Best Audio Settings - Sony FDR-AX53

A look at using an external mic on the Sony FDR-AX53 and optimal settings to avoid unwanted hiss and noise. This includes a full demonstration of the problem so you can hear for yourself (might need headphones for that).
Buy AX53 on Amazon - geni.us/ax53
As good as this camera is, quality audio parts are often missed out on this type of device which is a shame. Fortunately, there are ways to work around this.
Thanks for watching and please subscribe for more vids.
===================
Web: tdcat.com/
IG: tdcat.com/insta...
Twitter: @tdcatuk

[@tdcattech]

Buy AX53 on Amazon - geni.us/ax53 --- Support the channel by using this affiliate link. Thank you!

[@jacquijohnm4554]

Having just purchased one of these, I would totally agree that an external mic with manual gain is a better way to go, but here are occasions where the internal mic is more convenient. Unfortunately, this has an unexpected problem from an odd 'swooshing' mechanical noise from inside the camcorder, that I am surprised no one has commented on before. The noise can be heard if you place your ear on the body near the mic, which obviously picks this up and it is very noticeable in quiet locations (even with gain set manually). I initially thought it was from the Steadyshot system, but I am not so sure now, as it is also present in playback mode (but oddly, not when a USB cable is connected!)

[@CleanWithConfidence]

What mic are you using with the camera?

[@manuelzamudio5917]

Nice video! This has also worked for me when I was recording me playing my electronic drum kit and sending the output of the kit straight into the audio input of the camera. With "auto", the sound was over saturated. Reducing the level got me great results. No I only have to get better results at my drum playing skills... :)

[@taurus3973]

It’s a bad idea to ever put the ax-53 audio on auto, because during silences, the preamp will automatically increase the gain, creating added noise. Whether using an external mic or not, for best results just find the right level in manual mode, and leave it there.

[@AdanSensei]

You sir are a god send! The H1n and my Takstar were going bonkers with my camera. Imma test this.

[@ScottKorin]

I bet this is like 90% of my problem! Thank you so much!

[@coastwidechurch1771]

Thank You so much, this has affected so man y of our live streams. Thank you again for making this video. Always thought the problem was with our sound system, not knowing it was the camera. haha

[@NimrodOutdoors]

What are the best settings for this camera without using external mics. I am getting alot of hissing with just the on board mic of the camera.

[@tristanmckenzie1623]

It's full of hiss.. I find. More so on 5.1 channel. Your voice and background comes through more crisp though compared with 2 ch where I find your voice becomes isolated. It's probably a good setting if you are doing an interview, though, and vlogging. Filming outdoor shots. 5.1 channel would be better

[@lauriekibblewhite]

@@tristanmckenzie1623 My understanding is that 5.1 only works when set to AVCHD, which is the lowest video resolution. Going manual and lowering the input volume reduces the ambient noise and being digital, the gain can be increased in post.

[@tekkhero9767]

It seems to me that the perceived noise is from a built in compressor that increases the gain a bit too much during silences. The preamp actually does not sound particularly noisy. The noise is the overly loud internal sounds of the camera and other ambient noises in the room.

[@tdcattech]

That's exactly what it is, hence the need for manual levels. The preamp isn't the worst by any means so it can sound fine once you take the AGC out of the chain.

[@PotterytothePeople]

huge help! I almost returned the camera due to the hissing. Now I don't have to :)

[@heypressgo5403]

I thought I was going mad! Just did a outdoor test video with attached rode GOII and noise was horrible so much background noise being picked up. Just adjust rec volume manual right down. Massive difference.

[@dectel257]

I’ll give this a try! Thanks!

[@teknofil007]

Hei from Norway! That was Fantastic video. I bouth the Sony FDR-AX53 and Røde videoMic. So you explain very good. Thanks agein.

[@Gunzhard22]

Wow great info!! ... I'm wondering, can I have my whole room mix from mixer or audio interface output going into this mic input?

