Skype, RED & 4 mics

[James Press]

Need some help:
We're using skype in our studio to facilitate video conferencing, using the 720p HD SDI preview as our camera source, and have 4 mics going directly into the camera (phantom powered), which pick up a number of people around our conference table in the studio. [HD DSI -->AJA IoHD--> MacBook Pro]
Unfortunately skype only recognises the first mic. Does anyone know if it's possible to have skype take all the mics (effectively as a mixed down single track)? We don't have a sound operator on a mixer in the studio, as we mix in post, so the option of having someone ride the levels to produce a mixed single track doesn't work for us....

Any suggestions gratefully received

 

[David Didato]

You should be able to take audio out XLR from the RED or even headphone out, and go into the IoHD. I'm not sure if audio over HD SDI is fully implemented.

 

[James Press]

Hi David,

Yes, we get 4 channels of audio embedded in the Hd SDI into the IoHD. It's just that skype only sees the first channel...

 

[Mark Phelan]

James,

Another possible option besides Skype might be to use the application called Source Connect as it will allow for multiple mics with studio quality sound. We use it in place of an ISDN line for recording voiceovers and such. The only problem is that both parties (sending/receiving) need the program. Might be overkill for what you're trying to do, but the sound quality is amazing.

 

[James Press]

Thanks for the tip Mark. Could be a short term solution. We're wanting to open up discussions with 'anyone', which is why skype is so appealing.

 

[Darren Orange]

Not to go off topic...but please take a picture of this...thats got to be awesome. RED ONE also can be used as a WEBCAM. Thats awesomely cool over kill!!!!

 

[James Press]

Darren--I did get pretty excited once we had it up and running--thought it might be a first...!

Actually, after trying a lot of different ideas, we worked out that tapping the feed from camera A was the simplest and most functional way to get a "webcam" to whomever is on skype, especially given we have multiple speakers and a whiteboard in the studio (it allows the skyper to see exactly what the subject is). If we can just get multiple mics to them, then the system will be perfect...