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
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.
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
Last edited by luthierwnc; 10-28-2014 at 05:34 AM.
Reason: more information
I thought I'd go "all in". In my mind's eye I see things like this diagram from MS Paint. Cables are color-coded. Dotted lines are "what if's". The room is about 20' long by 14' wide so it goes back further to the left and down than the drawing shows. 9' acoustic ceiling. The wall at the top of the drawing is 50% glass with eastern exposure and blinds. I have a lot of control over the natural light and I'll be doing this during the daytime.
The floor is carpeted and the HVAC comes in from the roof of the building. Other than a nice neighbor whose voice cuts through the wall, it is very quiet. He is only there half days so I can work around that.
The C920 is a USB camera so it goes to the USB Hub. I could also use the Canon or get a dedicated camcorder.
I'll get a little mixer for the microphone feeds and they go out USB to the computer too or use the Scarlett 2i2.
The teleprompter monitor just replaces one of the three on my desk.
My assistant (whose eyes are still fine) can see both my remaining 24" monitors from her chair. I'm in the chair directly across from the teleprompter. Prompter on monitors 2/3, webcam software on 1. I could also move that monitor to her little desk. The resolution for the old monitors is low which is what the prompter software wants anyway so I have to use two monitors to get that right.
If needed, I can get an audio recorder
If needed, the mixer can go to one of the computer 3.5mm audio in's
If helpful, the audio feed can go to the power amp (which it probably can anyway with the Win 7 setup)
That's the envisioned set-up. I have everything but the mixer. The Scarlett 2i2 could probably fill in. I'll try it first before getting the mixer -- probably a Q802. I have the ATR2100 mic for the boom but may get an AT875r if I need something more directional.
No live streaming. Everything will be shot, cut and reviewed by regulatory personnel before distribution. That's why the editing software is extra critical. I may need to change a word here or there or delete/add parts plus disclaimers.
I hope you'll excuse the Paint drawing but it does convey the thought better than words. If any recommended software jumps to mind, I hope you will comment. I could see using overlays, cuts or transitions to graphics and possibly a little music for the opening and closing -- not sure about that yet. The first few will be bare-bones.
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