[@ianroberts6123]

Does this work on the ax33 aswell

[@rgnyc]

Thank you for this clip -- VERY helpful! I have had some terrible audio issues with the AX53, even when feeding output from a field mixer -- rumble, hum etc. in recording dramatic scenes on a small stage. I will look into the Rode mic you mention in the comments below. Not sure whether to go with the Rode VideoMic Pro+ or the Rode VideoMic Camera Mount Shotgun -- if you have a recommendation it would be greatly appreciated!

[@MarylandCloakedSinger]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@CruisingMeraki]

Have you tested the Sony ECM-GZ1M mic with the Ax53? Currently have the rode micro but because it’s flexible in hits the camcorder and causes a loud pop. Need a solid stable mic like the rode video micGO or maybe the Sony ECM-GZ1M - what would you suggest?

[@gm16v149]

I don’t know if you’ll read this because it was a while since you made the video and KZbin doesn’t always notify comments. I’ve got the AX53 and just bought a Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro mic. The hinged door on top of the camera is always getting in the way and I’d like to permanently remove it, like you could on my old JVC Everio. Do you know how to take it off, because it looks like I’ll have to wreck the hinges which I don’t want to do. Surely there’s a way around this, but google searches or the Sony website have turned up nothing. Cheers.

[@oliverleslie7382]

I would rec the hinges - you can make a sleeve later to cover it - or use a sock to cover the camera or a Velcro strip to attach a new lid.

[@gm16v149]

I actually pulled the lid off with a pair of needle nose pliers, it was easy but I’ll never be able to use the lid again! You don’t need the lid anyway.

[@paulallenMacca]

Does the Sony AX53 have Audio Out Jack.

[@smileysmultimedia]

TDCatTech have you used the AX53 with something like a ZOOM recorder ? If so do you have a video on how the two would work together ?

[@koolkutz7]

I have a Zoom H1 recorder and it is very clear. Again, you have to be careful with volume settings- I have the LO Cut filter ON, and AUTO Level set to OFF for the very reasons outlined in this video. It's a great recorder for narration, live recording and getting clear, clean audio (might be good to get a deadcat windshield for outsoors to ruduce that horrible wind noise).

[@The_Darrell]

Ha! I was just going to ask the exact same question.

[@gherdmo1]

@@koolkutz7 Glad you brought this up. I have a Zoom R16 and its been driving me nuts trying to get rid of that noise.

[@Harutyunian]

BRAVO! Very helpful. Thank you!

[@SoundMediaVibes]

Great tip, Thanks! :)

[@MrPilcher1]

It is possible to get around this with the Sony XLR-K2M Adapter Kit and Microphone

[@oliverleslie7382]

I have this camera and want to use my mixpre - 3 ii. I understand your video - which totally helped to reduce noise - but i was wondering which device is actually doing the audio recording - the stuff i want to use? Is the camera doing the recording since i plugged the mixpre into the mic jact/input - or is the mixpre still doing the recording - if so, is this "syncing'? Also Can i abort the "record sound" of the camera altogether? Is there a dial or button for this or is it just a matter of lowering the audio record level to zero. This is if i want to just go slate on everything. Thanks a lot. Great vid!

[@zepieter]

Thanks, very helpful advice!

[@RickMenHome]

Did you notice if the BOSS generated a humming noise that was picked up on the built in mic? Will an external mic negate this issue?

[@srspower]

What if you are using a MI shoe mic? That's what I have on my Ax53.

[@LiviuDragon]

I have the SONY ax 33 it has built in microphone 5.1 channel mine is set on stereo 2 channel i wnat to set it in 5.1

[@user-be1it9zi8v]

Big help thanks. I have the AX33 and the audio was horrorifc, the touch screen isn't the best so I couldnt even find the manual override. I have it on the first mark now! although it's still peaking if I get excited lol

[@leagoo52]

Does this camera have zoom microphone function? That means does it increase microphone gain in accordance with video zoom level? If it has this function does it work with external microphone too?

