JuicedLink or H4N

Discussion in 'Audio' started by Brian Crawford, Apr 14, 2012.

  1. Brian Crawford I'm new!

    First, let me say I might be completely off about what the JuicedLink does, so set me straight if that's the case.

    All I know is my Tascam DR-07 screwed me over for the last time, so I'm replacing it.

    Started looking at other recorders (DR-100mkII & H4N) and thought about the JuicedLink boxes.

    Why wouldn't I get something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563070-REG/juicedLink_CX231_CX231_Audio_Mixer_and.html instead of a recorder and run it into my 550d with AGC off and preamps at 0? Pros/Cons?

    What I want out of my recorder/box is the cleanest possible audio from two independently controlled sources.

    Brian
    Brian Crawford, Apr 14, 2012
    #1

  2. Bryce Mcnabb Chatty!


    Brian,
    What did you end up going with?

    I am currently considering a similar option. Yet am leaning more towards using a JuicedLink audio mixer rather than a field audio recorder. Our conventional wisdom on this topic tends to be that an off board audio system using a field audio recorder will give you the best sound quality. However, after watching this video I am no longer convinced that this is the best option:
    Bryce Mcnabb, Aug 29, 2012
    #2

  3. Matt Davis Administrator

    It makes your setup a bit ungainly (no pun intended), and you're not monitoring the actual recording, but what's been given to the camera to record. Docco/reportage shooters like Dan Chung do this as they're capturing atmos and interviews rather than Narrative performances.

    The following may be out of date info, but in order to defeat the automatic gain of the camera, a Mic Preamp (hereinafter referred to as Mic-Pre) would put out continuous tone through one channel, so your audio is mixed to a single mono feed onto the other channel. IIRC, Magic Lantern may give you manual control, so you're back to two channel audio.

    I use the Zoom H4n, and thought the Mic-Pres were so much better than the built-in Mic-Pres of the EX1. However, its idiosyncrasies and quirks are frustrating. It doesn't bugger up, but it does do funny things. It's been solid as a rock for sync at 25fps, but got a little drift on a job at 29.97fps - probably mea culpa. Would I recommend it? I wouldn't buy another one if it fell into a bottomless pit, but it works well enough to keep me from finding aforementioned bottomless pit and accidentally losing it.

    After experimenting with on-board audio for DSLR, I'm happier with dual system sound and would recommend you continue to look at external recorders - reserving your built in audio for guide track - but that's just me. The Juiced Audio Mic-Pres are very good. Better than the Zoom.

    But I prefer the flexibility and the use of 24 bit audio for extended dynamic range. Plus my DSLR gets to roam free, and I can hide the recorder on the interviewee - or even ask a group to hand round the recorder when the client suddenly decides we'll have an impromptu round table 6 way interview outdoors for 45 mins rather than the single talking heads indoors as we'd agreed. If I had a Mic-Pre and my COS-11, I'd have been stuffed.

    Maybe it's a bit of both - a Zoom H1 for emergencies and a Juiced Link Mic Pre for talking heads?
    Matt Davis, Aug 30, 2012
    #3

  4. Bryce Mcnabb Chatty!

    Yeah I had actually heard of those sync issues when I researched which field audio recorder to buy. Ended up going with a Tascam Dr07mkii. But now I wanted to upgrade to XLR microphones and this model lacks XLR inputs.

    I have a project I'm currently working on now where I have several 5 or so minute clips along with two thirty minute audio clips from the recorder. Finding and synching the clips immediately became an inconvenience. I've been doing it thinking this is the intelligent and professional way to get good audio quality, but I'd save myself trouble and time in the long run knowing my master audio track is already synched. I actually contacted JuicedLink directly and received a response Robert Rozak, the company's president. That's customer service! He not only advised me on my questions but provided solid mic recommendations.

    After my research and experience with JuicedLink I decided to go with a tethered audio system for two main reasons: first, to avoid synching in post; second, to take advantage of the GH2's audio hacks.
    Bryce Mcnabb, Aug 30, 2012
    #4

  5. Matt Davis Administrator

    I knew it was my fault: difference between 29.973 and 30 fps - Canons shoot exactly 30fps, edit software 'does the right thing' at 29.97. PICNIC = Problem In Chair, Not In Camera.
    Matt Davis, Aug 31, 2012
    #5

  6. Iker Riera Chatty!

    Here's a recent review we did of the RODE NTG-2. About one minute into the video we do some sound comparisons with the mic plugged into the following combinations:

    - Straight into the camera.
    - NTG-2 > JuicedLink CX211 > Camera
    - Straight into the Zoom H4n.
    - NTG-2 > JuicedLink CX211 > Zoom H4n

    Hope this helps to make up your mind :)

    BTW, the video is in Spanish but English subtitles are available, just click "CC" on the bottom right corner of the player.

    Iker Riera, Oct 6, 2012
    #6

  7. Bryce Mcnabb Chatty!

    Ok, so I bit the bullet and sprung for the JuicedLink and an AT875R shotgun. I have to say, the sound quality out of that combo is AMAZING! I have no regrets at all. Shot a commercial over the weekend. I was the second cameraman. He head videographer brought his sound set up, which surprisingly what I considered initially: H4N and a Rode NTG2. I boomed my mic in the same place/position as his. I'm not sure why but his audio was terrible in comparison to what I captured. It was ruled unusable and we ended up using my track.

    I highly recommend the JuicedLink Riggy Assist!
    Bryce Mcnabb, Oct 17, 2012
    #7

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