Use with mixer?

U

USLatin

Panamaniac
Is there an XLR to mic input cable to use a mixer as a pre-amp and send line level into the camera?

Could someone link me please?
 
That little BeachTek guy looks like a good idea. But if there is a pair of preamps in it I wonder how good the are?

I am actually asking about using a MixPre or MM-1 though.
 
I went to my local electronics shop and whipped up my own cable for about $3. Just looked online for a proper pinout and wiring guide.
 
Hey roberto, I use an MM1
but to avoid AGC I use an H4
need to be aware of clock innacuracies as the H4 will be out by 1 frame (24p) every 6 minutes
so I use STP timestretch as it recalculates pitch

My gh1 vs h4 testing is here link and I will most likely redo the test when the 7D arrives

You might also want to consider beachtek, one of those models (X5d?) disables the AGC
but I have no experience going this route
 
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chris f said:
a buddy of mine used this for a recent film he made with the 5Dmk2: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/335809-REG/Beachtek_DXA_2S_DXA_2S_Dual_XLR.html
Click to expand...

We gotta be careful with these passive devices because their is a lot of noise, usually it's better to go with the one who amplifies the signal already like the juicedlink:http://www.juicedlink.com/

Features
- Low-noise Preamp
- L/C/R Pan

Optional Features:
- 12/48V Phantom
- HPF
- Audio Level Metering










The only thing you need is to wait for magic lantern firmware to disable AGC audio.
 
If i want to get clean sound with the 7D, and i already own a SD302 mixer, would the juicedlink really be all that helpful? I figured the H4n + Sd302 would be a good pair, but having an extra piece like the juicedlink seems like im adding another unit for what exactly?
 
Don't send line level in, it will distort like crazy and maybe damage the built-in preamp. I'm not saying it definitely would, but I'd feel a lot safer with a resistor in the signal chain to prevent excess current hitting that input. A fairly safe compromise would be to split the headphone output of your audio recorder, keep the volume low, and send one side into the camera, maybe put an amplifier between the splitter and your phones.

It would be nice if this is switchable in firmware but it probably isn't, Canon likely made a decision based on what the accessory market is like and what most people want (which is not necessarily what most filmmakers want).

As always, I strongly recommend double system with these cameras. It's not as hard as you think and if you got a free 16mm movie camera you'd have to do it anyway. Onboard mixing and stuff will be adequate for documentary or news use, especially once you've disabled the AGC, but for anything high quality you really, really need to be able to monitor the audio properly; I really doubt the built-in preamps have a great deal of dynamic range or can handle low-frequency signals well.
 
J Davis said:
need to be aware of clock innacuracies as the H4 will be out by 1 frame (24p) every 6 minutes
Click to expand...

I'm still not convinced that this is a fact of the recorder rather than your editing workflow. Did you try that suggestion about recording a sine wave to check for deviation? You can mail me if you need a how-to on it.
 
From what I read here, it seems all of the solutions seem to have their drawbacks:

MM-1: No mounting screw. One channel. Doesn't bypass the auto gain in the camera.

MixPre: No mounting screw. Doesn't bypass the auto gain in the camera.

BeachTek: Not the best preamps?

Juiced Link: Form factor? (Does it stick out?).

H4: Size. Form factor. Forces you to remap clips (added work, added post on what isn't the best audio files to begin with).

BUT... I thought there was a third party fix for the auto gain. Which would make the MM-1 a great solution with top shelf preamps for those of us with mics that need it like the wonderful Oktava hypercardioid. Also, the MM-1 is small. However I do not know how I would mount it.

AND... if you are looking for two channels you would need to use a two channel solution. And, mounting on-camera would be mandatory, requiring an additional MM-1 or other boom monitoring device.

So... perhaps the best bet is to use a wireless transmitter from an MM-1 or MixPre, with an auto gain fix. This also allows for a proper boom and camera operating workflow. Both the boom op and camera op get to move around freely, the boom op gets his monitoring capabilities and everyone can do their best all while moving faster.

For those only needing on-camera Mono: An MM-1 would give the best quality with an AGC fix.

So, is there an AGC fix for the 5D or am I dreaming? It would be safe to assume that the fix would be quickly developed for the 7D being that the guy already knows the structure of the firmware program. Is it free or is he charging for it?
 
Eddy Robinson said:
I'm still not convinced that this is a fact of the recorder rather than your editing workflow. Did you try that suggestion about recording a sine wave to check for deviation? You can mail me if you need a how-to on it.
Click to expand...

Zacuto guys did same test as me
http://www.vimeo.com/zacutousa#4782593

Except they test the 5DM2 vs the zoom H4n. Watch video from the 9minute mark
They came up with the number of 99.9% you need to shrink the audio file which
is exactly the same findings as me.

All my testing results on this post
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1672472#post1672472

My only problem with the zucuto technique is they speed up the clip in FCP which alters the pitch of the audio.
I'm a perfectionist I guess and use STP.
The timestretch in STP will recalculate pitch
 
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It just sounds like a lot of work with a minuscule but real hit on the quality before you even start. And only if you use it as a recorder, not using the built in mics because how do you boom with an H4? Kind of heavy.

Is there a hack that takes auto gain out? Can someone please link me?
 
USLatin said:
It just sounds like a lot of work with a minuscule but real hit on the quality before you even start. And only if you use it as a recorder, not using the built in mics because how do you boom with an H4? Kind of heavy.

Is there a hack that takes auto gain out? Can someone please link me?
Click to expand...

I use a NTG2 shotgun, sound devices MM1 preamp. The zoom is just for recording as I don't like the onboard mics.

AFAIK no hacks for 7D because ........ it's not on sale yet dude!


Beactek x5d is a workaround because it emits an inaudible tone to disable agc but as I said before I can't vouch for this 'cos I don't own one.
 
:) Yea, I meant if there is any hacks for the 5D. lol

I think there is but I can't remember the name, also would love to hear if it is any good in real world.

The mic on the 5D wouldn't be in use if you got the signal from your MM-1 directly into your camera. That is what I want to do, but only if there is a good hack and it get's applied onto the 7D.
 
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