[@skatechatham]

Seems to have built in compression on auto mode, manual all the way, thanks for the tip!

[@CVKalyanKumar]

Hi! How did you show the menus in the cameras with you in the background?

[@tdcattech]

This was recorded on an external recorder out of the HDMI. This is how menus are displayed via HDMI (transparent) so the recorder just recorded them like that. It was quite useful for this video actually as I was expecting to record separate cut away shots initially :-)

[@CVKalyanKumar]

Can you please let me know what the external recorder was? is it HDMI capture card or something? Does it capture the menus as displayed in the LCD of the camcorder? Thanks for the prompt reply

[@tdcattech]

This was recorded on an Atomos Shogun Inferno. A different beast to a capture card but the result would be the same. Yes, the menus are captured as per the LCD so it's not a 'clean' HDMI output (where nothing but the footage is sent over HDMI).

[@CVKalyanKumar]

Sorry to bother you so much. If I use any other HDMI capture card like the Avermedia would the result be same?

[@tdcattech]

Yep. That's what's outputted from the camera HDMI.

[@TheBroodingTom]

I'm having to do the same thing with my Lumix DMC FZ-1000 (worst audio EVER!) so I have to turn the in-camera gain, down, ALL THE WAY, and use +20 gain on my saramonic external mic.. crazy tho how I have to do that in the first place :/

[@snarkyguy]

Good tips!

[@ruffen28]

First of, love your videos on this camera! One of the reasons I bought one. I added a Røde VideoMicro. I'll mainly want to use it on the fly nature shoots like rough seas close to where i live so minimizing wind noise is my focus. I have little to no experience with a camcorder so would I have to tune mic input manually in post (i need to learn editing as well), or basically take multiple test with different manual levels?

[@tdcattech]

You should be able to get a good idea in camera from the level meters. If you set the VideoMicro to a good level out, you should find that you will be able to reduce the manual levels down to a similar level as in this video. The level meters aren't very clear on the AX53 so there will be a bit of trial and error but I find that if your levels occasionally hit the highest visual amount on camera display, that should be OK. Minimizing wind noise is always a struggle as you undoubtedly know. For that, you may need to do some additional work in post to EQ out unneeded low frequency rumble from the wind (200Hz and below).

[@ruffen28]

Thank you kindly for you reply and I am very happy with the camera so far when adjusting the audio levels using a headset. The buzzing was quite profound when on Auto, and even with the mic input set to 4 bars I could still hear a buzz but a great improvement. The next project will be to find an entry free video editing software.:)

[@paulc245]

Hi, which pack are you using? Thanks.

[@Chappysnapz]

How do I set up, say, a movo vxr10 to the sony ax53?

[@tdcattech]

Just plug it in and probably change to manual audio levels. The AX53 will provide plugin power if the Movo needs it.

[@Chappysnapz]

@@tdcattech Ok, thanks

[@BrackstonesTravelAdventures]

great video, wonder if you or someone here can help, I have this camera and the MOVO external mic. When recording outside I get terrible distortion on the speech like when a DAB radio breaks up. I have wind cancellation turned off and rec volume at 5 +. Is this normal or do you think this is a fault with the camera. you had see the problem on my channel

[@tdcattech]

Even with the dead-cat on?

[@BrackstonesTravelAdventures]

@@tdcattech yes with dead cat. Thought this would work at mid volume ok but getting lot problema

[@BrackstonesTravelAdventures]

Just uploaded my latest test on youtube. This is with the MOVO mic and the input volume to the AX53 set to 1/2 set from minimum. When listening back the volume is still high which I would expect it to be low, and it is still breaking up so now I have no further setting to control one the Sony AX53.. There is also no volume control on the MOVO VXR-10 So can only assume this is now a fault with the Sony camcorder or a software defect with it kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWe4imB4mpdmiaM

[@stefaniieD0LL]

which lav mic did you use there? :) thank you

[@GBLynden]

I hate the built-in camera mic as it picks up everything I don't want it to. That includes road noise that really isn't very loud and the neighbor kids. I am going to try using manual audio setting to clear that up as I decide while lav mic to purchase.

