Suggestion: dual balanced audio inputs THREADED at DVinfo.net

David Cherniack · October 13th, 2009, 10:23 AM

This may have been suggested before but looking at the pix in the new manual at the single 3.5 mm consumer level audio imput gave me heartburn.

Surely on a 3000 dollar piece of equipment CD could use a threaded jack so the signal doesn't get interrupted by jiggling wires that will ultimately compromise the physical integrity of the jack itself. Also, in these days of high quality stereo mics two balanced inputs would be more appropriate than just one.

David
AllinOneFilms.com

Mark Job · October 13th, 2009, 10:32 AM

Hi David:
FYI, the Flash XDR gives you precisely this solution. but it's more money.

David Cherniack · October 13th, 2009, 10:36 AM

It's also a much larger piece of equipment. Nothing I would consider.

Mike Schell · October 13th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Hi David-
We agree. Threaded audio jacks would be preferred as well as dual balanced inputs.

We added the analog audio as a last minute update after NAB. So, we did our best in the limited time to meet our production schedule.

One immediate workaround would be to tie wrap the audio cable to the HD/SD-SDI cable. I realize this is not ideal, but one it's one possible solution.

Best-

David Cherniack · October 13th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Hi Mike,

Good to hear that locking jacks are contemplated for the future. Shouldn't be too hard to replace the one that's there. Making room for a second may be a bit of a squeeze, though.

If one is using the unlocked HDMI inputs it might not be such a good idea to tie wrap/Velcro wrap to it.

David
AllinOneFilms.com

Aaron Newsome · October 13th, 2009, 01:07 PM

When looking at which recorder to buy, I considered both XDR and nano Flash. I too was not happy with the size of the XDR. I considered not only the audio connectors but the quality, flexibility and capability of the audio as well. Because of this, I could not consider the nano Flash.

The XDR has "no compromise" audio all around, and that's ONE of the reasons I went with the XDR.

The XDR is actually smaller than I thought it would be, it's not "big" at all. It balances my rig out perfectly for shoulder shooting. Couldn't be happier with it.

Mark Job · October 13th, 2009, 01:18 PM

Hi David:
The audio quality of the XDR is amazingly good. The XDR holds Four CF cards too, so there's more recording time possible. The XDR has an RS-422 and HDV interface, so its future as a VTR replacement that bridges the gap between VTR capture and file based import looks quite promissing.

David Cherniack · October 13th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Guys, I have no doubts as to the advantages of the XDR. Size, however, is paramount for me.
I can't consider it.

David
AllinOneFilms.com

Dan Keaton · October 13th, 2009, 02:48 PM

Dear David,

The nanoFlash can accept stereo unbalanced consumer line-level inputs.

What is not immediately obvious, is that the nanoFlash can take the "Tape Out" of most mixers, using a simple low cost audio cable. This "Tape Out" is typically, stereo unbalanced, consumer line-level, output.

By using a mixer, one can use the phantom power capabilities of the mixer and, depending on the mixer, the world class microphone preamplifiers. Thus, multiple world class balanced microphones can be feed into the mixer first, then the "Tape Out" feeds the nanoFlash.

The preamps in the nanoFlash are good, but not as good as the world class preamps in the Flash XDR or a great external mixer.

The nanoFlash records 24-bit audio and works very well when feed a "Tape Out" signal.

Please note that it may be desirable to attenuate the "Tape Out" signal. We recommend testing of the mixer and nanoFlash setup.

From my Sound Devices 744t or 302, I prefer to attenuate the "Tape Out" signal some to achieve the best results.

David Cherniack · October 13th, 2009, 03:08 PM

Thanks, Dan.

The Sound Devices 744 is one of the nicest engineered pieces of gear I've ever come across. I used one to record double system on a documentary in Northern India. However double system does add some annoying extra steps in post.

I've been seriously thinking of picking up a small camera - either a SLR or a something like a Pany HMC40 to go with a Nanoflash to do some inobtrusive shooting. That would mean going into the Nano via HDMI and using the remote switch for stop/start. If I go with the HMC40 it does have an XLR option. If I go with a SLR it means going from a decent stereo mic into the 3.5mm unbalanced. With an RF receiver and the Nano I don't want to add another item like a mixer to the setup.

