Komodo -Audio

[David Rasberry]

I'm convinced, after trying many other options for on board audio (and not boomed or transmitter audio quality) that the M2D2 from Sonosax is as of today the best solution out there.
XLR for such a small camera are overkill, they choose to go TA3. This mini preamp has a ton of features and has also the ability to use a MS configuration and use a MIX menu where you can limit overloaded signal with a Limiter/compressor. I use it on my RED Weapon and Sony A7mkIII and never have to worry about sound level. The 132db of the M2D2 and the limiter give me freedom of mind. I set a limiter when it goes beyond -9db and then send the signal to the minjack of the camera.

Cleanest camera sound ever in a small package.


Patrick

PS: I could be biaised because my friend is the founder of Sonosax ;-) but I bet you know this company if you are in the sound industry.

No doubt an exceptional piece of kit. Not outrageously expensive given the quality, but still well north of $1k. Sound Devices Mixpre 3 supports feed to the camera as a mixer as well as internal recording with TC for about 2/3rds the price with accessories.

 

[Alain M]

Yes but A box has no preamps.

So the A-BOX wouldn't work on KOMODO like it does on DSMC2 splitting the input into 2 ???

Exmple: Using Lavariers that are pre -amped like Sennheisers, etc. 2 inputs without additional hardware other than the A-Box would be Epic!!!

 

[J. Orlandi]

I’m trying to figure this out too. Just wanting a simple A-box or short 3.5mm to XLR cable option but not sure how it’s wired. Not interested in external preamps, just trying to get scratch audio to the camera

 

[Bob Gundu]

So the A-BOX wouldn't work on KOMODO like it does on DSMC2 splitting the input into 2 ???

Exmple: Using Lavariers that are pre -amped like Sennheisers, etc. 2 inputs without additional hardware other than the A-Box would be Epic!!!

It’s wired the same as DSMC2

 

[joshua csehak]

It’s wired the same as DSMC2

But it doesn't have phantom power, does it?

 

[Bob Gundu]

But it doesn't have phantom power, does it?

nope.

 

[David Rasberry]

Pretty much the industry standard 3.5mm unbalanced stereo input wiring. You can wire one channel of that to an XLR, but it will still be unbalanced. Wire both channels to 3-pin XLR mic and they will be out of phase, so cancel each other. You need a transformer interface or a preamp to convert to dual channel balanced input. Preamp gets you phantom power, otherwise your mic needs batteries or external supply if not dynamic.

 

[andrewhake]

On a related note, have the capabilities of the EXT port been revealed? I like the idea of feeding audio into camera as a data file rather than an analog signal. No idea if it would be possible, but having used XLR to USB DAs (Apogee) for VO, it's an attractive option.

Cheers - #19

This would be amazing. Jarred has a shown that the EXT port has quite a few capabilities, including a General Purpose In/Out. That said I never really have any issues feeding in audio through a short run 3.5mm cable.

 

[David Rasberry]

This would be amazing. Jarred has a shown that the EXT port has quite a few capabilities, including a General Purpose In/Out. That said I never really have any issues feeding in audio through a short run 3.5mm cable.

No audio capability on the EXT port. The GPIO ports, one in and one out, are for logic voltage or contact closure controls. Simple external record switch and tally light for instance. Have to see a menu to find out how and what functions can be assigned to GPIO.

 

[Brett_M]

I just picked up my first RED pre-amp solution, a Sound Devices MixPre-3 II

I was excited to use the auto record trigger, then quickly realized that's through HDMI. What solution exists now or in the future that will allow KOMODO to interface with my MixPre-3 II for auto-trigger?

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Why would some one want to use an external recorder if you can record in synch to the camera file?

 

[M Harvey]

Why would some one want to use an external recorder if you can record in synch to the camera file?

The Sonosax looks amazing, Patrick-- appreciate the recommendation. But the MixPre-3 can serve the same function, acting only as a preamp to the camera, and it costs half as much (here in the US, anyway). The option to use the MixPre-3 as a standalone recorder is a bonus, but I'd agree with you that it's easier to just record the audio to file in camera.

One other benefit of the Sonosax is the size, of course; while the MixPre is quite compact, it gets much larger if you mount L-series batteries on the back (the sled allows two batteries, but I doubt you could use both if it's mounted below a Komodo). I've never tried powering my MixPre from a v-mount battery, but I suppose there's probably a solution that allows that.

 

[andrewhake]

Anyone come up with a good method to connect a Tentacle Sync up to a Komodo? I have the BNC to Ext that Red made available but I have no good way to adapt it to connect to the Tentacle.

I guess the best option would be to get a TRS to 9-pin lemo cable made?

 

[Lauri Kettunen]

My solution with the Mixpre on the Epic is to leave it recording all day and feed Timecode into the camera from the recorder, that way you can sync it up in post.

Is the same possible with MixPre-3 ii and Komodo? How do you get TC out from Mixpre?

 

[Andrew Reese]

Not sure if this would work.

https://www.amazon.com/Tentacle-Sync-Timecode-Cable-3-5mm/dp/B06XTLD7TP

I have a Mix-Pre 6 and Gemini + Komodo now. I will be looking to pick up some tentacle syncs and will be looking to figure out a solution to connect to Komodo using some sort of EXT breakout cable or the EXT base expander module. Any one else cross this bridge yet?

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

Not sure if this would work.

https://www.amazon.com/Tentacle-Sync-Timecode-Cable-3-5mm/dp/B06XTLD7TP

I have a Mix-Pre 6 and Gemini + Komodo now. I will be looking to pick up some tentacle syncs and will be looking to figure out a solution to connect to Komodo using some sort of EXT breakout cable or the EXT base expander module. Any one else cross this bridge yet?

To keep everything simple and compatible in my world, I’ll probably just have a custom cable made that is just two BNC female ends for TC IN & OUT.

 

[Blair Thornton]

Might have to sacrifice a MixPre 3 to see if I can reduce the size of it and match the Komodo footprint to mount it underneath. I think the Mix Pre 3 is the best way to use Komodo as a run and gun A cam.

Another possible option is the Sonosax SX-M2D2 https://www.audiosense.be/en/sonosax-sx-m2d2.html with Remote Audio stereo cable https://www.trewaudio.com/product/remote-audio-casdtd/

It's certainly small, but no onboard recording.

 

[Alvise Tedesco]

Anybody used this with Komodo?
https://www.mozegear.com/microphone-pre-amplifiers-1

 

[David Peterson]

Is the same possible with MixPre-3 ii and Komodo? How do you get TC out from Mixpre?

Using the 3.5mm stereo output, select that option first in the menu.

Not sure if this would work.

https://www.amazon.com/Tentacle-Sync-Timecode-Cable-3-5mm/dp/B06XTLD7TP

I have a Mix-Pre 6 and Gemini + Komodo now. I will be looking to pick up some tentacle syncs and will be looking to figure out a solution to connect to Komodo using some sort of EXT breakout cable or the EXT base expander module. Any one else cross this bridge yet?

Yes, if you ever ever need to disconnect the camera and recorder, then get a Tentacle Sync E to keep always on the camera itself! A simple velcro patch is all you need to use.

 

[Rikki Rockett]

Powered Mic

Powered Mic

As for onboard... If you have a powered mic, you don't need anything. If you need Phantom power, you need a mic pre amp.
I didn't want to like it, but the Rode works amazing! http://www.rode.com/microphones/videomicntg