JuicedLink

JuicedLink product manual has good info.

Use with Unbalanced Sources (Wireless Mics, Etc)

XLR inputs have 3 pins (3 connections for a single audio signal). Pin 1 is for ground. The audio signal in present on pins 2 and 3, and is what is know as a “balanced” signal. That is to say that the signal on one wire is identical but opposite in polarity to the other (pin 2 is known as “hot” or the positive polarity). Balanced signals when terminated properly (as in the juicedLink) have a high immunity to picking up noise and interference. This is especially important for microphone level signals and cable runs longer than a few feet.

There are times when you will want to interface to unbalanced signals. This is where a single audio signal is reference to ground (only 2 connections for a single audio signal). For example, many wireless receivers output a unbalanced signal.

The juicedLink XLR inputs can interface with unbalanced sources. To do this, a simple modification to the cable/plug that will be inserted into the mixer input is required. Connect pins 1 and 3 together for the signal ground. Pin 2 remains as the input signal.

So, for a wireless receiver that uses a 3.5mm plug for its output, the audio signal will be on the “tip”, and the ground will be on the “sleeve”. The plug “sleeve” needs to be connected to XLR pins 1 and 3, and the plug “tip” needs to be connected to XLR pin 2.

Fortunately, many wireless kits (such as the Sennheiser G2) come with a minijack to XLR cable which already makes this connection.

For those kits which do not come with the appropriate cable, you will need to use some inexpensive adapters.

One inexpensive handy adapter is the Rode VXLR. However, you will need to be careful. The VXLR makes a connection between the minijack “sleeve” and “ring”. For a miniplug which has a “tip”, “ring”, and “sleeve”, this is not a problem. But, on some inexpensive wireless kits (from Azden), the output miniplug connects the “ring” and “sleeve” together. So, the VXLR is not usable for such plugs.

Here are some other inexpensive adapters which are handy for connection to unbalanced sighals:

XLR(M) to 3.5mm(F): Rode VXLR (be careful … see above)
XLR(M) to RCA(F): Hosa GXM133
RCA(M) to 3.5mm(F): Comprehensive PP-MJ
Stereo 3.5mm(F) to two mono right/left RCA(M): Hosa YMR-197
Camcorder XLR Adapter/Preamp/Mixer User’s Manual Page 11

WARNING – DO NOT ACTIVATE PHANTOM POWER ON XLR INPUT CHANNELS CONNECTED TO UNBALANCED DEVICES. The voltage from the phantom power can damage these devices. See the warnings in the Phantom Powering Condenser Microphones section of this manual.
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I have a few choices.

1. Forget about AGC. AT875R + Dual Pre + GH2 level 1 audio. Curse AGC.

2. Disable AGC. AT875R + JL DT454 + GH2 level 1 audio. Eat more Costco noodles.

3. Dual recording. AT875R + H4n or DR100 + GH2 level 1 audio. Get more batteries. Do more PP work.

I'm gearing toward 1. Hopefully future firmware disables AGC.
 
woodcarver said:
Pardon my ignorance, but I'm a little confused by this. What is the DT454 doing in this setup? Is it just acting as a mixer? Is the idea that the 454's preamps are boosting the signal before it enters the camera so the GH2's preamps (which are supposedly inferior) don't have to do as much of the job?
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If they're not using the AGC disable feature on the DT454, they could be using the two XLR inputs with phantom power and headphone output monitoring on a GH2/1.


stonebat said:
But how to connect mp3 player to Dual Pre's right channel when its phantom power is ON?

Wouldn't the phantom power damage the the player?
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It's certainly a possibility. I wouldn't want my MP3 player to be the guinea pig!:eek:

One advantage to using the Dual Pre is that you could use the headphone output with a Sescom cable into the GH2/1, and plug the Dual Pre's two 1/4" TRS outputs into a portable audio recorder to make a 2nd copy of the audio in a higher resolution and bit depth. However, if you have an H4n, the signal would be too hot. The H4n features two 1/4" TRS inputs but it lacks the ability to accept line-level signals. Using the Tascam DR-100 with two short 1/4" TRS male to XLR male cables would be a better match.


OT SIDE NOTE: I just noticed that the juciedLink DN101 is discontinued.
 
I like Dual Pre's versatility. When recording a music using a laptop, definitely less wiring. USB power to Dual Pre. Also data transfer via USB. XLR phantom power to AT875R. Only 2 cables. No power cords. Because Dual Pre is channeling the output through USB port, I can use the headphone out from the laptop to monitor audio in realtime. Also Dual Pre can process digital input from a laptop via USB and output to speakers during post-processing. Connect external Firewire drive without power brick. It's good to go.

It's missing the AGC disabler, but I can live with that. Frankly I don't know which audio solution is right for me. So I'm choosing the cheapest solution. Dual Pre is only $75. Even if it doesn't work out well with GH2, I will keep it next to a laptop.

Now... only if GH2 gets ever delivered. I got some work cut out for GH2. That little guy got a lot of work to do.
 