David
AllinOneFilms.com

October 13th, 2009, 10:23 AM	#1
David Cherniack Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 186	Suggestion: dual balanced audio inputs THREADED This may have been suggested before but looking at the pix in the new manual at the single 3.5 mm consumer level audio imput gave me heartburn. Surely on a 3000 dollar piece of equipment CD could use a threaded jack so the signal doesn't get interrupted by jiggling wires that will ultimately compromise the physical integrity of the jack itself. Also, in these days of high quality stereo mics two balanced inputs would be more appropriate than just one. David AllinOneFilms.com

October 13th, 2009, 12:45 PM	#4
Mike Schell Convergent Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 869	Hi David- We agree. Threaded audio jacks would be preferred as well as dual balanced inputs. We added the analog audio as a last minute update after NAB. So, we did our best in the limited time to meet our production schedule. One immediate workaround would be to tie wrap the audio cable to the HD/SD-SDI cable. I realize this is not ideal, but one it's one possible solution. Best- __________________ Mike Schell Convergent Design

October 13th, 2009, 02:48 PM	#9
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear David, The nanoFlash can accept stereo unbalanced consumer line-level inputs. What is not immediately obvious, is that the nanoFlash can take the "Tape Out" of most mixers, using a simple low cost audio cable. This "Tape Out" is typically, stereo unbalanced, consumer line-level, output. By using a mixer, one can use the phantom power capabilities of the mixer and, depending on the mixer, the world class microphone preamplifiers. Thus, multiple world class balanced microphones can be feed into the mixer first, then the "Tape Out" feeds the nanoFlash. The preamps in the nanoFlash are good, but not as good as the world class preamps in the Flash XDR or a great external mixer. The nanoFlash records 24-bit audio and works very well when feed a "Tape Out" signal. Please note that it may be desirable to attenuate the "Tape Out" signal. We recommend testing of the mixer and nanoFlash setup. From my Sound Devices 744t or 302, I prefer to attenuate the "Tape Out" signal some to achieve the best results. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

October 13th, 2009, 10:32 AM	#2
Mark Job Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,138	Hi David: FYI, the Flash XDR gives you precisely this solution. but it's more money.

October 13th, 2009, 10:36 AM	#3
David Cherniack Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 186	It's also a much larger piece of equipment. Nothing I would consider.

October 13th, 2009, 12:53 PM	#5
David Cherniack Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 186	Hi Mike, Good to hear that locking jacks are contemplated for the future. Shouldn't be too hard to replace the one that's there. Making room for a second may be a bit of a squeeze, though. If one is using the unlocked HDMI inputs it might not be such a good idea to tie wrap/Velcro wrap to it. David AllinOneFilms.com

October 13th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#6
Aaron Newsome Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 590	When looking at which recorder to buy, I considered both XDR and nano Flash. I too was not happy with the size of the XDR. I considered not only the audio connectors but the quality, flexibility and capability of the audio as well. Because of this, I could not consider the nano Flash. The XDR has "no compromise" audio all around, and that's ONE of the reasons I went with the XDR. The XDR is actually smaller than I thought it would be, it's not "big" at all. It balances my rig out perfectly for shoulder shooting. Couldn't be happier with it.

October 13th, 2009, 01:18 PM	#7
Mark Job Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,138	Hi David: The audio quality of the XDR is amazingly good. The XDR holds Four CF cards too, so there's more recording time possible. The XDR has an RS-422 and HDV interface, so its future as a VTR replacement that bridges the gap between VTR capture and file based import looks quite promissing.

October 13th, 2009, 01:28 PM	#8
David Cherniack Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 186	Guys, I have no doubts as to the advantages of the XDR. Size, however, is paramount for me. I can't consider it. David AllinOneFilms.com

October 13th, 2009, 03:08 PM	#10
David Cherniack Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 186	Thanks, Dan. The Sound Devices 744 is one of the nicest engineered pieces of gear I've ever come across. I used one to record double system on a documentary in Northern India. However double system does add some annoying extra steps in post. I've been seriously thinking of picking up a small camera - either a SLR or a something like a Pany HMC40 to go with a Nanoflash to do some inobtrusive shooting. That would mean going into the Nano via HDMI and using the remote switch for stop/start. If I go with the HMC40 it does have an XLR option. If I go with a SLR it means going from a decent stereo mic into the 3.5mm unbalanced. With an RF receiver and the Nano I don't want to add another item like a mixer to the setup. David AllinOneFilms.com