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Home: Video University Forums: Audio For Video:
Grrr.... iRiver failed me again

Steve_Bailey
Enthusiast

Jun 10, 2007, 1:39 PM

Post #1 of 18 (1630 views)
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Grrr.... iRiver failed me again	Can't Post

OK, so i go and buy a Sennheiser e100 wireless setup and have my first gig with a band... I run the tap from the board right into my iriver, set my line in recording, pop headphones in, hear everything loud and clear, drop the volume a tad in case things get too loud, hit record and go on recording the rest of the night.

Pull everything into the editing bay today and NOTHING on the iRiver. 3 hours of complete and total nothing. Could someone possibly tell me what I did wrong? The only setting I found that MIGHT have been the cause of my problem was under the CONTROL menu -- there was a setting for Line in/Ext Mic which was set for Ext. Mic... Was that the cause? And does that mean setting this up has to been a two step process: 1. Set your source as Line In and then 2. Go into the CONTROL menu and identify WHAT you have connected to the Line in source?

I'm really sick because this was a great band and I actually wanted to make a CD of their music for my personal use -- I can totally fix it in post because the on camera mics were pretty well adjusted for the most of the night but MAN -- this is like the 3rd time in a row my iRivers have failed me.

Steve Bailey
Memories Forever Video Productions
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

"I'm NOT bitter."

RT Steele
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 1:54 PM

Post #2 of 18 (1623 views)
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Re: [Steve_Bailey] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

The iRiver should've been set to Line In but even Ext Mic should've got you something although most likely unusable.

Since you picked up absolutely nothing I'd suspect somebody at the board might have switched you off. What jack were you plugged into?

This has happened to me at weddings... I think the DJ screws me over at times which is why I don't use his board any more.

- RT

Steve_Bailey
Enthusiast

Jun 10, 2007, 1:57 PM

Post #3 of 18 (1617 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

Normally I'd agree with you but I actually ran headphones from the iriver so I could hear what was going through it and I actually heard the audio from the iriver headphone jack. Therefore, I'd assume at least for that brief time, I was connected to the board.

I guess I'm going to go spend some experimenting time with this thing.

Steve Bailey
Memories Forever Video Productions
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

"I'm NOT bitter."

Mark Foley
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 3:00 PM

Post #4 of 18 (1600 views)
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Re: [Steve_Bailey] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

Steve,
First off...Although the iRiver works great for vocal capture, it would be the last thing I would grab when taking a line-in feed from a mixing board. the +4db typical line voltage is too hot and coupled with the somewhat limited front end of the iRiver can spell disaster. However, some people here have had success using to grab a feed such as this. The key is to setup an iRiver for ONE specific purpose whether it is for vocal or for line-in and leave it alone..buy another if needed..but leave it set for one specific/known recording process.

As RT pointed out, even though you had your set to ext mic, you should have got something...unless the +4db signal instantly overloaded the front end and it went by-by. Have you tried to record with it since...even with a mic plugged in?

I would recommend to consider a more professional recorder when trying to capture line feed audio. The Edirol R-09 or the Zoom H4 allow you better recording latitude, visual metering of the input signal, and instant playback to test the recording (biggie). Many people have balked at the cost of these higher end recorders...but all it takes it to loose a recoding like yourself and the cost becomes moot.

I do feel for you though Steve, as I too have made mistakes...lucky for me I've had good back-up...but I usually walked away learning something positive though..

_________________________
Mark

RustyB
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 3:04 PM

Post #5 of 18 (1598 views)
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Re: [Steve_Bailey] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

.....MAN -- this is like the 3rd time in a row my iRivers have failed me.

Mark is gonna get you!!! Tongue

http://www.videouniversity.com/...20gb%20drive;#372401

That post cracked me up...VU'ers spending $700 for a wide angle lens to use for 3 seconds in a wedding video, but then combing the internet to find $69 refurb'd toy MP3 players to record critical audio...then wondering why they failed. Laugh

(I'm also guilty of routinely screwing up the audio in my videos, because I'm too cheap to spend the money on decent gear.)

I'd really like to get a nice little digital recorder for these same situations myself! Good luck!

[Mark posted as I was typing this! Laugh

]

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

(This post was edited by RustyB on Jun 10, 2007, 3:05 PM)

Steve_Bailey
Enthusiast

Jun 10, 2007, 3:26 PM

Post #6 of 18 (1588 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

Bring 'em on! :)

Seriously though, I very rarely have a need to capture audio this way. This was only the second time in 6 years I've had to deal with a band. Normally, it's standard wedding faire DJ audio. Take some dancing clips, make a montage, slap a CD track under it and call it a day...

But these guys were really good and I would have enjoyed listening to them again. My iRiver always worked religiously for me until I stopped using it religiously about a year and a half ago... Now I guess I'm just rusty on the setup.

Steve Bailey
Memories Forever Video Productions
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

"I'm NOT bitter."

