$79 ART USB dual pre as xlr/pre-amp box for BMCC

This might be a great budget xlr/pre-amps box for the bmcc. I had it laying around from my Canon 60d rig. What's great is that it has 2 balanced 1/4" outs, provides phantom power and can run off of rechargeable 9v batteries or a plug. Just running some tests tonight and so far so good. Anyone have any experience using it with the bmcc? Can't beat the price $79 and the pre-amps are pretty good.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KEAT78

I also have the juicedlink dt454 which is great with my dslr's but doesn't have balanced outs. Not that it should make much of a difference with a foot of cable.

Hi Woody,

on the one hand great find, but on the other: how do you mount it on a rig? And what do you mean by "pretty good" pre-amps? Do the introduce a smal lamount of or no noise at all? Do you have the juicedlink as well and could you probably find the time to make a comaprison and put the wav/aiff online?

Thanks a lot!
Thomas

I mounted it on my rig with velcro straps, it sits snug on top of the 15mm rails with two strips of velcro securing it long ways. Maybe I'll take a pic and upload it tomorrow. I probably won't do the audio test cause I've got a lot on my plate right now. But by pretty good I mean as good as the juicedlink as far as I can tell. Used it for a year before switching to the juicedlink. Never noticed a difference. Only reason I switched was u can't independently power the phantom power. It's either on for both channels or off for both channels. The juicedlink lets u just turn it on for just one if you want. But since I can just plug directly into the bmcc when I don't need phantom power, I realized that's not an issue anymore.

It goes up to +48db but you don't want to use it past +40db. There's a huge leap in noise introduced past 40db. Also, from what I remember reviews always said it had great pre-amps for the price. It really is a ridiculous value. And it's built well too. A good match for the BMCC.

Thanks for your quick reply, Jason - no need for audio as you described your experiences, still, a jpg would be fine

Sounds all really good.
Thanks again,
thomas

For $79 +Tax I'll give it a go
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/ ... 799LHYVP6Y

Cool I think you'll like it. Also, it doubles as an audio interface for your computer via usb.

According to Art's website, the product seems to be discontinued?

http://artproaudio.com/discontinued_pro ... _dual_pre/

Am I missing something?

According to Art's website, the product seems to be discontinued?

http://artproaudio.com/discontinued_pro ... _dual_pre/

Am I missing something?

Guess they're closely watching this forum and come back with that item with an 1/4"-threadhole attached and doubled retail price, then.

Am I missing something?

Perhaps this is the replacement model? More audio features, no 9 volt battery option, looks bigger. I don't know...

http://artproaudio.com/art_products/sig ... altubepre/

No this one:
http://artproaudio.com/art_products/sig ... al_pre_ps/

I did a review on that unit.

note it has NO input limiting and will clip... as note in the review. I've not noticed any increase in noise between 40 and 48 db on the unit. probably something else like mic internal noise level... or just your unit

S

Very nice job.
eric

I,ve been using one for a few years now and its been good for the price. I opened it up and took off the rubber feet as well as drilling a hole in it to add a 1/4 20 mount.

This guy mounted a manfrotto plate to mount it under his camera

Thanks Steve, very helpful review!

I am wondering if this is not the new version which has output limit protection circuitry.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... io_V3.html

same price but apparently improved features

I did a review on that unit.

note it has NO input limiting and will clip... as note in the review. I've not noticed any increase in noise between 40 and 48 db on the unit. probably something else like mic internal noise level... or just your unit

S

Hi Steve
can I ask...I believe the Black Magic Cameras will record 24 bit audio. The ART usb is a 16 bit preamp. Does that mean it will bottle neck the sound into a 16bit stream reducing the bit depth recorded by the camera. I assume it will and not knowing much about sound do you happen to know how much of a hit that means to the audio track in terms of sound quality for voice recording> I am doing mostly doc work.
Thanks for any help

Hi Steve
can I ask...I believe the Black Magic Cameras will record 24 bit audio. The ART usb is a 16 bit preamp. Does that mean it will bottle neck the sound into a 16bit stream reducing the bit depth recorded by the camera. I assume it will and not knowing much about sound do you happen to know how much of a hit that means to the audio track in terms of sound quality for voice recording> I am doing mostly doc work.
Thanks for any help

Your looking at the ART USB AD/DA which is an Audio to Digital interface ... converts audio to 16bit Digital

Original OP is talking about the ART PREAMP....