Blackmagic Forum

I just ordered the BMC366 to use as a pre amp. Wanted to check to see if anyone is using this unit and if so, what they think of it. It doesn't have level meters so until BM get us new firmware with audio meters, I'll really be recording audio in the dark. I have the new zoom H6 that I'm recording into now with my BMCC and it sounds great, but it sucks that I can't use the BMCC's system and trust I'll get good audio. Any thoughts?

warmly,
eric

When you get your BMC366, set your mic input levels on the BMCC to about 20% and then adjust your JL up to get the levels you are used too. You are going to have to do some trial and error testing, but I feel like 20% on my EF seems to preserve the lower ranges better. As you raise the BMCC input, it seems like only the higher ranges are only being raised.

On my Juiced link CX231, I have to turn the levels up all the way on the JL to get a relatively clean audio track. Hopefully, the BMC366 is able to get a little higher output going.

Hi Chris: Is the BMCC v1.4 firmware still doing the auto switch to line level if a mic level input gets "too" loud?

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go get Sound Devices, you will never regret

Peter J. DeCrescenzo wrote:Hi Chris: Is the BMCC v1.4 firmware still doing the auto switch to line level if a mic level input gets "too" loud?

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Peter, I have never had it happen to me in any of the firmware versions, likely because my recording experiences are limited to single voices in a narrative or interview situations.

A audio mixer without level meters is like a Camea without a viewfinder! You can not possibly know what your levels are to keep them in the correct zone! A JL is just a match box, what we cal a"D" box, not a real preamp.m Imsecond getting a Sound Devices mixpre, so you can hear, and see what your audio is doing. Once you get the MixPre set for the camera, the meters in the MixPre will give you the level settings and you can see if you are clipping, or under driving the signal. I have an older MixPre for sale (half price) you are interested. Denny.

Denny wrote:A audio mixer without level meters is like a Camea without a viewfinder! You can not possibly know what your levels are to keep them in the correct zone! A JL is just a match box, what we cal a"D" box, not a real preamp.m Imsecond getting a Sound Devices mixpre, so you can hear, and see what your audio is doing. Once you get the MixPre set for the camera, the meters in the MixPre will give you the level settings and you can see if you are clipping, or under driving the signal. I have an older MixPre for sale (half price) you are interested. Denny.

Sorry Denny, but this is so wrong on so many levels, I don't know where to start.
It is one of the most uninformed and misleading statements I ever saw here.

1. Levels on your mixer mean noting unless you don't have levels on the camera.
Your mixer levels could be perfectly fine, but when the camera's gain is to high or low, it still can be a mess.
You need an external monitor or EFV that has audio levels, to see what you actually recording. Depending on just the mixers levels, is asking for trouble.

2. The JuicedLink devices are far for from being a D-Box. They are some pretty sophisticated super low noise pre-amps. Signal/noise ratio is in the same league with SD or Wendt.

No offense Denny, but the next time, you want to make such a bold statement, do your homework before.

And yeah, this here would be a good place to start: http://frankglencairn.wordpress.com/201 ... c-cameras/

If you have an evf with audio meters you can use the JL and monitor sound through your evf. I don't have one but have seen it over on the JL website in one of the videos. I'm also thinking of getting one for running and gunning with a pocket camera when it's not possible to use a sound person.

Denny wrote:A audio mixer without level meters is like a Camea without a viewfinder! You can not possibly know what your levels are to keep them in the correct zone! A JL is just a match box, what we cal a"D" box, not a real preamp.m Imsecond getting a Sound Devices mixpre, so you can hear, and see what your audio is doing. Once you get the MixPre set for the camera, the meters in the MixPre will give you the level settings and you can see if you are clipping, or under driving the signal. I have an older MixPre for sale (half price) you are interested. Denny.

Whoo boy, don't know where to start with this one. Not contesting the quality of the MixPre-D, I love the unit, but the JL is a great low noise preamp, and are specifically designed for units that have meters elsewhere.

As for everything else, what Frank said was spot on. Basic rule of thumb, the quality of your audio is only as strong as your weakest link. Having an excellent mix from your preamp/mixer is completely useless if the recorder (in this case the BMCC) is messing with the fidelity of the audio.

Denny.
what model and how much?
ericcosh@me.com

ChrisBarcellos wrote:When you get your BMC366, set your mic input levels on the BMCC to about 20% and then adjust your JL up to get the levels you are used too. You are going to have to do some trial and error testing, but I feel like 20% on my EF seems to preserve the lower ranges better. As you raise the BMCC input, it seems like only the higher ranges are only being raised.

ericcosh wrote:I just ordered the BMC366 to use as a pre amp. Wanted to check to see if anyone is using this unit and if so, what they think of it.

I'm no audio guy but I have a little experience with this unit. I purchased the BMC366 when it first came out directly from JL where Robert was very helpful with support. The bottom line seems to be that there is still an issue with the frequency response in the camera which cannot be "fixed" by BMC366 or any other unit. It needs to be addressed in the firmware apparently. It is addressed in detail here:http://juicedlink.com/blog/2013/04/blackmagic-cinema-camera-v1-3-audio-tests/ To fix this in post is very easy once it is set up in your NLE. Just have to raise the levels below 80hz as explained in the link and it sounds great after this adjustment.

I purchased it hoping that the next firmware update for the cam would include audio meters.

The suggested settings in camera are mic level input at 80%.

I think firmware 1.3 has a problem with the pre-amps in the BMCC.

I can record using a Beachtek without any pre-amps on firmware 1.2.1 and getting good, clean, loud audio (albeit with the DC offset issue) but with 1.3 everything gets so quiet. So I think it's not only the frequency response that's different but BMCC's pre-amps also not doing as well as they used to in the earlier firmware.

Cheers,
Jules

Steve Jakubowski wrote:
The suggested settings in camera are mic level input at 80%.

Interesting about the 80% recommended settings. I found that at that level with 1.4, I had to deal with a lot of background hiss. This all points up the fact that we need a resolution.