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Question re. Z50+Beachtek DXA-MAX+Rode Videomic Pro Plus

Started 6 months ago | Questions
KJ789 New Member • Posts: 23
Question re. Z50+Beachtek DXA-MAX+Rode Videomic Pro Plus

Has anyone used this combination (Nikon Z50+Beachtek DXA-MAX+Rode Videomic Pro Plus)?  I had understood the main advantage of a Beachtek unit was the ability to feed a sufficiently strong/clean signal into the camera so that the camera's mic gain can be set low to reduce noise/hiss.

The problem I have is that when set up per Beachtek's instructions, the camera mic's gain needs to be set at around 10 (on a scale of 1-20), and that if I connect the Rode mic directly to the camera, it would stay at the setting to get the right recording levels on the camera (around -12dB).

Both set ups sounds very good if not identical (and night-and-day better compared to using the camera's built in mic), but if the Beachtek unit isn't allowing me to use a lower gain setting on the camera, I'm not sure what the benefit is for this particular set up.

The DXA-MAX unit is the only one with built-in VU meters.  The DXA-Micro Pro units don't, and the instructions basically are to turn down the camera gain and turn up the adaptor gain so that you are at the right levels on the camera's VU meters.  If I do that with the DXA-MAX unit, I would be at or above 0dB on the unit's VU meters.

Thanks in advance.

ANSWER:
This question has not been answered yet.
Andrew S10 Senior Member • Posts: 1,839
Re: Question re. Z50+Beachtek DXA-MAX+Rode Videomic Pro Plus

I don't have that specific combination, I have a Nikon D7000 & Sony A6300, and a really old Beachtek DXA-6, but I don't use it anymore, as my JuicedLink RA222 sounds much cleaner.

I need you to clarify some things.

Are the DXA-MAX gain switches flipped to high?

Is the DXA-MAX trim knob cranked to max?

Is the Videomic Pro gain set to +20 dB?

Are you using a 3.5mm to XLR adapter to route the Videomic Pro into the DXA-MAX?

Are you using a standard aux cable between your Z50 & DXA-MAX or one with an in-line attenuator?

If you max the gain on the DXA-MAX & Videomic Pro, can you lower the Z50 gain to 1?

OP KJ789 New Member • Posts: 23
Re: Question re. Z50+Beachtek DXA-MAX+Rode Videomic Pro Plus

Thank you for your response.  I've added some answers, below.

Andrew S10 wrote:

I don't have that specific combination, I have a Nikon D7000 & Sony A6300, and a really old Beachtek DXA-6, but I don't use it anymore, as my JuicedLink RA222 sounds much cleaner.

I need you to clarify some things.

Are the DXA-MAX gain switches flipped to high?

Yes.  Gain switch are HIgh on the DXA-MAX.  The Rode is set to 0dB (default).

Is the DXA-MAX trim knob cranked to max?

No.  That's the puzzling thing.  The instructions to the DXA-MAX are that you match the DXA-MAX and the camera mic gain so that they are both peaking at 0dB, and then you leave the camera gain alone and adjust the DXA-MAX to the desired level.  But following these instructions, the camera mic gain is in the middle (10 on a 1-20 range on the Z50), which I thought defeated the purpose of the using the audio amplifier.

When I plug the Rode directly into the camera, the manual gain setting in the camera also is in the middle to recording at around -12dB.  So if the purpose of the DXA-MAX is to reduce the noise floor by allowing you to turn down the camera mic gain, that doesn't seem to be happening.

Is the Videomic Pro gain set to +20 dB?

No.  0dB.  I'm going to try setting it to +20dB on the Rode plugged directly into the camera.  If I try that through the DXA-MAX with it's gain on High, i'm not sure I'm going to be able to turn down the gain dials low enough.

Are you using a 3.5mm to XLR adapter to route the Videomic Pro into the DXA-MAX?

No.  I'm using the 3.5mm TRS cable.

Are you using a standard aux cable between your Z50 & DXA-MAX or one with an in-line attenuator?

Standard 3.5mm cable, not an attenuator.

If you max the gain on the DXA-MAX & Videomic Pro, can you lower the Z50 gain to 1?

Beachtek support essentially said to try this, which I will, but then the VU meters on the DXA-MAX will be at +3dB easy, which Beachek said should not be an issue.

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