There are various other controls for the mic inputs, like the Limiter (best left on) and Wind sens (as low
as possible if shooting outside). It's worth trying out what difference it makes to change the settings, but
only if you have time to absorb the information. Just before a vital shot is not the time!
Monitoring and levels control
You can monitor each track through each side of the headphones, but also by looking at the
Auto Levels
If your levels are set to 'Auto', you won't be able to control them. You can still check up on them by
pressing the 'status check' button at the back of the camera.
Auto level works quite well, in that it more or less eliminates the possibility of distortion occurring.
However- for a scene in which the sound levels go up and down a lot, Auto level may provide some
unwanted effects.
For example, in a dialogue scene the auto levels might cope fine with a character's voice. But when that
character stops talking, the levels may attempt to boost in order to amplify whatever sound exists in the
room. What you intended to be a quiet pause can turn into the magnified sound of the tape running
through the camera as the auto levels attempt to boost up whatever sounds it can get hold of.
This type of thing is unlikely to ruin your footage- the internal sounds of the camera are just not that loud-
but it can create annoying glitches and mess with the smoothness of the sound, creating more work later.
Having said that, if you're shooting with a reduced crew it can be well worth the risk. It's up to you.
Shooting with a Mixer
The mixers available are 302's from Sound Devices.
Make sure your mixer has three charged batteries inserted + end first, and that the cover is screwed on.
You can check your battery level by holding down the 'Batt' button.
Select the powering method- INT (internal battery power) or EXT
(externally powered by DC link)
Plug each mic into one of the three XLR inputs, making sure the switches
next to the inputs are correctly set for your mics. The options are:
PH= Phantom: powers the mic. Required for the 416 and other mics
without their own power supply.
If you use phantom power you should check the voltage required. You can
switch between 12v and 48v on the mixer. It will most likely be 48v.
levels.
If your audio levels are set to 'Manual' on the switches at the back,
the levels for both channels will be visible on your LCD screen at all
times. You can control the levels with the wheels on the left, behind
and below the eyepiece.
A peak level three-quarters of the way up the level is a good level to
shoot for. Test the likely sound levels in your scene before recording
to set the levels appropriately.
If the levels do peak into the red, you will have distortion. Digital
sound distortion sounds awful and there isn't much you can do about
it afterwards.
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