Sony A7sIII Audio Distortion Problem SOLVED!! (A7iii as well)

[@skoventure7805]

DUDE. I have been up for hours. HOURS! Trying to figure this out. I did a shoot today where I recorded at 1, and I couldn't figure out what happened. I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE INTERNET looking for answers. You crushed it with this video. Subed and liked. You saved my sanity, and dignity knowing i didnt max out the PSL of my mic at speaking volume. Great Job!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Skoventure! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! I am so happy you were able to find this video and that it helped! Yea this bugged the crap out of me cause it did not make any lick of sense! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@PaulBradfordTech]

I had problems with distortion on my a7C so I've been recording audio externally ever since I got it 6 months ago. This will make my workflow so much easier, thank you!!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Paul! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and hope that this solution helped with your a7C! You may also want to try +5 as Gerald Undone uses that setting for the same reasons! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@tauzins]

So are you using +3 and -3 like video suggest on the a7c?

[@KarimJovian]

THANK YOU. For some reason everyone was calling me stupid when I said there is something wrong with Sony A&S Auto Gain Control, I am sure that is what it is. I hope with an update we can turn it off. I remember back than we use to hack the canon with magic lantern to have that turned off. I was using the interview rode mic go 2 with the wand and it was clipping in interviews

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Karim! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video! It is weird how Sony does this, I don't know if all of their cameras do it, but it is somewhat misleading from the general norm of keeping your preamps low. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@TheManifestationMovement]

Found this video by accident, but I have noticed distortion with this combo (sony a7siii + rode wireless go ii). Thanks for this video. Your channel is criminally underrated.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey The Manifestation Movement! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you did find this video out of the blue, hope it helps you get cleaner audio moving forward! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@_unusable]

Hi! Gilbert here. I'm really glad you did this, as it makes clear some of my assumptions about the fact that gain is not in fact linear on not just many modern Sony in-cam preamps, but also those of, at the very least, Canon with its C70. The main reason is due to additional processing that happens at various stages. A close corollary would be a dual-gain sensor, but it's not quite the same (it's not an actual different circuit, but rather software-intervention, perhaps more like the annoying noise reduction that I can't disable on my own a7S III). The point is, I know for a long time the general rule of thumb has been to keep the gain on your internal preamps as low as possible while hitting your mark (in this case, -12dB, or in many other cases -6dB, etc), but it doesn't always translate to the cleanest audio. With the exception of something like a Presonus Quantum, where part of the whole schtick is that there's no processing happening, which translates to minimal latency and artificial noise, I no longer treat any preamp as linear to the extent that the lowest number automatically equates to the lowest noise floor. What matters most to me is the actual analysis of the noise floor relative to the signal (I use a few different tools for this, but iZotope or even just Audition already have great stuff for this purpose). With this in mind, I don't think the correct term is limiter, but rather processing happening at the lowest level that's trying to boost the signal (call it gain, but that's not entirely accurate) at the lowest setting. In most instances (barring a literal bug, which this very well could be), a limiter wouldn't introduce noise, let alone to the extent of clipping distortion, as much as it's a literal floor (or ceiling) at a certain frequency. But the semantics don''t matter. What matters is what your ears hear, and in the case you've brought before us, you're clearly onto something (and many of us have noticed the same). There really isn't any hard and fast rule for this (like lowest number = lowest noise). It really is just listen and know your gear. With that in mind, I'd like to humbly point some of us to a video we just did where we effectively A/B (though that wasn't quite the intent) the preamps of the C70 and the a7S III (and K3M, which is excellent in every way except durability) using a ton of different mics (RE-20, SM7B, Comica BoomX-U, MKH 416, Rode VideoMic Go, NTG, Pro+, and Wireless Go [v1], and more). The video itself isn't meant to be pretty. Rather the point was to simply know exactly what to expect with the equipment in various instances. Plus, as my colleague and dear friend Kyle and I have discovered, the C70 has preamps that, while definitely usable, can be quite noisy. But either way, again, it's about familiarity. I have an a1 as well and I plan on repeating a similar test to understand the same. If you're interested, here's the link to the video, buried as far below the fold as my shame would allow: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGGYmJxuo9WGiKM In the description there are timestamps for each mic so you don't have to go as crazy as I did listening to the wacky loop. But either way, it's a very, very good baseline for these combinations.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey Hey Gilbert (and Kyle haha) Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting such a nice write up! This definitely makes sense in terms of what we're seeing with the Sony and how its behaving. Whatever my next camera is I'm going to have to do a bunch of tests on the mic jack to see where is my sweet spot. I definitely stop by your tests and have a listen! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@_unusable]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Very kind words. We appreciate it very much. If you ever need a resource don't hesitate to reach out.

[@Cadmeus]

This would have driven me nuts trying to track down what was clipping and why, thanks for getting this info out there.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Cadmeus! You're most welcome! Yea the random clipping was driving me nuts cause it would happen so randomly with only certain words. Glad we now have an answer!

[@mcnicd02]

I had an A7Siii in the field filming for a documentary and was utterly furious with the sound quality. I would probably consider using the camera again now after watching this lifesaving explanation. What a guy!!!!!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey David! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! It is so weird isn't it? Why Sony does their audio this way versus how Panasonic does it, I'll never know. But now you know in the case you use another Sony Camera! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@jpemile]

OMG, just what I needed. I blamed it on my Comica and almost threw them away in favor of the RØDE Wireless Go II. This happened to me just 2 weeks ago. Thanks a million!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again jpemile! You're most welcome!! Glad I could help. Let me know if this fixes your problem with the comica!

[@LKH_Productions]

Answers come first! As a filmmaker in the field I can honestly say this was monumentally beneficial to me tonight! Thank you!!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

I'm so glad you found this useful along with the format of the channel!

[@ShootMore]

I am having the same problem on my a7s iii too, I never had this problem on my a7r iii. I am about to send my a7s iii to service center. On second thought, I tried to find solution on KZbin, and luckily I found your video. Thank for the info and I will give a try to set the internal audio to 3. Thank you!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Shoot More攝模! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you were able to find this video! Also give +5 a try as thats what Gerald Undone also uses. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@ShootMore]

@@TLDR_filmmaker thank you

[@ShootMore]

@@TLDR_filmmaker I have done some test on my a7s iii and a7r iii, and I found another way to turn around the problem. I don't know whether is the correct way, but somehow i am able to solve the audio distorsion problem. A7s iii internal volume indication always shown less 8-10 db in value, it gave false alarm to ask you increase the volume setting on your external mic. I applied the same volume setting (external mic and camera internal volume) on my a7r iii, the volume indication on a7r iii always has 8-10 db higher in value. Which mean a7r iii volume indicator hoover around -12db, then on a7s iii is around -20db. Don't increase the external mic volume when get lower volume indication on a7s iii, just let it hoover around -20db. I somehow manage to turn around the problem with this finding. I appreciate anyone to confirm this method whether it is working, or just a bad method.

