I just bought my GH2 14-42mm kit, Panasonic Leica 25mm 1.4 lens and Sandisk 64GB Extreme Pro card. My GH2-X (love that...) will be used mostly for narrative shorts. And with so many people actively shooting and testing I wondered if anyone has found a high quality, high reliability, field mixer / digital recorder combo? I'd like good audio quality but still keep within a decent budget. Shotguns, lavs, fishpoles and cables are all covered.
GH2 Audio Gear for GH2 Shooting
- Thread starter JMZ
- Start date
Sound Devices MixPre + BeachTek DXA-2s + Sony M10 + Sony 7506 Headphones
- The MixPre has great pre-amps, a loud headphone amp, runs all day on two AA rechargeables.
- BeachTek DXA-2s ( or DXA-2t ) is a passive XLR audio adapter, so it does not alter the audio signal, no added noise, has two pots to adjust levels, and a ground-lift switch to kill hum
- Sony M10 digital recorder has a very low noise floor, is quite compact so it can be tucked in to the same bag as the MixPre, runs all day on one set of batteries
- Sony 7506 headphones are industry standard, have good sound isolation so you can hear what you are recording, and are affordable
With this set-up I can record great sound directly with my GH-2 camera, and simultaneously record an even higher quality back-up with the Sony M10, while I monitor sound with the headphone circuit in MixPre.
- The MixPre has great pre-amps, a loud headphone amp, runs all day on two AA rechargeables.
- BeachTek DXA-2s ( or DXA-2t ) is a passive XLR audio adapter, so it does not alter the audio signal, no added noise, has two pots to adjust levels, and a ground-lift switch to kill hum
- Sony M10 digital recorder has a very low noise floor, is quite compact so it can be tucked in to the same bag as the MixPre, runs all day on one set of batteries
- Sony 7506 headphones are industry standard, have good sound isolation so you can hear what you are recording, and are affordable
With this set-up I can record great sound directly with my GH-2 camera, and simultaneously record an even higher quality back-up with the Sony M10, while I monitor sound with the headphone circuit in MixPre.
I will do a complete tutorial with sound samples in the New Year. ( too busy with other things this month )
Here are the basic steps I follow to connect everything:
1- Attach BeachTek DXA-2s to the tripod head, then attach GH-2 to BeachTek unit ( I am using Manfrotto QR mounts, see pictures at bottom )
2- Plug BeackTek 3.5mm input to the GH-2 using a HOSA 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter
3- Attach XLR cable from MixPre XLR OUT to the BeachTek XLR IN ( this is LINE LEVEL audio )
4- Set BeachTek input switch to LINE IN LEVEL
5- Attach Sony M10 to the MixPre mixer via the TAPE OUT connection ( requires a small cable )
6- Attach MIC XLR cable to one of the MixPre XLR INPUT connectors.
6- Turn everything on
7- Turn on the 1 Khz TEST TONE on the MixPre mixer ( this tone is used to set the correct recording levels )
8- Adjust the Sony M10 recording level until the meter is showing -12 dB
9- Adjust the GH-2 AGC circuit to setting 1
10- Adjust the BeachTek input POTs until the GH-2 meters are flickering at the RED level
11- Turn off the 1 Khz TEST TONE on the MixPre
12- Plug in Sony 7506 headphones and set appropriate sound level ( it's usually pretty low as the MixPre headphone amp is very loud )
13- Have your talent speak in to your mic and adjust the MixPre GAIN to an appropriate level
- Slate all of your takes ( either with a real slate or clap your hands together on camera )
- I let the Sony M10 run continuously, so it records everything. ( there's tons of recording time, and this eliminates the hassle of turning the Sony M10 ON and OFF for every take )
*** Pictures of the BeachTek DXA-2s with HOSA adapter and Manfrotto QuickRelease attached. This unit can be snapped in below my GH-2 camera when needed ***
Here are the basic steps I follow to connect everything:
1- Attach BeachTek DXA-2s to the tripod head, then attach GH-2 to BeachTek unit ( I am using Manfrotto QR mounts, see pictures at bottom )
2- Plug BeackTek 3.5mm input to the GH-2 using a HOSA 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter
3- Attach XLR cable from MixPre XLR OUT to the BeachTek XLR IN ( this is LINE LEVEL audio )
4- Set BeachTek input switch to LINE IN LEVEL
5- Attach Sony M10 to the MixPre mixer via the TAPE OUT connection ( requires a small cable )
6- Attach MIC XLR cable to one of the MixPre XLR INPUT connectors.
6- Turn everything on
7- Turn on the 1 Khz TEST TONE on the MixPre mixer ( this tone is used to set the correct recording levels )
8- Adjust the Sony M10 recording level until the meter is showing -12 dB
9- Adjust the GH-2 AGC circuit to setting 1
10- Adjust the BeachTek input POTs until the GH-2 meters are flickering at the RED level
11- Turn off the 1 Khz TEST TONE on the MixPre
12- Plug in Sony 7506 headphones and set appropriate sound level ( it's usually pretty low as the MixPre headphone amp is very loud )
13- Have your talent speak in to your mic and adjust the MixPre GAIN to an appropriate level
- Slate all of your takes ( either with a real slate or clap your hands together on camera )
- I let the Sony M10 run continuously, so it records everything. ( there's tons of recording time, and this eliminates the hassle of turning the Sony M10 ON and OFF for every take )
*** Pictures of the BeachTek DXA-2s with HOSA adapter and Manfrotto QuickRelease attached. This unit can be snapped in below my GH-2 camera when needed ***
He's right, the newer mix pre d has a dedicated Mic level output that can interface directly with dslr's. It's on a ta3 male connector so you need a female ta3 to stereo mini (or sub-mini for the gh2) cable. Sound Devices also makes a bracket for it that allows it to be mounted to the bottom of the camera with a tripod screw hole on the opposite side. Cool piece of gear and sounds great.
