Pro I/O Audio Y Cable

[Adam Howden]

Hi All,

A bit premature perhaps but I'm just wondering what the Y cable configuration that would go into the side of the PRO I/O would be. What I mean by this is the Y cable that has 2x Male XLRs on one end with I think it's a 4 Pin connection on the other?

Is this an off the shelf that I can but from say BHPhoto? Could someone perhaps provide a link if they get a moment?

 

[Marc Wielage]

You mean the Pro I/O output jack? Looks like a standard 5-pin balanced XLR to two balanced 3-pin XLRs. Very simple cable to wire, common ground between two channels. These are used quite a bit for M/S stereo recording rigs by pro sound engineers.

 

[Stuart English]

You mean the Pro I/O output jack? Looks like a standard 5-pin balanced XLR to two balanced 3-pin XLRs. Very simple cable to wire, common ground between two channels. These are used quite a bit for M/S stereo recording rigs by pro sound engineers.

Correct it's a standard 5-pin 2Ch balanced XLR output.

Inputs are on 3-pin balanced XLR - one connector per channel.

 

[Adam Howden]

Actually I mean, if you're running out from something like a Sound Devices recorder to the Epic to provide it with a scratch track from the main recorder what Y cable would you use? Thanks guys

 

[Marc Wielage]

If your Sound Devices output is going to Channels 1 & 2 in, you gotta use a balanced 3.5mm miniplug. Only 3 & 4 on the Pro I/O.

I find a wireless feed to camera is much more convenient, and gets out of the camera operator's way.

 

[Antti Pirskanen]

Adam, the 5-pin XLR on the Pro i/o module is for output only. For input you can use the standard XLR3 connectors on the Pro i/o in analog mode.

You can also use the AES input on the pro i/o module. Various Sound Devices recorders have different connector types for AES output so you need a specific cable for each model. Pix 240 does not have AES output, but all the other recorders do.

 

[Adam Howden]

Hey Antii,

Thanks yes I just wanted to grab a spare Y lead for the kit, but it seems like it may be a little too brand specific. ie Sound Devices etc

Unfortunately I'm not getting great results from the audio on the Epic at the moment anyway :-(

 

[Marc Wielage]

Unfortunately I'm not getting great results from the audio on the Epic at the moment anyway :-(

If you can give us some more specifics, I'm sure there's some ideas that may help. My advice:

1) turn off the limiters

2) feed in balanced mike level signals only

3) set tones for unity gain (assuming you're feeding from an outboard mixer or transmitter)

4) keep peaks below -10dBfs

Be especially careful not to overload the input preamps. It's possible -- with all cameras, not just Red -- to create distortion even before adjusting the level.

I also still advocate recording sound separately with a sound person, but I concede there are some cases where camera recording is your only choice.