[@ejim]

You can check the clipping point in Sony's mic input with a reference signal. Zoom external recorder does have a 1kHz sine testing tone function. Zoom output to Sony's mic input and raise the volume from 0 to 100 while shooting the Zoom screen. Check the footage & wave form in NLE. I found that clipping start all same level (58 at Zoom) when Sony's mic level from 1 to 3 and from level 4 clipping start earlier as expected. I don't have a7r3 or a7s3 but my other Sony cameras (a7s, a7s2, a6400) behaving exactly same.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey StreamLabs! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! I did perform and send a 1kHz tone into the A7Siii and the results were very odd. It allowed me to reach up to -6 (or so) on the Sony's sound meter which I've never been able to reach with my voice no matter how loud I screamed. This puts it well past the vocal distortion point in my tests here. I'm not sure whats necessarily going on, but someone proposed that the Sony may have a "native mic level setting" and everything under that is processed artificially to be a lower preamp setting. This seems to make sense. I'm currently using +3 on my Sony while Gerald Undone is using +5. The +3 does seem to not go super high on the sound meter so I wonder if +5 is the native setting for full range. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@ejim]

@@TLDR_filmmaker I did a test again with reference sine wave but this time with my wireless go2. Go2 mic in front pc speaker and raise the volume while recording the pc's volume meter. Sony's limiter kicks in earlier when camera's input level is 1. So 3~5 is safe level when using with go2. But I'm still scratching my head why limiter act differently when using a Zoom test tone.

[@AlisherYakupov]

A small tip that changes everything. I just bought a Rode Wireless II and searched for the best gain settings for Sony and Rode transmitter. From my experience I learned that preamp on Sony is terrible, and started from the lowest possible. Clipping on +1 is so counter-intuitive I thought something wrong with my mic. Thank you for clarifying the issue. Sony should fix it with firmware.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Ali! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that it helped! +3 definitely seems to be where the gates open, @Gerald Undone uses +5. I've since moved to +5 and audio seem around the same at +3, I'm sure there is slight differences, but for the most part +3 is the starting point. I almost wonder if Sony's "native" preamp is around +3 and +5 and anything under it is artificially capped, thus causing the odd early limiter behavior. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@KennyBellau]

Thanks for this! For some reason, mine was set at +27 or something like that. Was banging on my Rode mic like an old TV. Couldn't figure it out and had to resort to using the incamera mic for my shoot. I guess it's salvageable, but you've saved me for the next one.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Kenny! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad this video was helpful for your next shoot! As for the incamera mic. If you are using FCPX or Davinci Resolve they both now have a voice isolation feature that does a great job honing in on a voice. I've used in my latest short film where it was all incamera mic audio and it was able to clean it up fine for that setting. Here is a video I did where I talked about the FCPX version of the feature. Best of all its free if your computer has the right hardware or OS version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqjFqnuJhdqAi7c Hope this further helps! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@lukerussell1858]

TLDR is one of the best concepts that KZbinrs never use, thank you for the video!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Luke! Glad you like the concept!

[@geraldundone]

Did you try +2? Did that fall somewhere in between? Like -6db?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey Gerald! I did give +2 a try and the "limiter" seemed to hold at the same sound meter spot as +1 with the same random distortions. What mic level do you usually set for internal recordings on your Sony's? If at +1 have you ever ran into this random distortion before?

[@geraldundone]

@@TLDR_filmmaker I usually run it around 5, for similar reasons.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Thanks for the input, I'll have to give +5 a try! Someone brought up the idea that the Sony pre-amp may have, for the lack of a better term, a Native ISO (Mic level setting). Perhaps anything under +5 or +3 goes into a artificial processed signal?

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Gerald, I am having a similar problem on the GH5 at -12 with my Rode Videomic NTG - any suggestions on levels

[@BushMasterThermal]

Maybe we can get JK Julian Krause to do some in-depth testing on the Sony mic input Gain settings. kzbin.info/www/bejne/naTTg3t9p8R9pdE Like the Zoom H5N Clipping ( Zoom H5 Gain Clipping Problem and Solution ) "If you turn the gain of your Zoom H5 below the level 2.8 you risk clipping your audio signal. In the range from 0 to 2.8 your audio can distort without visual indication. Neither the level meter nor the clipping indicator shows the clipping."

[@AaronOverEverything]

So this is why my Comics VM20 has been a bit harsh?! With my in camera set to 1... and mic set to 3?! Man... you are all types of helpful!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again ItsBeerDrank! Hope this fixes that, this is such a weird quirk. But now we know, best for me to do mic level tests in new cameras in the future instead of assuming the lowest setting is the best setting (pending mic can output a loud enough signal)

[@AaronOverEverything]

@@TLDR_filmmaker it indeed fixed the harshness..💪🏽 keep fighting the good fight my good Sir!

[@bobkrist1]

Brilliant, thank you. I've run into this problem and wondered where the heck that clipping came from!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Bob! You're most welcome! Glad this was helpful! Definitely stop back and let me know if this also solves the problem cause I wasn't sure if I was the only one.

[@Rob_ot]

Exactly the same issue here. Thanks!

[@jgr757]

The old Zoom H1 (not the H1n) had a similar strange issue in that 16 was the de facto lowest level that was usable, below that the volume was reduced digitally but could still contain clipping. Audio is a huge focus as I build out my run and gun video setup so this video was right on time (even though I'm a Fuji shooter) this gives me a fresh set of 'ears' to listen for problems where they shouldn't be, Great video as always, thanks for sharing.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again James! Someone also brought to my attention that my Tascam DR40 also has two stages where it almost plays like Dual ISO. Just yesterday I had to operate the a DR60 that I hadn't used in awhile and I also noticed there was a certain level where the gain jumped stages. Very interesting stuff to learn about, I definitely will need to test the audio capabilities of my future cameras and not assume its like the Panasonic where it seems to be fine starting from -12 to 0.

[@stuffnuns]

I have an A7ii (The Battery Eater), and I just got an external Sennheiser MKE200 mic. The Volume at 3 factor is true on my camera, too. I found your video AFTER i discovered the weird 1 to 3 volume difference. I thought maybe my camera was faulty, but your video affirmed my result. I’ll keep the input volume on 3, thank you.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Mitchel! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad this video was able to confirm your findings. Such a weird quirk that I wish wasn't there since it doesn't follow the conventional wisdom from back in the Canon T2i days. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@FranciscoSilva-bv9qq]

I had this EXACTLY on my last shoot! When I was working on the edit, I picked up on this immediately. Fortunately it's not too distorted.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Francisco! It's so weird right? Glad your's wasn't too distorted. Thank goodness when I first realized this was during a youtube video and not a client video.

