Comica Cvm-Ax1 Audio Mixer Review

[@buggeroff9]

Very informative video. There are so many videos on KZbin where the person being recorded doesn't have a mic on and solely relies on the camera mic, they don't realise how bad the sound is.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Prince how are you? You are so right and I'm guilty because my first few years of video reviews I did the same thing, it's hard for me to watch them now. the only thing I don't like about this particular setup is my unidirectional microphone it's not as crisp and clear as my usual battery powered omnidirectional and it also makes noise when I move around while it's hanging on my shirt. Search for the perfect solution continues LOL

[@zguy95135]

That’s funny I just bought one of these for a shoot, I’m glad to see it got he Ray Cristofer seal of approval. I also picked up one of those Pixel 6 lav mics you recommended and it works great.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thanks Joseph, I don't have alot of friends that do audio for me to learn from so let me know how it goes. What kind of video projects do you shoot?

[@h.sinclair]

Well done Ray

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks Sinclair, glad it was helpful.

[@adsertheblade]

Thanks for the great video. I didn't notice you mention the battery life, any idea how long it lasts? Thanks

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Great video Ray I’m still dialling my audio in with my Saramonic wireless system I’ve had to really get the camera pre-amp as low as possible and the adjust the volume wheel on the receiver to get it just right this seems like a piece of kit to use for interviews and loud environments perfect for you Sir 🙌🏻🙌🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Paul thank you, I still haven't perfected it yet either because both my unidirectional mics aren't as clear as my usual battery powered omni ones and they make noise when clipped to my shirt if I move too much. It was a huge difference next to that road though. You're doing great with your audio also bro, good looking out.

[@MultiSpeedr]

Really cool

[@Raychristofer]

What's up Pete thanks, hey man I hate to say it but since you got soft and retired from sound engineering I'm taking over your spot, don't fight it It's okay to concede lol!

[@KorocheKo]

Thanks for good job👍

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thank you. For some reason this video was very unpopular but I know certain videographers could benefit from it

[@KorocheKo]

@@Raychristofer I really like the presentation of information and your efforts! great !!!

[@ath06601]

Excelente video. Gracias

[@Timur0981]

Hello. Background noise appears when a mixer is connected to a camera. I changed the sensitivity of the sound on the camera and on the mixer. But the hiss doesn't go away.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello that is something I'm not a professional as to how to troubleshoot but I noticed when I use certain microphones I get a background hiss and other microphones are perfectly clean so maybe try a few different microphones unless you think something is wrong with your mixer don't hesitate to send it back

[@Timur0981]

@@Raychristofer I've been shooting with these microphones for a long time. There was no such hiss. It's a shame if the problem is in the mixer. Thanks for answering me.

[@Raychristofer]

@@Timur0981 no problem. As you can tell from my review I didn't get any background noise so yeah definitely send it back it's no use having a product with background noise because even if you can adjust it with the equalizer it will not reach its full potential

[@perrypelican9476]

Hiss is often a cable issue. The best cable is as short as possible and as straight as possible. Don't use those cables that are like springs and dont bunch them up in a mess. If if has to be shortened then make into a snake shape. A cable could be near a source of interference like an outlet or another cable that carries electricity. Try using your setup in a totally different place to see if it helps. Make sure the jacks/plugs are all the way in and clean. Every so often I put a bit of alcohol on the jacks with a swab and plug them in and out a few times with all power turned OFF. Allow them to dry for a few minutes before using with power on. Alcohol dries really fast but you should always be extra careful with your equipment. Rushing things is a bad habit. I always try everything carefully before returning things. The worst feeling is to return something and having the exact same problem with the new replacement. Good luck and above all, HAVE FUN. As soon as you stop having fun, take up a different thing. Fun could come in different flavours. It could be simple enjoyment or it could be satisfaction from accomplishing things that are a challenge. Easy is not so satisfying. Dig in when you are faced with something difficult and find a way to get it done. You will be surprised how smart you can be when you apply yourself. My theory is that people are much smarter and capable than they think they are. Have self confidence. It will help you to be motivated and solve problems.