[@tristanmckenzie1623]

I agree. The road noise sounds like there's a train travelling constantly in the distance and the road noise is actually from quite far away but you can barely hear it off camera. 5.1 channel seems to enhance unwanted noise

[@Jose_Ossa_dg]

Thank you for this very informative video! I do have an important question, though: I film outdoors and I live in the midwest, which is very windy. I have a Rode VideomicGo with a Deadcat windscreen on it but I still get so much wind noise. I have been recording with my Audio set to Auto, which your video clearly states not to do. I'm going to set it to Manual and lower the level half-way. Will this cure my wind noise problem, or is the issue my microphone and windscreen?

[@tdcattech]

It might improve the audible impact of it if you can keep the actual vocal level higher than the wind noise as the camera won't be fighting to bring the wind noise up to the same high level as the vocal. There's nothing wrong with a bit of wind noise as long as it's not disturbing to the listener. However, it won't improve the actual problem at all. You can only do so much. Even if you move into blimp territory you can still suffer wind noise.

[@Jose_Ossa_dg]

Thank you very much for your prompt response. I filmed a tournament today and it was 17 mph gusting to 23 mph, so I'll be able to see if what I did helped. I'll test out some footage following your advice, thank you very much.

[@Jose_Ossa_dg]

Update: Changing the settings like you suggested in this video helped tremendously. I've also worked with my video editing software to reduce that wind noise even further. Thank you very much.

[@bnaylor0]

Yes I get the same I get humming as well even at low level rec. I use fostex long throw mics ruined the performance I recently recorded.... these 3.mm jack sockets for mic and headphones are rubbish.will be changing this camera asap.

[@zurih]

Hey I love your videos. Can you please recommend a relatively lightweight external mic that I can adjust the mic output for the AX53? Thank you!

[@tdcattech]

I sometimes use my AX53 together with the Rode VideoMic Pro+. Very lightweight and 3 output levels to cater for most preamp types. amzn.to/2BTvZeZ - If that's too large or expensive, I think Sennheiser still make the MKE400. A tiny little mic.

[@danielpindell1267]

What external mic are you using? I just got the AX53 and the Rode VideoMicro and I love it. I turned down the db or audio volume and it's crystal clear but the audio is low. The Rode VideoMicro doesn't have a volume amp or anything to increase the volume. Is there a way to adjust that mic? Or Should I get a different mic or should I adjust the volume in editing software. Thanks.

[@tdcattech]

I'm using a Sennheiser EW100 G3 lav mic set in this video which allows me to adjust the level into the camera. In your setup, the mic output is fixed so you have no choice but to use the preamp in the camera. It's not really bad at all. :) I believe the AX53 does have the required low voltage plugin power required for the VideoMicro so I'm surprised you're not able to get a higher level signal from the mic itself but if there is no level switch on the mic, you're stuck. You could invest in a mic with more functionality but then you lose the convenience of an extremely portable mic with no batteries! Depends what you're doing.

[@danielpindell1267]

TDCatTech Thank you very much for replying back so soon. I mostly will be shooting with a tripod doing KZbin videos. So far the volume have been pretty good but I might check out another mic. Thank you again 👍👍

[@JustFun-iz9rf]

thank you very helpful

[@antibulletdodger101]

Can you please help me? I have an AX53 and just bought a Rode SmartLavPlus clip mic. But when I connect it to the the camera no sound is picked up. Why?

[@LivingAWOL]

I used to have that problem. If you are just looking for a single mic lapel, make sure it has power. I bought a insignia from Best Buy just to test and it worked great. Uses battery power to allow sound.