[@feliperabanal]

It seems the problem was solved. I have my A7SIII for 1 week, and no problems with my rode wireless go II. I use -3 level in the wireless go ii and +3 in my a7siii and it work perfect. Thanks for the video, great work!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Felipe! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Awesome! Glad everything is working smooth and sound! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@feliperabanal]

@@TLDR_filmmaker best wishes!!!

[@HumblyNeil]

Great observation! I've turned to using my Ninja V for recording my audio as I find the pre-amp on the A7r2 too clunky. Although, the amp is good enough to run a long line straight over to a unpowered shotgun mic.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Neil! Ah gotcha gotcha, what are your thoughts on the new Ninja V family of products?

[@HumblyNeil]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Well you just brought my attention to it! I'm sure they'll be amazing, the Ninja V is still relatively new to me, I love it. I bought it used on eBay for a song (plus extras), so I'm planning on keeping with it until circumstances change. Besides, my a7r2 can't deliver as much as the Ninja V take, so it'll be a nice transitional component into the A7s3 when that time comes.

[@MrStanHimself]

This explains why my audio from a recent live show (Drum and Bass) was so distorted... On my A7iii I always sat it at 4, with mic at -10. Never had a problem. Then when I had the A7IV i had to adjust it to 1 on camera because it showed it was peaking. But, this totally explains why it was doing this at the loudest points in the set (distored and blown out audio)... finally. Thought after 2 shows my mic was just stuffed!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Stan! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Sorry to hear about the live show recording, but I'm glad you found this video that explains what in the world is going on with these Sony cameras when it comes to the mic level settings. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@markhegedus9026]

Im trying out my rode setup aaand i used these settings and wondered whats wrong (-30db on rode / +15 on sony) now i get it! I increased the loudness digitally with the camera! Much appreciated!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Márk! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! You're most welcome! Hope this helped!! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@nicolasjcapra]

THIS 👏🏻 I had the same issue, had clipping on my wireless go 2 mics as well. I have been running at +4 to ensure no clipping, even if there’s the slightest bit of noise floor added, but thankfully the rode records onboard (and in 32bit float!). I’ll be standardizing +3 now and -3 on the RX wireless. Thanks man!!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Nicolas! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that it helped! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@michaelcahn]

I didn’t know the Rode was 32 bit float! Is that just the on board/back up recording?

[@nicolasjcapra]

@@michaelcahn yeah, just the onboard recordings. So when you export them in the Rode desktop app do you have the option to export and 32 bit float! Pretty awesome

[@sanjaysingha8911]

Finally someone pointed out the issue and i hope it works on mine. So greatful for the video!!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Sanjay! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you were able to find this video and hope it helped your audio settings! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@AlanChikinChow]

What do we do if we're using the XLR-K3M and we can't change the audio settings?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Alan! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! I'm not sure as I do not have the XLR unit. But I do believe that you won't have any of these problems with the XLR unit as that is now acting as the much better preamp than the internal one and probably doesn't do the processing inside? If there is a setting for the mic-preamp through the Sony and the XLR is simply just letting you connect up to 4 ch of audio. Then my suggestion would be the same, keep the Sony A7III/A7SIII anywhere from +3 to +7 and adjust the XLR preamp to stay near the -12db area. I currently now use +7 as I feel that gives the best range without distorting. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@courtreinland6285]

Great answer bro. Thanks. Also, SONY, can you please make the bars accurate to actual DB. For instance - bar in camera is reading -10, import to Da Vinci Resolve/Fairlight bar reads -20, what gives?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Court! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! I've always wondered about that why the NLE registers it lower than what the bar's seem to be giving. I'm not sure if there is something about how an NLE takes it in, but I've been wondering the same thing. When I was using the Pana GH5, the sound bars were correct when imported. So either its inaccurate in the camera on a different scale or maybe the codec does something on the internal end that makes NLE's read it differently? Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@VideoUpskill]

This is so awesome, quick answer and explanation second. Best video format and great content. Thank you!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Video Upskill! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you enjoyed the format of this channel! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Thanks, man. I have been having issues with this on the Sony A7iii and my GH5. Maybe it is my mic, because I am getting it with both cameras, and I actually use my Sony at 7, but I’ll try -3 or -5 like you and Gerald have said and I’ll see what happens!! It’s my Rode Videomic NTG - could be faulty I guess. Rode asked me to send it in - but I’ll try this first.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Mark! You're most welcome! That's odd about the GH5 having some problem, if your wind cancellation (can't remember what its called) setting is turned on in the GH5, try turning that off. And lastly, for the GH5, I usually was able to push my voice to -6dB on average and had my audio level setting to -12db.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

@@TLDR_filmmaker I really think it might be my NTG - my old Rode Videomic doesn’t exhibit the same behaviour.

[@iComplainer]

i’m not an audio guy but want to improve. why are there so many levels of audio (25) in the a7siii? like, would anything above 3 be foolish to use? i pretty mich stay at 15, but none of my videos so far need audio… yet

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey iComplainer! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! It depends on what mic you are using and of course your audio intentions. If you are using a wireless lav or on-camera self powered shotgun mic, then you will more or less stay at +3, you can even go up to +5 with good results. It just depends on the microphones output if you can keep your soundbars in check. The only real reason you would be using the upper levels is if you are in a dead quiet room, using onboard mic or on camera, and trying to get audio of someone speaking far away. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@iComplainer]

@@TLDR_filmmaker thx. Do you happen to know if the same is true of the a7IV too (my second cam) and how about the rest of the a7 line?

[@LegendaryOn99]

Dude, thank you. Love this this tldr format, ended watching the whole thang, always learning!!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey LegendaryOn99! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you’re enjoying the format! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@AIishereFOR]

OMG!!!! OMG!!!!OMG!!!!OMG!!!!OMG!!!! THANK YOUUUU!!!! I LOVE YOU MAN FOR THIS FILM !

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey noa4h! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that it hopefully helped you get better audio coming out of your A7iii or A7siii! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Lifeis...]

OMG! This is the solution I've been needing. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Life is! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and glad it helped! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@BudionoSukses]

Nice, thank you bro! I will try to set sony camera to 3 and rode to medium.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Budiono! You're most welcome, hope this tip helped!

