Scarlet's Built-in Audio

[Mike P.]

So I've done a little searching for info on Scarlet's built-in audio capabilities and all I've found are threads saying, "there is a Pro I/O module coming" or to get the wooden camera 3.5-to-XLR breakout box for $200.

I can't remember where I read it, but I was under the impression that Scarlet and Epic have phantom power, but they obviously do not have XLR inputs (that's where the Pro IO module comes in). So my question is, can anyone clarify if the Scarlet/Epic have phantom power through there 3.5mm jack? I didn't think that was possible. If so, do I need to get a special 3.5-to-XLR adapter to carry the power to the mic (like the aforementioned wooden camera one) or will almost any work?

At the very least, I'd like to use phantom powered mics for my reference tracks rather than have to buy a separate 3.5mm mic solely for that purpose. It'd also be nice to have the ability to pipe directly into the cam in a pinch.

 

[Jesper Sichlau]

I can't remember where I read it, but I was under the impression that Scarlet and Epic have phantom power, but they obviously do not have XLR inputs (that's where the Pro IO module comes in). So my question is, can anyone clarify if the Scarlet/Epic have phantom power through there 3.5mm jack? I didn't think that was possible. If so, do I need to get a special 3.5-to-XLR adapter to carried the power to the mic (like the aforementioned wooden camera one) or will almost any work?

At the very least, I'd like to use phantom powered mics for my reference tracks rather than have to buy a separate 3.5mm mic solely for that purpose. It'd also be nice to have the ability to pipe directly into the cam in a pinch.

Confirmed. You'll need a 3.5-to-XLR adapter or something like this http://actionproducts.ch/shop/produ...d=157&osCsid=7e7c669b36c4ab98aebdc985dfa365e7 or wait for the IO module to be released.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

It is my belief, but have searched and haven't yet confirmed, that the Wooden Camera A-Box does accommodate phantom power. It is well built and, at $200, worth looking into.

EDIT: I confirmed directly with Wooden Camera that the A-Box has passive circuits that will pass through phantom power when it is enabled on the cameras. (The also have a cool new B-Box coming!) :thumbsup:

 

[William Graydon]

I have also been researching this same topic. My question is as follows: Is it necessary to have a field mixer in addition to the 3.5-to-XLR A-box in order to capture great audio from the camera? If so, would a Sound Devices Mix-Pre D suffice?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

I have also been researching this same topic. My question is as follows: Is it necessary to have a field mixer in addition to the 3.5-to-XLR A-box in order to capture great audio from the camera? If so, would a Sound Devices Mix-Pre D suffice?

According to the Epic Manual (and I believe will this apply to scarlet as well), the brain accepts both mic and line level input. That means you can go either direction; mixer, or mic directly in.

 

[Mike P.]

Confirmed. You'll need a 3.5-to-XLR adapter or something like this http://actionproducts.ch/shop/produ...d=157&osCsid=7e7c669b36c4ab98aebdc985dfa365e7 or wait for the IO module to be released.

Are you confirming that the 3.5 jacks actually pump out phantom power, or just that an 3.5-to-XLR adapter is required (because I know that)?

My concern is if they actually have phantom power running through the 3.5mm jacks and, if so, does it require a special 3.5-to-XLR adapter (like Action's or like Wooden's) in order to carry said phantom power (or will any 3.5-to-XLR work)?

I have also been researching this same topic. My question is as follows: Is it necessary to have a field mixer in addition to the 3.5-to-XLR A-box in order to capture great audio from the camera? If so, would a Sound Devices Mix-Pre D suffice?

R1s audio board is pretty good... Not sure if Epic's is even enabled yet (and haven't used it), so I can't even hypothesize if Epic's (or Scarlet's) will be as good... I mean, Epic/Scarlet is 1/3rd the size of R1, so they had to make sacrifices somewhere, right?

That said, I think having a mixer attached can only be a good thing. Not only could you then pipe the audio to the camera and an offboard recorder simultaneously, but even if you just went to the camera, you'd have levels and adjustment knobs at your fingertips without having to go through menus. And SD gear usually has some of the cleanest preamps out there... even on the MixPre. Realistically, you could always wait until you can test the onboard audio to see if it's good/clean enough and if it's not to your liking go to the nearest audio store and grab a proper mixer.

As I've said, my concern is whether or not I'll even be able to use the mics I have, as they require phantom power. If you're planning on using a mixer, it can supply phantom power to the mics anyway, so to a certain extent it'd even make the a-box unnecessary (assuming you were going to mount the mixer on/near the camera.)

 

[Pete Lutz]

"Each microphone input supports +48V @ 10mA Phantom Power as a user selectable option."
-From the Epic Manual.
More than likely true for the Scarlet as well.

 

[Noah Yuan-Vogel]

My understanding is that it is possible to just use a simple ~$10 TRS-to-XLR cable if you want. I was considering the wooden camera option but I like the idea of cheaper cables that I dont even need to connect if I'm not recording audio in-camera. A lot of the time the $200+ actionproducts/woodencamera boxes would just be sitting there adding weight.

Also sounds like Epic does not have phantom power enabled yet, but hopefully Scarlet will have it by the time it ships... It would be a pain to deal with workarounds in the meantime.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

See my edited post above confirming the A-Box accommodates phantom power.