[malcolm]

Hi there,
I'd like to shoot something with my consumer-end mini-dv camera, but get good audio. I'm thinking of recording audio on my mini-disc recorder.
Then I'd have the issue of importing the audio into my Mac, and into my editing software (Avid Xpress DV Pro), and synching it.
Is this a problem? Do people have ways of doing this... or are there much better ways.
Thanks for any advice!
Malcolm

[dlefebvre]

That's a way to do it. Most movie shoot record on a separate audio recorder. For video shoot, they have cameras with XLR inputs an usually plug-in a small mixer.

If you want to do this, make sure you have a good reference for syncing afterwards. That's why movie shoots use a clap. They vocally ang visually identify each take and they sync the to the clap sound. On the chap hand, you can use handclap and the built-in camera mic as a reference for syncing. Otherwhise, you'll will spend countless hours syncing audio and video.

[malcolm]

thanks dlefebvre!
I can see how much nicer it would be to have video and audio recording together. Are there mini-dv cameras that do this, that aren't as expensive as the ones with XLR inputs?
Malcolm

[MountainMac]

Most consumer-level miniDV camcorders record audio in 48KHz 16-bit stereo, as that's the standard for DV audio. Your limiting factor is the built-in microphone. Most DV cameras have at least a 1/8" mic-in port, so you can buy a decent shotgun microphone for $2-300 and get good audio.

MM

[dlefebvre]

You can also get abox that will convert XLR to 1/8".

[malcolm]

dlefebvre, can you give me a few more details please? How would I set myself up in the field, recording audio and video, with this box?
Thanks for all the advice, everyone.
Malcolm

[analogika]

This will be quite difficult, as the two devices are likely to exhibit slight variances in clock speed.

Try synchronizing them by a handclap or snare beat at the beginning as mentioned above, but if you pick another reference point near the end, you may notice that you need to timestretch one of the signals slightly - which can take ages.

[dlefebvre]

You can take a look at Beachtek
They offer many converters for different type of cameras. They usually have 2 XLR inputs wich can be switch to Line level (for a small field mixer) or mMic level (for any type of mic: Shotgun, hand mike, ect). The box also have Phnatom power for Mics that need it. You usually screw the box under the camera (it uses a standard tripod screw so hook to the camera and you can also use a tripod). Depending on the box, it ranges fron $150 to $350 dollars. There is also the option to rent it from a place that rent audio and video equipment.

That's the best bet, because your sound will be synced to to your video and you will save a lot of time that way. And depending on the mic you uses, you should get a very good result.

[malcolm]

thanks again dlefebvre - - valuable link to some interesting products. I'll be checking them out!
Cheers,
Malcolm