...You still need to run XLR cable from the mixer to the GH-2, which means you need an balanced XLR to un-balanced mini-plug adapter before connecting to the GH-2.
I like the BeachTek unit as my XLR to mini-plug adapter because it's fairly small but still solid, and allows you to take LINE-IN signal right at the camera. All of the cable strain is taken by the BeachTek unit, and none by the GH-2 MIC input.
Also, there have been many times where I had to take a signal from a sound person's mixer board, and found that the MIC level from their board was too weak for the distance to the camera, so I had them supply me with a LINE level instead and used my BeachTek unit to correct the input.
There is NO AMP. The BeachTek unit is simply a passive balanced XLR to unbalanced mini-plug adapter. It requires NO power and has NO AMP. It also has very good POTs that allow you to adjust the strength of the signal ( it can only reduce it ) before being fed to the camera.
Thanks, Dingo. This helps a lot. I actually own a nice slate which I use on every shoot regardless of format. That, along with good logging of takes in the field, has saved me a huge amount of time in editing. I'm going to check into the Sony recorders. I was originally considering a Tascam DR-40 with something like a Behringer or Mackie 2 to 4 channel tabletop mixer. But only the Behringer can be run on battery power. I knew I couldn't afford a Sound Devices 702 or 302 but hadn't considered either of the Mix-Pre units.
With an original mix-pre or any other mixer that only outputs a line level signal you need to pad down the audio level before hitting the camera that only wants to see a Mic level (lower) signal. That's what it seems like he is using the beachtek box to do. With the newer mix-pre d you wouldn't need the beachtek as the mixer outputs a stereo Mic level signal that you can run straight into the camera.
A couple of other items to mention...
You can find used BeachTek DXA-2s units on eBay for as little as $50, and some appear to be pretty much brand new.
Also, the older Sound Devices MixPre can be bought for $500 or less. ( I suspect it's people selling the old model to upgrade to the newer MixPre D )
You can find used BeachTek DXA-2s units on eBay for as little as $50, and some appear to be pretty much brand new.
Also, the older Sound Devices MixPre can be bought for $500 or less. ( I suspect it's people selling the old model to upgrade to the newer MixPre D )
Sound Devices have many fans and is a solid choice. Consider also Tascam Dr-680 recorder as part of your options for audiophile sound in a single box solution with built in digital mixer. Inexpensive and sounds great. Headphones are subjective, I use the AT M50s, you will find Sony, Sennheiser and many others that have their fans and many of these are good, this is a try before buy item.
Fresno Bob
Well-known member
I was planning on just using a Zoom H4n connected to a boom and record my sound that way.
I'm a bit of a noob - can someone explain why I would need all this extra equipment (mixers etc)?
I'm a bit of a noob - can someone explain why I would need all this extra equipment (mixers etc)?
Here are a few differences between a good low cost digital recorder ( like the Zoom H4n ) and a good low cost field mixer ( like the Sound Devices MixPre )
- The mixer has MUCH quieter and better sounding mic preamplifiers
- The mixer has very good 2 stage audio limiters that help to prevent clipping when recording
- The mixer has a calibrated 1 Khz test tone which allows you to properly set your audio recording levels
- The mixer has a MUCH louder and better sounding headphone amplifier
- The mixer provides both 12 and 48 volt phantom power, allowing you to power almost any professional mic available
- The mixer uses XLR outputs, so running a 25+ foot LINE level signal to the camera or another recorder is a reliable connection
- The mixer has much better build quality and will physically last longer than a plastic digital recorder will
Fresno Bob
Well-known member
Thanks mate
It's interesting. I've seen a lot of hate for the Zoom recorders and others who love them. But three colleagues of mine have said they really like it in the past few days. One is a longtime radio news manager. One is an audio engineer/composer/performer and the last is a Ph.D. sound designer.
I'm a shooter and editor. I usually leave the sound gear up to the sound team. But after speaking with them and getting some info here I think I'm leaning toward the Zoom as the actual recording component. They all spoke highly of the sound quality but also pointed out the importance of a good microphone on the other end. I've got an ME66/K6 and I'm really partial to the way dialogue sounds through it.
The good news about not being able to afford a Scarlet is that some of the money I saved for it can now be used to buy other gear. The bad news is that now I have to spend time trying out all that gear. Or is that another good thing?
I'm a shooter and editor. I usually leave the sound gear up to the sound team. But after speaking with them and getting some info here I think I'm leaning toward the Zoom as the actual recording component. They all spoke highly of the sound quality but also pointed out the importance of a good microphone on the other end. I've got an ME66/K6 and I'm really partial to the way dialogue sounds through it.
The good news about not being able to afford a Scarlet is that some of the money I saved for it can now be used to buy other gear. The bad news is that now I have to spend time trying out all that gear. Or is that another good thing?