A bit long winded (and a bit off topic): please bear with me.
I thought of a way to improve audio for such things as wedding videos (done 2 now, another one coming up). A microphone on the spot is much better than one 20 or more feet away, especially one that also collects motor hum etc.
To that end I thought of getting a small mike situated where the action is and recording the audio on my laptop - via Wave Pad - and matching this up with the video later.
I could also - if I am brave - run the audio direct to the camera - it has a mike socket. (Sony DCR-TRV11E). I had unhappy experiences with a zoom mike mounted on the intelligent hotshoe (unexplained audio dropouts) so I will make darned sure that it works before I commit to this.
So far so good. Got a mike, works fine for both computer and laptop. Sound quality is great. Comes with a 3 metre cable.
Problem: got an 5 metre extension (3.5 mm plug and jack) to enable me to work further back and be in control. As soon as the extension plugs in - to laptop or camera - it produces a nasty static/buzzing sound. The sound still comes through, but the aim of this exercise is to make it better, not worse.
This does NOT happen on the main PC - it works fine with or without the extension. Weird!!!
As I can't carry the PC with me to weddings, does any genius out there know what might be causing interference/noise when the extension is used?
My other option is to park the laptop closer to the action and just set it running - might have to do that.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Audio question
Moderator: Ken Berry
Not sure if this helps, but some folks are using those .mp3 players that have audio recording (like the high-end iRivers). I've read (not experienced it first hand) that the quality is excellent, and you can download the audio recording to your computer via USB2.
I've been thinking of giving the .mp3 player a try -- just haven't actually done the research on which .mp3 player would work best (in terms of power requirements, recording duration, quality, and ease/speed of transfer to computer).
I've been thinking of giving the .mp3 player a try -- just haven't actually done the research on which .mp3 player would work best (in terms of power requirements, recording duration, quality, and ease/speed of transfer to computer).
George
Your extension cable may be unshielded. You need to make sure that the extension is made for microphone or line-level use. (A speaker extension won't be shieded.)
The difference between the computer & camera might be impedence. A higher impedence will allow more noise to creap-in. But, if the impedence gets too low (depends on the mic specs) the mic can't "drive" the input.
Five meters might be getting too long for this type of mic... Pro's use low-impedence "balanced" mics. These have 2 signal wires plus a shield. With that type of set-up, you can easily go 15 meters or more. Some higher-end "prosumer" cameras have the required 3-pin "XLR" mic connectors.
This is essentially the same as placing the laptop near the mic... but, another option is to use a mixer connected to the mic with a short cable. Even if you don't use it to "mix", it will boost the level about 10X (form mic-level to line-level). This gives you a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and the mixer's low-impedence output will also reduce noise pick-up. Your camera may not have the proper high-level input, but hopefully your laptop does have an AUX or LINE input.
Another way to get a strong signal is with a wireless set-up. Again the signal will be boosted near the mic, before it's transmitted.
Audio is tough. Movies used to be shot in soundproof sound-stages. Of course they can get the mic fairly close (on a boom) and they can say "Quiet Please".
Now, I think it's very common to re-record all of the dialog in a recording studio. I think viewers are generally more tolerant of recorded background noise than constant "buzz" or other defects introduced by the equipment. And, we are used-to sudden visual scene-changes, but sudden sound-changes are distracting.
The difference between the computer & camera might be impedence. A higher impedence will allow more noise to creap-in. But, if the impedence gets too low (depends on the mic specs) the mic can't "drive" the input.
Five meters might be getting too long for this type of mic... Pro's use low-impedence "balanced" mics. These have 2 signal wires plus a shield. With that type of set-up, you can easily go 15 meters or more. Some higher-end "prosumer" cameras have the required 3-pin "XLR" mic connectors.
This is essentially the same as placing the laptop near the mic... but, another option is to use a mixer connected to the mic with a short cable. Even if you don't use it to "mix", it will boost the level about 10X (form mic-level to line-level). This gives you a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and the mixer's low-impedence output will also reduce noise pick-up. Your camera may not have the proper high-level input, but hopefully your laptop does have an AUX or LINE input.
Another way to get a strong signal is with a wireless set-up. Again the signal will be boosted near the mic, before it's transmitted.
Audio is tough. Movies used to be shot in soundproof sound-stages. Of course they can get the mic fairly close (on a boom) and they can say "Quiet Please".