[@BudionoSukses]

@@TLDR_filmmaker hello apparently it's not working on my sony a6600. After playing with some experiments, here my best setting: sony a6600 volume at 1 (3 is too loud and make a clip/peak), and rode wireless go at medium.

[@AmmarMontaser]

Does this apply also the the RODE NTG? Do I have to set the Sony A7SIII at 3 and the rode at 15?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Ammar! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! This applies to any and all microphones/audio sources plugged into the Sony A7Siii and A7iii. The A7siii being set to +3 is the starting point, your NTG is dependent on how loud you talk into it. You need to take a look at the audio bars to see where your voice is going and then adjust the NTG accordingly. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Iamtongue]

This has been helpful thanks man! I just had this happen to one of my videos and I was wondering why 😔😂😅

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Iamtongue! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that it hopefully takes care of your audio setup! -3dB seem to be the minimum, Gerald Undone uses -5dB. So any setting in this range should be good! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@HardIsEasy]

Thank you so much for this discovery! I'm using Rode VideoMic NTG and was wondering if my sound source gets far is it better to raise Camera volume levels or keep at +3 and boost volume in post? What would result in cleaner sound? Trying to do my own testing but can't hear much of a difference (I'm a big far from audio nerd)

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Hard is Easy! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! From what I hear it is better to keep it at +3, stay within the limits of the Sony sound bar at that setting and then raise the volume in post. I personally am about to revisit this topic again, +1 could possibly be the cleanest even after raising the volume in post, but I need to do some more testing and measurements to figure that out. For now +3 and even +5 are good enough and lets you judge easier with the soundbar. Hope this helps! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@HardIsEasy]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Cheers, I think this is a good topic to investigate...I searched the ends of the internet to not find much except few recommendations that are not based much on tests.

[@MandRproductions]

My camera keeps automatically resetting itSelf to level 26 thus ruining the audio. Any ideas? A7 IV

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey MandRproductions! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! If I had to guess, are you in Movie mode or is your mode button on one of the custom 123 settings. If its on the custom buttons, then it will reset to whatever you set it to each time you turn off the camera. If that's not the case and you are in regular movie mode, then I do not know what could be causing it to reset to level 26 after you have set it to a lower level. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@ericfernando4296]

maybe something similar to Curtis Judd Zoom h1 review where he doesn't recommend to use lower than 37 volume, because lower than 37, the zoom uses digital volume rather than analog

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Eric! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! That makes sense, my Tascam DR40 sorta does something similar in regards to the noise floor. Kinda wish companies will be more clear on these little tid bits or perhaps just not have the Digital Volume settings go without a clear icon stating that you're in non-analog territory. Although I'm going to be revisiting this topic again because I think +1 might be viable in terms of noise floor differences for certain microphones. Will need to continue my testings to see if it holds true. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@notjasonknott]

Thank you very much! Saved us a bunch of time and hassle.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Jason! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that it's useful! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you for this! A question, in my YT channel I only record "tiny" sounds, like unscrewing a screw or laying down a tweezer on a wood table. Sometimes there will be a loud sound if like a big tool of steel hits the wood table a bit to hard. Should I set my db level to the tiny sounds (max -12 db) and then in post lower the loud sounds? Rode none power external mic on camera, A7s. Have some background noise from a fan from Led lamp. Thank you.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Watcheyes! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! This is a hard thing to achieve when you have that drastic of sounds in one recording, especially if you're trying to do it in camera. Traditionally speaking you'd probably go and record those sounds separately so that you maintain the highest sound quality for both and add them back into your edit. I know not everyone wants to do that so you're going to have to pick a happy medium where you can still hear, more or less, that range of sound in your recording. The best route would be to get a field recorder that's either 32bit float or has build in safety channel features, but that opens up a whole other can of worms to learn that you'll want to dive through before investing. As for the fan and background noise, if the fan is behind YOU and not the CAMERA, then your mic is going to pick it up naturally depending on how close you are to that fan. A shotgun mic is only as good as where you point it. This is why traditionally you see mic operators "boom" the mic from above or below at the person speaking. Because there is less chance of picking up something like an LED fan thats on the desk behind the speaker. Hope this all makes sense and helps! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Watcheyes]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Thank you for this information and the advice, I have read it a couple of times now. I have now bought a small arm so I can extended my mic close to the source and have it just right above the obejct I record. Also I realized today I can turn of the fan from the LED light and it goes to max 80 % power so now no fan will inflict my sound. But still ofc there is some more background noises. Do you think I should use as low gain as possible when recording in the camera and then raise it in post? I will use some De-hummer cancel things in post which works pretty OK from what i understand. Thank you.

[@Cre8iveMedia]

@@Watcheyes 2 mics on different channels, one further away OR a mic like videomic ntg with safety channel (one channel -20db below the primary)

[@Watcheyes]

@@Cre8iveMedia Aha that one have saftey channel also, wow, two sounds, interesting. Thank you.

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

Wow awesome video! Dumb Question: A7s iii Audio interference / noise from an "unshielded port?" I'm seeing many reviews and reddit posts about this (which scare me.) One gentleman said he contacted Rode - said their customer support (supposedly) explained the Wireless 2 Go are just "not compatible" with the A7s iii because of that unshielded port. RF noise will just - happen. Is this video what takes care of that problem, or is it a different problem?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Kathryn! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! This is a different problem and its not a problem of the Sony A7siii mic port. There are two potential issues that could cause interference in your audio with a RODE GO and even without a RODE GO. If there is interference on the RODE GO end, it is most likely if you bought a cheap lavalier mic that is not shielded at all (to keep costs down). These will pick up the 2.4ghz freq. that the RODE GO uses. Same can be side if you are not using the red cable that goes into the camera, some cheap AUX cables are not shielded either. If non of the above applies in your application, then the interference is coming from the A7Siii. Most likely you are negating the need to recharge batteries by using either using a AC Dummy battery or plugging the camera into the USB-C port for power. In this case, the interference is either coming from either the powerstrip or the USB charging block. Easiest way to test this is to plug the AC dummy battery or USB power brick directly into the wall to see which one may be causing the interference. If the AC Dummy into the wall still gives you interference, its the AC dummy battery block being defective. If it the AC Dummy into the wall gives you NO interference, its the powerstrip thats the problem. If the USB-block into the wall gives you intereference, its the USB BLock. If the USB-Block into the wall doesn't give interference, then its the powerstrip it was connected to. I've ran into interference before and it turned out it was my powerstrip causing it, I switched that out and all is good now. My guess is the reddit person has his camera plugged into the wall and never thought to rule out that possibility. Pretty much all DSLR cameras with a mic jack should be shielded by design, it would be a nightmare for a company to purposely not shield it. So do not worry about that. Hope this helps eases your mind on the matter. If this has been helpful for your purchasing decisions I do have some affiliate links in the description to the camera as well the RODE in my RODE review videos. It would greatly help me continue to do what I do and keep this channel going! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@billbuckleytutorials]

Excellent Video by the way. On the exact same setup. Sony A7S3 and the Rode Go 2 . Does anyone get a buzzing noise when they connect the external receiver into the Mic input on the Sony??