[@Raychristofer]

@@perrypelican9476 I don't know you but I love you man. The way you wrot that is like a grandparent to his favorite grandkids lol. So true. You should have a KZbin channel also🤗

[@altermoremusic]

I don't think this thing is really necessary. Firstly, Lumix G7 has settings for sound limiting, as well as wind noise reduction. But, personally, I record audio separately on a phone or condenser microphone and then mix this sound with the sound from a video camera. But before I mix the sound when editing video, I process the audio track in the audio editor, where I additionally use the gate, limiter and EQ to get the optimal sound.

[@Raychristofer]

It may not be necessary for your workflow but it helped me a lot. the problem is sometimes I reach the limits of the G7 gain control with some of the different mics I use,. I have a Fifine mic that sounds outstanding and clear but the signal is so strong even when I drop the gain to minus 12 it still peaks in the red. Same problem when I shoot outdoors near traffic. As I mentioned in the video if I only shoot in a studio setting where it's quiet I don't need it either and don't forget there are cameras that don't have a gain control or bad preamps like Canon cameras. I don't like the added labor of recording separately and syncing in post and then editing the sound further it's like doing double work

[@altermoremusic]

@@Raychristofer achieving a good result takes effort. All the same, I think that the voice needs processing, especially since this is some kind of specialized video. Sometimes you can speak more quietly, sometimes louder. And editing helps to optimize this and equalize the volume for the entire length of the recording. I already have a preset for this, which I made once, and I just make small edits for each separate case. Of course, if it is possible to write sound very cleanly, and the voice is amplified enough, then you don't have to bother about it.

[@Raychristofer]

@@altermoremusic could you do me a favor, when you have time could you shoot a short video next to some traffic like this and show me how you suppress the background noise using your workflow?

[@altermoremusic]

@@Raychristofer I would not shoot a calm video close to traffic. But in my last vlog, you can hear trees sawing in the distance. But I recorded the sound directly to the phone's voice recorder. If I hadn't processed it, the recording would have been really bad. I had no other opportunity. Cleaning the noise does not always help. But, if I shoot something in a noisy place, I just speak louder. But even if you lower the gain using such a mixer, it can still affect the volume of your voice. In any case, even if processing does not completely remove the background noise, it will reduce it. This is always true for voice acting, because there is always background noise in the recording, even in indoor recordings. The condenser microphone picks up everything.

[@Raychristofer]

@@altermoremusic cool Man, carry on.

[@sfeler1]

good review

[@Raychristofer]

Hey Steve thanks for passing through and taking the time to comment

[@TeKnoVKNG23]

Interesting device, seems like this would be good for dual interview set ups or times when you aren't moving around much in front of the camera, as well as being outdoors with a lot of background noise. As always, an excellent review my man!

[@Raychristofer]

Hey thanks so much bro. If you see me review something you would like to try let me know and maybe I can have the company deal with you also.

[@dojangles]

Just discovered you. Brilliant job!

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks DJ, I appreciate that because when editing this I was saying to myself man this is a boring video nobody's gonna care lol

[@dojangles]

Definitely like the in depth way you review. You have a new subscriber from Barbados! You can see some of the work I do over on GineOn.com.

[@Raychristofer]

@@dojangles thanks for stopping by bro you're welcome anytime. It took me years of running the KZbin channel to iron out many mistakes I was making and didn't realize. I'll definitely check out your site my man. respect

[@harrison00xXx]

Does it also amplify the signal, and by how much? I got a "cheap", active rode microphone but the EOS RPs preamp just sucks, i need a stronger signal to reduce cameras internal gain settings

[@AnthonyWeekesE1Tech]

Excellent video, the should make a difference in your audio!👍

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks Anthony. its good but its also something more to carry and adjust. I shot a segment saying I wish it was smaller and rechargeable but I try keep the video short and manageable.

[@redneckrollerblader3547]

Great video man! more inspiration. I finally got my first couple black and white fish eye lens film developed. If you want to check some of them out, I'll send them via email.

[@Raychristofer]

Awesome man thanks for that. Yes please my email is raychristofer at yahoo