using audio out on 7d MK2

Hi,
I'm new to video, and I'm using some earbuds to monitor audio on my 7d mk2. I'm wondering if I should monitor WHILE I'm videoing or monitor AFTER taking some footage. The reason I'm asking is that it seem that the audio during the videoing doesn't seem to reflect the audio that's actually recorded with the video. I'm using an external RODE mic. Thanks.

chantu wrote in post #18084684
Hi,
I'm new to video, and I'm using some earbuds to monitor audio on my 7d mk2. I'm wondering if I should monitor WHILE I'm videoing or monitor AFTER taking some footage. The reason I'm asking is that it seem that the audio during the videoing doesn't seem to reflect the audio that's actually recorded with the video. I'm using an external RODE mic. Thanks.

What you hear through the audio out port is supposed to be what is being recorded in real time. When you play back the recording, the audio out port should play back what you have recorded--it should be the same thing you heard as you recorded.

RDKirk is quite right.

I've not used this cam, but, have used several cams in which the headphone amp was noisy - adding a constant hiss to the headphones.

You'll need to do some experimenting and benchmarking to determine any differences how what you hear during recording differs from what it sounds like on your editing system. In addition to the quality of the headphone amp, there's the headphones themselves. Consumer phones and buds commonly emphasize bass... There are very few reference-quality, neutral sounding earbuds out there (some Shure, some Etymotic).

A general rule is that all audio that matters should be monitored during recording all the time. For several reasons... Most are centered on the significant differences between what the mic hears and what your ear hears.

SailingAway wrote in post #18086485
RDKirk is quite right.

I've not used this cam, but, have used several cams in which the headphone amp was noisy - adding a constant hiss to the headphones.

You'll need to do some experimenting and benchmarking to determine any differences how what you hear during recording differs from what it sounds like on your editing system. In addition to the quality of the headphone amp, there's the headphones themselves. Consumer phones and buds commonly emphasize bass... There are very few reference-quality, neutral sounding earbuds out there (some Shure, some Etymotic).

A general rule is that all audio that matters should be monitored during recording all the time. For several reasons... Most are centered on the significant differences between what the mic hears and what your ear hears.

Yes, buds would be very rudimentary--pretty much just confirming that something is being recorded.

Emphasis of bass is not necessarily a bad thing--it tends to emphasize as well the more common noise that the brain ignores, such as low-frequency air conditioners, electrical hum from florescent lights, and such. But the open nature of earbuds make it extremely difficult to discern the differences between the recording audio and outside sound. It's hard enough even with closed-back headphones.

Thanks for the info. I'm using some sound isolating Etymotic (entry level ones). Is there anything I should pay particular attention to, other than "hmm, sounds OK to me" Should I tend to a higher or lower input levels? I guess I can also use the meters to help me out too. The audio would be voice conversation. Thanks.

Meters are a must!

There will be a mark or number, about 3/4s of the scale, marked towards the right, representing -10 or -12db.

Audio peaks should hit this mark. That leaves some headroom. If a peak gets to 0DB (full right) or above (off the scale) the sound will be distorted.

You would use the meter to evaluate recording level, and your headphones/buds to catch any number of issues:
Sources of noise.
Distant airplanes sound much louder to mics than to our ears, HVAC, traffic, etc.
Radio interference - you can't hear it with your ears, but nearby cell phones, especially when they kick into analog mode, can be real noisy.
Microphone or cable contact by people or clothing causes noise.
Depending on the mic and who is talking, "Ps" may pop.
Recognize when you have an "air gap" (duh, I forgot to plug it in!)