Topic: AT822 distorts...

[buddyboy101]

Hey everyone!  I finally picked up at an AT822 to record loud indoor rock shows to my Canon camcorder.  I tried it out for my first last night.  It sounds pretty good but the sound is noticeably distorted especially when I'm near the amps (i.e. it's overloaded). 

Besides moving away from the amp, is there any way to kill this distortion?  I adjusted the audio level on my camera to a pretty low level (about 25% sensitive).  I might try using the Shure EA650 to control the input level (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=478645&is=REG&addedTroughType=search).

Any other ideas?  Is it normal for the AT822 to not handle concerts very well?  Thanks!

[Shawn]

the at822 should be able to handle normal concert conditions. A friend of mine has been taping concerts with one for years and makes pretty decent tapes with it. That's not to say you won't expereince some distotion at really loud shows if you move right next to the stacks, but in normal conditions distotion should not be a factor. I don't know anything about recording audio onto a camcorder, but you might try turning the sensitity on the camera down even further... maybe that will help.

[buddyboy101]

the at822 should be able to handle normal concert conditions. A friend of mine has been taping concerts with one for years and makes pretty decent tapes with it. That's not to say you won't expereince some distotion at really loud shows if you move right next to the stacks, but in normal conditions distotion should not be a factor. I don't know anything about recording audio onto a camcorder, but you might try turning the sensitity on the camera down even further... maybe that will help.

cool man, thanks.  i will try lowering the sensitivity even further and see what happens

[poorlyconditioned]

I've recorded some pretty loud shows too.

This is a great "point and shoot" mic.   Highly recommended.

  Richard

[buddyboy101]

I've recorded some pretty loud shows too.

This is a great "point and shoot" mic.   Highly recommended.

  Richard

have u ever had it distort/overload when you're close-up?

[poorlyconditioned]

I've recorded some pretty loud shows too.

This is a great "point and shoot" mic.   Highly recommended.

  Richard

have u ever had it distort/overload when you're close-up?

No, but I'm not *that* close.  This thing is setup for "three wire" powering internally, so I don't expect it to overload very easily.

  Richard

[buddyboy101]

well if it makes any difference, i am going into a camcorder.  so maybe it's the camcorder that can't handle the signal.

do ya'll think an attenuator would do the trick?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=68085&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

[poorlyconditioned]

well if it makes any difference, i am going into a camcorder.  so maybe it's the camcorder that can't handle the signal.

do ya'll think an attenuator would do the trick?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=68085&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The output of the AT822 is an XLR plug, but it is *not* the standard (balanced) wiring.  Be careful pluggin the AT822 XLR into anything besides the supplied "break out" cable.

If you want to use that attenuator, you'll need two of them.  So the cable would go like:
AT822 > at "breakout" cable, single XLR-F to dual XLR-M > dual attenuators >? camera

You'll need something to plug into the camera as well.

Hmm.  You might want to look at:
  http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2s.html
There are lots of variations, with and without preamps.  I think all you need is a hardware connection (dual-XLR) to camcorder (miniplug), and one that has an attenuator.

Note: I have not used any of these products.  I have not even connected audio to my camcorder.

  Richard

[guysonic]

Manual specs AT822 to handle up to 125 dB SPL, so likely good for not too very loud bass pop/rock, and not for being very close to PA speakers.  Camcorders without LINE level input mode usually will bass-clip-distort using this type of mic.

Using a 10-15 dB attenuator in-line with the external mic usually eliminates the camera input clipping.

NOTE: Most non-professional camcorders lock out audio line level mode when using as a camera, but allow line inputs to function in VCR recording mode only.  This situation is changing with recent >$2000-<$4000 High-Definition camera models with both MIC/LINE camera mode inputs, and having manual REC level adjustment with VU meter display. 

Audio recording quality on most camcorders is not nearly as good as with a dedicated semi-professional (read moderate cost) digital audio deck, but Panasonic cameras seem much better than most in this regard.

[tfs8271]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=68085&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

DO these work good? Is it of high quality? I need to look at something like this from a hot SBD feed on occassion.

[guysonic]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=68085&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

DO these work good? Is it of high quality? I need to look at something like this from a hot SBD feed on occassion.

No personal experience, but seem like a good product with all the right ATTEN numbers to try out.

[buddyboy101]

I also found this attenuator cable:
http://www.core-sound.com/attenuator-cables/1.php

It comes in 11db and 20db flavors. Which would you recommend?

Also, setup would like this:
MIC --- XLR/mini cable --- mini/mini attenuator --- Camcorder

Is this acceptable?

[guysonic]

I also found this attenuator cable:
http://www.core-sound.com/attenuator-cables/1.php

It comes in 11db and 20db flavors. Which would you recommend?

Also, setup would like this:
MIC --- XLR/mini cable --- mini/mini attenuator --- Camcorder

Is this acceptable?

Core's version might work OK, but first referenced AT product has higher quality XLR mic/cable connector and LO-Z in/output matched to your mic.  So AT product seems best suited at least for your mic.

Only shortcoming is the additional length added to the back of the microphone.  Placing the attenuator in-between the mic and the deck using two short connecting cables at least restores the mic to be the same length during use.

While you can take a chance, Core's product may not work equally well with different input/output impedance like low-Z AT product, straight Core mini-plug, like most straight plugs, easily places damaging strain on minijack inputs to break them (better to use low profile molded right angle plugs).

Tapers should consider the fact that  Core's 3.5mm plug is known to be 'non-standard' dimensions that's a bit larger diameter type with ring section not precisely flush with edge of tip/sleeve.  As such, this particular plug force wears out jacks much faster than standard size plugs (as related from experienced Core customers using these gold plated over brass plugs).   

BTW, most reliable/professional gold plated connectors have 'gold-over-nickel' plating on top of brass base metal.  This is discussed on my tips page at: www.sonicstudios.com/tips.htm#gold

[poorlyconditioned]

I also found this attenuator cable:
http://www.core-sound.com/attenuator-cables/1.php

It comes in 11db and 20db flavors. Which would you recommend?

Also, setup would like this:
MIC --- XLR/mini cable --- mini/mini attenuator --- Camcorder

Is this acceptable?

Core's version might work OK, but first referenced AT product has higher quality XLR mic/cable connector and LO-Z in/output matched to your mic.  So AT product seems best suited at least for your mic.

Only shortcoming is the additional length added to the back of the microphone.  Placing the attenuator in-between the mic and the deck using two short connecting cables at least restores the mic to be the same length during use.

While you can take a chance, Core's product may not work equally well with different input/output impedance like low-Z AT product, straight Core mini-plug, like most straight plugs, easily places damaging strain on minijack inputs to break them (better to use low profile molded right angle plugs).

Tapers should consider the fact that  Core's 3.5mm plug is known to be 'non-standard' dimensions that's a bit larger diameter type with ring section not precisely flush with edge of tip/sleeve.  As such, this particular plug force wears out jacks much faster than standard size plugs (as related from experienced Core customers using these gold plated over brass plugs).   

BTW, most reliable/professional gold plated connectors have 'gold-over-nickel' plating on top of brass base metal.  This is discussed on my tips page at: www.sonicstudios.com/tips.htm#gold

Dear Guy,

I don't know about this issue, but your "tips" have helped me in other cases, like understanding the mic/line levels in the Edirol R09.  Thanks for this info...

  Richard

[buddyboy101]

guysonic, you rock, thanks for the info!