Getting an audio reference track in the ALEXA

[ronin99]

Hi,

I'd like to get a scratch track into the Arri Alexa.

It has a 5 pin xlr connector and I thought it would be as simple as getting a 5 pin to 3 pin adapter and then plugging in a mic.

However, I was told because it is a line level input that it is more complicated than that?

This is what the manual says "2-channel analog line-level audio can be fed to the camera via the 5-pin
XLR connector located at the front of the camera on the camera-right side."

I'm not an audio guy, so I'm not sure what is needed, but all I want is a reference track in the footage.

Thanks

 

[David W. Jones]

I picked up my cable from Remote Audio, but here is a low cost cable on eBay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARRI-ALEXA-AUDIO-INPUT-CABLE-NEW-XLR5-Y-TO-XLR3S-/320828001613

For what it's worth we feed the Alexa line level from a Sound Devices mixer, and while we also record to a Sound Devices 702 recorder, we use the synced 24bit 48K audio recorded on the Alexa as its better than scratch track quality.

 

[Rick R]

The only difference is the 5 pin connector is two (balanced) channels. I don't recall the exact pin config but channel 1 (L) could be pins 2&3 plus and minus and channel 2 (R) plus and minus on pins 4&5; Pin 1 is common shield (ground). The Alexa certainly does have better audio quality and hardware than the infamous but popular REDs. I don't know about the latest RED 'Dragon' if that's what they call it