AboutScott Valentine Expertise Most anything about digital post processing (Photoshop, etc), effects, and image restoration, some technical information about digital imaging systems, light and electron microscopy, optical physics and image analysis. I can help with shooting basics, lighting setups, and getting the most out of your digital camera. I am also an 'expert' here for Photoshop (Computers/Technology > Software > Graphics Software > Photoshop).
I am currently writing a book for Adobe Press on composite artwork using Photoshop CS4.
Experience I've been an image analyst and advanced amateur photographer for over 6 years. I run an Adobe user group, focusing on digital media, and have lectured on digital image capture systems. Currently, I am an administrator for a rather large instructional Photoshop forum
Organizations Adobe User Groups, National Association of Photoshop Professionals, Advanced Imaging Specialists
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Physics, University of California, San Diego
Awards and Honors Winner: Best in Show and several category first place awards - Imaging Professionals of the Southwest Print Competition (multiple years)
Expert: Scott Valentine Date: 3/6/2008 Subject: Audio in a video clip
Question What would cause the audio in a video clip to be severly clipped. I took some clips at a Bridal Show with music supplied by a D.J. The music was loud. How can I prevent this from happening.
Thanks from advance, Chas
Answer Hi Chas,
I used to be a DJ a long time ago, and this issue was quite common. While this is not truly a digital photography question, I'll tell you what I know.
The sound on your video camera (or by the video feature of a small digital camera) is comprised of a tiny, relatively cheap microphone and amplifier circuit. In order to reduce complexity, you typically do not have any control over the input signal or "gain" of the mic. That, coupled with the size of the microphone, limits your ability to get good audio. Then there's the issue with sound pressure levels from the sound system being extremely high in many cases, which overloads the microphone's ability to compensate.
You can still hear people talking when the music's loud because your brain filters out a lot of the information you don't care about; you can then focus on what you want to in many cases. However, the microphone only records the actual sound at its surface - so it gets everything.
In the future, you can try to find the microphone opening of your camera and cover it with some cloth (which will reduce all the sound), but this is a clunky and usually impractical solution. Read your camera's manual for any settings that will let you adjust the gain or input level for your camera's mic. Another option is to try and find a quiet area to take your clips, or get very very close to whom ever is talking so their voice is louder than the music.
Otherwise, if you will be doing this kind of thing often, purchase a video camera that lets you adjust the input level of the mic - then take a test clip and set your mic levels accordingly. If you get really fancy with this, you can ask the DJ to let you hook up a wireless transmitter that will send the line-level audio signal straight to your camera, and then use a high quality directional mic to record voices. However this can be a very expensive solution, into the range of a few thousand dollars quite easily.
Unfortunately, you can't really fix the problem once it's happened, nor can you expect a digital photo camera to have the controls a good video camera will.
I'm sorry I don't have better information for you, but if there's anything else with which I can help, please ask!
