[David C jones]

Hi Tim,

Well, as a production sound mixer AND videographer, I’ll give it to you as good news/bad news: The good news is that the major companies that make wireless systems, Lectrosonics, Zaxcom, Audio Technica, and Sony all have new dual-channel, true diversity, slot receivers, out. That’s where one receiver can receive two independent signals from audio transmitters. The bad news, is that the 3000, like all cameras still only have two audio inputs (three if you count the front mic), even though, they can record up to eight tracks of audio. There was a big discussion on this over on the professional audio forum, too. And no matter what anyone posts here or tells you, there is NO WAY to record more than two totally independent (un-mixed) tracks of audio on any currently produced camera.

[David C jones]

Hi Tim,

Well, as a production sound mixer AND videographer, I’ll give it to you as good news/bad news: The good news is that the major companies that make wireless systems, Lectrosonics, Zaxcom, Audio Technica, and Sony all have new dual-channel, true diversity, slot receivers, out. That’s where one receiver can receive two independent signals from audio transmitters. The bad news, is that the 3000, like all cameras still only have two audio inputs (three if you count the front mic), even though, they can record up to eight tracks of audio. There was a big discussion on this over on the professional audio forum, too. And no matter what anyone posts here or tells you, there is NO WAY to record more than two totally independent (un-mixed) tracks of audio on any currently produced camera.

[David C jones]

Hi Tim,

Well, as a production sound mixer AND videographer, I’ll give it to you as good news/bad news: The good news is that the major companies that make wireless systems, Lectrosonics, Zaxcom, Audio Technica, and Sony all have new dual-channel, true diversity, slot receivers, out. That’s where one receiver can receive two independent signals from audio transmitters. The bad news, is that the 3000, like all cameras still only have two audio inputs (three if you count the front mic), even though, they can record up to eight tracks of audio. There was a big discussion on this over on the professional audio forum, too. And no matter what anyone posts here or tells you, there is NO WAY to record more than two totally independent (un-mixed) tracks of audio on any currently produced camera.

[David C jones]

Hi Ty,

I like your AT-2020 USB test; the mic sounds pretty good but, I wonder how much of it is having/being a good voice talent, and being someone who knows what they’re doing. Based on your results, would you recommend it, and if so, what sould we know about getting the best out of it?

The voiceover I have to record next week, will be at a really small house with low ceilings; plus, I’m bringing sound blankets and c-stands to build some walls if need be. Of course, if things start “going south”, I’ll be on here seeking your advice on this or that :o)

[David C jones]

I once had to mic a woman in an 1800’s dress made out of satan…arrgh!!! The worst stuff on earth for sound. I ended up making a baseball-sized ball of gaffer tape, put the mic in the center so it was sticking out of the top, and mounting it in front. In another period piece I was working on, I mounted (taped) the mic on the inside of the bill of a hat and ran the cable through the actors hair and down his coat. That worked really well.

[David C jones]

Hi James,

This may be a hard question to answer (hence no posts, yet). For one thing, these mics are pretty new. For another, at least at this point, the “studio” guys will probably stick with the way they have been doing it…using a mixer in between the mic and recording device. This means, they probably haven’t used one of the new USB mics, ether. I’m recording a “book-on-tape” next week and I have to do it at the voice talent’s house. I’m using the Audio Technica AT-4050 plugged into my mixer and then plugging the mixer into his computer. This is the first time I’ve done something like this so, we’ll see how it goes…lol. I’m not a huge fan of AT mics but, I know they’re unveiling a new USB mic at NAB. Hopefully someone who’s used a USB mic will post here, soon.

[David C jones]

I haven’t used the new P2’s ether but, I have been doing research into the differences between all the new cameras out there. I recommend checking out the comparson chart at Fletcher Chicago http://www.fletcher.com. It covers every camera from the Panisonic HVX-200 to the ARRI 20D. You’ll find the 900, Varicam, and the 2000 to be pretty much the same in terms of quality. For my projects (documentaries), I’m planning on using the 3000.

[David C jones]

Hi Ty,

This is a great post! It needs to be copy and pasted in several of the other forums. I also find how amazing it is that audio is still the bastard step-child of film making, and video shoots. And, unless you’re shooting a big budget Hollywood blockbuster, fixing IT in post, isn’t an option; more people need to understand that BEFORE they shoot. A cinematographer friend of mine told me about a shoot where the “crew” put a mic on a table in the middle of a room to capture sound. Of course, none of it was usable, but it’s stories like that, that drive me crazy. Just hire a sound guy! Ok, I’m done :o)

[David C jones]

I agree with you; it doesn’t make any sense. But I think you’ll find it’s true. I really don’t understood why Panasonic and Sony make cameras with four channels, but only two inputs! In the days of analog cams, channels 3 & 4 were suppose to give you higher quality audio. But with all this new technology: high-def, hard disk, and digital, we STILL only really have two channels of audio. I hope you prove me wrong, but based on my reading of the instruction manual for the 900, I don’t think what you propose will work.

[David C jones]

I may be wrong about this, but if I understand the 900 correctly: You will still have to assign two mics to channel 1, and two to channel 2 (so that each channel will have two mics “mixed” on it). Channels 3 and 4 are only mirror channels you can’t use them as two seperate “input” channels from 1 and 2. So, in the camera menu you would assign channels 1&3 to the wireless slot, and channels 2&4 to the rear XLR inputs. If I’m wrong about this, hopefully someone else will point me (and you) in the right direction :o)