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Bill! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! I do not get a buzzing when going into my A7Siii, if you have your A7Siii attached with USB power or an AC Dummy battery of sorts. The Buzzing can come from these setups because of either the USB power brick or the Power strip that the camera is plugged into. I ran into that specific problem before, when I switched out the USB Power brick and a non-power strip type extension cord, the buzzing went away. If you are using batteries and you're still getting buzzing, it could possibly be the Aux cord you are using. Try another AUX cord to rule it out, if it turns out to be the aux cord then maybe see if RODE can give you a replacement. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@dexterforbes2368]

I have a similar issue with my FX3. The audio has a horrible noise/hiss interference that comes and goes making the audio unusable and it sounds like a grounding issue. I had the audio set to 14 so I'll try it at 3 and see how that goes.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Dexter! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Do you notice this noise/hiss when you're operating with the battery or do you have it plugged into AC or USB charging power. If it's the latter, try a different USB block. And if the AC or USB block is plugged into a powerstrip, try a different power strip. I've had some weird audio problems before when plugged into AC power via USB and I narraowed it down to a bad USB block, and in another case a bad power strip. Hope this helps! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@oospagheti]

I'm having the same grounding issues with my A1

[@JaavisFootball__1]

Getting my A7Siii and Rode Wireless II (with Sony lav mics) tomorrow and found this video, so just to be clear, set the internal Sony audio to +3 and the rode mic settings to medium? (I’m brand new to the Sony ecosystem)

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Jaavis! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! The sony can be set to either +3 or +5, and then from there use your RODE GO to compensate to get your normal talking voice betweein -12dB and -6dB on the soundbar. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@JaavisFootball__1]

@@TLDR_filmmaker appreciate you man! You do good work :)

[@zsht]

Not all heroes wear capes 🙏

[@IMDABROWN]

I’ll give it a try, but lately I’ve been recording in a basketball gym with the Rode Video NTG. I’ve had the camera at +5 and mic gain between 5-6.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again IMDABROWN! Ah you're totally fine at 5-6. I only discovered that +3 is where the higher limiter range starts to kick in so that you don't randomly clip for no reason.

[@dafuon]

I am curious to know what is the setting I should use on my iPhone 12pro and Rode Go ii?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey 蔡仁松老師! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! For your iphone pro there is no true setting for the RODE GO ii, this is because the iphone changes it's own external mic preamp on its own. I would say leave your Rode Go II around between -12 and -6db. The results in theory should sound basically the same because of the iphone does automatically. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Gpijus]

Well, I've almost shot face off of RODE W2 multiple times because of that introduced clipping. Even their official sites cites recommended settings of +1 in A7 III camera and -12 on TX. Which DOES NOT WORK at aaaaaal. Thanks

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Pijus! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! It's definitely a weird thing Sony does, very misconceiving. Glad you found this video so you know what to look at in terms of the sound bars! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@AlexDelfont]

Hi, thanks for this. You mentioned Gerald Undone doing the same thing at +5? I can't find or remember him doing a video, any chance you could link me?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Alex! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! I'm not entirely sure if he did a specific video about it, but I do remember him diving into the audio in response to a different video by DPreview. The +5 statement comes from his comment on this video where we briefly talked about our experience. I used +3 and he used +5 for the same reasons of what I talked about in this video. Other commenters have gone as far as +11 to +15 I think to try and get the sound bars to behave properly so that they can gauge whats going on. I haven't tried those upper limits myself to see what the noise floor levels are like. So for now I use +5 and keep my audio average around -12db. Hope this helps! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@lubie_sie_ruszac]

Ok, so I followed your adivice. As an effect, I can barely hear my voice in the material. I have rode mic.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

From what I have found the sony cameras mic levels are not meant for nice loud audio straight out of camera. You will need to raise the volume in editing.

[@glanvill7289]

What is the best gain settings for A7Siii, Tascam 70D and Rode Wireless Go ii combination to get the lowest hiss?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Glan Vill! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! Please understand there is NO one answer for this as each piece of equipment has their own characteristics that you need to personally test and figure out. But as far as I know about these systems. I would have the RODE output as loud as possible either -3dB or -0dB, this way the Tascam preamp can be set as low as possible. Now the HISS part when going from the Tascam to the A7Siii is completely dependent on tascams "camera out" port. If its a bad port based on design, then nothing you do will get the hiss out. Your recording in the tascam will sounds great, but the camera out will be what it is. That being said, the rest is following this video. Keep your A7siii anywhere from +3 to +7 and adjust the tascams camera out volume to keep the audio around -12dB to -8dB. Hope this helps in general, but again, you need to personally test a bunch of different ideas out to see what works for your gear. What I described above is known as Gain staging. Do a youtube search on that term for audio and you'll find lots of helpful videos. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@LocustAndWildHoney]

You absolute legend, thank u!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Locust & Wild Honey! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that it was helpful! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@kbrodeur]

amazing find. really great. 10/10

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Kristoffe! Glad I can help!

[@ChrisFlores22]

dude thank you so much! I can't wait to record straight to my a7iii & a7c. Thanks!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Chris! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! You're most welcome! So glad you found this video and hope it helps with your setup! I was seriously racking my brains wondering why audio would randomly clip! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@TLDR_filmmaker any new updates or do you still recommend +3?? Have you reviewed the Sony audio module? The km3 something? Lol

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

+3 worked for me, but I now use +5 as @gerald undone mentioned. I think it does open up a little more headroom, but I don't usually hit those levels. So I would say +3 to +5 is totally fine as you keep your main voice around -12 to -9db on the sound bar. No I do not have the Sony Audio Module, my friend over at @Nates Film Tutorial uses it, and he's had no problems with it and likes it for the convenience of attaching his quality shotgun mic to it.

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@TLDR_filmmaker dude I’ll stick to +3 because my voice does tend fluctuate and might be hitting the threshold lol thanks for the recommendation and your time in replying! Best!

[@tylersnider3479]

Thank you

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

You're most welcome Tyler! Hope it helped!

