Adapter / Preamp Question at DVinfo.net

Sheldon Steere · January 29th, 2009, 05:13 PM

Does anyone have any idea whether or not

Camcorder XLR Audio Adapter/Preamp: Buy Direct and Save - CX471

is better than

BeachTek DXA-6vu Phantom Adapter

I know it "says" it is, but has anyone here actually used either of these?

Sheldon Steere · January 29th, 2009, 05:27 PM

There also seems to be the options of the Zoom H4 and the Zoom H4n

http://zoomh4.net/

would anyone recommend any of these 3 options for feature film recording?

Steve House · January 29th, 2009, 06:29 PM

I own the JuicedLink CX431 adapter and found it to be very good, a rugged product that performed as advertised. I haven't personally A/B tested it against the Beachtek but I found it quite acceptable and I very much like the fact that each input channel can be sent to either the left, right, or both output channels. In that respect it is a true mixer. And just so you'll know where I'm coming from ... as my full-blown, goto mixer I own a Sound Devices 442 and yet I would not hestitate to pull out Juicy for non-critical work when it's appropriate to the job. Whether I would select it to use for my primary audio shooting a feature, that I wouldn't do ... but I'd say the same about Beach. Audio is so critical when shooting for theatrical or broadcast that you really need the control a full-fledged mixer provides.

Chris Barcellos · January 29th, 2009, 06:41 PM

Steve House:

So this question comes up in my mind. I have an FX1 or other camcorder with mini plug. You say it is better to run a separate mixer. Ignoring the fact for the moment that we really would be looking a double sound system for maximum sound potential, how do you best get the 442 output into the camera. Don't you end up running through the XLR adapter anyway. I have been doing that with a beachteck and Sign Eng 44 mixer, and notice that the two can sometimes interact to create a problem. ( I recognize the Sign is not what you would use, but wonder how you handle the general issue.)

Steve House · January 29th, 2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

Steve House:

So this question comes up in my mind. I have an FX1 or other camcorder with mini plug. You say it is better to run a separate mixer. Ignoring the fact for the moment that we really would be looking a double sound system for maximum sound potential, how do you best get the 442 output into the camera. Don't you end up running through the XLR adapter anyway. I have been doing that with a beachteck and Sign Eng 44 mixer, and notice that the two can sometimes interact to create a problem. ( I recognize the Sign is not what you would use, but wonder how you handle the general issue.)

No, no Beach or Juiced style XLR adapter needed. I would set the ouput level of my 442 to mic and I have the stereo version of these cables Remote Audio: DV Cam Cables to feed mixer output to the camera if mini is the only option. One of the advantages of the 442 is you can select your choice of mic, -10dBv line, or +4dBu line for the output level. Of course one gets best results sending line from the mixer to a line level input on the camera.

Marco Leavitt · January 30th, 2009, 07:16 AM

Steve, curious as to what the advantages are for the Juicedlink over just using a passive XLR adapter. Does it really improve the s/n ratio that much?

Steve House · January 30th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Leavitt

Steve, curious as to what the advantages are for the Juicedlink over just using a passive XLR adapter. Does it really improve the s/n ratio that much?

To my ears it's quieter in the online demos but I don't have a Beach for a direct comparison. More importantly, each input channel has a pan switch allowing you to route it left, right, or centre.

Marco Leavitt · January 30th, 2009, 08:02 AM

I would guess that it would depend a lot on how hot the mic is. A good passive XLR adapter will also allow you to route the signal left, right or center.

Steve House · January 30th, 2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Leavitt

I would guess that it would depend a lot on how hot the mic is. A good passive XLR adapter will also allow you to route the signal left, right or center.

I don't recall the Beach offering that

Marco Leavitt · January 30th, 2009, 10:23 AM

I haven't used the Beachtek adapters, but am familiar with the SignVideo and Studio 1 versions. They have a switch that lets you select between dual mono or stereo. To select the channel you simply set it to stereo and plug into which ever input you want. To be fair, I guess that's not as convenient as having a left, right, center switch on each input. The faders are smoothly adjustable as well, so you can ride them if you need to. I have been puzzled about the usefulness of those JuicedLink boxes, but the fact that you like them says a lot.

January 29th, 2009, 05:13 PM	#1
Sheldon Steere New Boot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 18	Adapter / Preamp Question Does anyone have any idea whether or not Camcorder XLR Audio Adapter/Preamp: Buy Direct and Save - CX471 is better than BeachTek DXA-6vu Phantom Adapter I know it "says" it is, but has anyone here actually used either of these?

January 29th, 2009, 06:29 PM	#3
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	I own the JuicedLink CX431 adapter and found it to be very good, a rugged product that performed as advertised. I haven't personally A/B tested it against the Beachtek but I found it quite acceptable and I very much like the fact that each input channel can be sent to either the left, right, or both output channels. In that respect it is a true mixer. And just so you'll know where I'm coming from ... as my full-blown, goto mixer I own a Sound Devices 442 and yet I would not hestitate to pull out Juicy for non-critical work when it's appropriate to the job. Whether I would select it to use for my primary audio shooting a feature, that I wouldn't do ... but I'd say the same about Beach. Audio is so critical when shooting for theatrical or broadcast that you really need the control a full-fledged mixer provides. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

January 29th, 2009, 06:41 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Steve House: So this question comes up in my mind. I have an FX1 or other camcorder with mini plug. You say it is better to run a separate mixer. Ignoring the fact for the moment that we really would be looking a double sound system for maximum sound potential, how do you best get the 442 output into the camera. Don't you end up running through the XLR adapter anyway. I have been doing that with a beachteck and Sign Eng 44 mixer, and notice that the two can sometimes interact to create a problem. ( I recognize the Sign is not what you would use, but wonder how you handle the general issue.) __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

January 29th, 2009, 05:27 PM	#2
Sheldon Steere New Boot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 18	There also seems to be the options of the Zoom H4 and the Zoom H4n http://zoomh4.net/ would anyone recommend any of these 3 options for feature film recording?

January 30th, 2009, 07:16 AM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Steve, curious as to what the advantages are for the Juicedlink over just using a passive XLR adapter. Does it really improve the s/n ratio that much?

January 30th, 2009, 08:02 AM	#8
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I would guess that it would depend a lot on how hot the mic is. A good passive XLR adapter will also allow you to route the signal left, right or center.

January 30th, 2009, 10:23 AM	#10
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I haven't used the Beachtek adapters, but am familiar with the SignVideo and Studio 1 versions. They have a switch that lets you select between dual mono or stereo. To select the channel you simply set it to stereo and plug into which ever input you want. To be fair, I guess that's not as convenient as having a left, right, center switch on each input. The faders are smoothly adjustable as well, so you can ride them if you need to. I have been puzzled about the usefulness of those JuicedLink boxes, but the fact that you like them says a lot.