Brackish
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 3:46 PM

Post #7 of 18 (1580 views)
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Post deleted by Brackish [In reply to]

RT Steele
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 3:59 PM

Post #8 of 18 (1577 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

That post cracked me up...VU'ers spending $700 for a wide angle lens to use for 3 seconds in a wedding video, but then combing the internet to find $69 refurb'd toy MP3 players to record critical audio...

I have "2" Sennheiser G2 kits and only use one of them. (for the groom). I still use a $30 iRiver for the minister. How stupid is that? Laugh

Actually, I tried putting a G2 on a priest once but he pissed and moaned about the "massive size" of the transmitter so much I just said screw it and didn't argue.

Listening to this shouting minister now in my edit I could kick myself in the ass for not wiring him up proper with the 2nd Senn that sat in my kit all day - one crank of a knob and he'd have been fixed.

- RT

Bauerjoe
User

Jun 10, 2007, 8:32 PM

Post #9 of 18 (1553 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think most DJs just don't know their way around a board, RT. They don't know a decibel from a tinkerbell. That's why I've given up tying into boards.

Joe
Joe Bauer

Yesterdays Memories Films
artistic cinematography

MLiebergot
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 8:59 PM

Post #10 of 18 (1548 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sorry that happened to you Steve.

This is just another eason for users eher to move away from IRIvers and get something more sustantial and relaible for important audio capture.

IRIvers failing me several years ago is why I started looking for higher quality, more reliable alternatives (although more expensive) to the IRivers. IRIvers are cheap, but also constructed cheaply and will fail everyone eventually.

Like Rusty, I am also supprised that even seasoned vets on these boards continue to pump money into new video equiptment (jumping to HD) and continue to find cheap alternatives and neglect the audio end. I know it is a business but there should be a good balance in everyones workflow.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Brackish
Veteran

Jun 10, 2007, 11:19 PM

Post #11 of 18 (1530 views)
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Mark Foley
Veteran

Jun 11, 2007, 4:51 AM

Post #12 of 18 (1509 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

The pre-amp circuitry on the iRiver can only do so much due to its limited lansdcape. Not much room for any robust analog to digital conversion...but then again, these were never designed as a pro recorder...but more for hanging around my daughter's neck listening to her mp3s. It can process a line in feed much easier as it doesn't have to boost voltages and etc than can induce noise. The reason though I would not use them for line-in as the lack of any metering.

_________________________
Mark

fwep
Novice

Jun 11, 2007, 9:25 AM

Post #13 of 18 (1495 views)
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Re: [Steve_Bailey] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

see my thread on the new korg mr-1

Steve_Bailey
Enthusiast

Jun 11, 2007, 10:31 AM

Post #14 of 18 (1483 views)
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Re: [fwep] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

It was definitely a learning experience. I'm not losing any sleep over it and I will continue to use my iRivers (despite the protesting). However, I do think that in the future if I have another "band situation" where the reception audio is going to be something more than a DJ spinning records, I will look at the more professional solutions.

I like the Zoom because it has direct XLR inputs and I wouldn't need to run a converter to get my e100 receiver plugged into it but it's got a more complicated UI according to reviews. I just can't justify the cost of the Korg at my current pricing level and the infrequency with which I would use it. I'm probably leaning towards the Edirol but I'll probably wait until I have another job that warrants it's purchase.

Thanks for the feedback guys and gals.

Steve Bailey
Memories Forever Video Productions
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

"I'm NOT bitter."

Joel
Veteran

Jun 11, 2007, 11:23 AM

Post #15 of 18 (1477 views)
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Re: [Steve_Bailey] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Steve,

Have you listened to the encoded file on the computer or with the iriver itself?

In Reply To

Joel

"Think of this business as a room with a huge table and a bunch of chairs around the table. There is a big pie on the table. Your mission is to take your place at the table, pick up your fork, and eat your pie. Do not look to the left and do not look to the right. Just eat your pie. There is plenty of pie for everyone."

starting | perfectionists

(This post was edited by Joel on Jun 11, 2007, 11:30 AM)

Steve_Bailey
Enthusiast

Jun 11, 2007, 12:14 PM

Post #16 of 18 (1462 views)
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Re: [Joel] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah... I plugged headphones directly into the iriver and listened to the original file -- zilch... very odd.

Steve Bailey
Memories Forever Video Productions
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

"I'm NOT bitter."

BobRamage
User

Jun 11, 2007, 10:29 PM

Post #17 of 18 (1415 views)
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Re: [Steve_Bailey] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've had that happen a few times with my iRivers as well, but in my case it was either because I foolishly plugged the mic into the earphone jack or didn't make sure it was all the way in.

I've only ever used them for secondary audio or as a backup to primary wireless and for those purposes they've been great.

TimKT
User

Sep 5, 2007, 5:37 PM

Post #18 of 18 (1099 views)
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Re: [BobRamage] Grrr.... iRiver failed me again [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've had excellent success pluging into the tape out with rca's and
changing the settings to line-in record. No need for any Mics.

One odd thing did happen to me the last time I used my I-river an audio file from the previous wedding appeared with my current wedding.
Even though I always delete all the files after the transfer.

So try recording something then export and see what happens.
Also check ALL the folders for any missing files.

Tim