I decided to see how it was if i wore headphones with the mic. And the problem is i can hear the audio but really low. Does anyone knows why?

if you have the camera in mannual mode the user volume controls might be turned down. But the problem I think you might be having is a dead battery in the mic.

The mic works. But the when I wear the headphones to listen, i barely can hear the actors. =[ The volume is up on the camera

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Smiles,

Maby the headphone jack is blown...

quote:

Originally posted by Smiles:
I decided to see how it was if i wore headphones with the mic. And the problem is i can hear the audio but really low. Does anyone knows why?

The impedance of the headphones doesn't match the preamp on the camera. Try using smaller headphones.

Ok.

I went with the big headphones to see how it was and it was the same. I could barely hear the actors. So i then tried a smallers ones, and the same result. So then i went to the audio control of my GL2. Because the mic i have only record on one side (mono?) i rose the right level and put down the left and I could hear better. Now. To be correct when i edit I need to duplicate the sound and go to "Fill Left".

Also, another little problem. When my actors talk, i need to tell them to speak louder because i can barely hear them through the headphones. When i look at the level of the audio in the camera it barely goes to 40-db. And when they talk louder its much better. But i dont want them to yell. How do you go about this problem? When someones speak to your camera what is the level?

quote:

Originally posted by Smiles:
Ok.

I went with the big headphones to see how it was and it was the same. I could barely hear the actors. So i then tried a smallers ones, and the same result. So then i went to the audio control of my GL2. Because the mic i have only record on one side (mono?) i rose the right level and put down the left and I could hear better. Now. To be correct when i edit I need to duplicate the sound and go to "Fill Left".

Also, another little problem. When my actors talk, i need to tell them to speak louder because i can barely hear them through the headphones. When i look at the level of the audio in the camera it barely goes to 40-db. And when they talk louder its much better. But i dont want them to yell. How do you go about this problem? When someones speak to your camera what is the level?

If the level is low with the external mic and then is fine with the built-in mic, the mic clearly does not work. Also if the signal is on the right channel you want to use "Fill Right", as the name refers to what channel to use on the other, not what channel to "fill in."

quote:

If the level is low with the external mic and then is fine with the built-in mic, the mic clearly does not work. Also if the signal is on the right channel you want to use "Fill Right", as the name refers to what channel to use on the other, not what channel to "fill in."

The built in mic is okay. The problem is with the boom mic. I dont think its broken because it is new. I am really confused about the signal. When i edit in post, the sound only comes from one side. The Right. And i go to Effects and use Fill Left. And the audio is filled. The only problem is When my actors talk, i need to tell them to speak louder because i can barely hear them through the headphones. When i look at the level of the audio in the camera it barely goes to 40-db. And when they talk louder its much better. But i dont want them to yell. How do you go about this problem? When someones speak to your camera what is the level?

Like I said, if the level is low with the external mic and then is fine with the built-in mic, then the external mic clearly does not work. Switch it out with a different mic. If you are still having problems, then you know it is the camera.

Most microphones are mono and will only fill one channel of the track. There is a function on some cameras that allows you to gang the channels together so it automatically "fills" the other channel. However usually mono mics fill the left channel, so this is quite odd. Are you sure the signal isn't coming through the left?

You should be able to adjust the input so it peaks just below the red, but like I said if you're getting too weak a signal there is obviously a problem with the microphone.

If you cannot find a solution to this you can use the "Normalize" function on the Audio Level adjustment menu for each clip in your NLE. This boosts the signal so the peaks touch 0 db--although the quality might not be as good.

Maybe the mic requires phantom power. Look in the camera manual, or just look around for a little tiny switch, or menu setting, to enable phantom power for that audio input plug. Also, does the mic take batteries? Are they dead? Is there a mic input level that could be raised?

First, I want to thank everyone who is helping me out.
--

One question. When you use external mics (boom) do you put it the adio on manual?

Ok. I just did a test, in which i was speaking in the microphone like a news reporter, and when i imported it to premiere the volume was perfect. The volume was good. The audio was on the left side when i wore the headphones. But when i went to go edit the sound, the sound is playing on the right speaker. So i need to fill left side. Funk what do you mean by signal?

The are batteriers required. And i am postive there are not dead. Looking at some films by funkbomb i want the achieve the audio like he does.

So the only problem. Is when i use the mic as a boom, i have the mic over the actor and when they talk--(normally, not loud) I am not getting a good sound feed.

Am i using it wrong? Do i need the actors to speak up more.

BTW- The mic is a Audio Techinca AT835B Line+ Gradient Condenser microphone.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Smiles,

quote:

Ok. I just did a test, in which i was speaking in the microphone like a news reporter, and when i imported it to premiere the volume was perfect. The volume was good. The audio was on the left side when i wore the headphones. But when i went to go edit the sound, the sound is playing on the right speaker. So i need to fill left side.

Okay, this raises a flag. It should be one side or the other. It can't switch sides between recording and importing. Perhaps you have the speakers reversed? Or you wore the headphones backwards...

It sounds like the mic is working fine, are the GL2's audio channels turned up all the way?

quote:

Do i need the actors to speak up more.

Absolutely not! The technical requirements of a film should never hinder the performance of actors, especially something as silly as speaking louder. Having your actors shouting their way through lines would really defeat the purpose.

quote:

One question. When you use external mics (boom) do you put it the adio on manual?

Goodness yes! Keep it on manual. The last thing you need is some nasty auto-attenuation on your signal.

quote:

Funk what do you mean by signal?

I...hope you're kidding...maybe not? I'm just talking about the signal coming from the microphone, as in a telephone signal, a television signal, any electronic signal...except in this case we're referring to the only one that makes any sense in this conversation, your audio signal.

Ok. I did wear the ipod headphones backwards.

The left channel on the GL2 is turned up all the way but the right are all the way down. If i turn up the right, in the heaphones there is a fussing sound.

At this moment. I do the audio on manaul when i use the boom and i will do it in auto when i use the built-in-mic.

As for the signal. I know what you are saying, i was thinkning of something else. =[

So, the only thing that i think can go wrong is that i need to handle the boom more better. I think that is the only problem. I think that is the only way. =].

Also, what do you people do normally to audio in post?

I retract my previous statement about the technical never impeding the acting. I just read this great article about how Curtiz asked his actors to project and speak louder because he wasn't getting a good audio track. This was of course during the 40's, when boom mikes were the one and only standard, but it obviously applies in your situation as well.