Digital Camera Recording Sound

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Not quite a Newb Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 23

Hey guys!!!

This is kinda odd asking you lot, but no one i know, knows the answer so thought...why not ask you guys!

I have a digital camera, that can take footage as well, although, whenever im in a loud environment, the sound gets distorted to the point where its just mushy garbage, heres a link so you get a better idea of whats occuring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xua0jL8UFsA

now, i know perfect sound is impossible, espicaly in an environment like that, but it would be nice if the music was hearbale, and not such gobbeldy goop. Ive seen and heard other peoples footage on cameras, and the sound comes out a lot clearer! i can actually hear the song quite clearly when i use my camera phone!

So my question is, does anyone know if their is a way to minimise the distortion thats occuring on my digital camera??

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 5:22 am

Try to tape a piece of foam over the mic. The tape should not cover the mic and just enough the hold the foam in place. Also, doesn't the camera have a sensitivity setting? Something like reduce wind noise. It sounds to me that the mic is overranging and distorting.

Discalimer: I am not a sound engineer but just offering something to try.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 23

Thats a good idea, ill definatley try that! one problem is it difficult to try methods, because i can only test the ideas in similar environments, and its diffiuclt to create such a environment at home. But i will try this method when i go clubbing this weekend.

I have found a setting on the camera to adjust sound settings, but i couldnt notice the difference.

Thanks Dr Who!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:16 am

HI Iygs, welcome!
What kind of camera is it?

Not quite a Newb Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 23

Its a Pentax Optio Svi, take some good quality pictures =D

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:33 am

iYgS wrote:

This is kinda odd asking you lot

Have you not yet seen the questions that sometimes pop up in General? Laughing

The membership here has a very wide ranging experience, and can usually answer nearly any question asked, within reason.

DrWho's suggestion sounds like a good place to start. It sounds like the mic is getting too much background input, so cutting that down may help a bit.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:40 am

Nice camera, it's got good reviews. Remebering it is a camera though and not a cam corder as such, the mic on the camera covers a minute area. Make sure you're not covering the mic with fingers etc.
Have you tried to reduce the volume on your camera? Have you tried it in an envioronment that's not quite as noisy to see if the mic's working properly?
If all else fails, go with Dr Who's suggestion. Wink

Not quite a Newb Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 23

Yeah, i mainly take photos, but footage is always a nice bonus!

In normal environment, the sound is normally ok, although voices will often become distorted, but still understandable, so i think the mic is ok.

Ill play around a little more with the features, and then give the peace of foam a go and crank my stereo up to see how it copes Very Happy

.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 9:35 am

Where is the mic located on the camera? I looked it up in google images and got a front and back view that labeled the features but there was nothing telling where the mic was. And if it can record sound can you check to see if it has an area where you can plug in a mic. A lot of cameras do now days.
I'm going to see if google can find me an instruction book. I'll be right back.

Edit: I see the mic. It's right on the side. Make sure your hand doesn't cover it. Even if your hand isn't covering it the cam could still be picking up the sound of your hands movement. Those mics are very sensitive, you may not hear anything but that mic is picking up what sounds like sand paper being rubbed together or a river.
Do some testing. record the same thing while you're holding the camera and while it's sitting on a counter. See if you can hear a difference.
The foam will definitly help. Do all the other things like checking the level and such and you may be ok. But it's possible you are still going to have issues. I got a seperate audio recorder for a back up, so when I get poor audio I can fix it when I edit.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 23

the sound reminds me of a waterfall!

sadly their is no where to plug in an external mic Sad

what sort of audio recorder do you use?

ill run some tests, im currectly trying to find some foam in the house! failing that, i might get a thin layer of cloth to see how that works.

Thanks to all who have helped so far Very Happy

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 10:58 am

Don't bother with cloth, it wont work!
I'm trying to think of an everyday household thing you can get the right sponge from and I can't
Confused

Maybe a thick, new, fluffy duster could?

Baiting Guru Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3193

You can buy replacement foam for iPod earphones. That should be the right stuff.

It doesn't sound like wind noise to me though. It sounds like the mic gain turned itself right up because it wasn't hearing anything. But even with a hand pressed against the microphone I'd be surprised if nothing got through in that environment. Maybe it overloaded.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:43 pm

Dr. Who is correct and offers a great mechanical solution. Its going to take more than a piece of foam to attenuate the signal so that your sound circuit stops clipping. Maybe a clear silicon button that is used to hold glass off of table tops? Maybe a rubber button and adhesive backing sold in packs of 4 as replacement feet? Think, what would MacGyver
do? Maybe just hold your finger over the mic hole when you are at concerts.

You can test your fix out by setting your camera right next to a stereo speaker and cranking up the volume to painful.

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:44 am

Quote:

Dr. Who is correct

Woo Hoo. Sometimes your the bat and sometimes your the ball. Smile

Clipping is the word I couldn't remember.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 23

Connie L. Gus wrote:

Dr. Who is correct and offers a great mechanical solution. Its going to take more than a piece of foam to attenuate the signal so that your sound circuit stops clipping. Maybe a clear silicon button that is used to hold glass off of table tops? Maybe a rubber button and adhesive backing sold in packs of 4 as replacement feet? Think, what would MacGyver
do? Maybe just hold your finger over the mic hole when you are at concerts.

You can test your fix out by setting your camera right next to a stereo speaker and cranking up the volume to painful.

Yeah, i gave the peace of foam a go, and it didnt work out too good, so ill see if i can find some...silocan in the house...haha.

if it was macguyver he would be able to fix it with a paper clip, bubble gum and a mars bar wrapper.

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