recording audio with video

Report · Feb 26, 2017

Is there a way (or maybe even a different program to use) where we could record someone, both audio and visual, using a condenser mic plugged into an audiobox usb with an xlr mic to a laptop and recording on a dslr camera?

Report · Feb 26, 2017

Normally recording video expects the audio to be recorded onto the same device. This is necessary because the pictures and the sound have to be synchronised. Recording them separately can therefore cause problems with sync. However in these days of digital audio and video recording separately recorded parts of media can keep reasonably synchronised over short periods. So you may be OK depending on your recording devices to record for, say, up to 15 - 20 minutes. Even then you might have to make some adjustment when you edit the two together especially the longer the recoding becomes.

So basically yes you may be able to get away recording the audio into a laptop using any audio recording software like Audition. However you must still record audio onto the video recording device, even using it's own built in mic, to act as a guide track for resyncing the audio and video together in your video editing software..

Report · Feb 26, 2017

Depending how portable you need to be, I do something very similar sometimes. I found in the App store a bit of free software called "Digislate" which gives you an electronic version of an old film clapperboard. As long as I record the picture of the slate along with the beep on both the built in camera mic and the higher quality computer recording, it's very easy to sync the two versions then and lock the computer audio to the camera pictures.

The longest take I've recorded this was was about 15 minutes but the sync held fine for this long with no drift. FYI, you can set the time read out in Audition to be in any of the normal video frame rates. I have no idea if this helps but I always set it to match my camera.

If you're looking for a more portable option, several companies do adaptors that plug into/onto your DSLR and will allow you to use your condenser mic directly into you camera. I have no personal experience using these so can't recommend one but a Google search will find you a bunch of results.

Report · Feb 27, 2017

Looking at the original question, it seems that it's possible that the OP wants to be able to record both the pictures and sound on a laptop - making a backup at the same time as the original recording on the DSLR, as it were. Is this correct?

Report · Feb 27, 2017

If that is the case then it's a whole different 'kettle of bananas'. It will then depend on how both sources are getting into the laptop.

Report · Feb 27, 2017

I took the closing line about "recording on a DSLR camera" literally.

I guess we need to hear again from the original poster. However, I can't think of any way to record from a DSLR into a computer without a fair loss in quality on the video compared to the camera. Unless it's a model I don't know about, the video output is composite analogue, so even with an expensive video codec, you're starting with a reduced quality image.

Report · Feb 27, 2017

Some DSLR cameras can output via HDMI (I have one). Perhaps the OP's computer has an HDMI socket and he/she hopes/believes it can be used as both input and output? I've never tried it so can't say whether it is possible.

Report · Feb 27, 2017

No it will only be an HDMI output on most computer and recording/playing devices. Inputs are only available on purely display devices except in very specialised bits of gear due to HDCP enforcement..

Report · Feb 27, 2017

ryclark wrote
No it will only be an HDMI output on most computer and recording/playing devices. Inputs are only available on purely display devices except in very specialised bits of gear due to HDCP enforcement..

Yes, but this may well be what's prompted the question - if you see what I mean. The original request is, I'm afraid, a little ambiguous...

Report · Feb 27, 2017

SteveG(AudioMasters) wrote
Yes, but this may well be what's prompted the question - if you see what I mean. The original request is, I'm afraid, a little ambiguous...

Indeed so!

Report · Feb 27, 2017

That was actually not the case. We are looking to record someone doing an exercise video on a canon dslr t5i camera. The one thing we were absolutely trying to avoid is having to sync the audio and the video due to it being such a tedious process. This prompted the question what is the appropriate way to accomplish that, considering the object on camera will be in motion, and what equipment is it that we will have to use. The distance she will be moving in will not be that great, but nevertheless, she will be in motion and we want quality audio. Through alittle bit of our own research, we did find an adapter on google that will fit on my camera, so we think that is going to be the best option so we can use the condenser mic.

Thank you for all of your input!

Report · Feb 27, 2017

We did feel the adapter version was the best option. We are recording an exercise video, so the person on camera is of course going to be in motion. The space she is moving around in is not that great, but nevertheless, she is in motion and we want quality audio. We found an adapter on google that was reasonably priced and will fit my camera so I think we found what we need to use the condenser mic for audio on my dslr.

Thank you!

Report · Feb 27, 2017

Thank you for the update and clarification.

I think there is one major problem that you will have to overcome in order to successfully record your audio and video: given the equipment you have detailed earlier, you are using a wired mic, i.e. one that has a wired connection to your Audiobox. How will you ensure that that cable does not hinder your presenter, he/she does not fall over it or, potentially, damage either the mic, the cable or both? I assume you are going to be using a lavalier or head-worn mic?

For the project you describe it would be more usual to use some kind of radio mic in order to avoid andy mic cable problems.

Report · Feb 27, 2017

I'd probably +1 the idea of a radio mic (lav type) when you can afford it. This could still go into your converter (or at least the receiver end would) but should result in a lot less changes in the audio as the person moves. FYI, I recently gave the same advice to somebody doing a yoga video and the only sound they were happy with was when they bought a radio mic.

Report · Feb 28, 2017

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Bob+Howes wrote
I'd probably +1 the idea of a radio mic (lav type) when you can afford it.

Although if they are jumping about a lot an Aerobics Wireless Mic system with over ear cheek mic might be more suitable.

KAM KWM1900HS Headset Wireless Radio Microphone Zumba Aerobic Lightweight | eBay

Report · Feb 28, 2017

Depends how much visibility is acceptable. I'm used to a world where the mic has to be as subtle as possible if not completely hidden,

Report · Feb 28, 2017

We are going to be using the condenser mic just on a stand with the adapter so it can be plugged into my camera.

Report · Feb 28, 2017

What are you hoping will be recorded by this method? I suspect each of us who has contributed to this thread believed that you wished to capture speech from your exercise trainer.

If so, I would venture to suggest you might well be very disappointed by the quality of what you hear on the recording. I would guess your voice/trainer/whoever will not be standing still at a suitable fixed distance from the mic? In that eventuality, the sound levels and quality will be extremely varied, to the point of making very hard the effort of listening by any viewer of your video.

OTOH, if your only intent is to capture ambient sound then you should have few, if any, problems.