Using DMC Resources for Recording Musical Performances: Home
An overview of options for recording musical performances leveraging DMC cameras, microphones, and software
Choosing a Microphone
- For optimal sound quality, it is best to use paired small diaphragm condenser microphones when recording music. Shotgun mics, while convenient, are designed to be very directional and do not do well capturing the breadth of a musical performance, leaving you with some parts overly-accentuated and others diminished. With that in mind, the two options for small diaphragm paired condenser mics carried by the DMC are the Zoom H4N Audio Recorder and the Rode M5 Stereo Microphone Kit. We have 20 copies of the Zoom H4N and one copy of the Rode M5.
- The Zoom H4N is a standalone audio recorder, meaning it will record from the built-in paired condenser mics directly to an SD card (provided as part of the kit). It runs off of either 2 AA batteries (not provided) or by plugging it in with an AC adapter (provided, recommended). Because this will produce a separate audio file from the video recorded by the camera, using the Zoom H4N will require syncing the audio and video using video editing software and exporting the new combined file.
- The Rode M5 paired condenser microphones have XLR output and come as a kit with a mic stand and 2 XLR cables. The microphones require the use of phantom power. They are compatible with the XA40 and XA11, plugging each mic into one of the XLR input slots on the camera. While requiring more setup, this will record high quality audio as part of the video recorded by the camera, meaning little to no post-production will be necessary with video editing software.
No Editing Needed
Canon XA40/XA11 and Rode M5 Stereo Mic Kit
- Set the Canon XA40/XA11 on a Velbon Tripod at a comfortable distance away to get the performer(s) and instrument(s) in shot.
- Set the power switch on top of the camera to "Camera."
- If the lens cover is down, raise it by using the switch on the left side of the lens hood.
- The zoom rocker switch can be used to zoom in and out to adjust the framing of the video.
- Leave the camera set to "Auto."
- The red "Start/Stop" button on the back of the camera will start the recording.
- (Optional, XA40) As 4K footage produces very large files (~1 Gb per minute), you may want to decrease the recording resolution if you do not need the highest possible video quality. To do so, press the menu button on the back of the camera and navigate to the "Recording Setup" menu (second icon). Press "MP4 Resolution" and choose one of the other options: 1920x1080 (35 Mbps), 1920x1080 (17 Mbps), or 1280x720 (8 Mbps). The lower resolution you set it to, the smaller file it will ultimately produce.
- Remove the Rode M5 Microphones from their case and set up the microphone stand ~1 ft from the instrument.
- Move the mic holders to the ends of the crossbar and insert the microphones, angled 45 degrees towards one another.
- Plug the XLR cables in to each microphone, then into the XLR inputs on the camera. this will require the removal of the shotgun mic from input 1.
- Connect the left mic to input 1 and the right mic to input 2.
- On the camera, set both XLR input 1 and input 2 to "+48V" and set the middle switch to "On" if it is not already.
- Set the top and bottom switches to "M" and adjust the dials to the middle of their respective ranges.
- In the camera's menu, set CH2 Input to "Input 2."
Audio Syncing Required
Canon G50 and Zoom H4N
- Set the Canon G50 on a Velbon Tripod at a comfortable distance away to get the performer(s) and instrument(s) in shot.
- Set the power switch on top of the camera to "Camera."
- If the lens cover is down, raise it by using the switch on the left side of the lens hood.
- The zoom rocker switch can be used to zoom in and out to adjust the framing of the video.
- Leave the camera set to "Auto."
- The red "Start/Stop" button on the back of the camera will start the recording.
- (Optional) As 4K footage produces very large files (~1 Gb per minute), you may want to decrease the recording resolution if you do not need the highest possible video quality. To do so, press the menu button on the back of the camera and navigate to the "Recording Setup" menu (second icon). Press "MP4 Resolution" and choose one of the other options: 1920x1080 (35 Mbps), 1920x1080 (17 Mbps), or 1280x720 (8 Mbps). The lower resolution you set it to, the smaller file it will ultimately produce.
- Set up the Zoom H4N on a surface close to the instrument (ideally ~1 ft), with the two internal microphones positioned facing the instrument. The Zoom H4N is also compatible with our Velbon Tripods, and can be set up on a tripod if there is no nearby convenient surface to place it on.
- Turn on the Zoom H4N, and make sure that the top LED of the three along the left side is lit, indicating that it is recording from its internal microphones.
- Press the red record button once. You will see that the decibel meter shows movement, but it is not actively recording yet. Use this time to adjust the recording level using the +/- switches on the right side of the H4N's body. This sets the sensitivity of the mics. For music that has large dynamic swings and powerful movements, it is recommended to err on the side of a lower recording level to avoid audio clipping at the highest intensity parts of the piece.
- Once satisfied with the levels, press the record button a second time. You should see the numbers above the decibel meter begin to move, indicating that the H4N is recording.
Getting Started in DaVinci Resolve
- Open a new project in Davinci Resolve.
- Locate your video footage and audio. You can either click and drag them into the media pool in DaVinci Resolve, or from DaVinci Resolve go to File > Import > Media (command+i).
- Go to the "Edit" Workspace (third icon at the bottom)
Exporting Your Video
- Once you've synced your audio and video, you can move on to the "Deliver" workspace (rocket ship icon at the bottom right).
- Name your file and choose a save location. When working at the DMC on our workstations, please save to the SAVEWORKHERE external drive.
- Select MP4 as the format. It is the most widely compatible video format.
- For 4K footage, select H.265 as the video codec. For 1080p or lower resolution footage, select H.264 as the video codec.
- Leave other settings unchanged.
- Click "Add to Render Queue" at the bottom of the window, and then "Render All" on the right side. It may take a while to render depending on resolution and length of the video.
Choosing a Camera
Video Camera Options
- The Digital Media Commons offers three main types of video cameras. The Canon G50, the Canon XA40, and the Canon XA11. The G50 is our default camera and we have 15 copies. We have two copies each of the XA40 and the XA11.
- The G50 and the XA40 record at up to 4K resolution, while the XA11 records at up to 1080p resolution.
- The G50 has a single 3.5mm audio input for attaching external mics, and has an onboard stereo microphone.
- The XA40 and XA11 both have a 3.5mm audio input, as well as 2 XLR inputs for attaching external mics. The kits come with a shotgun mic already attached to the camera via one of the XLR inputs.
- All cameras function nearly identically, with the main differences being maximum resolution and audio inputs.
XA40/XA11 Setup Photos
Plug left and right mics into inputs 1 and 2.
Set up mic stand and angle mics 45 degrees towards one another.
Make sure that both input 1 and input 2 are set to +48V and the central switch is turned on. Use manual mic gain controls and move the dials to set appropriate recording levels for the piece you are recording.
In the camera's menu, set the input for channel 2 to input 2.
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