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Audio Preamp Configuration - Sonosax M2D2

Patrick Tresch

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Hello,

I've been playing around to find a way to put a small audio preamp on the Weapon.

It's actually the new M2D2 from Sonosax.
It's a dual channel preamp, so I configured my Weapon with a CCM41 and a CCM8 Schoeps in a MS configuration with the Cinela OSIX mount and Leo windshield.

Sound from the POV of the camera is crucial for my work. Finding the best setup is also challenging.
Here are my pictures.

I would love to see how you put your external mic preamp on your camera.


Thanks for any input.

Patrick
 

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Hey Patrick
Really interested in your MS setup, I tried to see how you manage to mount both the microphones on the camera. Looking at the photos I can only see one microphone. Would be great to see a photo showing how you mount them in more detail.
Thinking of setting up a Mini Cmit and CCM8 system. Also how are you sending the signal from the sonosax into the camera, from the phones output of the M2D2 into the mic input on the weapon and Komodo with a 3.5mm cable? Does the sound compare well to if the microphones were going into a field recorder? Would be good to create a system that can be used with both my Monstro and Komodo.
Thanks for any advice.
 
Hello,

For the MS setup I use a CCM41 and a CCM8 from Schoeps in a Cinela Leo windshield. It's IMHO the best mic combination for the MS situation. The CCM41 is as focused as the Minicmit without the tonal descrepacies of out of axis sounds, hence some call more directivity...



I don't use the phone output but the TA3 unballanced stereo output (wich for this 10cm cable lengh isn't a problem) of the M2D2 not directly from the mic but going through the Mix menu with some compressor limitor enabled. To be sure not to overload the camera input with lound sounds.

For more infos look here ;-)

I use the minijack to lemo adapter of the Komodo-X input. Strangely I noticed that L & R are swapped in the Komodo. Is it the RED cable wiring wich is wrong or the input menu ? I don't know.

For the mounting on the camera I found out that using some rubber 1/4 20 accessories will improve the mechanical noise coming from the camera (focus motor, camera handling...),

2 Rubber Vibration Isolator Mounts (1" Dia x 3/4 Ht) 1/4"-20 x 1/2" Length Stud​

I use the Smallrig Snap on Nato Handle 4175 as a top handle (wich slides on a nato rail) (not the snap on wich brakes rapidly)

and the cold shoe monitor holder from 8sinn

8Sinn_micHolder.jpg

So I can place it in front or back of the camera depending of the space I need between the mic and the subject (for table top shots/ close over shoulder shots for exemple). And detaching the mic is really easy and fast.


The only downside I can see is that the audio setup is nearly as expensive as the camera :ROFLMAO: ...
 
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Patrick many thanks for the detailed reply, very useful. Hadn't realised that there is a version of the Leo windshield that is able to contain two mics. Will go through your post really carefully, there is a lot to think about. Was drawn to the minicmit as I thought it may be more versatile for me but will look further into the CCM41 especially as it seems to allow for a much more compact M/S setup. Do you tend to use the MiniCmit when doing mono sound? Seems like really good advice on the rubber 1/4 20 accessories. Pretty shocked at how much I would need to spend but suspect I would not want to replace the audio as soon as the camera. Looks like a very well thought through setup!
 
I used the minicmit on this setup because the sound guy needed my MS CCM41 CCM8 config on his boom ;-) (it’s all my sound equipment that I also rent)

I also mount the M2D2 with a cold shoe to rod adapter SmallRig 15mm Rod Clamp mit Cold Shoe - 1597 and the 3D printed bracket that you can download the file from Sonosax site.
 
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Ah thanks for the explanation. I saw the 3D bracket on the website. On my Monstro (also on the komodo but not so much space) I have several nato rails permanently attached, that way I can just slide on or off my video transmitter, small hd 703, zaxcom receiver, cold shoe mount etc. depending on my needs and environment (I find the red monitor useless outside). All of them are attached to those little nato blocks that red used to sell, super convenient and flexible. Will attempt to do the same with the sonosax. I will probably end up getting the cinela pianissimo as most of this will be for outside use, I live on the coast so often strong winds. Your replies have been super useful in figuring this all out. Just need a Black Friday deal or two to try and bring the cost down!
 
IMHO, the pianissimo is too big for an onboard solution. I would go with the Cosi-L and a minicmit if you could do it in mono.

It's true that the Leo handles fairly well the wind but won't manage highspeed winds.

The DPA 2017 (or Sennheiser 8050) wich is not too expensive is also a good solution.
 
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Yeah concerned by the size of the pianissimo, would seem a bit ridiculous with clients around, particularly with the komodo ;-).

My current and fairly long term project is likely to rely mainly on ambient sound so for this to be as immersive as possible is going to be fairly key.

The DPA and the sennheiser are probably good options, but I do like the Schoeps sound and it seems as though I could still be using this in 15 years, would rather buy once even if it is a bit more money.

Shame it is not possible to mount 2 microphones inside the Cosi-L. Considering finding a way of mounting the pianissimo to my tripod head. Is the CCM8 as good as the mini cmit from a bit of a distance? I could start with the pianissimo and then pick up the Leo down the line. Do you feel that the CCM8 is as versatile as the cmit in a mono setup? Are there any situations when you would use the cmit instead of the CCM8 if you had access to both? Interesting to find someone with experience of both.

Fairly regularly have 80 (or over) mph winds and for some reason I love being out in a storm.
 
Sorry getting a bit confused, meant the CCM41 in the above post. Too much time on the computer.
 
Sorry getting a bit confused, meant the CCM41 in the above post. Too much time on the computer.

I compared them side by side and also when I wanted to buy a mic I tried both. The minicmit is apparently a bit more directive as it has less high on the back than on the front of the mic, but this gives the mic some coloration. You got a dip in the mid and high not on the low Hz.

MiniCmit

Minicmit.jpg


CCM41
polarpattern_schoeps_MK41.jpeg


If there is noise behind the person you want to record it will also be more apparent. I choosed the CCM41 because the back and side of the mic gets less loud without changing the coloration of the mic. Which is really good when you operate on the shoulder or if you don't want the have the sound changing too much when panning.

IMHO ;-)

Patrick
 
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All round seems the CCM41 is probably the better choice for my needs. Love that in a normal (no high wind situation) I can use both mics in the Leo, seems like it will be a much more flexible setup. Important for me to keep my rig as small as possible. Now just awaiting the quote. Thank you for all of your advice.
 
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