Sound Sync Testing (forget the mini-disc)

[Konton]

Well after my experince on Sunday I'm in full agreement that a Sony Mini-Disc is not the way to for recording audio.

On Sunday I tried my test with a Sony Mini-Disc, an old lavaliere mic connected to the left channel of audio, and the unmodified flash contact on my right channel.

Now maybe it was because the lavaliere had no phamtom power to boost the signal, but the flash contact was LOUD! Much louder than the audio I was getting from the lavaliere. I tried to manually lower the audio levels, but I forget how to on a Sony mini-disc.

Knowing how to control the gain is important. In fact, now more than ever do I agree that having seprate inputs for each channel of audio AND a way to manually contol the gain is important. I don't think most mini-discs have either option.

The reason for the seprate inputs is because the flash contact noise did in fact bleed into the other track of audio. This is probably due to the fact it was an electric bust on the same cable. I don't know really. But the point is I got bleeding onto the other track, making it useless.

Anyway if someone has a way to digitally record the audio on seprate tracks with seprate inputs and a way to control the gain seprately, I'd like to know how testing works out for you.

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Konton the Grey

[Cranium]

Yeah, I was thinking that could be a problem. They share the same ground, and since the contact "audio" is really just the spike in the line itself, it makes sense that it would bleed. Undoubtedly, the BEST way to record is with separate ins and gain controls. Of course, we're trying to look for a cheap(ish) and easy way.



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Mikel Z

[#Pedro]

I just shown you the way with a very simple to built 1000 Hz interface (only one chip!) AND gain control for mic or line inputs, easy to adjust in a way to achieve 0 dB for the sync track. Only try it out, it?s far under $10.

For me it?s very clear, that the most simple way to connect a primitive INTERRUPTER to an AUDIO input cannot work sufficiently.
AT LEAST there should be a voltage source of about 1 V be present that is switched with the interrupter, to create a spike seria. The common ground is no prob with proper signal.

But anyway, you are feeding a sensibel miniature audio system with switched NOISE that may result in digital distortions, that, other than analouge distortions, waste the audio totally.

I?m shure that MD theoretiacally works when feeded in the appropriated way. But I am not willing to buy one only for making that test. I think the way MD is designed, tiny buttons, LCD displays with menue structure, no big gain knob and no VU-meter, only stereo jacks as input.... IT`S NOTHING BUT A CONSUMER TOY DEVICE FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC, BUT NOT FOR SERIOUS AND SECURE RECORDING IN THE FIELD. Very differnt to a pro walkman with 100 dB chanel separation for the sync track.

Pedro

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[Konton]

Yeah ... oh well ... I have a Nagra 4.2L at home that is crystal sync with an internal resolver and 2 universal pre-amps. Now that's no toy. So I guess I'll be buying a digital-to-pilotone converter for it since I want to use more than one camera.

Does anyone else here own a digital-to-pilotone converter from The Film Group? I know people have suggested them here, but I'm curious to here the experience someone has had using it.

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Konton the Grey

[rollemfilm]

i've posted many warnings about the "consumer" mini-disk. it's not so much the "mini-disk" or "cassette", it's the features of a recorder. i have a marantz mini-disk that has xlr inputs and all the other "pro" features you need for good audio. you may want to try to use a mixer with your recorder.

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[tim.callaghan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>you may want to try to use a mixer with your recorder.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Or a XLR box (like a beachtek/glensound) if you use one with a DV camcorder. Will do the same job.

Tim



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[crimsonson]

yes, though I would not recommend consumer MD for sync sound, why are you sending the flash contact noise in the other channel? Are you editing using a NLE. If yes, then just stretch or shrink audio to a slate sound.



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[mattias]

> just stretch or shrink audio to a slate sound.

that takes longer and doesn't always work.

/matt

[crimsonson]

Agree with you Mattias but its better than a bleeding burst

Anyway, he should check first how much drift his cam does. Maybe he is one of the luck ones that has a cam that drifts at worst 1 frame per second per 50ft cart.
If I remember correctly, Mattias, you are one of those people. Your cam barely drifts. So this MD workaround is perfect for you also

Though this workaround is still a workaround and not a true solution. It can also be unpredictable depending on the mood of your cam.

If you are serious for sync sound- Get a 6080 and pay the $500 (+ sound gear). you can shoot sync sound till your trigger finger hurts.



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