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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Which mic on your Scarlet?

L

Luke Holwerda

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Hey all,

I'll be working on a documentary shot on Scarlets soon, had a couple questions about sound.

I'm looking for a "good"... fairly inexpensive mic to attach to a run-and-gun type of shoulder rig. We will be running lav mics and a boom pole, but I'm all for having more than we need in case something cuts out/fails. I'd like to have a shotgun mic attached to each of the 2 main cameras to capture their own sound. (Also, just good for sync) We have a Rode NTG-2 kit already, I'm thinking of just grabbing another...

My question really is... does anyone have any specific info on whether this mic will work with the Scarlet's 3.5mm inputs? I've read about some issues on the forums here, and was curious if anyone could say for sure. The Rode NTG-2 kit comes with an Pearstone LMT100 Low to high impedance matching transformer (XLR-to-3.5mm cable) Is that all I need? Or should spend another $200 and grab a Wooden Camera A-box?

Obviously, money is still money... so if I didn’t HAVE to buy something else to make this mic work, that would be swell.

Please feel free to comment, and add mic suggestions, I'm curious what people are actually using. Also, would love to see pics. Especially of how they are being mounted to rails.

Thanks!
 
Any mic will work with Scarlet- for best results, send the brain an unbalanced, mic level signal. I have had success getting a scratch track with a balanced TRS line level input, but you'll get less headroom before clipping or the limiter engages.

If any of this is confusing, I would strongly suggest getting that A-Box and a battery (phantom) powered XLR mic. You can mess around with cables (T/S 1/8 mono -> XLR) but that's the most common failure point I have read about.

Go A-Box and NTG-2 for a dummy proof solution (what I use).
 
Rode NTG-2 has been working great for me with either my ABox or RED XLR adaptor. ABox if I have two inputs, XLR Adaptor if I only have the shotgun. I mount the shotgun on the 1/4-20 hole on the RED Outrigger handle with a Wooden Camera hot shoe adaptor and a shock mount. It's been working well, but hopefully we'll be checking out (buying?) the Rode Video Mic HD with its integrated blimp and onboard recording at NAB. http://www.rodemic.com/vmhd
 
Here's my onboard ABox mounting setup. All you need is a M4 socket head screw to attach the supplied spud to the module connection points on the back of the brain. Spud can be reversed to the other side to face the XLRs down if necessary. I use a Atomic13 backplate to keep it clean, but it wouldn't be required.
ABox_Atomic13Plate.jpg
 
stereo with line A and Abox?

stereo with line A and Abox?

anyone know how to run stereo with line A or B on the scarlet? IE, use the Abox with just one shotgun mic and stereo the channel? thanks in advance,
t
 
You might also consult the sound mixer on the project. He or she would probably like to help. Also, the sound mixer should probably also have input since you're talking about their department and responsibility. Imagine if a sound mixer posted to a sound forum about how they planned to shoot part of the doc as back up in case there was a problem with your camera!


Luke Holwerda said:
Hey all,

I'll be working on a documentary shot on Scarlets soon, had a couple questions about sound.

I'm looking for a "good"... fairly inexpensive mic to attach to a run-and-gun type of shoulder rig. We will be running lav mics and a boom pole, but I'm all for having more than we need in case something cuts out/fails. I'd like to have a shotgun mic attached to each of the 2 main cameras to capture their own sound. (Also, just good for sync) We have a Rode NTG-2 kit already, I'm thinking of just grabbing another...

My question really is... does anyone have any specific info on whether this mic will work with the Scarlet's 3.5mm inputs? I've read about some issues on the forums here, and was curious if anyone could say for sure. The Rode NTG-2 kit comes with an Pearstone LMT100 Low to high impedance matching transformer (XLR-to-3.5mm cable) Is that all I need? Or should spend another $200 and grab a Wooden Camera A-box?

Obviously, money is still money... so if I didn’t HAVE to buy something else to make this mic work, that would be swell.

