9 Tips for Better Audio on ATEM Mini (and other switchers)

[@bob76451]

As an audio engineer, I’m going to have to take exception with your example in point 4. Between 200-600Hz is where a lot of muddiness and other bad harmonics reside in the human voice. I almost always put two 3dB cuts on a presenter’s mic: one around 200, and the other around 500. Those two cuts boost intelligibility by a lot. I also boost around 2.0-2.5kHz if I need more intelligibility. I will also frequently put a high shelf boost above 8kHz for a bit of sparkle. You have to be careful with the last one because you can run into problems with over-sibilant esses. The exact frequencies for these cuts and boosts depends on the person’s voice. It’s easy to take a few seconds and sweep the three or four frequency ranges to get the desired effect.

[@djp_video]

I oversimplified, obviously. I’ll go into more detail in a future, purpose-made video.

[@sabrinoor]

Could it be better to have the low cut filter in the microphone (analogue) for voice recordings? I think it's better to have the low cut before the A/D converter. This will get more room for quantization/sampling at the low end?

[@Joshua.Jackson]

You mentioned sending audio through a camera to the switcher. I know you use Sony cameras. Have you not had issues with distortion of line level signals going through the camera? I've used an FS5 and either a X70 or Z90 (I don't recall, they were someone else's and a couple years ago). In both instances, I was feeding line level, from a sound board, through the camera to the switcher (the FS5 was recording on the SD card). I did make sure that the input switches were set for line level. In both cases, there was a perceivable amount of distortion (not terrible, but not as clean as it should have been). In the instance of the FS5, we bypassed the camera audio and recorded to hard drive and then changed to Panasonic cameras. I'm the instance of the X/Z, we ran the audio directly into the Web Presenter (the audio input of the switcher was damaged). In both instances, the sound was better than going through the cameras. I made the assumption that Sony just didn't like line level. I've never had an issue with microphones.

[@djp_video]

You do have to be careful with signal levels when doing this. It isn't something I normally do -- I almost always have a completely separate setup for audio -- but for those in a pinch it can work.

[@Joshua.Jackson]

@@djp_video Yeah, I did make sure that the input meter wasn't clipping.

[@djp_video]

I've found that that isn't a good indicator of clean audio on the Sony cameras. You can overload the pre-amp to the point of distortion without the level meters ever showing it. You've got to actually listen to the audio to make sure it's coming in clean.

[@DonGoliath]

I remixed all my Steppers tunes from a few years back. They all sound wicked now, please give them a listen!

[@bob76451]

For tip #7, if your sound board only has XLR outputs you can create a custom Y-cable where pin 2 on the left XLR output goes to the tip on the 1/8” jack, and pin 2 on the right XLR output goes to the ring on the 1/8” jack. Pins 1 & 3 on both XLR connectors get connected to the sleeve. I purchased a very high quality, 10’ custom cable from Redco for about $30 USD. Or you can build one for yourself for a bit cheaper.

[@aaronm9353]

I’ve always wondered with such mini-jack (or equally TRS 1/4 inch) XLR adaptor cables why pin 3 of each leg needs connecting at all? Obviously pin 1 is universally assigned as the pin to be connected to the ground core/shielding, which in this case corresponds with the Sleeve of any TRS jack, but pin 3 is almost always used (excluding the rare cases where manufacturers deviate from the ‘pin 2 hot’ norm) for carrying the negative signal in a balanced pair. Since the XLR outputs of mixers are almost always going to be balanced, meanwhile any TRS Input wired for stereo can only be unbalanced, would leaving pin 3 completely disconnected on both of, in this case, female XLRs also work? Maybe there’s something I’m completely missing here, but I’ve never understood the necessity for all 3 pins to be wired in adaptor scenarios such as this. In terms of wiring, is the norm for the ground core to be connected between the Sleeve and pin 1 to then have a tiny wire jumpering pin 1 and pin 3 on the XLRs? I suppose, depending on the construction of the adaptor cable, both of the XLRs could be fully wired back to the TRS jack by soldering both pairs of colds and grounds to its Sleeve, which I think I’ve seen done on a few handmade leads, but that’s probably the messier method.

