naturerecordists
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Quality sound from digital video cameras

Subject: Re: Quality sound from digital video cameras
From: Rob Danielson <>
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 08:44:05 -0600
At 6:57 AM -0500 3/1/06, Marc Myers wrote:

<snip>

>  you are better off
>recording audio on manual using the line input and controlling the sound
>with a good quality preamp like the Soundcraft or Beachtec products.
>These portable preamps also offer phantom power, a real advantage.
>>

Hi Marc--
I've also been surprised by the poor noise performance of some of the 
Sony camcorder mic pres-- especially with the older, VX-2000 model. 
Yet, the engineers at Sony built high quality into their very 
inexpensive HiMD audio recorders showing there are  factors beyond 
price paid.  I've  been surprised at both good and poor results with 
Panasonic and JVC camcorders so I'm not not ready to make 
generalizations about pre quality being better with certain brand 
names. The specs on the newer model Beachtek preamp I was looking at 
the other day seemed quite noisy, no better than -100dB signal to 
noise as I recall. I believe the most popular  Beachtec unit (for XLR 
balanced->unbalanced stereo miniplug applications)  uses the ~1.7 
volts from the camcorder's power in plug (PIP)-- a tall order in 
delivering adequate, steady power. We have about six of these which 
we are now replacing with Rolls BP-244 units.  If one has phantom 
mics with low self noise, using an Art Phantom II or Rolls PB244 for 
phantom portable powering, one should be able to obtain quality 
matching that of all but the most expensive portable pres. That's 
where I'd start if trying coax better audio performance out of one's 
camcorder-- but, as usual, one must invest first in low noise mics, 
about 14dBA self noise might be a good target.  Rob D


>
>>
>>  Is it possible to record high quality sound from the
>>  newer 16-bit digital video cameras?
>>
>>  I recorded this with a Panasonic DVX-100A using the
>>  stock microphone. The audio is uncompressed, exported
>>  from Final Cut Pro.
>>
>>  http://www.jake-richardson.com/videotest.htm
>>
>>  Jake r.
>  >
>  >


-- 
Rob Danielson
Film Department
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the naturerecordists mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU