Red audio + Sound Devices 422?

[Jason Ing]

I hope the title makes sense. Probably not.

Anyway, among other personal stuff, I want to shoot narrative, low budget shorts and features and was wondering if I really need something like the sound devices 422 or is what comes with the Red good enough? I'm going to get the basic stuff: boom, shotgun, wireless, and headphones.

I know it would be better to get a sound guy, etc., but just in case I'm by myself (well, hopefully the actors show up).

Key term: low budget.

Thanks!

 

[Kenn Michael]

Go for the 422.

More flexible. Actual knobs to adjust gain. Using phantom power on Red still results in unusable hiss. Best to use the line ins from the output of a mixer.

 

[Jason Ing]

Thanks Kenn. I was hoping I could get away without it. Maybe build 16 will make that possible?

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

I have a 442 (and have ordered their new 788T field recorder, by the way! I'm pumped!), and it is a terrific unit. But you don't need a 442. Their 302 and even their MixPre will probably give you just what you're looking for at a lot less money. If low budget is what you're after, just buy a used 302 or something and save yourself a lot of money.

All you probably need is a device to give you one or two good clean line outs to head into the RED. As noted, phantom power on the RED is unusable at present.

Stephen

 

[Adrian T.]

Using the MixPre with the RED ONE. Works like a charm.

 

[Jason Ing]

Thanks guys. Just curious, if the Red One audio was working, would a mixpre even be needed? It seems like the Red should do everything that the mixpre does.

 

[Cam McGrath]

Thanks guys. Just curious, if the Red One audio was working, would a mixpre even be needed? It seems like the Red should do everything that the mixpre does.

Jason, the mixpre would be used just so you can ride the audio levels. You need something like a 'mixer' offboard of the camera to do this. It also means there is one less person trying to tweak something on the camera constantly. Once the input gain is set on the camera to match the output of the mixing device you are using it needn't be touched again. Hope this helps!

Cheers


cam (dRED)

 

[Jason Ing]

Thanks!

 

[Harky Jewett]

Then what are the advantages of going to an external recorder instead of the Red? Just curious, because I have a shoot coming up too and we have to figure out how we're going to handle the audio.

 

[Philippe Vandendriessche]

The audio recorders are designed to record sound. They have filters, limiters, phantom power, line or microphone inputs with high sensitivity / low distorsion. Ergonomics : big buttons, routing / monitoring facility. Time-code in & out. Precision level meters, etc.

The recorder I use is the AATON Cantar, that costs the same price that a RED camera. No mystery.

The audio recorders do not record picture.

 

[Harky Jewett]

The audio recorders do not record picture.

Well, then, what good are they. :biggrin:


But I get what you're saying. You get far more control with a stand alone audio recorder, which, I assume, gives you better quality.

I guess I should rephrase my question and ask: how much better is the quality of sound you'll get going to an external audio recorder, rather than to a mixer and then straight into the camera?

 

[Curran Giddens]

I'm not sure if the phantom power mode used for recording straight into the camera is quite working yet. You should do some testing first.