[@djp_video]

@@aaronm9353 When going from balanced to unbalanced without a transformer, the (-) line should be left unconnected. When going the other way, it’s customary to bridge the (-) and ground. Technically in a proper balanced system the ground isn’t really used (except for phantom power, which I’ll address in a moment) - it is actually just looking at the difference in signal level between the (+) and (-) lines and the ground is ignored. So if you only connect (+) and ground there is a chance that some equipment might not work very well with a floating (-). Connecting the input signal to (+) and (-) instead should always work. And bridging the ground and (-) ensures that the signal is actually grounded at the same time. You should never bridge the (-) and ground on a mic-level input that can deliver phantom power. That would create a direct short. Phantom power is applied on the (+) and (-) signals, referenced to the ground. Having (-) and ground connected to each other would short that voltage. There are some “balanced” systems out there, particularly on the budget side of things, that aren’t really balanced. They only use (+) and ground, and ignore the (-). They’re rare, but they do exist.

[@computerjantje]

YES you want a DI-box or better a 1:1 ratio passive transformer to properly UNBALANCE the signal coming from the mixer IF the cable length is over 9 feet (sometimes even shorter depending on equipment in the room) When you get sound from a mixer with XLR cables, this means you are getting a balanced signal. ONLY if you UNBALANCE the right way, the cable transport is balanced. A converter cable: 2x XLR to stereo mini-jack maybee seems the best option but then you are not UNBALANCING the whole length of the cable to the mixer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4LFiJyan7Npp9E

[@eck0hcobra15]

Learnt a lot!! Looking forward to the audio series. Really appreciate your time making this video.

[@djmisjel]

Nice tips. Hope you don't mind some constructive criticism. I hear a little bit of distortion on your mic and also the release of the compressor seems a bit long.

[@Juergen_Miessmer]

One more Tip, If you don't know how to use EQ or dynamics, don't use it. Try to learn before. I had to many requests to fix bad audio in the post....

[@forfrodo4010]

I’m having issues with audio cutting in and out at my church service. I believe it’s the atem but I’m super lost didn’t know if anyone could help

[@djp_video]

How do you have the audio connected?

[@user-fr3hy9uh6y]

Great tips. When doing live events sometimes you need a mix minus. Any tips of easy ways to get a mix minus?

[@jasonlavalleur]

Good tips. I too look forward to the more in depth audio tutorials.

[@museumschlossfurstenberg]

Hello Doug, thanks for your explanations. This will make a lot of things clearer and easier to use in the future. I noticed that your overhead cam has not been in focus for several videos, I would be happy if you could fix that. I'm always happy about new videos from you.

[@aaronm9353]

Maybe you could be his remote focus puller? 😆

[@djp_video]

The Micro Studio 4K camera resets its focus position every time it is powered off so I have to set focus manually every time. I use the Auto button in ATEM software Control and cross my fingers that it gets it right. Most of the time it does, but obviously sometimes it gets it wrong. It’s difficult to see if focus is correct on my confidence monitor, which shows only the multiview output of the switcher, and I don’t always remember to check it on a bigger monitor.

[@museumschlossfurstenberg]

@@djp_video Thanks for the explanation, sounds like an annoying task. I hope you can find a way for it. Greetings from Germany

[@BurninSven1]

Use real mics and a mixer with direct outputs like a Behringer mixer. Use the Atem mixer only to pan/balance your audio. Use lowcut from round 100 khz, reduce 3db at 440 khz and 2200 khz, done.

[@djp_video]

Usually I bump around 2.5K, not reduce it, to increase intelligibility. And if I do a dip in the midrange, it's in the low-mids around 200 Hz. But compressors are a must for me.

[@reubenp]

Thank you very much!

[@robertharker]

How do the ATEM Mini and Behringer BCF2000 communicating? USB? Ethernet? How do I configure the ATEM to listen to the BCF?

[@djp_video]

The B-Control Fader is connected to the computer via USB, and it communicates with ATEM Software Control. So you just need those two pieces, and for the BCF to be configured to Mackie control mode.

[@robertharker]

Thanks for the info. I will try this out next time I use my ATEM. Great videos BTW.

[@eldarrakhmatullaev6713]

Thanks for an informative video Doug. Do you recommend using DI Boxes between the audio mixer and ATEM? The reason behind this question is that when I stream at events, audio is already provided by an event sound technician and it is out of my control, with every new event, there are different technicians and hardware that is used. Wouldn't be the use of DI Box some kind of "buffer" between my ATEM and different devices that I don't know. Thanks.

[@djp_video]

I would keep one around, but only use it when necessary. Any equipment in an audio chain is going to affect the quality of the audio in some way, whether that be adding extra noise, or altering the frequency response, or other artifacts. It's best to keep the chain as minimal and clean as you can, only adding gear when it is needed. Many active DI boxes tend to be rather noisy and I'd personally prefer to not have them connected if I can avoid it. As an alternative to a DI box, you in many cases could use a ground loop isolator/transformer. It will do a lot of what you need without the complexity or potential impedance mismatch of a DI box.