[@MarkusR4ID0N]

Hi, at first, thank you for your video. But I still have a question for my case. I want to film some loud cars with the Sony A7M3. I'm using the Rode VideoMic Go and this one hasn't the option to regulate the db. Now, when I plug the microphone into the Camera, it should be automatically be selected or not? And when I'm filming a revving car the sound is sooo distorted on +1 like you said. Does it helps for me too to set it on +3? Because I can't change any value on the microphone?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey BMW M140i F20! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! This is slightly difficult question to answer as you'll have to try some things out. First, definitely try the videos suggestion of +3, I will go as far to say try +5 and +7 to really open up the headroom. The next thing is if you are recording the microphone inches away from the car, then the loud sound could be clipping out the microphone instead of the camera. In which case this is when you would want a better mic that has something like a -20dB setting. My guess is you're not necessarily filming inches away from the car sound and its just general sounds you hear when the car is in the shot. In which case I hope the +3 might take care of it. If not... My hunch is then that you may need a dedicated field recorder. Most microphones can handle a decent amount of sound before it clips out (unless you are inches away from loud source) and you would simply need a field recorder that can record at very low pre-amp levels without doing the weird thing Sony is doing. These are just suggestions to try, its hard to determine what it is specifically without going through these steps. If you have a friend that has a field recorder with a 3.5mm mic port, you can give that a try. If they have a more traditional one that only has XLR ports, they will need something like the RODE VXLR+ to give power to your microphone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5anYaqDncSmq80 Hope this gets you on the right track. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@MarkusR4ID0N]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Thank you very much! I've simply bought a mic with a -10 and -20db setting build-in. I will test this one and hope that its doing a better job in my case.

[@DaeminSong]

Thank you so much for this.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Daemin! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Glad this video helped! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@daresnightmare]

Hey I was wondering why my camera is having a ringing noise, I have the Sony A7siii, and whenever I record and bring it back to adobe there's a Ringing noise coming out on the video & was wondering if you know anyway to fix this???

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

If you are powering the Camera through the USB with a charging block thats connected to a power surge strip, its either the USB block or power strip that could be introducing the ringing. If thats not the case it could potentially be the microphone you are using or the mic cable.

[@philvfilms]

very very handy info !!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Phil! Thanks for checking out this video for your camera! Hope it helped!

[@markymark6296]

Hi, i have an A7S3 and my ch1 ch2 display on the camera was working fine, and now it doesn't display i use the Rode wireless 2 mic's and even with those the display use to work but now the output doesn't work on the camera display, is there a setting i should check, Thanks

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

If you mean it doesn't display anything at all on both camera and RODE. Then it means it's most likely the RODE. First thing to check is if you muted the mics. If you did, the sounds bars won't move. Next is to check if the mics are synced to the receiver. Check RODE's website on how go through the syncing process. Once resynced the RODE should display soundbars. If they are synced and still not getting soundbars on the RODE. Then it could be either your lav mics or built in mic not working. In which case it may have to be sent in for repair. Those are my best guess based on what you're saying.

[@filmedbymigu]

does this also work with audio over 100db. i mean to change the level from 1 to 3

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

That would be entirely dependent on your microphones ability to handle sound pressure that high. It would then need to go through a pre-amp or some sort before it finally goes into the Sony Camera. This video explains the process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYa8pXyrpbujers

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

After watching over 10+ a6400 videos...not one person ever mentioned the preamp of it. Now that I have learned a little more about sound, the pream on the Sony seems to be not good. The noise floor is super high and even at +1 you can still hear white noise. Thank goodness for noise removers and easy mastering, virtually goes away. But I get a little jealous when I hear people using something like a Tascam external recorder and there's absolutely no noise floor. Wow. I wish Sony also had that. But it's a trade off for all the other amazing features that it comes with so it's okay I guess.

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

I also did a noise floor test with my a6400 and rode go with my rode lav mic. Raising the volume within the Rode Go receiver did not raise the noise floor. Raising the mic record volume within the a6400 is what raised the noise floor.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey tapatio salsa! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Good to know about the a6400 series, I wasn't sure if the preamp problem I ran into with the a7 series was in the others. Sony has decent preamps for the most part, they just don't really behave the way you would assume, probably cause they would rather you buy their hotshoe audio interface. Panasonic definitely has some great preamps out of the 3.5mm jack, the GH4 and GH5 was great. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

@@TLDR_filmmaker yup! I returned the first camera as I was pretty sure it was defective. When I got the new camera, the floor noise was nowhere near as loud as before so I'm happier now. Now I'm obsessed with finding the lav mic with the lowest floor noise floor possible. Going to run some db level checks of noise floor with the Rode Lav Go VS the Rode Lavalier and compare it to the Wlav Pro 🚀 thank you!!! You too, happy Thanksgiving!

[@bleach_meds599]

This mistake actually required me to reshoot an interview for a beta client. Needless to say, it was pretty embarrassing. Learned two lessons that day, hahah.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Bleach_Meds! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Oh man, glad you found this video! Honestly as much as I like what Sony does on certain levels, there are bone headed moves like this that doesn't make sense. Probably just a reason for them to upsell you to get their Hotshoe audio interface. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@bleach_meds599]

@@TLDR_filmmaker I appreciate the response! While that may be true, their audio interface has been tempting regardless as a gimbal operator. Having the ability to run two different mics would be helpful for capturing both lav and shotgun audio with a smaller form factor. Cost-wise, it makes a lot of sense when comparing the interface to that of the FX6, a camera system that is being scalped for nearly double the price of its little brother.

[@DouglasSun]

I am using the XLR K3M but there is no audio rec level setting with the Adapter.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Doug! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! When you are using the XLR adaptor, I believe your camera is no longer using the internal preamp system. So this video I don't believe applies to your setup. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@_mai_studio]

Hi, my problem is that the when i insert a wireless mic, the camera record both from the internal mic and the external and really dont knw how to fix it

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Mahmud! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! That seems very odd, I don't know what to do aside from contact Sony warranty and letting them know theres something wrong with the Mic port in your camera. Theres no audio setting that allows you to record internal and external so something must be wrong with the camera itself. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@danasuechilds]

Is this strictly unique to the Wireless Go II or does it also apply to the Wireless Go original version?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Dana! No, this is not a RODE wireless GO problem. The topic I'm discussing in this video is strictly about the Sony A7iii and Sony A7Siii camera. I just happen to be using a Rode Wireless GO II as my testing mic going into the Sony cameras.

[@danasuechilds]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Thank you for the reply and clarification!

