Last month I sent my CA-11 mics in for repairs and since then I've attended a few local concerts where I've been able to bring in my Rode Videomic to record audio into my Edirol R-09HR while I shoot video on my SLR.
I'm not happy with the audio quality I'm getting back. The shows I go to are either rock bands or DJs at night clubs so the shows are pretty loud with lots of bass. I have my Rode Videomic set with the -20db pad and also the high-pass filter on. This is the same setup I use on the mic when I have it plugged into my Canon camcorder and audio on the camcorder always came out clean... but on the R-09HR the audio has good levels, but the bass sounds slightly distorted. The Videomic is plugged into the mic connection of the R-09HR. The only reason I did that is because when I have the Videomic plugged into the line side I barely get any levels at all even with the recorder's levels cranked to 80. Even on the mic side I had to crank the recorder's levels to the max 80 to get the levels to show up around -12.
The limiter on the recorder's off, the mic gain switch is set to low, I don't use the low cut on the recorder because of the Videomic's high-pass filter, and plug-in power is off because the Videomic is powered by a 9volt.
What am I doing wrong here?
Do I set the Videomic's pad to -10db or 0db instead of having it at -20db? Do I plug the mic into the line side of the recorder even though it barely registers on the meters even at max levels. Do I continue to plug the mic into the mic side, but run it at 40 and amplify the recording in post?
If you're recording in 24-bit you should not be afraid to get lower levels and having to amplify it all in postprocessing. I had a similar problem with a super-low sensitivity mic a few weeks ago, and I just recorded with the recorder's preamp cranked to its equivalent to your 40 (instead of 80); my levels were reaching -40 or -35 dB maximum. I "+25dB-ed" the signal in post and eventually a clear and loud recording came out. Long live 24 bits :D
By the way, how much does the Rode Videomic weigh? I thought it would be a nice addition to an old videocam I have lying around here, maybe for using it as a secondary backup or something.
The Rode Videomic is a little over 6oz... It's a lot of plastic. It's pretty light. The only drawback is it's bulky size-wise with the suspension system it has. On a camcorder it's not too noticeable, but attached to my SLR it kinda gets in the way. I guess it's why Rode created the Videomic Pro.
Quote from: magmazing on March 03, 2012, 04:31:06 AM
Do I set the Videomic's pad to -10db or 0db instead of having it at -20db? Do I plug the mic into the line side of the recorder even though it barely registers on the meters even at max levels. Do I continue to plug the mic into the mic side, but run it at 40 and amplify the recording in post?
That should definitely help with the level issue...
Quote from: LikeASong on March 06, 2012, 04:14:52 AM
If you're recording in 24-bit you should not be afraid to get lower levels and having to amplify it all in postprocessing. I had a similar problem with a super-low sensitivity mic a few weeks ago, and I just recorded with the recorder's preamp cranked to its equivalent to your 40 (instead of 80); my levels were reaching -40 or -35 dB maximum. I "+25dB-ed" the signal in post and eventually a clear and loud recording came out. Long live 24 bits :D
24 bits is great, but not a magic bullet. Personally, I want to maximize the difference in levels between the system's noise and the stuff I am recording (with a little headroom for safety).
Quote from: aaronji on March 09, 2012, 04:55:32 PM
Quote from: LikeASong on March 06, 2012, 04:14:52 AM
If you're recording in 24-bit you should not be afraid to get lower levels and having to amplify it all in postprocessing. I had a similar problem with a super-low sensitivity mic a few weeks ago, and I just recorded with the recorder's preamp cranked to its equivalent to your 40 (instead of 80); my levels were reaching -40 or -35 dB maximum. I "+25dB-ed" the signal in post and eventually a clear and loud recording came out. Long live 24 bits :D
24 bits is great, but not a magic bullet. Personally, I want to maximize the difference in levels between the system's noise and the stuff I am recording (with a little headroom for safety).
Great answer.