rode videomic pro -help

Hi,
i got a 5D2 and recently got a rode videomic pro. i am a novice in video and audio.

When should i be using -10db, 0db and +20db?

When should i be using the high pass filter HPF?

Many thanks.
Scott

Just got one as well on my 7D, wondering the same thing. haha

so you should know that with your 5D2 you have internal audio controls where as the 7D does not..(i think..)

The -10,0,and +20 DB options are Gain controls.

Think of "0" as your go to audio configuration it's simple and it should record normal audio without any issues.

When you encounter a situation where audio is especially loud (consistently) like a rock concert or something like that then you'll want to use your -10 control.
What this does is records all of your audio at 10 db lower than it would normally. this is important so that you don't peak with your audio.

The +20 gain control is supposed to be used when you have quiet sounds. since most recordings have some amount of "noise" you want to have your audio at a high signal to noise ratio.
In other words: just because it's a small sound in the film don't record it at low levels. You can always bring down the volume of a well recorded piece of audio, but when you bring up the volume of a poor or quietly recorded piece of audio it will sound terrible. (signal noise ratio again)

Your HPF or high pass filter is pretty self explanatory, This is a built in "filter" that lets only "high" frequencies "pass", blocking out the lower frequencies. This is useful when you've got a situation where there is a refrigerator hum, or a moving truck that just pulled up next to the restaurant you're shooting in.

I hope that helps..
I am by no means the best source for information but i have taken classes in film audio so there you go!

^ pretty much sums it up. Basically the gain control on the mic is to avoid distortion from loud sources of sound, or too much noise from boosting low volume sound. Oh and by 'noise' we mean a high pitched hiss sound.

If you're getting a lot of noise from your 5D2 (quite probable, DSLR sound sucks) then it might be an idea to set the mic to 20db even if the source is plenty loud enough. This means the higher mic sensitivity, and thus stronger audio signal will allow you to set your camera's gain level lower, reducing noise.

I wouldn't reccomend doing this if you're using auto-gain control, unless the volume of the source remains consistant. Otherwise the camera will try to comepensate when the source volume is low, and push the gain... giving you intermittent noise, with background sound going up and down in volume - for example when somebody is talking/not talking.

I believe I have read in several forums that the 5D2 with the VideoMic Pro is best used as bensotor described by setting the VMP to 20db, the 5D2 to manual gain control and then adjusting there. But yea, on board sound is like on board flash: get it off the camera because it will never be good.

Thank you all for the explanation and tips.
It helps me work things out pretty fast.
Cheers,
Scott