Line Level

[Mark Wilkinson]

Why is getting line level input impossible as a firmware upgrade?

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Bob Gundu]

I'm no sound engineer but if they could have made it line level, they would have. My guess is because of the smaller inputs.

 

[Marc Wielage]

Why is getting line level input impossible as a firmware upgrade?

My guess is that it's a hardware limitation. I just pad the input down to mic level, usually about -30dB or -40dB, whatever works. I agree, it's a bizarre shortcoming.

 

[Justin McAleece]

It's stupid. The best thing to do is buy inline XLR pads that are -20 or -30.

 

[Marc Wielage]

It's stupid. The best thing to do is buy inline XLR pads that are -20 or -30.

There are wireless receivers, like the Lectrosonics SRb or the Zaxcom RX900S, which include output level controls so you can dial it down by -20, -30, or -40dB. What I do find with many digital cameras (not just Red) is that the analogue audio sections of the camera are cheap and prone to overload. There's no problem with digital AES/EBU in, but that's a much more complex issue than wireless analogue. In general, I think feeding the analogue outs of a wireless receiver works well -- but I only advocate using a camera soundtrack as a scratch track.

 

[Zach Love]

It's stupid. The best thing to do is buy inline XLR pads that are -20 or -30.

I have preferred an in-line one that has a switch on it between -10 / -20 / -30db, they are dirt cheap & great when you need a simple solution to cutting down the strength of an audio signal. Though if you know you only need -30db, then I'd get one w/o a switch.