SL2-S and Audio for YT videos

[John Smith]

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I know next to nothing about creating videos. But I thought I would ask for the best audio solution for using the SLS-2 for YT videos. Is there a way to record audio directly with the video file without having to sync it up in post-processing? I’ve considered jumping to LUMIX just for their XLR adapters, but thought I’d ask about the SL2-S because I already own the camera and necessary lenses. 

[frame-it]

17 minutes ago, John Smith said:

I know next to nothing about creating videos. But I thought I would ask for the best audio solution for using the SLS-2 for YT videos. Is there a way to record audio directly with the video file without having to sync it up in post-processing? I’ve considered jumping to LUMIX just for their XLR adapters, but thought I’d ask about the SL2-S because I already own the camera and necessary lenses. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Photoworks]

sure the XLR options that Panasonic and Sony offer are nice.

You can't get balanced audio into the SL cameras.

the only option is the 3.5 mic entrance.

Rode gives you setup suggestions on how to set up the SL camera preamp. Basically all the way down and bring it up in the mic out.

Not sure if you are looking for a wireless setup or a wired one. but I have found options in Sennheiser and Rode that worked well.

The external recorder would be still a great option.

[John Smith]

Thank you for the responses. After looking through the other threads, I decided to take advantage of the L-Mount alliance and switch over to LUMIX. While it’d be nice to stay with Leica for video, it just isn’t up to par in that area without having to recreate the wheel.

[Jonathan Levin]

I wouldn’t say the Leica isn’t up to par. As Photoworks mentioned above an external audio recorder is the method most serious video producers use. If you are not fussy about audio quality, record in camera. I personally would only use ANY camera audio to sync my seperate audio in post, then turn off or delete the camera tracks. Even an inexpensive ZOOM recorder will work wonders.

[John Smith]

26 minutes ago, Jonathan Levin said:

I wouldn’t say the Leica isn’t up to par. As Photoworks mentioned above an external audio recorder is the method most serious video producers use. If you are not fussy about audio quality, record in camera. I personally would only use ANY camera audio to sync my seperate audio in post, then turn off or delete the camera tracks. Even an inexpensive ZOOM recorder will work wonders.

I shouldn't have said "not up to par." This is the Leica Forum so one should expect blowback from such a comment. As I posted, I am not a serious video producer. I'm a strict amateur who is dipping his foot into video, specifically YT videos. Leica is pretty photocentric. LUMIX appears to be catering more towards the hybrid use of mirrorless. Hence my decision to switch for video, at least. 

Edited July 29, 2024 by John Smith

[LocalHero1953]

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If you've decided on Panasonic, I won't dissuade you. 
I use the SL2-S for video, and have used it with a hotshot-mounted Rode Videomic, and Rode Wireless Go, without problems. For my use (mainly recordings of stage performance) I prefer to record near or on the stage with a Zoom H4n, and sync. I also use a Blackmagic 6KCC; the native sound recorded from the same mic is considerably better than the SL2-S, but neither are up to the Zoom. If you want an audio track recorded with the video just for syncing purposes, then the mics in the bodies produce a track good enough.  

[LocalHero1953]

19 minutes ago, John Smith said:

Leica is pretty photocentric. LUMIX appears to be catering more towards the hybrid use of mirrorless. Hence my decision to switch for video, at least. 

A question from curiosity, not criticism: what does a Panasonic body give you that a Leica SL2-S doesn't? Is it image quality? Connections? Recording format?

[Jonathan Levin]

John, whatever platform you choose the first step to decent audio is to NOT mount mic on any camera. Get the mic as close as possible to subject without interfering with picture. That alone will improve audio. FWIW. Good luck.

[BernardC]

4 hours ago, John Smith said:

Thank you for the responses. After looking through the other threads, I decided to take advantage of the L-Mount alliance and switch over to LUMIX. While it’d be nice to stay with Leica for video, it just isn’t up to par in that area without having to recreate the wheel.

Thankfully, the wheel has been recreated for you. Shooting double system (separate audio and video) is very simple these days. You simply record your audio with an external recorder (Zoom, Tascam, or one of several other options), and record a guide track on your camera with the built-in microphone. Import both files into the same bin in your video editor, and tell the editor to synchronize them. You'll find click-by-click instructions by doing a web search on "your NLE sync audio". I really feels like magic the first time you do it.

I usually go one step further and plug a small stereo microphone into my camera, to capture ambient sound. This can help thicken the mix if your main audio sounds a bit thin.

You can use any number of standalone recorders at the same time. I've used a combination of a Tascam, a lavaliere, and a camera-mounted microphone; or a board mix and a room mic for music.

The advantage of doing it this way is that your camera isn't tethered by a mic cable, and you aren't recording from camera position (which is almost always the worse placement for a microphone).

You'll often see YouTubers clapping their hands before a take, or using a professional slate/clapper. That's for redundancy. If your NLE can't synchronize the elements automatically, you can do it the old fashioned way: look for the clap in your audio waveform, and match it to the corresponding frame in your video. In my experience the sound slate is rarely needed, but it's good practice. Using a slate can also help with scripted content, or for some types of events. It reminds everyone that this is a real take, not a rehearsal.

 

The next step up is to use timecode, but that's probably a step too far for now.

[Photoworks]

7 hours ago, John Smith said:

Thank you for the responses. After looking through the other threads, I decided to take advantage of the L-Mount alliance and switch over to LUMIX. While it’d be nice to stay with Leica for video, it just isn’t up to par in that area without having to recreate the wheel.

I am sure Panasonic is a good choice. but having good audio is not made by having an XLR adapter. 
There is a lot to learn about microphone types and placements.

[John Smith]

16 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

I am sure Panasonic is a good choice. but having good audio is not made by having an XLR adapter. 
There is a lot to learn about microphone types and placements.

Sure, as you said before, professional video producers use all kinds of audio equipment. Question for me is, what is both the easiest and best solution. I decided to buy a used Lumix S1H. It has an OLPF and allows for the audio adapter. It is an L-Mount camera. There are a few YouTubers who have sang the praises of its adapter after they've tried different solutions. Maybe later down the road I'll use the SL2-S for video. But, for the time being, Lumix, along with its teaching videos, seems the best way to go.