26Feb Azden FMX-DSLR XLR audio adapter in the field
I took the Azden FMX-DSLR out on a shoot earlier this week in an effort to get a feel for it in the field. Instead of mounting the FMX-DSLR on the bottom of the camera I opted to mount it underneath of a rail mounted belly pan. This keeps the camera at the same level and gives you easier access to the FMX-DSLR controls.
With the Azden FMX-DSLR in this position it’s pretty easy to ride the faders and make quick adjustments to incoming audio levels. I’m right handed so this worked out pretty well for me but I could see this sort of mounting being an issue if you’re left handed.
Having the audio inputs facing the back of the rig makes it a little easier to switch between wireless units and a boom mic XLR input. The down side to this positioning is that the battery compartment is on the opposite side of the audio inputs which means it’s pretty much blocked off in this mounting configuration. Thankfully Azden didn’t exaggerate it’s battery life ratings, a fresh set of batteries made it just fine through 8 hours of shooting.
The only issue I really ran into while shooting with the Azden FMX-DSLR is the location of the phantom power switches. Its not that they were hard to get to in this configuration, the switches are on the outside bottom edge and easy enough to find. However the recessed nature of the switches meant that I couldn’t turn phantom power on and off with my fat fingers. I had to pull out a keys from my pocket each time I was switching between boom mic and wireless feeds which was kind of a hassle.
In the audio department the Azden FMX-DSLR XLR adapter did great. Sound quality was good, phantom power worked fine, and the battery life was good enough to make it through a full day of shooting. I don’t have any complaints on it’s performance.
February 26th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Why were you interviewing Princess Leia? And was that a young, chubby Obi-Wan Kenobi sitting next to her?
February 26th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
While that made me laugh, sadly no. The script called for a “overweight nerd” and “female genie” (topless for the first few scenes) to interact. I’m not the writer, I just film the scripts that are handed to me.
February 26th, 2014 at 6:32 pm
A topless Princess Leia???
Anytime you need an extra grip or PA (at no charge), pls let me know…
February 26th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
I have to shoot a full nude, 3 lady (painted as demons)fight scene with the grim reaper and a guitar player in a few months. Working on an $10k special effects budget if you want make your way to nebraska in May. Still waiting on the storyboards from pre production for that one, should be interesting.
February 27th, 2014 at 3:59 pm
I wish I had your clients … your shoots beat the heck out of my car commercials.
February 27th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Sometimes I end up on interesting shoots (mostly music videos), but much more of my work is corporate training and informational videos. Nothing amazing, just a guy talking into a camera. I’d trade cars for that.
March 3rd, 2014 at 9:49 am
Which audio recorder/preamp/etc would you normally and routinely use for your shoots?
March 3rd, 2014 at 10:52 am
If i’m working alone and have the camera on a tripod, i’ll use the Beachtek DXA-SLR and a audio-technica 4073 or mkh 416 on a boom or a Sennheiser G2 wireless mic system directly into the camera (if I can use a lav). If I have a crew, i’ll generally mount a mic on camera and hand a boom with field recorder and stereo wireless transmitter off to some running sound. The stereo feed from the field recorder gets mixed into the camera and the field recorder gives me a backup track incase anything goes wrong with wireless and the on camera mic gives me good reference sound when needed for syncing or use.
If I need to film a panel of people (at a lecture or convention), i’ll usually feed the camera from the mixing board via wireless transmitter and keep a field record plugged in to the aux out on the mixer as a backup.
Currently use the DR-60d and h4n on a regular bases as field recorders and the DXA-SLR, DR-60d and riggy R333 as preamps. After playing around with the FMX-DSLR I might junk the riggy.
March 5th, 2014 at 10:54 pm
I’ve been considering the DR-60 alot since they bundled it with PE3 and now at 199.99. I used the JL DT454 before in early days and worked great for what it was. But I like the idea that you can recorder directly to the recorder and acts as a preamp.
Only thing is with the size, you see yourself using this on the set and never on the move for events, which I mostly do. Options, options, options.
March 5th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
i have it but why it have more background noise i use boom mic and head phone and same time second mic background sound can u make tuto a bout it
jawdat,A,M,I
Iraq – Arbil