DVC PRO BASIC SOUND SET UP CHECKLIST
The basic settings you need to be familiar with are on the back of the camera at the base of the unit, beneath the battery pack.
This panel houses the input sockets for audio channels 1 and 2. The headphone socket is also found here, this is used to feed an audio signal back to the mixer so that you can monitor the recorded sound as it goes into the video camera.
On the left-hand side of the camera at the back you will find the panels that concern audio recordings and settings.
The audioinput selectors are used to set the input source to record channels 1 and 2. They have various positions;
Front sets the channel to record sounds from the camera microphone; remember to set channel 2 to Mic.
Rear Micsets the channel to receive a signal from a microphone connected directly to the camera. In order to receive a signal from a mixer, switch channel 1 to Rear Line. LINE sets the channel to receive a line level signal from a mixer, such as the SQN-3M. This channel is physically less likely to be damaged than channel 2, and so is the one to use for the better quality recording that will result from using external microphones.
In order to record the camera mic onto channel 2 at the same time as recording onto channel 1 with a mixer, switch channel 2 to Front Mic.
Above the Audio input selectors are the record level controls. These are used to set the record level to the camera’s audio tracks. Turning them clockwise increases the level and counter clockwise the reverse.
Below the Audio input selectors are the Audio select switches. These have two positions;
MAN sets the channel to manual level control and allows you to set the record level with the record level controls. This is the recommended position for the switch for good recording.
AUTO sets the channel to automatic level control, where the camera monitors the incoming signal and sets the record level accordingly. Beware using this setting, quiet sounds will be increased in level and loud sounds may suffer a “pumping” effect as the level is reduced after a quiet period. This position of the switch will cut off the record level controls.
Above the Level switches are the level meters. These act as an indicator of the record level and are used when you set up the equipment for recording.
The monitorselectswitch is used to select either or both of the audio channels for monitoring. Usually this would be set to channel 1 so that you can monitor the signal from the SQN-3 mixer.
The monitor level control located to the far left of the pull down panelis used to set the level of the monitoring or playback of the signal at the audio channels.