24bit Audio, SD 744T, Build 17

[Tommy]

I was told by the production mixer that Red isn't able to record true 24bit audio which means that I'll only be able to use the mix tracks he feeds to the camera for a guide. Is this still the case or was this issue corrected in one of the recent builds? Thanks, Tommy

[Rob Castiglione]

It is pretty doubtful that it records 24 bit audio.

I guess one question is why you really need 24bit audio.

My own experience with the red new audio board is that although the sound is acceptable, whenever possible I still feed a line level signal in to via an excellent preamp like the Sound Devices MM-1/772. There is no comparison between the preamps in the Sound Devices and those on the Red but this is hardly surprising.

[FredrikL]

whenever possible I still feed a line level signal in to via an excellent preamp like the Sound Devices MM-1/772.

So this way, are you feeding the sound right through the mixer into the camera so its synced?

Is your preamp comparable to this one:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29914

- Or is a preamp simply sending the signals to the red better than the red can do itself?

like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292989-REG/Sound_Devices_MM1_MM_1_Single_Channel.html

F

[Rob Castiglione]

Yes, it is the same device.

This model of 722 does NOT do time code sync though. It is best to have that if you are going to do double sound i.e. record to both the camera and the device and then replace the audio with the superior sound from the 722 later. I have been doing double sound for some years now just with a clapper board but it is not to be recommended.

What I am saying is that I am recording to the camera and using the sound from that. However, before the sound gets to the camera it is being boosted by an external preamp, namely the Sound Devices 722 and then going line level in to the camera. The difference in quality between recording using the cameras own preamps and those in the 722 is night and day.

[FredrikL]

night and day

So new firmwareupgrades will not alter this - the camera will need boosting by an external preamp for all foreseeable future? I take it your saying its worth the investment then.

I thought I could record straight to camera..?

With a preamp that lets the soundman being able to ride levels direct - to - camera - recording could be possible then?

F.

[Stuart English]

Hold on there .. you are describing two totally different issues.


a) Yes the RED ONE really does record at 24-bit depth, 48 KHz

b) If you feed the RED ONE a line level input signal from an external mixer, you are bypassing the RED ONE's microphone preamplifiers.


For optimal audio fidelity use a dedicated sound mixer / recorder and its microphone pre-amplifiers, and feed the RED ONE line level inputs.

Having said that, with Rev B audio and Build 17 / 18 microphone direct to RED ONE is at least as good as all the other high end cameras.

[Rob Castiglione]

I am glad that Stuart can confirm that it really is 24 bit which would have been difficult to implement. That is pretty impressive.

Of course the sound direct to the Red is MORE than just usable. It is easily broadcast quality, no worries. I am a sound recordist and am very conscious of getting the best sound possible. That is where I am coming from.

Every camera I have ever used has benefited from a line level signal for the very obvious reason that you will get superior sound from a dedicated audio device like the 722 which has exceptional preamps. Just try doing a comparison yourself and you will immediately here the difference.

[Tommy]

Thanks! So, would you say I'd be safe if I just worked with a 2 track master mix that's being fed to the line level input of the camera? Or should I back up the BWAVs separately from the camera audio and just use the camera audio as a guide track?

[Rob Castiglione]

My own view is that a line level signal fed to the camera sounds terrific.

Of course, if you have the resources to record synced double sound then all the better.