Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Full Frame - Preamps weak?

Hey folks I’m curious if i am encountering expected behavior or if I’m doing something wrong. In order to get a decent audio signal I am generally having to crank my inputs to +30db. On my LUMIX camera I’m usually set around -12. My old Fuji would also be around -12 or -14.

Is this expected behavior? I haven’t thoroughly tested but it’s been my experience the more you amplify your signal the more noise you are, or potentially, introducing.

Hey folks I’m curious if i am encountering expected behavior or if I’m doing something wrong. In order to get a decent audio signal I am generally having to crank my inputs to +30db. On my LUMIX camera I’m usually set around -12. My old Fuji would also be around -12 or -14.

Is this expected behavior? I haven’t thoroughly tested but it’s been my experience the more you amplify your signal the more noise you are, or potentially, introducing.

There's a thread about this going on here:
https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=200637

There's a lot going on in the audio signal chain. Every mic puts out different volume levels, every preamp has different specifications, every NLE handles audio differently. I have found a good rule of thumb for preamps is not to push past 75% of available amplification. Now there are preamps made that can be pushed to 100% with little or no noise added but they cost more than your camera. Acceptable audio levels is also a dubious term. With digital audio a fairly low volume signal can be amplified in the NLE and produce a very clean audio signal. The days of a highly saturated recording went away with tape recorders. I would judge by listening. Set your camera preamps at 75% or lower and amplify the signal in your NLE. Use a good set of cans and listen. Don't confuse captured background noise with signal chain noise. If it sounds good, it is good e.g. if it walks like a duck. If it sounds like crap, it is crap and something needs to be repaired, the mic, the mic cable, or the camera preamps are the most likely suspects. For superb audio the best bet is to use a separate audio recording system. For recording musical performances I use a Presonus mixer, professional studio microphones, and mix the audio in Steinberg Cubase. For interviews, I'm satisfied with the preamps on my BM cameras and Rode Go II wireless lavs. For in-between, I use a Tascam 701D and a Rode NTG 4+ or the Rode Go II lavs.