Post-Production : A Sound Problem by Jake Mertz

Jake Mertz

A Sound Problem

I've started vlogging on my youtube channel. I'm using my video camera, which is a ROKINON DV1000HD, to record my vlogs. I did the first one this week. I'm having a problem with the sound. My vlog has a strange "swirly" ( the best word I can come up with to describe it) sound in the audio, and it makes it very hard to hear my voice. Here's what I think happened. My camera saves the files as .mov. When I tried to open that in Premiere, it said that it didn't have a video or audio stream. So, I got the bright idea to convert it to MP4, and I used the free Miro Video Converter to do that. After it was an MP4 I was able to edit it in Premiere. But, it had that swirly sound. I think it was because I converted the video, but I'm not sure. My ROKINON camera is the only camera I have, and I can't afford to get a new one right now. I want to use it for other projects besides my vlog. However, if I keep having problems with the audio I won't be able to do that. Any help fixing this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jake Mertz

Well, it looks like I'm going to end up recording audio separately from the video. Problem is, I don't have a very good mic. Oy vey. I gotta work with what I got, until I can afford better gear.

Paul Sumares

I'm not an audio expert, but your description of a "swirly sound" makes me think of the phasing you get when you have duplicate audio signals getting mixed together. Perhaps check for that (like, audio from the video plus a separate audio-only track getting mixed in). Good luck with this!

Jake Mertz

Nope, it's not that. I was using audio just from the camera, and it sounded fine before I converted it. So, it's probably that. Thanks for the tip, though, it's something I'll have to watch out for in my other projects.

Duncan Whitcombe

I believe you are right, I have encountered this artefact with other sound conversions (from others not my own ). is it possible for you to create a couple of small-ish files - an MOV and an MP4 conversion so that I can have a look and see if I can suggest an alternative workflow for you? Have a fun day.

Jake Mertz

Sure, I could do that. How would you want me to send them to you?

Duncan Whitcombe

Great. How about DropBox? I can invite you if you like.

Jake Mertz

I have a drop box. I'll make the files, then send you the links. Thanks.

Wenda Zonnefeld

I highly recommend purchasing a Zoom H4. It is a steal of a deal for the value. I've used it to record Foley in the field/ and when my mixer was being repaired. I recommended it to a director friend of mine - who is now blown away at the quality. You can even use it for your boom microphone. Get a dry recording and I can add whatever acoustics you want. Regards to your conversions - make sure you are not having compatibility problems between 32 and 64 bit processing.

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