Now, I think it's very common to re-record all of the dialog in a recording studio. I think viewers are generally more tolerant of recorded background noise than constant "buzz" or other defects introduced by the equipment. And, we are used-to sudden visual scene-changes, but sudden sound-changes are distracting.-
PeterMilliken
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:03 pm
- Location: Sydney, Australia
One of the Video magazines I have somewhere at home talked about videoing weddings - one of the recommendations was for a wireless sound system (I think they said it was about $2K 
) - you might be able to hire one as well (a lot cheaper for the occasional wedding!). For this kind of price it probably has multiple mikes i.e. one for the celebrant, one for the bride, one for the groom
I started to investigate using an MP3 player for the job as my wife wasn't happy with the idea of spending $2K. Unfortunately, whilst it recorded voice from an internal mike, the only other sound input was a "line input" i.e. I needed to boost the signal from a microphone before the MP3 player could record it. I ended up purchasing a small (size is imperative because the groom has to carry it all!) amplifier (kit) from Dick Smith. The whole setup was a bit bulky but could have fitted into the pocket of groom's jacket - unfortunately I left it all at work on the day of the wedding so just had to make do with my zoom mike (Sennheiser MKE 300) So whilst I have it sort of built up, I have never really tried it out.
But that is probably the biggest problem I foresee going the MP3 player route - of course they are getting smaller, but the small ones probably don't have enough storage capacity and the one's that do i.e. IPod etc are getting up there in terms of bulk - especially if you have to add an external amplifier to boost the microphone signal.
You might also want to search eBay for wireless microphone systems - but certainly look at your local rental companies and see whether anyone carries a wireless system that you could rent for a day or so - and see how it goes
Peter
) - you might be able to hire one as well (a lot cheaper for the occasional wedding!). For this kind of price it probably has multiple mikes i.e. one for the celebrant, one for the bride, one for the groom I started to investigate using an MP3 player for the job as my wife wasn't happy with the idea of spending $2K
. Unfortunately, whilst it recorded voice from an internal mike, the only other sound input was a "line input" i.e. I needed to boost the signal from a microphone before the MP3 player could record it. I ended up purchasing a small (size is imperative because the groom has to carry it all!) amplifier (kit) from Dick Smith. The whole setup was a bit bulky but could have fitted into the pocket of groom's jacket - unfortunately I left it all at work on the day of the wedding so just had to make do with my zoom mike (Sennheiser MKE 300) So whilst I have it sort of built up, I have never really tried it out.But that is probably the biggest problem I foresee going the MP3 player route - of course they are getting smaller, but the small ones probably don't have enough storage capacity and the one's that do i.e. IPod etc are getting up there in terms of bulk - especially if you have to add an external amplifier to boost the microphone signal.
You might also want to search eBay for wireless microphone systems - but certainly look at your local rental companies and see whether anyone carries a wireless system that you could rent for a day or so - and see how it goes
Peter
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rwindeyer
Thanks very much for the input guys!
DVDDoug, you may have hit the nail on the head. The extension is only a "standard" thing and almost certainly not shielded. I'll look tomorrow for something better.
Nice thought about the wireless setup - I don't think I'll even mention spending $2K
I'll report back if I have lots of success..
DVDDoug, you may have hit the nail on the head. The extension is only a "standard" thing and almost certainly not shielded. I'll look tomorrow for something better.
Nice thought about the wireless setup - I don't think I'll even mention spending $2K
I'll report back if I have lots of success..
-
PeterMilliken
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:03 pm
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Ron,
Have a look at what I found on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WIRELESS-MICROPH ... dZViewItem
Obviously you get what you pay for but this makes it clear that there are possibly options that would cost you a lot less than $2K!
Have a look at what I found on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WIRELESS-MICROPH ... dZViewItem
Obviously you get what you pay for but this makes it clear that there are possibly options that would cost you a lot less than $2K!
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rwindeyer
Well I found the problem, after a trip to Harvey Noman, to look for some clever cables. Powered the laptop up to show the salesman the problem, and - of course - the thing worked perfectly!! 
Since then, by elimination, the problem declared itself. If the computer is running on mains power, a microphone by itself is OK, but an extension lead will generate hum. Take away the adaptor, and run on battery power, and I can even plug in two extensions!!
You just have to love computers
Since then, by elimination, the problem declared itself. If the computer is running on mains power, a microphone by itself is OK, but an extension lead will generate hum. Take away the adaptor, and run on battery power, and I can even plug in two extensions!!
You just have to love computers