[@mrhooke_gamer4077]

Thank you!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey MrHooke_Gamer! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Glad this video was helpful! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@val10albarillo]

Does the same also apply for Sony APS-C cameras (ie. Sony a6400)?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Val! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! While I can't completely confirm, I suspect this could potentially be the case with the a6400 as it came out a year after the A7iii where the same audio problem exists. Kyle and Gilbert down below are thinking that the Sony audio could be artificially processed at lower pre-amp settings to seem "lower". Kind of like Native ISO vs Dynamic ISO (processed). So this could be a thing across the board. Have you ever noticed any random distortions based on your use of the a6400? Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@HappyMediaxx]

I have the same problem with my a6400.. the thing is that it breaks and clip the audio always in an external environment.. I tried everything but this makes sense to me because when I started to film outdoors had it set to 5 and then changed to 1 because of wind... thanks I'll try!

[@meske24]

Hi, when my Sony A7sIII is connected to a monitor via the HDMI cable, a high pitch audio distortion is generated from the monitor. I've tried two different monitors, the distortion is heard on both. Is there a solution to this problem?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey meske24! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! My best guess is to try a different HDMI cable (i'm assuming you already have). The likely problem comes from the power source of either the monitor or the camera, especially if you are plugging in the monitor to a 12v DV or you are plugging your camera into a USB power block. It can go further than that down to the power strip you are using to plug these things into. So the first thing I would try is to operate your camera and monitor with just battery sources. If this solves the high pitch, then we know its your plug in power bricks and strips that could be the problem. If the battery only solution still does not work, then I am at a lose as to what it could be outside of the HDMI cable. Hope some of this helps. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@TheTerminator619sd]

Wow, what a great video 🤘🔥

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Charlie! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad this video was helpful! I will continue to do my best with my content! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@your-parrot]

Thanks from Germany - You helped me a lot! Just wanted to throw away the camera 😅 problem solved

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Guten tag Dein Papagei! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! I'm so happy you found this video and that it solved the problem for you! It is so weird how Sony does this, I now use +5 (Thanks goes to @Gerald Undone) and +7 as I think it gives you juuuuust a little more headroom than +3, all three settings seem good to me so far! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@marcvillproductions660]

i have a nikon d7200 and sony a6400, i have the worst audio in sony i do live events coverage. my nikon sounds great at 3db. at sony at +1db the sound is unusable.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Marcvill Productions! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Definitely odd that Sony has some weird limiter cap when you're at +1. As long as you stay under the weird limiter and boost the gain back up in Post, everything sounds good. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@sigfuschili4892]

What about sony a74 ? i seem to have to up the audio level way higher than on my a7iii

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey sigfus chili! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! I'm not sure as I do not have the a7iv. The quickest way to check is to have your audio set to +1 and then scream into the onboard microphone and see if your sound bar actually goes to 0dB or does it just seem to stay at -6db and not able to go higher. If it does that, then we know that it has something similar to what the A7iii had where its going to clip you out well before you hit 0dB. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Great vid!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Path Less Pedaled! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you enjoyed the video! Hope it was helpful and I will continue to do my best! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@BushMasterThermal]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Hey man have you seen the Zoom H5 Issue! ? It's a similar Audio Gain Issue. Title of Video " Zoom H5 Gain Clipping Problem and Solution " - Julian Krause Channel.

[@maheshgvelly]

how to connect siii with rode video mic ntg

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Mahesh! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! Use the provided audio cable from RØDE videomic NTG and plug it into your cameras Mic port. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@ChetDaFilmer95]

I’m having a problem when using one receiver the audio is only on one side idk how to have it equally on both channels

[@ChetDaFilmer95]

For my a7iii

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Chet! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! Assuming you are using a dual channel wireless audio system like a RODE GO II, you need to make sure the receiver is set to "mono" mode instead of "stereo" mode. Stereo mode is only used if you want to have options in editing with two microphones, otherwise you will use Mono so that sound comes out both ends for the camera. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@ChetDaFilmer95]

@@TLDR_filmmaker ahh ok and where would I change that setting in the ride central app?

[@ChetDaFilmer95]

@@TLDR_filmmaker hey so I tried what you said and for some reason still channel 2 is lower than channel one when u bring it up on premiere pro

[@xray111xxx]

Does also go for the a6400 and a7ii?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Vincent! As far as I know based on another commenters tests, the a6400 may not have this problem. I do not know about the previous generation camera body from the A7ii.

[@Lukiboogie1]

thank you

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Łukasz! You're most welcome!

[@RajivBedi]

Thanks for Share 👏👏👏

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Rajiv! You're most welcome!!

[@MotywacjaSkateVideo]

I think problem does not exist any more?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

I'm not too sure about the newer cameras beyond the A7iii and A7siii I tested this with. I think some people reported the A7iv still had this quirk.

[@art-decorazon6138]

Tengo la a6400 y compré un RØDE VIDEOMICRO II lo nesecitaba para un en vivo, resulta que solo se escucha un sonido ambiente, probé hacer una grabación y el ruido era más y apenas se escucha la voz, miere el nivel y estava a 26 de defecto, pero ya lo probé en 3 y no se escucha nada 😭😭😭😭

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Eso es extraño, me imagino que en una presentación en vivo con parlantes, el micrófono podrá escucharlo. Si se trata de una actuación acústica pura y su micrófono está en su cámara lejos. no podrá capturar el sonido completo del intérprete. Estos micrófonos funcionan mejor cuando están más cerca del sonido que desea (1-3 pies), no capturan mágicamente el sonido puro desde más lejos.

[@AngelusHD]

In the new Rode Wireless Go 2 - 2.4.6 you can choose Camera settings for the A7III where they state to putt the camera lever at +1 and the gain on the Rode is at -15, anyone tested this, did Rode changed the gains? Comparing it to your settings it would be very quiet.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

I have not personally tried RODEs presets numbers. I still manually adjust RODE's output gain based on how the soundbars are reading according to the person who's speaking. I currently have gone back to recording at +1 making sure the persons voice is averaging at -12dB and occassionaly jumping up to -9dB. For whatever reason Sony's video fill will register around -20dB in your editor. So in post I will add Gain to bring the dialogue back up. From what I've noticed it does not seem to introduce much noise floor if at all. It is an extra step compared to Panasonic cameras, but the audio recorded is nice and clean.

[@AngelusHD]

@@TLDR_filmmaker So at this moment your experience the +1 is the way to go with -12 or -9. I have tested the new Rode camera plugin which is -15 and the Sony at +1. Works good so far… and therefore i’m less worrying to push the wrong button when i’m in the field, because you can’t change the gain level anymore. Of course you get setup multiple camera presets, you can even make your own presets.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Definitely nice to just have presets made so you can not worry as much about it. You can still change the gain level manually. When you're in the Rode Central, click on the "Gain Mode" and it'll cycle through Camera, Course, and Fine mode (Just incase if you ever need to fine tune your levels for a specific situation :).

