Audio options for C920?

[luthierwnc]

I am using the battery that came with the AT3350 but further research suggests they aren't always strong or quality. I'll get another today. What I did was run these assorted mics into the Logitech software:

-- ATR2100 into USB (every control I could find at max) Acceptable with the mic 6" away from my face but weak out-of-frame
-- ATR2100 and Shure SM58 through XLR into Scarlett 2i2 with +48v on. Same perceived volume as above in the MP4 video
-- AT3550 into Scarlett 2i2 with a loose-fitting 3.5mm to 1/4" plug adapter. Very weak can hardly hear it on the MP4.

Maybe the battery is the issue but I ran the little lav through my Carvin AG100 acoustic guitar amp (a poor man's cafe PA) and it worked pretty well. The handheld mics at the same volume level were very loud.

I think the issue is the Logitech software. No matter how hot the signal into the computer, it just can't do anything with it. The video picture is pretty good. For me sitting at a desk reading, it certainly isn't the limiting factor. What software do you recommend to take the images from the C920 and audio from anywhere else for the final product?

Cheers, sh

[andrewzarian]

Does the Logitech software allow you to select a different source for the audio. I thought it only allows you to select the webcam mic

[mcphillips]

-- AT3550 into Scarlett 2i2 with a loose-fitting 3.5mm to 1/4" plug adapter. Very weak can hardly hear it on the MP4.

You're probably going into a line input in the Scarlett, although I've never used one. At least make sure you have the input switch on Instrument instead of Line, although that's not the right solution.

I think the issue is the Logitech software. No matter how hot the signal into the computer, it just can't do anything with it.

I doubt it.

[luthierwnc]

andrewzarian; You can choose which mic you use. It finds all connected audio inputs. It always has its own and whatever else is plugged in at the time.

preferences.jpg

mcphillips; I've tried line, instrument, XLR, 1/4 from XLR through a transformer, usb. This is the line-in recording device on the Scarlett through Win 7 sounds controller. The loudest any of them are is just OK.

What I think I need (subject to reality) is a way to mix the C920 video with some other recording capability. Either that or a Logitech explanation how to work the input levels. You can see the levels are maxed in the upper graphic but lowering them doesn't make much difference. I thought driving them harder with the amp would boost the levels but it doesn't.

Thanks again, sh

[TommySulivan]

have you looked into https://obsproject.com/ ? Its free and might be good to use to test out what the issue is

[luthierwnc]

Thanks Tommy, I'll have a look.

I got a reply to a related post elsewhere that made me think I hadn't given enough information to this forum. Let me try again and see if it makes more sense.

What I'd like to do is record a video podcast with me sitting at my office desk. This can't be live for legal reasons. The office is fairly large with a carpeted floor and no noticeable HVAC noise. The long side of the office is all glass with blinds so I have a lot of control over the light. I also got a couple softboxes to help.

In the original effort I put the C920 webcam into a homebrewed teleprompter using an old monitor for scrolling text. That works fine and the little webcam does a pretty good job of framing the shot. Since the internal mic is behind a plate of glass, I bought an ATR2100 microphone for UBS input although I have some XLR mics from back in the day. I had hoped it would be out of the shot.

My problem here is that the ATR2100 through USB and every other mic I've tried through the Scarlett is still hardly audible in the Logitech software. The Scarlett does go into the computer through USB as well. When I tested them on an acoustic guitar amp they were all fine -- in some cases, pretty loud. While a lot of people like the video quality of the webcam, nobody seems to be thrilled with either the audio or the software. Right now it seems that no matter how hot I set the input and how hot I send in the signal, it is still very limp.

If (big if) we assume that the video is good enough, I just need to figure out how to add quality audio. Right now I'm thinking I should get a Tascam DR-60D or maybe a DR-05 to record from the microphones and add that into the video produced by the webcam. My assistant (who will be the director of these things) also has a Canon Digital Rebel T2i and I made a mounting bracket for it when I made the teleprompter. The C920 isn't the only video option.

I don't want to throw endless money at this project but I don't mind paying enough to make it work right. I mostly want to know how people can use the video from the C920 and edit it with an outside audio source to make things look and sound good. I know a lot of people do it. If I need a different camera, we have the Canon or I'm sure someone will sell me one. A tutorial vid would be great but I've yet to find one where the presenter lays it out for newbs.

As always, thanks to all for your patience and interest. My forum participation over the years has been more asking than explaining and I always appreciate the effort people take on my behalf, sh

[AndrewSeabrook]

My suggestion is that you forget about using the Logitech software, rather as Tommy says look at OBS or vMix Basic HD, VidBlaster Home or Wirecast Studio. These will allow you to bring in both Audio and Video, mix them, record and a lot more besides. The C920 is fine for what you want to do any as Mike Phillips has indicated the microphones are fine. You can download a trial version of either vMix or Vidblaster to ensure a solution will meety your needs, OBS is open-source.

As for tutorails for newbies. Check out Tom Sinclair at www.easternshorebroadcasting.com or his Youtube channel

[luthierwnc]

Thanks Andrew, I'm beginning to feel less like a fish flopping on the deck.

In retrospect, I probably should have approached this starting with the software since the hardware -- at least camera(s) and mics -- are known quantities. I should have also mentioned I'm using Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. The machine most of this will be done on has an i5 chip, an SSD and a spinner, 8 GB RAM and a discreet GPU that turned-out not to be necessary for my graphics needs. I run three monitors. I pull one of those and plug the VGA into a resurrected monitor that fits in the teleprompter.

Since the computer is in the room, I've wondered how much I need to put between the signals and the PC. Maybe not much but I think a little mixer would help for controls if it doesn't make much noise. I've also thought that an audio recorder might improve things too. B&H still offers last year's DR-60D bundled with 2 PluralEyes licenses for about the same price as the software (or many competing entry-level packages) alone. I've got the lav. I'm still thinking of the AT875r because I'd like to have a wider frame than some of the face-in-your-face podcasts out there. That can wait.

Still, software is my next consideration. Since my assistant will end up doing the editing, I may leave it to her. Any more recommendations are still welcome. It doesn't have to be cheap but ease of use is a consideration

Tom Sinclair has been very helpful. I followed his site from the YouTube vids on a parallel track and both trails led back here. I want to thank everyone again for your patience and solutions. sh