D7000 and the JuicedLink DS214

[Chris Sgaraglino]

So I got my JuicedLink DS214 Audio Preamp ($144 from B&H) yesterday and I started messing with the audio and the D7000. At first glance, it was easy to setup and get tuned in; here is what I did:

I used the JuicedLink DIY107 Bracket and mounted it on the bottom of the Rode VideoMic - I mounted the pre-amp on the left and my Bescor Mini-Light on the Right. It is all lightweight and balanced well; even without the light the DS214 is not very noticeable.

Using a L/R "Y" splitter - I hooked my Rode VideoMic into the Left Channel and my Audio-Technica Wireless Lav into the Right.

In the Shooting Menu of the D7000, I set the Mic Sensitivity to 1 (Lowest) and yes, this does affect the Audio Gain on an external mic as well as the internal.

I then adjusted the DS214 according to the Video Manual they have on their site and bam - I now have very clean, adjustable (L/R) and usable audio form the D7000 from not only one source, but two!

From the JuicedLink Website
DS214 Headphone Amp, Meter, AGC Disable [DS214] - $144.00 : juicedLink, Unique and Trusted Solutions for Audio and Video Production
The JuicedLink DS214 is a low-noise preamplifier with a 3.5mm stereo minijack input. There are high/low gain settings, and each channel (left and right) have individual potentiometer control. The output is an amplified mic level suitable for driving the mic inputs on cameras and recorders. Each channel (right and left) has its own dedicated meter with the ability to calibrate them (as different cameras and settings will require different calibration set points). The right and left channels combine for a mono headphone amplifier. For the Canon 7D and T2i cameras which do not have manual audio control, the DS214 AGC Disable feature will force the camera to throttle back its noisy amplifiers, to be able to achieve better signal-to-noise performance from the camera.

[Marcus Martell]

thank u Chris,
how do u feel with the image quality of the d7k? Is it a good choice for the interviews?
Thx mate

[Chris Sgaraglino]

Very much so.
I am in the beginning stages of a documentary, and it will be my primary interviewing system in the field.