We want to run wireless lavs on channels 1 and 2, a shotgun on channel 3 and internal mic on channel 4. I put the smad-p3 shoe adapter on the hotshoe, plugged a sony UWP receiver into it and set channel 1 to "shoe 1". I plugged in the second sony UWP receiver via xlr to input 1 and set channel 2 to "input 1". I then plugged the shotgun into input 2 via xlr but it won't let me set channel 3 to "input 2". There's just no option for it. Channels 3 and 4 don't give an option to assign to one of the xlr inputs. So the only way to do this is to assign shoe 1 to channel 3 or 4 which makes it so that you can't monitor just the lav mics?
FS7: Using 4 audio channels
- Thread starter weasel-d
- Start date
jasonbrooks
Well-known member
Indeed, this is apparently one of the (rather ridiculous) limitations of using the MI shoe adaptor to connect a Sony wireless to the FS-7. I guess one practical solution would be to keep the sensitivity on your ambient mic relatively low compared to the radio mic levels, which should allow you to use the 'mix' output option and still hear if you're getting any rubbing/popping/static off the radios. I'm guess the ambient is a safety here anyway, and I've never had a problem boosting the gain of FS-7 audio by up to +12dB or even +18dB in the mix.
It was realising this limitation (among others) that led me to buy an XLR-KM1 for situations where I need more than two input channels. With it you end up with 4x fully-fledged XLR-ins to do with as you please. The advantage of the KM1 versus it's sibling the KM2 is that the MI interface is on the end of an 8" cable/dongle, rather than at the base of the hotshoe. This allows me to position the unit on the RHS of the camera, rather than being forced to increase the height by another 3-4" over the handle height.
However, it should also be noted that the additional channels 3&4 gained via this method do have a tangibly raised noise floor compared to the 1&2 internal channels. It's not perfect, but it's the best solution I've found besides a dedicated sound person!
Best of luck finding a solution,
jason
It was realising this limitation (among others) that led me to buy an XLR-KM1 for situations where I need more than two input channels. With it you end up with 4x fully-fledged XLR-ins to do with as you please. The advantage of the KM1 versus it's sibling the KM2 is that the MI interface is on the end of an 8" cable/dongle, rather than at the base of the hotshoe. This allows me to position the unit on the RHS of the camera, rather than being forced to increase the height by another 3-4" over the handle height.
However, it should also be noted that the additional channels 3&4 gained via this method do have a tangibly raised noise floor compared to the 1&2 internal channels. It's not perfect, but it's the best solution I've found besides a dedicated sound person!
Best of luck finding a solution,
jason
allenfacemire
Well-known member
Well that is just not right. I've been mulling over getting that shoe adapter because since moving up from my f800, I miss the options of 4 discreet audio channels. With my F800, I made up a cable that allows discreet audio in via the 5-pin shotgun input. Works great for those few times when I really need to have 3 dedicated tracks but the safety of the 4th channel ambient mic.
Glad to know that ain't happening so I won't waste my cash. I'm just happy I can get 2 dedicated channels while always having ch 3+4 up with the internal mic, which ain't awful. To limit the wind noises I cut a small piece off one of my Rycotes and snot taped it over the mick hole. Made the world of difference in wind noise world.
Sony needs to buck up on Mr. Mic though. Not everybody uses a sound person. That said, I think us FS7 owners still have better audio options that the F-3/5 cameras.
Glad to know that ain't happening so I won't waste my cash. I'm just happy I can get 2 dedicated channels while always having ch 3+4 up with the internal mic, which ain't awful. To limit the wind noises I cut a small piece off one of my Rycotes and snot taped it over the mick hole. Made the world of difference in wind noise world.
Sony needs to buck up on Mr. Mic though. Not everybody uses a sound person. That said, I think us FS7 owners still have better audio options that the F-3/5 cameras.
Taylor Rudd
Veteran
It is possible to get 4 channels going on the FS7 with the XLR-K1M. I think weasel-d was saying it wasn't possible with a Sony wireless system.
I'm using the K1M and use Ch1&2 for wireless from the Lectro SR, Ch3 for shotgun through the K1M, and Ch4 is empty/internal. I could use Ch4 for an add'l wireless source, it would just be difficult to monitor. A Sennheiser G3/EK2000 could fit nicely in the cold shoe on the K1M (though it'd be large).
allenfacemire
Well-known member
lve using a Zaxcom for years with great success. The slot in and Sony or Lectro slot in takes away good usable wireless for link only. Zaxcom has a dedicated all in 1 stereo tranny/receiver combo that is robust and digitally unwavering.
Love to keep Mr. Zax up always with CamMic in ch 3 with internal mic as a back up back up.
Maybe I'll try the shoe adapter and if it sucks, return it.