Audio Introduction - Sony PD 150 Shooting Manual

PD 150 shooting guide
made by Sony that takes the same batteries as the camera, lasting between 40 minutes and two hours depending on the
battery.
Use the light as a key or back light, it's not really powerful enough to use as a soft. You can improvise with mounting it, such
as putting it on a table or bookshelf. It can be mounted on the camera, but it's quite heavy, and you may have a mic. on the
camera anyway. It will mount on to a tripod, so you could use a cheap domestic tripod as a lighting stand.
Use half blue gel for daylight correction. Cut it into a small piece, and use gaffa to stick it over the front of the light.
Softening gel ('hamberg frost' or 'trace') is also useful for making the light more even.

46. AUDIO INTRODUCTION

This part of the guide deals with audio recording on the PD 150.
47. CAPTURING AUDIO ON LOCATION
When you have a lot of things to think about on a DV shoot it is easy to relegate sound to second place, but beautiful
pictures without usable sound aren't worth much.
When you arrive at a location, listen. You should aim to reduce background noise as much as possible. Eliminate
unnecessary background noises - close windows and doors, turn radios and fans off and make sure mobile phones are fully
turned off - they can produce interference on your recordings, as well as unwelcome interruptions. Consider the acoustic
qualities of your location as the quality of recorded sound is considerably reduced in reverberant locations. If you have a
choice go somewhere else, if not try to position your microphone as close as possible to the sound source. Record
wildtracks separately once you have completed your main recording and have the flexibility of using them as suits you best.
For information and tips about selecting and using microphones, go to the microphone section of this guide.
48. RECORDING AUDIO ON THE PD 150
The PD 150s own audio set up is very comprehensive, and completely different from most other cameras. There is
no need for a Beach or Glensound box as the XLR connectors are built in to the camera. The sound functions are
split between the switches at the front of the handle, and the menu system. There are two independent sound
tracks, called ch1 and ch2. These can be individually set for various functions such as auto or manual level.
49. AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL SOUND
Recording audio automatically means that your audio is less likely to distort, because if the sound gets too loud, it
will try to reduce the level and keep it within the cameras capabilities. The PD 150 has a very limited range of auto
level adjustment, and you can get distortion or low level sound even if you have selected auto. The system has
essentially a fixed level with a limiter. As long as the sound you're gathering is just under the point at which the
auto kicks in, you get the best sound using auto level. To achieve this, the mic output level and the sound have to
be within the correct range. A typical clip mic with a normal speaking voice is fine, or the Sennhieser ME66 gun
mic with a 10dB in line attenuator also. Most radio mics have a level adjustment so they can be made to give out
the right level. Micron radio mics generally need a 10dB attenuator unless a line level cable is used.
The default mode is with both tracks in auto. The PD 150 refers to auto level as 'AGC'. Manual control on the PD
150 increases the hiss, whatever the level is set to. We do not recommend manual level, unless the recordings
cannot be adjusted in post production. Here's the procedure if you have to adjust level:
To activate manual audio control, you need to enter the cameras menu system. Press the menu button on the side of the
camera. Use the wheel at the rear to scroll down to tape set, and enter 'audio set'. Go into mic. level and select 'AGC off' for