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The JuicedLink DS214 has been released for $145 this introduces a new option to me that I think is great. I've been pretty much against dual sound because of the nature of editing with dual sound on a production with multiple takes of multiple scenes, but I'm always a fan of having a back up. So now I can have the best of both worlds by using the JuicedLink DS214 in conjunction with the Zoom H4N. There is a link to a video of the setup and I think it makes a lot of sense for my purposes. I was well prepared to spend $420 on the JL-DT454 so to spend about $75 on the H4N + JuicedLink DS214 and recording media seems like the smart choice for me. http://www.juicedlink.com/audio-preamps-mixers-etc-c-66/ds214

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1QR7JSR4y2Q
 
DS214 manual says
There is a large installed base of loyal juicedLink CX211/CX231/CX431 low-noise preamp users who purchased their equipment before the DSLR revolution. The DS214 can be used to add the features to the CX preamp to make it a DSLR audio solution, with metering and headphone monitoring.

New DSLR customers should purchase the juicedLink DT454 integrated DSLR audio solution as an interface to XLR microphones, as opposed to one of the CX preamps.
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If someone already has H4n, why buy DS214? AGC disabling? Then why keep H4n? To supply phantom power? I can't imagine using it for run-n-gun situation with VMP. Turn on camera. Turn on DS214. Turn on H4n. Turn on VMP. Press H4n button twice to start recording. Then turn them off. Do it all over each time.

H4n battery dies fast. Twice button press to start recording. And a few more things. That's why some people paid a lot to get DT454. DT454 has better preamp. It's less expensive than H4n + DS214. Art USB Dual Pre is a cheap alternative.
 
Well for me, I'm not doing any Run and Gun, I'm shooting a feature. It makes sense because I can have good clean audio in camera as well as a solid backup of higher bit rate audio. Also sometimes I'm be doing some steadicam shots and I can use Just the H4n in that scenario. My goal is to use in camera audio for the most part but I can see the usefulness of having a recorder as well.
 
stonebat said:
Art USB Dual Pre is a cheap alternative.
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Stonebat, you mentioned applying -25dB of attenuation leaving the Dual Pre going into the GH2. I'm not sure why this would be necessary if one can dial down the signal on the Dual Pre. Could you explain?
 
I have zoom H1 + Sescom LN2MIC-ZMH4-GH1 2.5mm Line = lots of audio hissing!
Vitaliy what's your thought about Sescom cable? do i still need to add Art USB Dual Pre?
Sorry for broken English! it toke me 45 minutes to write this short post!
 
I have GH13.. i hate dual audio.. i want to record audio in my camera.. i don't have $400 to buy JL.. but i do have Zoom H1, and that Sescom hissy cable..
Boy! i am good at english.. i wrote this second post in only 5 minutes! feel like stephin king! oh
 
woodcarver said:
Stonebat, you mentioned applying -25dB of attenuation leaving the Dual Pre going into the GH2. I'm not sure why this would be necessary if one can dial down the signal on the Dual Pre. Could you explain?
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I was wrong. No need for the cable. Dual Pre's output can be toned down.

Interestingly it has "combo" input jacks. Each XLR input jack has 1/4" input jack at the center. No need for adapter. I will try to disable AGC by playing sine wave. Does it need to be balanced?

I placed an order. Only $64.
 
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Thanks Stonebat.. I was trying to disable AGC on my GH13 using Sescom LN2MIC-ZMH4-GH1 2.5mm Line + zoom H1.. the problem is i hear a lot of hissing! do you think i should let go the zoom h1, and use "Dual Pre + Sescom cable + mic"?
Vitaliy mentioned using an mp3.. can i use my "Sescom LN2MIC-ZMH4" instate of the mp3.. i am sorry i don't know how to disable AGC with the tools i have.. please Stonebat, Vitaliy, or anyone please help..
thanks
 
Dual Pre arrived. Built like a tank. Unibody metal body. Disassembly was easy. It was exciting to see a lot of analog parts. Those will last longer than digital parts. Yes it's doable to mount it on a rig. Just drill 1/4" hole. Plus a tripod hot shoe adapter and a cheap quick release QR01.

I tested it via USB input. USB powered it up without a battery. A laptop streamed music digital bytes to Dual Pre via USB. Noticeable sound improvement. Very pleasant clean sound. Output can be controlled by preamp knob and headphone knob. $64 well spent.

Ordered more items. AT875R, Pearstone shockmount, one foot XLR angled cable, 15" XLR cable, one foot 1/8" to dual 1/4" Y cable, a couple of 3.5mm to 2.5mm angled adapters, a cheap mic stand, Sennheiser HD-280 PRO headphones

Total $500 including Dual Pre. Very versatile. I could take Dual Pre to work to improve music from iphone. iphone -> Y cable -> Dual Pre (powered by PC) -> Sennheiser headphones.
 
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Haha. iphone as a portable mic-in recorder?


There goes dual recording solution if I must get rid of AGC all together. AT875R + Dual Pre + TRS to TRRS adapter + iPhone.

Edit: Currently no iphone field recording app can sync with itunes. So transferring files seems hassle.
 
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Just got more parts.

3.5mm to 2.5mm angled adapter worked just fine. AT875R without a battery is super light. I didn't like Pearstone shockmount. It lacked 5/8" threading for boompole mounting. I need longer XLR cable like 20'. People look better in 50mm lens than 20mm.

Dual Pre powered the mic although the phantom power took about 5 secs. This slow charging is to protect mic and preamp. It has output attenuation up to 48 db.

In-camera GH1 audio recording sucked. AGC all over. Post-processing noise reduction couldn't save it. Also lack of audio meter reading gave lack of confidence.

Dual recording with iphone sounds tempting but it's not ready for prime time until iTunes sync gets supported.

My only hope.... GH2... not delivered yet.
 
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