- The manual audio is a massive fail to say the least. Yes, we can set it. But we can't monitor it during filming. And as far as I can tell. The windcut filter is there by default and cannot be disabled. So, yes, it's there. But how are we supposed to use it effectively?
I've been through the manual and cannot find any mention of a windcut function, by default or otherwise.
Can you point me to it via the menu or in the handbook?
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_7d#BrochuresAndManualsIf wind noise is a problem the cheapest solution is a rycote micro windjammer for the front mic.
A better solution is to use an external mic with windjammer or softee when required.
An even better solution is use an off camera external mic with windjammer or softee when required.
If you are serious enough about audio to require constant monitoring then you will no doubt want to use a set of headphones. Even if full time VU's were available why would you monitor with these visually alone? Sound is audible not visual.
I use a beachtek dxa-5da, there are other models available, and similar devices from the likes of juiced link. Some folk prefer zooms though I prefer to have everything on camera and in one file.
The beachtek gives you live VU's, gives you live pans, and gives you a headphone socket, so you can at least monitor the audio going to the camera.
Typically I would set a record level on the camera that permits me to keep the cameras pre-amps low (this may require a hot mic such as a sennheiser K6) or an interface with phantom power pre-amps (DXA-DSLR, Minx, SQN) and then control ongoing levels via the external unit.
The genesis of this problem is that the 7D dates from a time when video was still something of an after thought, even to this day, unless you buy a dedicated video camera such as the EOS c300, there is no way to get XLRs (the default professional mic connection) into a DSLR.
Firmware can add audio levels, but it cannot add physical connectors such as headphone sockets.
I would never ever seek to monitor audio by VU alone. Unless you are hearing what the mic is hearing then you are seeing is electrical signal strength with no clue of quality. That is not monitoring.