The thing I hate most about my Scarlet is.... The audio jacks.

[Dave Blackham]

Any 1/8 jack is a menace in my view. There isn't enough surface area or pin preasure between the connecting parts. The other concern is phantom power, its at 48V which is a huge voltage difference between mic level. If phantom volts are on, any dirt of dust will cause crackles if the connector moves so the connector needs to be perfectly clean to offer any chance. If it were balanced line level you might stand a chance, so far as I know you have to pad down to mic level to get audio in to the camera.

Given there is no other option right now We use Neutrik Gold connectors which are the best we can find, They black in colour so don't reflect in vision and a right angled.

I was hoping the new module providing a second EFV or LECL output on it might have XLR's or some other reliable connector on it be great if this option could be included.

[Max M.]

the innocinema solution fixes all these problems and gives you 15 inch lws and full size sturdy xlrs, i always have it on and never had a problem, this is THE solution for this problem

[Jake Wilganowski]

the innocinema solution fixes all these problems and gives you 15 inch lws and full size sturdy xlrs, i always have it on and never had a problem, this is THE solution for this problem

YES people! Look at all of their accessories, they seriously rule. Their audio solution is perfect.

[Dave Blackham]

No Question Innocinema products rule its great kit.

If the 3.5mm jack is in circuit then its in circuit, you still have the pin contact issues and it operates at mic level. It improved but it is not a cure.

[Mike 'Fireman' Ross]

+1

It's hard for me to believe minijack audio survived the focus group stage of development. Have you ever encountered anyone not employed by RED who thinks it was a good idea? I haven't. And I shudder to think what's going to happen when (or if) Epics and Scarlets start sending phantom power over those Mickey Mouse connectors.

I don't buy the "this is a professional camera, therefore you should always record double-system" argument. If the audio stage is only meant to provide a scratch track, why not simply build in a cellphone-sized on-board microphone instead?

RED not leaving themselves enough real estate to incorporate better connectors strikes me as a bit silly when the cameras need a riser plate anyway to interface with most aks. I understand the front-facing minis were intended mostly as a stop-gap alternative to the rear I/O module(s), but even after the die is cast (pun intended), why non-locking connectors? Isn't that HDMI's most-hated "feature"? It beggars belief that screw-down minijacks are prohibitively expensive for cameras in their price ranges.

Well-said, and those who point out that simply securing the mini jacks from accidental movement only solve half the problem are also correct; these things were never designed to carry phantom power.

The only final solution is to rip them out and replace them. Or perhaps some enterprising third-party will come up with a simple cheap rear module that just has 2x XLR. Pro I/O is $3,750 and a big lump; it will be something a lot of people will go for - but not the run & gun types who need to stay light but still need good reliable on-camera audio. They need a better, different solution.

What IS the story with rear modules anyway? The cameras have been out for quite some time, there are certainly thousands of Scarlets and EPICs on the streets - but *no-one* apart from RED has yet produced any rear modules? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Does anyone know of ANY third-party modules in the pipeline, announced or even rumored?

Mike

[Colin Sheldon]

What IS the story with rear modules anyway? The cameras have been out for quite some time, there are certainly thousands of Scarlets and EPICs on the streets - but *no-one* apart from RED has yet produced any rear modules? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Does anyone know of ANY third-party modules in the pipeline, announced or even rumored?

Mike

I think the Meisner module is a good indication of where Red's headspace is on the issue. 3ality isn't allowed to sell it themselves even though they manufacturer it.

[Mike P.]

The problem with the innocinema kit is that it's $1000 with all the necessary bits. The fortis is $380... Just need the caps/holder/rods on the front.This, as well as the fan noise, are stupid problems that can easily be alleviated.

[Joshua Fletcher]

I could not agree more. It would be a lot easier if the jacks were locking. I have other similar jacks that are locking so why couldn't Red make locking ones. I bought the Fortis Bottom plate and XLR combo. It helped with this issue. http://fortiscinema.com/fortis-xlr-adapter-combo.php

Agreed, I've also been using Fortis's XLR adaptors. They can attached to the RED base plates, or you can purchase their base plate which feeds the cables underneath the camera . They also have custom cables that fit tight to the body. Put to rest all my frustration!