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Re: Quality sound from digital video cameras

Subject: Re: Quality sound from digital video cameras
From: Marc Myers <>
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2006 17:15:29 -0500
Rob
Four channel, 32 bit recording has been available for some time on some 
professional DV gear, notable Sony DVCam studio recording decks. Not so 
bad actually, when handled with care it is equivalent to FM broadcast. 
Keeping the noise down in the pre is always the concern.

When doing dual system recording, its really tough to have a device 
running "wild" like a HiMD recorder. Syncing sound to video is a real 
nightmare, particularly when the record times are long. There is always 
drift between the two recorders. Some pro audio gear can lock to the 
video's time code. This is often done in larger budget video production 
but it's beyond the capabilities or interest of most enthusiasts 
recording in natural environments.
Marc

Rob Danielson wrote:
> Hi Marc--
> Greg provides a very interesting assessment of the Sony camcorder pre
> weakness. Also encouraging to learn the BBC is behind the mod!
> http://www.gregjwinter.com/modification2.htm. A 13dB lessening of
> noise and increase in headroom seems very substantial. I know a few
> videographers who strap a HiMD and Rolls onto their camcorders for an
> awkward, "double-system" work-around now. Low noise performance in
> camcorders could make one much more interested in the 12bit 4 channel
> recording offered by recent models. Rob D.
> 
> At 7:14 PM -0500 3/1/06, Marc Myers wrote:
>  >Hi Rob
>  >When the Sony DV camcorders were evaluated by the BBC some years ago,
>  >the picture was deemed OK for broadcast but the audio was not. They made
>  >a modification which then require an outboard preamp or mixer. The mod
>  >is available through Greg Winters
>  >http://www.gregjwinter.com/modification2.htm.
>  >The web page explains what's done but once the mod is made you switch to
>  >line in and bypass the audio circuits of the camera almost entirely. If
>  >you are using the VX2000/2100/PD150/170, its the ultimate improvement in
>  >audio.
>  >
>  >You do then need a good preamp or mixer. In practice, the Beachtec is
>  >not horrible. I agree a Rolls or a Soundcraft are better devices.
>  >Marc
>  >
>  >Rob Danielson wrote:
>  >>  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.
>  >---------------------
>  >  >
>  >
>  >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "Microphones are not ears,
> Loudspeakers are not birds,
> A listening room is not nature."
> Klas Strandberg
> 
> 
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