[@platensesportscards1036]

I have a Sony A7r II Using a shotgun mic, I get a lot of noise in my video, like doesn't do anything. Then I plug the same mic to a cellphone (Samsung s10) and got zero noise, crisp sound, not sure why. Does anyone know about this? Like I feel I need the 4k quality of the Sony and record the sound (separately) on the cellphone. Any recommendations???? Thanks.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Flipping Chabon! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! As far as I know, back in the 2nd generation of Sony A7 cameras, the audio preamps are not that great. It wasn't until the 3rd generation that we started to see better audio input performance. So unfortunately, at this time, there may not be a lot you can do. If your shotgun mic has a +10db boost option, I would make sure that is turned on and then adjust your Sony preamp levels again to see if you can get a better sound. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@gadgetphilosophy8290]

Nice mate

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Gadget Philosophy! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! Hope it was helpful and fixes any audio quirks you may have had with the A7iii or A7sIII! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@DanielScotch]

hero!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Daniel! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad this video was helpful! I will continue to do my best with my content and reviews! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@markhegedus9026]

+ question: whats pan mode on the rode wireless go ii?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Márk! I'm not sure if this is a translation error, I'm guessing you mean either "Split mode", "Merge mode", or "Safety mode"?

[@markhegedus9026]

@@TLDR_filmmaker sry i meant pad mode! There is mode i can turn on on the rode centreal app or if i select one mic on the receiver and i hold down the db button a blue triangle will appear! Whats with that?

[@user-ek4eu4op2e]

Why is my audio rec level option unchangeable?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey מ.ט ! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! You may be in a "program" mode where theres are done automatically for you. Make sure you're dial is set to the movie function so that you have full manual control of the camera. That is my best guess. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@user-ek4eu4op2e]

@@TLDR_filmmaker Thanks for the response!! That really was the problem .. you helped me a lot! Champion!

[@kataraaaaaa]

THANK YOU OMGGG I WAS AT +26 AND I LOST MY MIND

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Kali! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! So glad you found this video and that hopefully your audio is now sounding more clear now! Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@FG_FadeRunner]

What about the HORRIBLE hissing the camera produces???

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Fade Runner! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! This may be dependent on what microphone source you are using as I don't hear any hiss coming from my cameras preamps, or is a possible lemon batch. @Gerald Undone had did a test on his Sony cameras a couple years ago to try and figure out what was wrong with @The Camerastore TV's audio shoot out tests. If I remember correctly, Gerald was not able to replicate the issues The CameraStore was having, so it might actually just come down to a lemon or a bad batch that Sony released? Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Sonstwer]

Does anyone here know it that's also the case in the Sony a6600 ?

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Sonstwer! Thank you so much for checking out this video and asking a question! While I can't completely confirm, I suspect this could potentially be the case with the a6600 as it came out a year after the A7iii where the same audio problem exists. Kyle and Gilbert down below are thinking that the Sony audio could be artificially processed at lower pre-amp settings to seem "lower". Kind of like Native ISO vs Dynamic ISO (processed). So this could be a thing across the board. Have you ever noticed any random distortions based on your use of the a6600? Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Sonstwer]

@@TLDR_filmmaker you know I've got mine for around two weeks and haven't checked it out yet. Last time I checked my gain level was set to 5, but I'll check it out tomorrow and let you know

[@Sonstwer]

i just tried to reproduce it on my a6600 - i am uncertain. what i am sure about is that if the problem exists here, then it is not as audible as in your example. maybe it's just hard for me to reproduce. i'm working with a zoom recorder and with different loudness levels on my a6600 . personally i don't hear the clipping, but the audio doesn't sound as good as on the recorder (which is not unexpected). i do have monitors, i've tried a couple of tests - loudness levels nearly maxed out (1-2 points underneath the maximum level) i guess/hope the 66000 does not share the same problem if anyone else can confirm this or prove me wrong - i'd be happy in any case.

[@maximeetsebastien]

It’s crazy how they sell these Sony cameras with crap settings (out of factory): sound settings, log, movie mode (with automatic exposure come on...)

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Maxime! Thank you so much for checking out this video and commenting! For me the Sound setting is an odd choice with how they are approaching it. But now that I understand where the upper limits are, I can get around it. What I don't like is that Sony won't give us (on the A7Siii) Anamorphic open gate recording, it's probably the last feature they should have to be a complete winner. The moment Panasonic finally get their video AF together, they will win back a good chunk of filmmakers because their system is still my favorite. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe, healthy, and I’ll see you in the next one!

[@Boz1211111]

More and more dissapointed in sony. I started of with positive asumption about them but its getting steadily worse ever since

[@Boz1211111]

just more problems, now realised even tho im using manual level auto gain is competing with it and it shows no clipping but audio gets destroyed, cant wait to buy camera that is not made by sloppy people

[@xyz-u2d3y]

Thanks for the vid. Does this apply to the Sony A7RV? I have the NTG and wondering what to set my camera/mic to... this guy seems to agree with you but maybe even recommends going higher on the camera. A bit confused. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqHJg4aulJ2ne9U

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey Rd Bot! I am not sure about the A7R series of mic preamps. My guess is it will be the same. You can go up to +5 or +7 if you want the full range of your sound bar. The easiest way to test if your A7R has this odd limiter is to set it at +1 and scream into your microphone and see where the sounds bars go. If they never make it to -3dB. Then there is definitely a limiter in place like the A7Siii. From there you can simply choose either +3, 5, or 7. and just make sure your sound bar tries to stay in the -6dB area.

[@xyz-u2d3y]

@@TLDR_filmmaker thanks for the clarification, but why 3,5,7? is there some significance to those increments? And when you say stay in the -6db area, do you mean that should be the max peak? I did a test w/ my ntg and found that even with it up to 15, i sometimes have to have the camera up to between 10-20 even only a few feet away... not sure I'm doing something wrong or not understanding something. appreciate the help!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

There is not significance of those increments, its just the range I have used so far. If the microphone is a few feet away from your mouth, thats most likely the problem. You're too far away from the microphone for it to capture your voice clearly, even in a office room. While booms are designed to capture your voice and negate sounds around it, it is not meant to capture from a few feet away easily unless you have a very expensive one made for these situations. With the RODE Videomic NTG I have it boomed above where I am standing with a light stand and the mic is about 1.5 feet away from my mouth. If you are finding that you are always a few feet away from the camera (over 3 feet) you may want to consider a wireless audio setup. Hope this helps.

[@kristyzheng4789]

Hi Jason Wang, i send an email to you

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Hey hey again Kristy! Thank you, I will check for the email.

[@kristyzheng4789]

​@@TLDR_filmmaker is that my email go to your junk ?