[@paulallenMacca]

Can you recommend an ultra fast focusing 4K Camcorder i thought about the AX-700 but its only got 12 x Optical Zoom,im trying to get a good 4K Camcorder with Very good focusing, i currently use the AX53 but when a Buzzard is in the sky and im using the viewfinder im practically blinded looking into the sky i think a better eye cup would have helped a lot.

[@tdcattech]

For reach and stability, the AX53 is still hard to beat as far as I know. My sister lives near Heathrow and I was filming random planes going over her house. It's just so easy with the AX53 and the quality is great. Could you not find a third party eye cup for the AX53. I agree that the viewfinder is useless without one.

[@paulallenMacca]

Thanks for getting back I’ve tried to find a better eye cup but no luck I wish SONY would sort out the manual focusing ring.Id like a more professional camcorder with better zooming in 4K I was thinking of the Canon XF400.

[@TomTerrific]

I'm wondering how you lav would sound plugged directly into the AX53?

[@tdcattech]

I frequently use it like that for simplicity and quality. It works and sounds great. It's one channel only but that's easily fixable when editing.

[@cwhlin]

@@tdcattech Hi. I've used the AX53 with a lav mic and it usually worked fine but then the mic somehow stopped working and we didn't know until we went to edit the film so we lost quite a bit of footage. Is there a way to monitor the sound?

[@oliverleslie7382]

@@cwhlin Head phones - or keep looking at the line in signal?

[@me4g862]

so basically I''m getting that I can't use my ax33 without buying a $300 external microphone because of the low grumbling noise I get on every video I take using the internal microphone....perfect

[@tdcattech]

Nah, you could just get something like the MOVO VXR-10. $35, decent audio and extremely lightweight.

[@mateuszklos]

What exact model of microphone do you use?

[@tdcattech]

In this video I'm using the Sennheiser EW100 G3 lav mics. I did a review of these ages ago here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3vSZoF-fa1_oas

[@spencergaupp]

Does anyone else’s audio go into some weird file and know how to fix that?

[@JoeJacksonJr]

Cant stop looking at the dirty wall in the background.....

[@tdcattech]

Not dirty...just very badly painted. We got someone in to do it and they did the most half-arsed job ever. I won't tell my partner that you said this! :-)

[@tjszuch]

i want to learn how to make the in camera audio better, not use external equipment

[@oliverleslie7382]

one problem with the on camera mic is that it's picking up sound from everywhere (360) - including internal and handling noises.

[@tristanmckenzie1623]

​@oliverleslie7382 you can turn the AGC Gain right down and manual audio level up a little which seems to help

[@bnaylor0]

For the price of the AX 53 the audio is a joke when using external mics/ Mixer so much noise even at low level recording don't even think about recording with DC charger in

[@zumadundee7049]

hi. is it affecting the external mic when you use with the cam's dc charger or without? thank you.

[@shelendir]

Useless...rename your video to "ANY SOUND SETTINGS"

[@oliverleslie7382]

How is this useless if it actually worked?

[@alaskanfrogman]

I'm getting pretty sick of hearing and seeing guys doing a whole lot of yakking but not really saying a whole lot. I want to see more substance and less yakking... Well, I guess I just need to figure things out for my own self. I'm unsubscribing to your channel because you don't have anything useful regarding the ax53 camcorder, which I'm still waiting to be delivered by mail. Its going on 2 days overdue. I want to see videos along with your explanations. I want to see setups that you're talking about, along with the information you're sharing. You are doing a lot of talking but not really bringing all that much to the table that illustrates what you're saying. I'm finding that everywhere... Thanks but no thanks. I'm unsubscribed now and won't be watching anymore of your videos...

[@theparanormalroadtrippers8195]

How do u adjust the audio level on the sony hdr cx550

[@kooky2]

Very useful, thank you!