Have any of the 5D shooters had any experience with the Juicelink CX231 for in camera audio?
Juicelink CX231 - Any experience with it?
- Thread starter MichaelPaul
- Start date
I haven't used it, but I strongly recommend staying away from it.
Even with the pre-amp, and phantom-power, all that, you're still recording very sub-par audio, because the camera records crap audio. You can try and try to capture the best audio, but you'll be capturing crap.
And look at that price-tag! For that price, you can get a decent external audio recorder that will do everything this device does, and much more. Also, I find it so liberating to not have my camera tied down by a stupid cable. External-audio is the way to go!
Even with the pre-amp, and phantom-power, all that, you're still recording very sub-par audio, because the camera records crap audio. You can try and try to capture the best audio, but you'll be capturing crap.
And look at that price-tag! For that price, you can get a decent external audio recorder that will do everything this device does, and much more. Also, I find it so liberating to not have my camera tied down by a stupid cable. External-audio is the way to go!
External audio wise, do you have a specific recommendation?
Not having any previous experience with Sync audio I keep thinking, "keep it in camera and it's one less thing to worry about." That and I'll shoot someone if I wind up with audio missing for a take I have footage of. "oh, I forgot to hit record." Small inexperienced crew. I have enough trouble trusting myself.
Not having any previous experience with Sync audio I keep thinking, "keep it in camera and it's one less thing to worry about." That and I'll shoot someone if I wind up with audio missing for a take I have footage of. "oh, I forgot to hit record." Small inexperienced crew. I have enough trouble trusting myself.
In my experience, even unskilled boom-operators take pride in their jobs; in fact, a lot of people really enjoy that job, and they stay on-task. I shot a feature-film, and a few shorts, with unskilled boom-ops, and they never missed one single take. I don't think you should worry about them forgetting to press "record", especially if you follow protocol.
You: "Roll camera"
Cam-op: "Rolling"
You: "Roll audio"
Boom-op: "Rolling"
You: "Slate"
Slate person: "Scene 1, Shot 5, Take 30"
Slate: SMACK!
You: Action!
How can they forget it, when you tell them to do it, and then they confirm that they have done it?
Also, syncing audio is super-easy. I promise, if you're doing narrative work, external audio is F-ing great. Especially since this camera records crap audio.
Which one do I recommend? Well, the low-budget standard seems to be the Zoom H4n (and that's what I use). However, one of our resident audio experts is not a fan of that recorder, because it records at relatively low-levels. I don't remember which one he recommends, though (but if memory serves me correctly, it's a little bit more expensive).
You: "Roll camera"
Cam-op: "Rolling"
You: "Roll audio"
Boom-op: "Rolling"
You: "Slate"
Slate person: "Scene 1, Shot 5, Take 30"
Slate: SMACK!
You: Action!
How can they forget it, when you tell them to do it, and then they confirm that they have done it?
Also, syncing audio is super-easy. I promise, if you're doing narrative work, external audio is F-ing great. Especially since this camera records crap audio.
Which one do I recommend? Well, the low-budget standard seems to be the Zoom H4n (and that's what I use). However, one of our resident audio experts is not a fan of that recorder, because it records at relatively low-levels. I don't remember which one he recommends, though (but if memory serves me correctly, it's a little bit more expensive).
I'm not a fan of the Tascam DR-100, either, but at least it has physical volume knobs and the build will withstand more abuse than the H4n. The DR-100 has the same problem with low volume levels, although to a somewhat lesser degree.
So, which do you recommend for dialog and such? How about you put your recommendations in price categories (<100, 100-200, 200-500, 500-1000).
It's not really a question of "better" but which one fits your needs and budget.
For under $200 I just avoid Zoom as I have not had good experiences with their gear - the rest of the contenders in that price range come and go so quickly I can't keep up, and I never really have an opportunity to use them, anyway. I personally would stick with Alesis and Tascam as I have had good experiences with their equipment in the past.
For under $500 I would go with the Tascam DR-100 for the reasons mentioned. (The DR-100 and H4n are the only two in that price range with XLR inputs.)
Over $500 has a number of nice possibilities. The Marantz PMD-661 is very nice, small and compact. The Fostex FR-2LE is also very nice, the physical layout is more conducive to a traditional ENG/EFP bag. The Tascam HD-P2 is about $100 more than the other two, sort of splits the difference in size, very intuitive and has sync capabilities. The $1,000 Edirol R-44 records four tracks and has a very solid build. I haven't used the Tascam DR-680 which records 6 simultaneous tracks; I have heard of overheating problems on hot/humid days.
For under $200 I just avoid Zoom as I have not had good experiences with their gear - the rest of the contenders in that price range come and go so quickly I can't keep up, and I never really have an opportunity to use them, anyway. I personally would stick with Alesis and Tascam as I have had good experiences with their equipment in the past.
For under $500 I would go with the Tascam DR-100 for the reasons mentioned. (The DR-100 and H4n are the only two in that price range with XLR inputs.)
Over $500 has a number of nice possibilities. The Marantz PMD-661 is very nice, small and compact. The Fostex FR-2LE is also very nice, the physical layout is more conducive to a traditional ENG/EFP bag. The Tascam HD-P2 is about $100 more than the other two, sort of splits the difference in size, very intuitive and has sync capabilities. The $1,000 Edirol R-44 records four tracks and has a very solid build. I haven't used the Tascam DR-680 which records 6 simultaneous tracks; I have heard of overheating problems on hot/humid days.
BTW, Roland just announced the R-26; it lists for about $600 so should come in around $500 retail. Looks interesting....
I found these 5D audio tests, comparing the Zoom H4N, Beachtek DXA-5D and the JuiceLink CX 231 in a variety of situations. The Tascam DR-100 unfortunately is not among those tested. The reviewer does favor the JuiceLink over the H4N. Just goes to show though that until you break that $500 mark apparently there's a lot of hit and miss.
Part 1 - Boom Mic:
http://vimeo.com/5370880
Part 2 - On Camera Shotgun:
http://vimeo.com/5388476
Part 3 - Wireless Lav:
http://vimeo.com/5443143
Part 4 - Foley:
http://vimeo.com/5453690
Part 5 - Noise:
http://vimeo.com/5474562
Part 6 - Conclusions:
http://vimeo.com/5903379
Part 1 - Boom Mic:
http://vimeo.com/5370880
Part 2 - On Camera Shotgun:
http://vimeo.com/5388476
Part 3 - Wireless Lav:
http://vimeo.com/5443143
Part 4 - Foley:
http://vimeo.com/5453690
Part 5 - Noise:
http://vimeo.com/5474562
Part 6 - Conclusions:
http://vimeo.com/5903379