The Sound of Silence – Filming Disaster

Remember when I said that my camera was old and might be showing its age at any moment? We might have just rocketed past that point.

I just spent all day recording the live footage for two reviews: Street Fighter 2010 and Terror TRAX, and the sound is completely unusable. It’s just gone. All you can hear is static, with my voice only barely audible, as if I were shouting through a snowstorm. It’s a complete waste, and I can’t use any of it.

Now, I’m not an idiot. The days of the old brain lapses of not turning on the lavalier pack or plugging in cables are well behind me. I do a sound check every time I set up the camera now just to make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen, and I did it this time, too. But it still went wrong.

I’ll try to explain what happened. A while back, I recorded my vlog on “Drag Me To Hell” and noticed the same thing, that the sound was static despite the sound check. I did another check and found that, for some reason, the connection between my XLR microphone input and the camera had gotten fouled up, so I re-set the connections and cables and everything seemed to work properly again. But the same thing seems to have happened again today. At some point between my sound check and pressing the record button on the camera, the microphone connection went kaput. I simply had no reason to doubt that the sound was bad.

I’m not sure what to do now. I’d hate to write the camera off as a loss, but this is probably a sign that I need to start shopping around for a new one sooner rather than later. I suppose the best thing to do is to just re-record the reviews, but I don’t think I can use my high-quality microphone from now on, considering that the XLR input is acting tetchy. I’m going to be stuck using the onboard camera mic, and it’s going to sound like crap.

At any rate, I’m too tired and pissed off to try recording it all over again today. I’m really sorry about all this, but you’ll probably have to wait a little longer before I can get you the updates I promised. In light of this, I’ll start working on Ripper and SWAT 4 until I can figure out a way to reliably use my camera.

Edit: It’s definitely got something to do with the camera’s “accessory shoe.” Both the XLR accessory and the shotgun mic had a ton of interference. I played around with them both for a while when suddenly…it works again. That actually makes me more nervous about the whole thing than having it reliably fail. Don’t know what’s causing it.

RandomCanadianGuy

Speaking from experience that static noise you get and how it suddenly "fixes" itself leads me to think that the cable that connects the microphone is ripped internally so the camera isn't the problem it's the microphone. This usually happens when you manipulate the cable a lot and causes the wiring to stretch and break. Hope you get to read this and hope it helps.

Rahhel

You're in my way, Sir.

I love Genghis Kahn. The only good thing coming from East Germany.

JT1

Let's start a Camera Fund for Spoony.

Jeremy

If you're in need of a decent camera but don't have a lot of cash, you could always go for one of those pocket HD cams like the Kodak Zi6. I bought one for about $150, and it shoots beautiful video if you can light your shot well. The microphone on it blows, but you could just get a clip on mic with a 3.5" jack(You can get decent ones dirt cheap through DealExtreme) and record the audio through your computer.

Zack4

this is the first time i write a comment on your website...(sorry about my bad English)... I'm sorry to hear such bad news, Spoony, I hope you'll be able to keep up the good work!
You rock, Spoony! don't give up!!

notyoursavior78

Oh man I know the feeling of working on something for a long time and having nothing to show for it. That really sucks man! I'm sorry to hear it. I hope greatly things turn out better next time.

CrimsonDusk

Well you could always make a Vlog and give us your opinion about The Hangover, Up, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 if you saw them because I'm really curious if they deserve my cash. You can be really natural and unscripted when you talk about movies, because it's an opinion video and I usually take it in account.

Ollie

Oh, man, that sucks. I am really looking forward to those reviews. Maybe we could help you fund a new camera? How about selling som stuff on e-bay like the auction on TGWTG. That seemed to make some money. Love your photoshop work, how about printing some of that and signing it. Hey spoony DO IT!!

Dinger

the description of the shoe and the shotgun mic, you have a Canon XL Series camera, dont ya

Adam Bomb

Spoony, you are the man. Keep doing what you do, no matter what it takes. Never stop, and don't let any setbacks slow you down. Push through them like a warrior, and we'll keep watching your videos like the loyal SpoonHeads that we are. YOU ROCK SPOONY.

Cannabis

You insolent, inept FOOL! How DARE you deprive us, the Spoon heads, of your videos!? Ha, just kidding, seriously, that sucks cryptosporidian cock. Can't wait to see any new videos you release. Keep up the good work, Spoon man!

flint79

less talk more fix

Kalidor

Spoony you're still THE ONE

Dreamer

Fully agreed with zorg.

The entertainment spoony gives us is easily worth that cash

illyich75

Dude, time to get the soldering iron out!!!

zOrg

This is one of those rare occasions where I think it's justified to beg the community for donations. I remember a popular audio-remixing member of YTMND.com who broke his expensive Sennheiser headset and successfully asked for donations from community members to buy a new one. I'd gladly add my 20$ to get you a new camera. Once that thing bites the dust for good.. I think you've got a good cause for a community rally of support.

Orin Bishop

Wow, that blows. Er, better luck in future.

astaroth

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Madpotator

Uh... that must suck Spoony. Take as much time as you please in getting the Street fighter 2010 and terror T.R.A.X videos done as long as they are high quality entertainment like always. Besides, Ripper and Swat 4 videos will be great as well. :)

Trodler

Hey Spoony dont give up! We NEED you!

Stan

Thanks for the memo!

I Heart Spoony!

MaliciDWildman

Sounds a good idea for a T-shirt. Spoony the Gathering with Noah holding up a victorious camcorder atop a pile of other various camcorders. Just a thought. Good luck in your "Hunt the Camarumpus." Let's hope it ends more successful than the Wumpus hunt.

zcdccxz

that sucks royally!
well ill be willing to wait a little longer for the reviews.
quality not quantity right! =)

Kristof

Dammit Spoony! Why do you suck so much!?!?

asmoron

Spoony gets almost 100 comments in a day because his cam broke (condolences) and the WARRIOR gets 0 comments in two months when he directly asks his 'fans' a question on his blog... Poor WARRIOR =(

Shawn

Spoony,

I notice your camera is a Sony PD-100. I have the same camera, dodgy XLR accessory and all, and I have a solution!

On the side of your camera, there is a red 1/8 inch mic input labeled "mic (plug-in power)". Now while you might be able to get by with an el-cheapo mic plugged directly into that input, your best bet would be to get an XLR adapter from Beachtek. It's a small box that mounts underneath the camera. It accepts XLR professional mics and plugs into the 1/8 mini jack. The Beachtek DXA6A is ideal if your mic uses 48V phantom power, but is kinda pricey at $309 from B&H Photo Video. However, if you're on a budget and don't require phantom power, then go for the DXA4 for $180. They work like a charm and are much cheaper than buying a new camera. Let me know what you think.

Altoman5

Sorry to hear about your camera troubles, Noah. You don't have to apologize, we all understand the camera troubles. Don't feel that you need to rush your projects, we would rather wait until everything's good to go before you start your work. I would be a little suspicious too about using the camera and recording the sound.

Someone said that we should start a "camera fund." That's a good idea. Hopefully, once I get my next paycheck, you can expect a donation from me.

Legomancer

May the machine spirits hear your voice! try asking your friendly neighbourhood techpriest

MNeC

Hey Spoony,
Why don't you just plug your mic to an audio interface and record the sound directly into the computer? After that you'll only have to sync the audio with camera take and replace the audio tracks. I mean, if your camera is still good to recording the video, there's no need to replace it.