Audio Features

[John Nguyen]

I've been perusing the search results and its just taking me too long. So here goes:


From what I understand the Scarlet will have a 1/8 input jack for audio. Other than the fact that that sounds incredibly flimsy, what other disadvantages will this mean when compared to the HVX setup I can using now? What exactly does balance/unbalanced audio mean and is it even true that 1/8 automatically means unbalanced?

Thanx for any help.

 

[Gerald Menclik]

not automatically unbalanced there are balanced 1/8s
with an optional i/o module you will get xlr inputs and outputs .... you could even use adaptercables
if the 1/8 is a professional one it could even be that you have to screw it in, so it would not be that flimsy
hope that helps
as there is no scarlet out yet most of it is guessing and supposing ....

 

[Tom Visser]

Balanced audio connections use a differential pair of amplifiers to send the signal in a push-pull configuration with respect to ground OR use a transformer to convert an unbalanced or single ended signal into balanced via 3 wires. Unbalanced / single ended connections simply use 2 wires, a hot and a ground, to send an audio signal.

Balanced connections I've seen include XLR, TA3, lemo / Fischer, 1/4" TRS, 1/8" TRS, and multi-pin. Unbalanced connections tend to be RCA, 1/4" TS, 1/8" TS, or stereo 1/4" TRS and stereo 1/8" TRS. When you see a mini-jack, normally that means a stereo unbalanced connection, but it is not always the case.

Properly designed balanced circuits will outperform unbalanced circuits in challenging RFI environments or situations with long cabling demands. For local equipment interconnections, the difference between balanced and unbalanced will only be detectable with very critical scrutiny if at all, assuming that both circuits are of the same level of competence.

Without knowing anything else about Scarlet, my guess is that the best case scenario would be, in order of preference:
I/O module used in conjunction with a professional mixer
Brain module with unbalanced used with a professional mixer locally connected (short cable run or wireless hop)
I/O module used direct with microphones
Brain module with unbalanced used with a professional mixer remotely connected (long cable run)
Brain module used direct with microphones (such as a line level capable wireless receiver)

In any event, the use of a professional mixer would likely be the major determining factor regarding the practical audio performance, not whether or not the balanced IO or unbalanced connection was used.

 

[John Nguyen]

Thank you, Tom. Hopefully it turns out that all I will need to buy will be an XLR-to-1/8 adapter to make the transition from the HVX to the Scarlet and have there be no loss in audio capture performance.

A lot of the technical explanations still went over my head (my background is very much rooted in photography) and I'll go ahead and ask those questions in the audio forum since they will not just be Scarlet questions. Thanx again!

 

[John Nguyen]

Does anyone know if 1/8 can provide phantom power? I am using a Rode NTG-2 I believe.

 

[Tom Visser]

Does anyone know if 1/8 can provide phantom power? I am using a Rode NTG-2 I believe.

Physically it could, some of the lav mics that use this connector provide bias power, but usually in the range of 2.5v to 5v max. There is probably a tecnical issue, if a connector is slightly out of spec, could short on the way in or something like that, potentially causing damage to certain types of mics. Probably going to need a mixer or beachtek type device or provide your own phantom power for condensers.

 

[Stephen Gentle]

I'm pretty sure I've heard that the audio inputs on the brain will be balanced. Hopefully there'll be a cheap audio module that will give two or four full size XLR inputs with phantom too, so we don't need to get the full IO module to do it.

 

[Stuart English]

Audio Intputs

Audio Intputs

I'm pretty sure I've heard that the audio inputs on the brain will be balanced.

Correct, the two audio inputs on the brain are both balanced.

 

[David Rasberry]

Correct, the two audio inputs on the brain are both balanced.

With phantom power for mics?

 

[Jay Voutour]

With phantom power for mics?

Take a look at this quote from Jarred (emphasis mine):

Just so you know.. the Epic setup in the photo has everything you need to shoot minus the power ( just like the RED ONE ) so its almost an apples to apples comparison..

It has EVF/LCD output plus CF recording via the side CF module, HD-SDI out, HDMI out, 2 channels of Balanced Mic Audio in + 48v Phantom power, Headphone out, Power in, RS-242, Genlock/GPIO, all on the Brain itself.

If you need more I/O or full sized ports, you of course go out to the modules.

Not sure if this applies to the Scarlet brains as well (size limitations?), but maybe the above is referring to the 1/8" jacks?
________
Rhode Island Marijuana Dispensary

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Correct, the two audio inputs on the brain are both balanced.

I haven't seen these two connectors on both the renders and the non-functioning brains.

 

[Jay Voutour]

Funny thing is lower budget people are the ones that need the most good audio in camera.

It's pretty clear that most of Epic shoots will go double system and a good number of Scarlet shoots (specially the lower end ones) will record straight to camera.



I'm a little confused now, because I don't know if the I/O module displayed so far is the PRO or not.

Is there any functionality that is more PRO than HD-SDI and TC? Anything I'm forgetting.

I agree with you... A mini I/O module is a great thing, there would be a high demand for it, as I said, specially for the lower end Scarlets.

I can't really agree with that supposition Pietro. I mean, just because the Scarlet is cheaper than the Epics, that doesn't necessarily mean that they will not be used on shoots where double system is employed (shorts, films, reality tv, docs). However, I will say that having Phantom Power on the audio input(s) of the Scarlet brains, which could keep down the weight/size of the cam in a stripped down run'n'gun style rig, would be extremely useful in certain situations (READ: one-man bands).

I, too, am now confused about the I/O modules. Thanks a lot guys!
________
Cheap u s wwii pineapple grenade inert

 

[Stuart English]

Audio inputs

Audio inputs

I haven't seen these two connectors on both the renders and the non-functioning brains.

But they are there.

 

[Joel Kaye]

But they are there.

So you can get audio in without adding an IO module? I find that to be a very, very cool thing. I'm curious to see what the smallest version of a functioning EPIC package will look like. Power, Audio, LCV/EVF and CF Card.

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

So you can get audio in without adding an IO module? I find that to be a very, very cool thing. I'm curious to see what the smallest version of a functioning EPIC package will look like. Power, Audio, LCV/EVF and CF Card.

Imagine a 5D with a LCD sticking out of it and a Mic on top.

:seeya:

 

[Stuart English]

Audio inputs

Audio inputs

So you can get audio in without adding an IO module?

Yes, two channels of audio... add an I/O module if you need four channels.

 

[Harry Lipnick]

Yes, two channels of audio... add an I/O module if you need four channels.

Stuart, any shot you can confirm that these audio features apply to Scarlet as well as Epic? Thanks.
Peace,

-Harry

 

[David Rasberry]

Consistent with most cost efficient manufacturing, I expect the built in audio circuitry would be the same across all models. Be nice to have confirmation though.