[Matt Campbell]

Ok Ty, I’ve just tried everything you mentioned. Mic input into mixer, 2 XLRs out from mixer and into camera. 1/8″ headphone jack from camera to TAPE RTN on mixer. Everything sounded good and normal. But the kicker is that it didn’t sound any different than the original set up I used, with only 1 xlr going to camera. That way I was able to turn 1 ch down and 1 ch up in case one was hot in post. This was I was recording to both ch’s at the same level. I’m sorry this is all getting to be a bit much and over my head. I just can’t comprehend all this. I just don’t fully understand the connections.

No matter what connection set up I use, its like the camera audio dials are the end all be all. Am I not able to turn 1 ch up and 1 ch down on the mixer? The ch 2 dial on mixer does diddly squat. Maybe I’ll ask one of our vendors to just show me the set up. I’m more of a visual learner anyway.

thx again.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Oh, I now see what the TAPE RTN is for. Duh. So the way I have it set up is monitoring the incoming mic audio vs. your method monitors the mic audio but through the camera. Sound right? One thing though, our 1/8″ jack on the camera is spotty at best. We need to send it in for repairs. You have to wiggle the jack to get it to work and even then your lucky if you do. So I think, as long as it works, I’ll have to stick with the set up I’m using. Does that sound about right? I mean, it works, but probably not ideal according to your recommend above, to create that loop with the TAPE RTN.

I guess as long as I’m seeing the meters on the camera bounce I SHOULD be ok for now, until we can get that fixed. I can still monitor through the mixer.

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

I would, only I don’t have those clips anymore. Deleted them after we went straight to camera for audio, bypassing the mixer.

However, I just tested everything and it was all good. Here’s my set up. maybe before I missed something on the camera and/or mixer.

Panasonic HVX200 & SD MixPre using the AT mic.

XLR cables. Mic to Input 1 on mixer, output 1 from mixer to input 2 on camera. Input on camera set to Line, not MIC. Audio settings on camera CH1 Select on Input 2, CH 2 Select to Input 2, Input 1 is off, Input 2 is on. Channel dials on camera back are set to channel 1 below middle and channel 2 above middle. I do this so if one channel is too hot I can still use the other channel in FCP.

Mixer has levels set and channel to C. I’m assuming C is for Center from L C R. MixPre runs off 2 batteries power is set to INT and switch to TAPE not RTN.

This test work fine. Not sure how I got those waves before. Maybe bad XLR cable or missed setting. FYI, the waves sounded like a didgeridoo instrument.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

gotcha. thx for the help.

we also have a Sound Devices MixPre compact 2-channel field mixer. but haven’t been using it lately. the last few times we’ve tried using it, we’ve had weird issues. we get what sounds like waves in the line. I’m sure its a setting we’ve missed somewhere but I miss using it. i had the ability to ride levels a bit. tough to do that on camera.

thx again for the help. i’ll keep fine tuning.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

I do this all the time and use ProRes. Works and looks good. Just make sure you keep your frame rates in order.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Might I add, FCP does not add in the proper 3:2 pulldown in the timeline. After Effects can do this. But like Jerry said, keep you 23.98 fps. DVD players will add the pulldown in during playback via hardware. Its very clean. Also, if you output to tape, tape runs at 29.97 so you can add the pulldown in when you print to tape.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks. I’ll try those things. But with which mic. The AT or Senhessier?

Also, I just watched the first clip on your link. That sounds super clear. My audio never sounds that good. Its very dull. The range is low. That is the kind of audio i’d like to get. Can you recommend a particular mic? Maybe like the one from the first post or something better?

Was that recorded with mix you have hanging there or something else? And was that recorded directly in camera?

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

sorry ty. Its a audio technica 4073a.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/422104-REG/Audio_Technica__Deluxe_Shotgun_Microphone_Kit.html

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Well, web and DVD. I can record decent audio but it just doesn’t sound as good as I think it should. When our audio house send us there VOs, there’s and ours are pretty different. I’m hoping I can get them closer. The shotgun mic pics up everything, so we only use that on camera and on boom. The Sennheiser MD 46 gives a lot better sound but still not as good as studio mics or audio from a booth.

So I guess it might be more of a usage thing. My office is in a 15′ x 14′ room with metal corrigated paneling. I usually hang blankets on some of the walls to help reduce vibration and such. With the mic having a smaller cone, I place it almost nose or eye level and slightly off center about 6-12″ from subject.

I’m just not sure if a studio mic (or large Diaphragm Condenser) would be better served for this purpose or if I should stick with what I got. I just don’t know enough about audio.

Also, is the recording process okay. Simply running the mic via XLR into my Mackie 1202 mixer and recording into FCP via the Log and Capture video. Or even in STP. I’m on FCS 2.

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Michael, do you know how I can obtain the SD and HD Norm scene files? In this article I found (link below), and others, it talks about HD Norm being a good standard for HD video and a good starting point. I don’t have those scene files on our camera and I couldn’t find them on Panasonic’s site.

https://www.petergray.org/hvx200.html

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card