Using MiniDV cam to capture audio only!!!!
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Posted on Jul 25, 2007 01:44 am
fren hie29
http://www.mpaudiovisual.com
Member Since: Jul 13, 2007
Was wondering if using a mini DV cam would work to capture audio on location???
I am curently using my FA-66 and laptop with Adobe Onlocation and sometimes my sony DAT machine , but I need something that I can move around with and can't afford a field mixer for now, I was thinking about my old JVC DV cam to record audio only, then dump the audio through firewire to my computer for editing and syncing!!!
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Jul 25, 2007 07:43 am Sure, why not? You will get the video too, but you really don't need to dump it to the computer...it'd work...though those camcorders don't exactly have high end mics in them...so the sound may be less than you expect in terms of quality.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jul 25, 2007 10:05 am it will work but it might not be very good...mainly make sure the AGC (Auto Gain Circuit) is off... and then it just depends on what camera it is.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jul 25, 2007 10:19 am The mics on a video cameras typically suck. When recording high SPL's like at a concert you might find the the mic gets overdriven and distorts. Depending on your camera you may be able to add an external mic.
fren hie29http://www.mpaudiovisual.comMember
Since: Jul 13, 2007
Jul 25, 2007 10:25 am I am using a sony shotgun mic can't remember the model number I bought it used a few years ago not a bad mic.
But the thing is I need to go XLR to 3.5 mini.
Jul 25, 2007 10:37 am If you're using one mic with a stereo camera, you'll need a mono-to-stereo adapter at the input, or else you'll only record in the left channel. And remember to use manual level control if possible.
fren hie29http://www.mpaudiovisual.comMember
Since: Jul 13, 2007
Jul 25, 2007 10:42 am I've never used XLR to mini before wich I think is a bad combination. so do guys thing it will sound decent?
Jul 25, 2007 10:47 am Sure, unless it's a condenser mic. Then it would need phantom powering, which would be complicated. But you can get the adapters you need for a dynamic.
fren hie29http://www.mpaudiovisual.comMember
Since: Jul 13, 2007
Jul 25, 2007 11:30 am It takes AA batteries.
so what would be the difference in recordings, between a miniDV cam tape and a DAT tape??
Recording the same source let's say.
Jul 25, 2007 12:10 pm OK, that mic should be fine.
The sound on most MiniDV cameras I've seen is switchable between 12 bit and 16 bit depth. In theory, at 16 bit, the sound can be very good, all depending on the sample rate (which determines the frequency response) and quality of the A/D converters. The manuals of the cheap cameras don't usually give the sample rate, but if it's at 44.1 kHz or better, that's good. To hazard a guess, DAT will be better overall, as most of those machines are designed for hi-fi audio exclusively.
