Audio montor options?

rawfa

rawfa

Veteran
Guys,

I have a Sony NEX7 and a Rode videomic PRO. It bothers me that I cannot at the very least have a headset output to check if the sound is peaking or if I´m getting too much wind noise. What can I do to overcome this? Would a beachtek DXA-2T or a Zoom h4n help with it? I mean, can I plug the Rode via minijack input into one of these devices and then have another mini jack connecting from the device to the camera feeding it the Rode sound? If this could be done it would be good because it would also give me option of renting a better mic with phantom power down the road.

cheers

Rafa
 
This is a pitfall of shooting HD with DSLR cameras, especially with cameras that have few control and i/o options.

Something like the Bechtek, if it has a monitoring option, is okay but not ideal. You'll only be able to hear the signal as it is passing through the adapter, and not what's actually being recorded in the camera.

When your camera has lousy audio offerings, your best bet is to purchase a separate audio recorder and record straight to that. It requires syncing the audio and video files in post (which requires detailed production notes and file management), but it's worth the extra work for getting good audio. Now, feeding the RØDE VideoMic into something like the Zoom H4n... the recorder has an extra mic input (1/8" TRS) on the underside that will work just fine.

I'd consider the Tascam DR-40 before I'd consider the H4n, just because it's a much better recorder (for a lower price). BUT, you'll have to get an XLR adapter for the VideoMic since the DR-40 doesn't have the 1/8" input.
 
The DXA-2T you mention does not appear to have a headphone output so it won't improve things for you. But other offerings from Beachtek and JuicedLink do, keeping in mind Alex's caution that monitoring at the source is not the same thing as monitoring the recording. As he points out, going double system with a separate recorder is a better way to go.
 
You´re right, the DXA-2T doesn´t have a headset out port :( The 5D does, but it´s really builkier. I wanted to go for something more portable (the NEX7 being quite small).
 
I think that maybe the Zoom H4N would be the best option. It will allow me to feed the rode directly into the camera, it will give me separeta audio from the onboard mics, it will allow me to use phantom power mics and will let me use a heatset to see it it´s peaking or too windy.
What do you guys think?
 
Again, I'd take a serious look at the Tascam DR-40 instead... much better value. It's less expensive and it can do everything the H4n can do. All you'd need to add is one of THESE adapters in order to use your VideoMic.
 
Here ins Brazil I cannot find the Tascam DR-40 very easily, but I can I the DR-100 for more or less the price of the H4N.
 
rawfa said:
I think that maybe the Zoom H4N would be the best option. It will allow me to feed the rode directly into the camera, it will give me separeta audio from the onboard mics, it will allow me to use phantom power mics and will let me use a heatset to see it it´s peaking or too windy.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Depends on what you are recording. For dialog the on-board mics on most mini recorders like the H4n won't give you very good results.
 
rawfa said:
I think that maybe the Zoom H4N would be the best option. It will allow me to feed the rode directly into the camera, it will give me separeta audio from the onboard mics, it will allow me to use phantom power mics and will let me use a heatset to see it it´s peaking or too windy.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I would certainly look at the Tascam, the Roland or the Olympus LS-100 over the Zoom.
 
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