PART 9: SOUND

It is quite easy to concentrate so hard on getting the pictures right that you end up forgetting about the sound. Remember no matter how exciting the pictures are if there is no accompanying sound the impact will be lost.

MICROPHONE INPUTS

The camera comes with one microphone. But, it is possible to plug in two microphones into this camera. The two microphones can be recorded on the two separate sound tracks simultaneously. They are plugged into the microphone sockets behind the input selector console.

On the other side of the sockets is a bank of switches. This table is supposed to represent each switch position and explain what it is for...

INPUT 1	INPUT 1	INPUT 1	INPUT 2	INPUT 2
REC CH SELECT	INPUT LEVEL	+48v	INPUT LEVEL	+48v
CH1+ CH2 = the mic plugged into CH1 will be recorded on to BOTH CHANNELS	LINE = The input into CH1 is NOT a microphone. It is a higher level source coming in at 0dB	ON = power will be supplied to the microphone (so, no need for a battery)	LINE = The input into CH1 is NOT a microphone. It is a higher level source coming in at 0dB	ON = power will be supplied to the microphone (so, no need for a battery)
CH1 = the mic plugged into CH1 will be recorded on CH1 ONLY	MIC = The input into CH1 is a microphone. The mic level is coming in at around –60dB	OFF = no power is supplied to the microphone.	MIC = The input into CH1 is a microphone. The mic level is coming in at around –60dB	OFF = no power is supplied to the microphone.
	MIC ATT= The input into CH1 is a high level microphone (or other source). The attenuation will cut the level by 20dB		MIC ATT= The input into CH1 is a high level microphone (or other source). The attenuation will cut the level by 20dB
INPUT 1	INPUT 1	INPUT 1	INPUT 2	INPUT 2

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SOUND LEVELS

The recorded sound can be adjusted by the AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL (AGC) to a predetermined level. But, AGC does have problems - if your subject is talking - the level will be set by the camera, when they stop talking the camera will then raise the background sound level. This raising and lowering of the background sound every time your subject stops then starts talking is called pumping and it is at its most objectionable when the background sound is noisy e.g. a crowd at a football match or by a busy road. You will have more control over sound levels if you adjust them manually.

First you must go into the menus...

Switch the camera on
Press the MENU button
Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial until the CASSETTE icon is highlighted
Push the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial in to select the CASSETTE sub menu
Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial until the words AUDIO SET is highlighted
Push the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial in to select the AUDIO SET options
choose either AGC CH1 - OFF
Push the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial in to select the mode option
REPEAT FOR AGC CH2 - OFF
You have now selected manual sound
Next select MAN GAIN ….. SEPARATE (to enabled each channel to be adjusted separately)

To adjust the sound levels….

Press the silver AUDIO LEVEL button. The viewfinder/LCD will show the recording levels.
You can adjust the incoming sound levels using the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
Use the headphones – (the headphone own volume level can be adjusted using the controls on the edge of the LCD screen.)
Peak levels should not exceed minus 3dB voice levels should be around minus 20dB
Generally, it is better to record slightly too low than way too high.

To clear the display (so you can see your shot!) just press the silver AUDIO LEVEL button.

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HINTS AND TIPS

Use headphones. It is the only way of really knowing if the sound is being recorded at the right level/any level!.
Get the microphone as close as possible to the sound source - this may mean the microphone will be in shot.
If you have time, at each location record 30 seconds of 'atmos' i.e. the natural background sounds of the location.
If you must record in a noisy area (e.g. beside a busy road or in a factory) make sure you have a shot of the source of the noise. Viewers will put up loud background noise if they know where the sound is coming from.
When working outdoors on a windy day use a wind gag over the microphone to reduce wind noise.

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The sound facilities on this camera are a vast improvement on the old VX1000. However there were reported sound problems in the first batch of cameras produced. If you want to know more go to...

THE LATEST NEWS ON THE HISS PROBLEM

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Move on to...: Part 10: LIGHTING
Or back to...: Part 8: TIME CODE

Christina Fox