Please feel free to comment, and add mic suggestions, I'm curious what people are actually using. Also, would love to see pics. Especially of how they are being mounted to rails.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Arnold F. said:
You might also consult the sound mixer on the project. He or she would probably like to help. Also, the sound mixer should probably also have input since you're talking about their department and responsibility. Imagine if a sound mixer posted to a sound forum about how they planned to shoot part of the doc as back up in case there was a problem with your camera!
Click to expand...

Imagine someone thinking outside of their box? That only happens in the movies.

Actually, the last event I worked on, the house sound man said "Don't worry, I'll take care of you." Yeah... he forgot to hit record until a minute into the event. Luckily, I was thinking about him.
 
Arnold F. said:
You might also consult the sound mixer on the project. He or she would probably like to help. Also, the sound mixer should probably also have input since you're talking about their department and responsibility. Imagine if a sound mixer posted to a sound forum about how they planned to shoot part of the doc as back up in case there was a problem with your camera!
Click to expand...

I completely agree.

The last place you want to put a mic is on the camera, its quite simply in the wrong place for a mic.

Your sound mixer probably wont consider strapping a Scarlet to the end of his pole then he places the mic in the best position for audio and if he did youd be right to tell him the camera placement is wrong or unsuitable. So when you have one of the best cameras available I think your camera work deserves to be complimented with great audio too.
 
I'll just respond with a part from my initial post... the parts in bold are the most interesting...

I'm looking for a "good"... fairly inexpensive mic to attach to a run-and-gun type of shoulder rig. We will be running lav mics and a boom pole, but I'm all for having more than we need in case something cuts out/fails. I'd like to have a shotgun mic attached to each of the 2 main cameras to capture their own sound. (Also, just good for sync)
Click to expand...
 
The problem with strapping a mike to the camera is, a) you're going to be a long way from the people talking [or at least in a sub-optimum position], and b) you're going to risk picking up much more camera noise that way.

Ideally, the way to go is: hire somebody to place the boom mike very close to where the actors are talking. Lav mikes are an excellent backup, and sometimes more useful than a boom. (The King's Speech is an example of a movie with many wireless lav scenes in unexpected places, and it was nominated for an Oscar.) Camera-mikes to me are amateurville.

I have said many times, there are situations where camera-mounted mikes are warranted, especially in battle conditions, violent news situations, dangerous documentaries, B-roll situations with no dialog. But not many others, especially for scripted projects.
 
Jeff Whitehurst said:
Rode NTG-2 has been working great for me with either my ABox or RED XLR adaptor. ABox if I have two inputs, XLR Adaptor if I only have the shotgun. I mount the shotgun on the 1/4-20 hole on the RED Outrigger handle with a Wooden Camera hot shoe adaptor and a shock mount. It's been working well, but hopefully we'll be checking out (buying?) the Rode Video Mic HD with its integrated blimp and onboard recording at NAB. http://www.rodemic.com/vmhd
Click to expand...

I have the NTG 2 also and am currently trying to get an audio feed into scarlet but I cannot. I have a XLR Adaptor but it is non red adaptor. Also has a fresh battery and works fine with my zoom. I feel like the problem lies somewhere within my settings. Any thoughts on what is going on?
 
Marc Wielage said:
I have said many times, there are situations where camera-mounted mikes are warranted, especially in battle conditions, violent news situations, dangerous documentaries, B-roll situations with no dialog. But not many others, especially for scripted projects.
Click to expand...
I've been following this thread for reasons of my own, which comport with at least three out of four listed above, wherefor I, too, would appreciate a plain-spoken response to the original question.
 
It's definitely the cable that's the problem. Which adapter are you using?

AJ Aguirre said:
I have the NTG 2 also and am currently trying to get an audio feed into scarlet but I cannot. I have a XLR Adaptor but it is non red adaptor. Also has a fresh battery and works fine with my zoom. I feel like the problem lies somewhere within my settings. Any thoughts on what is going on?
Click to expand...
 
Not quite sure which cable, it was a rental. I have the red xlr adaptor on order and I'm confident it will work then.
 
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