Topic: Distorted audio with mics plugged into camcorder

[ace5gt]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

[F.O.Bean]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

The mics need to be properly powered via a battery box or preamp

[yltfan]

I'm no expert here, but perhaps you'd be better off with a self powered, small stereo mic, like the AT 822.

[ace5gt]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

The mics need to be properly powered via a battery box or preamp

Is there an affordable battery box you recommend?  Small size is a must as well...Crotching a camcorder is difficult enough!

[F.O.Bean]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

The mics need to be properly powered via a battery box or preamp

Is there an affordable battery box you recommend?  Small size is a must as well...Crotching a camcorder is difficult enough!

Church audio battery boxes are like $25 this month I think. Check the retail section!

[Church-Audio]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

The mics need to be properly powered via a battery box or preamp

Is there an affordable battery box you recommend?  Small size is a must as well...Crotching a camcorder is difficult enough!

You actually need to attenuate the hell out of the signal before it gets to a camera mic input. Using my CA-9000 preamp set to 0 db and using the output level control you can attenuate the signal of the mics. A battery box "might" help if this is strictly a low power situation where my mics are not getting enough power to properly operate. Like Bean has mentioned. I would be willing to sell you a battery box if it does not work send it back and get my 9000 preamp I designed it exactly for this type of recording. The preamp does the job of the battery box and attenuate the signal at the same time. One thing for sure is the power from the camera referred to as plug in power is not sufficient to power my mics properly. You can use the dedicated single point camera mics as has been suggested, they will give you varying results from quite good to really bad. And with them the more you spend the better sound you get.

[F.O.Bean]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

The mics need to be properly powered via a battery box or preamp

Is there an affordable battery box you recommend?  Small size is a must as well...Crotching a camcorder is difficult enough!

You actually need to attenuate the hell out of the signal before it gets to a camera mic input. Using my CA-9000 preamp set to 0 db and using the output level control you can attenuate the signal of the mics. A battery box "might" help if this is strictly a low power situation where my mics are not getting enough power to properly operate. Like Bean has mentioned. I would be willing to sell you a battery box if it does not work send it back and get my 9000 preamp I designed it exactly for this type of recording. The preamp does the job of the battery box and attenuate the signal at the same time. One thing for sure is the power from the camera referred to as plug in power is not sufficient to power my mics properly. You can use the dedicated single point camera mics as has been suggested, they will give you varying results from quite good to really bad. And with them the more you spend the better sound you get.

Exactly. I would go with a Church Audio battery box/preamp and it should help. I also think the CA mics sound better than those single point and shoot mics. The single points are a fixed XY config, and I have always hated the XY config for concert recording. just doesn't have enough space to them. They CAN sound good, but I still prefer CA mics

[SparkE!]

I wasn't sure if this topic is best here or in the video section...

I videotaped my first show recently with the following setup:

CA CAF mics > Sony CX580v camcorder with the audio set to "Low Level".

When I got home I was disappointed to find out there was quite a bit of low end distortion on the audio.  What do I need to fix this?

The mics need to be properly powered via a battery box or preamp

Is there an affordable battery box you recommend?  Small size is a must as well...Crotching a camcorder is difficult enough!

You actually need to attenuate the hell out of the signal before it gets to a camera mic input. Using my CA-9000 preamp set to 0 db and using the output level control you can attenuate the signal of the mics. A battery box "might" help if this is strictly a low power situation where my mics are not getting enough power to properly operate. Like Bean has mentioned. I would be willing to sell you a battery box if it does not work send it back and get my 9000 preamp I designed it exactly for this type of recording. The preamp does the job of the battery box and attenuate the signal at the same time. One thing for sure is the power from the camera referred to as plug in power is not sufficient to power my mics properly. You can use the dedicated single point camera mics as has been suggested, they will give you varying results from quite good to really bad. And with them the more you spend the better sound you get.

Exactly. I would go with a Church Audio battery box/preamp and it should help. I also think the CA mics sound better than those single point and shoot mics. The single points are a fixed XY config, and I have always hated the XY config for concert recording. just doesn't have enough space to them. They CAN sound good, but I still prefer CA mics

It's been my experience that you need about 28 dB of attenuation to drop the signal from line level to mic level (assuming that you are starting with a line level signal).  When I'm sending audio to a video camera, I'm also running an audio recording device too.  I usually use a preamp to get the mic signal to line level.  Then I use a cable to split the signal into line level and mic level paths. Essentially, it's a Y cable with 28 dB of attenuation in the signal path that goes to the video camera and no attenuation in the signal path that goes to the audio recording device.

[willndmb]

I use a -20db cable into my camcorder with good results
Mics > lb > camcorder or mics > lb > m10 > camcorder

[shownomarcy]

I always synch my audio rec post to my videos, but once I tried this too:
AT853 > BB > Edirol R-09HR (lin in) > Edirol R-09HR (jack output) > Canon Legria (jack audio input)
used a simple 3,5 jack-jack cable.

I had the audio source in itself and also had already under my video. Result was good.

[fobstl]

As others have said, you need an attenuator cable if you use your current rig or go with Chris' solution. I use this cable with good results:
http://microphonemadness.com/products/mmatatcab.htm

[Church-Audio]

As others have said, you need an attenuator cable if you use your current rig or go with Chris' solution. I use this cable with good results:
http://microphonemadness.com/products/mmatatcab.htm

remember that any attenuation cable MUST be placed after a battery box. If not you will be attenuating more than sound but voltage going to your mics that will actually increase distortion.