[@computerjantje]

YES you want a DI-box or better a 1:1 ratio passive transformer to properly UNBALANCE the signal coming from the mixer IF the cable length is over 9 feet (sometimes even shorter depending on equipment in the room) When you get sound from a mixer with XLR cables, this means you are getting a balanced signal. ONLY if you UNBALANCE the right way, the cable transport is balanced. A converter cable: 2x XLR to stereo mini-jack maybee seems the best option but then you are not UNBALANCING the whole length of the cable to the mixer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4LFiJyan7Npp9E

[@SoRealSoReal23]

Audio beginner here but I have to ask. Is it possible to de-reverb live instead of in post?

[@djp_video]

Not really. The best solution is better mic placement, or selecting a microphone with a tighter pickup pattern.

[@SoRealSoReal23]

@@djp_video Thanks for the tip!

[@computerjantje]

@@djp_video exactly. It all comes to microphone placement. That is even more important then good microphones :) In reality: The closer the mouth is to the microphone, the best dry sound you will get. And then also make sure the room is not bouncing everything

[@paololanzi648]

Thanks for all. I would like the active microphone of my Atem Extreme mini, unlike other active audio sources, not to come out of the headphone output. is there a way to do this? Thank you

[@djp_video]

No. You’d need to use a separate mixer to do something like that.

[@Kironmedia]

Good news

[@andremclean4433]

Do you consider the zoom PodTrak P4 a mixer and do you recommend it to improve the audio for a 2 person setup? Trying to use 2 SamsunQ2U as mics.

[@djp_video]

The PodTrak has some very basic mixing capabilities, but it doesn't seem to have a lot of the essential tools available in even the most basic of analog mixers. Even a $80 Behringer mixer would get you much better sound.

[@MMHC]

I am getting humming noise from mixer into stem mini pro I am using Iris for noise reduction can you advise

[@djp_video]

Are you connected to one of the Mic inputs? A higher quality cable would be the first thing I'd try. If that doesn't solve it, pick up a ground loop isolator and add that in the signal chain.

[@MMHC]

I am connected to Mic input 1. thank you.@@djp_video

[@user-vb9sm5ff2e]

Hey brother. Im outputting from main output XLR from qu sb mixer to the atem 3.5mm jack line level. I have sound working perfectly on my laptop and new mobile phones. Older phones I get no sound from KZbin streams whatsoever. Any advice how to overcome this?

[@djp_video]

That sounds like a KZbin problem. If any devices work properly then you are sending the video stream correctly.

[@dashpauldash]

Why are the top-down shots so out of focus? Come on Doug Johnson, video pro!

[@djp_video]

Short answer, the auto focus on that camera isn’t very good and the multi view output I’m viewing it on isn’t high resolution enough to tell when it is off

[@Juergen_Miessmer]

Haha....comming soon: 9 tips how to get better video. 1st Tipp: Don't use autofocus.... ;-)

[@levimcfall2482]

If I am sending the final audio from my audio mixer, is the mic port good enough, or should I use an audio embedder to send it through one of the HDMIs?

[@djp_video]

You'll get noticeably cleaner audio if you embed into an HDMI input. The analog microphone inputs on the ATEMs aren't great.

[@bhwhprods]

@@djp_video this is interesting, I’m regularly coming out of an X32 into an Atem extreme. The preamps on the Atem are....... So how is it done via HDMI?

[@bhwhprods]

Ah.. just watched more of your vid and realised I could run the main outs of my mixer into the XLR inputs of my camera. My main cam is always very near the X32. Will give it a go 👍🏼

[@levimcfall2482]

@@bhwhprods So the signal still passes through the preamps even if the ports are set to be line level inputs?

[@bhwhprods]

@@levimcfall2482 definitely passes through (no other way) but Doug will advise on the potential for noise to be added. I would’ve thought minimum. But still better to use better preamps if available or avoid entirely if via HDMI

[@buildingsheriff]

Thanks, Doug. So, in Tip 9, how does the audio out of the switcher that goes into the mixer, then get back into the switcher?

[@djp_video]

Using the same cable demonstrated in the earlier tip. You can have audio going in both directions at once.

[@hanah407]

I'm sorry but did you not notice that all of your overhead shots are waaaay out of focus?

[@djp_video]

Yes, I could see that once I got to editing. But I wasn't about to re-shoot the video just for that. That's what I get for trusting the Auto Focus option on a Blackmagic camera. My preview window when shooting is small enough and the resolution is low enough that it's difficult to tell if it is in focus or not. And sometimes it doesn't work out right.

[@Juan_lauda]

Dude. Too much filter on your mic.