But outside they would be exposed to the elements and they got positive reviews for their original purpose.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Ok just thought maybe there was a way to rig it so it wouldn’t rock. I have an order I’m hoping will be approved that includes a lot of grip equipment including Matthew’s hangers which might be better than whatever brands was installed. Maybe not, but we needed more anyway. Its not a big deal with lighting but I have taken somer shots where the camera is mounted from the grid and hanger and any adjustment to the camera will start the rocking again. Since two identical cams are mounted the remote controls are not an option. I’m just thinking that if I could use a grip head to attach to the hanger to add a different support to the grid it might do the trick.

I appreciate your help and do not take it personal or hear it as flip.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.