[Keith Ridenhour]

will it record the audio track as well as the tascam stand alone? Never shot this way. I had a zoom 4 and it died so I'm tryng more video possibilites and hoping to keep the audio decent without alot of work K

 

[clarnibass]

Not sure what you're asking. Do you mean you're connecting the recorder to the camera and want to know if you get both the camera audio track and the Tascam audio track? Or just one of them?
I guess look in the menu of your specific camera model about it (not sure you mean an actual video camera, or a camcorder or DSLR which can also do video).

I imagine if you're connecting any mic, or a Tascam recorder, it should record it directly to the video, and you would only do this if it's better than the built-in mic, and it should be synced just the same.
Why would you need the built-in mic audio? The only reason I think is to sync but that's only if the mic/recorder is not connected directly to the camera... no?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I’m also not sure what you are asking, but why not just try it and see? (Or rather, listen?)

 

[Keith Ridenhour]

I will try it when I get teh camcorder. I plan to use my tascam as the external mik for the Cannon recording. (rather than whatever they use as a built in) What I'm asking (I realize its confusing) is will that (going through the external mic plug and then I guess recording on the video feed) provide a better audio or should I record it separaterly on the tascam and then synch it later to the videos when I edit? K

 

[Pete Thomas]

Assuming you are in the 21st century and we are talking digital recording, there won't be much significant difference due to the recording medium if it's digital.

Differences would be be microphone, preamp and A/D conversion on either device. Unless some expert has both devices (knowing the same model etc.) which is unlikely, then I stand by what I said before. Only you can know by trying the alternatives and see if you n hear any difference.

If the final product is only ever going to be played on peoples' computer speakers 9as opposed to broadcast in cinemas) then if it was me I'd consider it all a bit moot and go for the simplest. ie one device.

My wife is currently making some programmes on a fairly professional level, and looked into using my studio (which is quite a bit beyond a home studio), but in the end it was so much easier and (frankly no significant worseness) to film it all on an iPhone.

Result is great.

 

[clarnibass]

I'm not sure, but I suspect if you're using the Tascam directly to the camera it will use the Tascam A/D converters anyway... probably...

The only difference might be if the audio track in the camera is for some reason compressed compared with the Tascam by itself. The latter I guess you can choose but often it's regular good quality WAV. The former... maybe check the camera manual, but maybe just as good.
Actually the real question is whether the Tascam directly to camera is worse than the audio after you edit and export.
I'm guessing it's not and the best quality with both methods would be similar... but maybe something to check with the specific camera.

Recording separately is definitely more work.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Good point about the possibility of compression. But whether that is good or bad again would be down to trying it out and evaluating.

I will often use compression when mixing, but of course in that case I am in control of the parameters.

Auto compression may be a different kettle of fish.

 

[clarnibass]

I will often use compression when mixing, but of course in that case I am in control of the parameters.

I meant something different, not like a compression on the recording, but a compressed file format e.g. MP3 instead of WAV. I think most cameras would have uncompressed or at least lossless compressed format for the audio since that's still pretty small compared with the video, but who knows...

 

[Merlin]

I use various methods for doing audio with my video.

Least used is the cameras own built in mic. I get much better sound with an external mic with a 20db signal boost; this means less reliance on the noisy preamps in the video camera.

I have also used external recorders - in that case camera audio is only used for sync purposes.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I use various methods for doing audio with my video.

Least used is the cameras own built in mic. I get much better sound with an external mic with a 20db signal boost; this means less reliance on the noisy preamps in the video camera.

This is exactly what I would do for anyt6hing important, where I am making a promo video or something

I found that the audio on my Nikon was not good enough. However if it's a quick thing or eomething less important for an example on Youtube that people are really only going to be listening on their speakers then I might just use my iPhone (better than the Nikon for video and audio)

I have also used external recorders - in that case camera audio is only used for sync purposes.

Yes this is very useful. I'll often do a clapboad at the beginning, but if the audio has peaks you can usually align it easily.