Recording Audio
The DVX200 uses a built-in microphone that can capture adequate natural sound for b-roll purposes. But it's inadvisable to use this microphone for recording interviews. As a general rule, to record sound bites (SOTS), it’s best to use an accessory microphone such as a hand-held (stick) microphone or a wireless lavalier (lapel mic). The camera has two, 3-pin XLR inputs for accessory microphones, AUDIO INPUT 1 (located at the top of the camera) and AUDIO INPUT 2 (located at the lower right side of the camera).
AUDIO INPUT 2 - located on the bottom right side
Using the Wireless Microphone
Ideally, connect the wireless microphone receiver to AUDIO INPUT 1 so that it can be connected to the shoe at the top of the camera. Make sure the wireless receiver is connected securely to the shoe.
Audio Input Settings
The controls for setting the audio input of the microphones can be found inside the red compartment on the left side of the camera.
The controls are divided between INPUT 1 and INPUT 2. The INPUT settings are divided between LINE, MIC and MIC +48V. LINE is used when you connect the camera to an audio board, such as when you shoot footage at a press conference; MIC is used when you connect a stick mic or a wireless, and +48V is used only if the microphone relies on the camera as a power source (phantom power). The CH 1 and CH 2 SELECT lets you select which audio channels you want to record to. Audio recorded by a microphone connected to INPUT 1 will be heard on the left channel; Audio recorded by a microphone connected to INPUT 2 will be heard on the right.
For the wireless microphone connected to AUDIO 1, set it the following way:
- INPUT 1 > MIC
- CH 1 SELECT > INPUT 1
- CH 1 > MANU
The camera can automatically select the appropriate audio levels for each channel, but you can also change the levels manually. Switch the CH 1 or CH 2 controls from AUTO to MANU and then turn the knob for the desired channel. Use the audio meter in the viewfinder as a guide; proper levels occur when the audio bars reach up to the notch that is visible over the audio meter line in the illustration below. Beyond the notch, if the bars start to jump into the "red" then the audio levels might be too high, and the quality of the sound could even be distorted.
It's not enough to simply look at the meter to know that you're recording audio. The meter doesn't say anything about the quality of the audio, or whether it's coming from the desired microphone. Therefore, you must ALWAYS use headphones, whether you’re recording b-roll or interviews. Listen for noises that could interfere with audio, such as pops and static.
- INPUT 2 > MIC
- CH 2 SELECT > INPUT 2
- CH 2 > MANU
