Transferring super 8 film to video - Audio problem

[GMOW]

I recently got my old Norris 310 sound projector out of the attic to copy some sound striped super 8 films, given to me by a friend, to video. No problems recording the film images but the quality of the transferred audio was rubbish. It's OK on the original film stripe though.
The projector has a 3.5mm speaker socket (spec. 4.9v/4Q short-proof speaker output).
My Sony camcorder's mike input has a 3.5mm stereo socket (spec. 0.388mV DC2.5V0

Not being an electonics expert I would be pleased if anyone could advise me what I need to put in line to make the output and input signal and voltage compatible.

Many thanks.

[chrisk]

You don't say what Sony camcorder you are using, but some have an A/V input and this would provide a closer match for your speaker output. If you only have a mic input then you can either turn the volume control right down on your projector, but this will be so low that it will be very touchy. Otherwise an atternuator will be required and something like this will do the job.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AAS40-Stereo- ... 2a1e111e1a

Chris

[tom hardwick]

I'm not surprised you're getting poor sound feeding a speaker level into a mic input socket. Doesn't your Noris have a line output (for feeding a hi-fi amp, say) and can't you switch your Sony's input socket to accept line levels (as you can on the VX2k)?

Chris' advice should do the trick, but you may find the audio is still pretty iffy as it will have been hugely amplified from the Noris' sound head and then massively attenuated by the attenuating circuit. There are losses associated in doing this.

If you like I could quote you to do the transfer...

tom.

[GMOW]

Thanks for the info Chris.
Given the small cash outlay an attenuator from Ebay seems to be the best bet. I used my old Sony TRV900E to do the copying using the camera's composite output connectors to view the images on a large monitor screen. As an alternative, I also tried to record the audio from the projector speaker socket to the line input on my ZOOM recorder. The sound quality was much better with less distortion. Main problem was lip sync and that can be a pain in post production editing. If the above attenuator isn't effective I might try using my Sony Z5 camera to do the job.

Graham

[Peter Copestake]

An almost cost-free alternative if your premises are suitable is to site the projector loudspeaker in another room and use a microphone on a lead to pick the sound up direct from the speaker. Not as good as a proper wired connection but could be as good as a poor attenuator if you cannot follow Tom's advice.

[GMOW]

Tom,
Your offer of help is appreciated. Problem is I said I would copy the films as a freebie for a local charity organisation, the final DVD's of which will be placed in its archive. Unfortunately, I didn't know at the time there was almost 3000 feet of film, some of which is badly worn with lots of dodgy splices. It entails a lot of time consuming work doing the transfer. Ah well!!

I have ordered an in-line attenuator and will soon find out if it's any good, If not I will start again from scratch this time using my Sony HRV-Z5E. It might give me more scope with its XLR adjustable line and mike imputs. The projector only has an extension speaker socket and no line connection to an amplifier unit.
Maybe I should spend £122,000 on a used professional Telecine machine I saw advertised!!!!

Graham