Shotgun Mic set-up with BMCC

Hi Everyone,

This may be a dumb question but I was wondering if anyone could help me with an issue I'm having. I'm plugging in my Azden SGM-1X shotgun mic via the XLR to 1/4 cable into input 1 and my settings are:

Mic input 0%
Input: Mic (only way I get sound from the shotgun, though having it set to 'Line' makes more sense to me)
Ch 1 100%
Ch 2 uses 1: On
Ch 2 100%

I record and when I playback in Resolve to see the level's I'm recording at it's at -30-40db.

Should this work and give me at least decent audio or is a pre-amp a must with a shotgun mic? Any solution would be very appreciated!! thanks!

You'd need to downgrade your BMCC to firmware 1.2.1 if you want audio at good levels without an external active pre-amp such as a JuicedLink.

Then you'll need to deal with repairing the DC Offset which, for example, is a menu selection in Adobe Audition.

Jules

You'd need to downgrade your BMCC to firmware 1.2.1 if you want audio at good levels without an external active pre-amp such as a JuicedLink.

This is incorrect. 1.2 had a DC Offset bug, and a bizarre gain structure. 1.3 fixed the DC Offset and gain structure, but introduced a frequency attenuation bug. In terms of the levels - the camera performs exactly the same on 1.2 and 1.3 - it's just that the scale of the input levels has shifted. A correctly set up external microphone that works fine on 1.2 will still work perfectly fine on 1.3.

Check your cabling. Remember that the camera is expecting a BALANCED signal.

You'll have to explain in layman terms what you mean Chris.

I had my camera delivered with firmware 1.3. Tried my Seinheisser ME66 mic and levels were way too low using my passive Beachtek adaptor that I could hardly hear anything. Even at levels of 100% it was low and kicked up loads of noise. That same mic and Beachtek combination worked fine in my Sony camera, levels were good.

I phoned up BMD and they advised me to downgrade to firmware 1.2.1. I did this and my levels were loud and no audible noise from headphones at inputs set at 50%. It could be a quirk of my particular BMCC MFT?

So my ears tell me firmware 1.2.1 is the only way to go if you do not have an external active pre-amp.

Jules

You'd need to downgrade your BMCC to firmware 1.2.1 if you want audio at good levels without an external active pre-amp such as a JuicedLink.

This is incorrect. 1.2 had a DC Offset bug, and a bizarre gain structure. 1.3 fixed the DC Offset and gain structure, but introduced a frequency attenuation bug. In terms of the levels - the camera performs exactly the same on 1.2 and 1.3 - it's just that the scale of the input levels has shifted. A correctly set up external microphone that works fine on 1.2 will still work perfectly fine on 1.3.

Check your cabling. Remember that the camera is expecting a BALANCED signal.

Do I have to have 1/4 going into both inputs 1 & 2 of the camera? Sorry, I'm new to this and not quite sure what you mean by balanced. I do have the XLR to 1/4 going into input 1 and then set for 2 to use input 1. Or do you simply mean try another cable and that in 1.4.1 it should sound fine and plenty loud?

You only need to use one input, unless you want audio on both channels. "balanced" audio is a type of method to handle audio connections without line noise being added, and are a different impedance from HiZ ( unbalanced) With balanced connections for your mic, you need an XLR from mic to a "tip/ring/sleeve" phone connector (three contacts that match the three pins on XLR) To the cmaera. You can buy ready made cables from most pro audio suppliers, or online.

You only need to use one input, unless you want audio on both channels. "balanced" audio is a type of method to handle connections without line noise being added, ad are different impedance from HiZ. With balanced connections you need an XLR from mic to a "tip/ring/sleeve" phone connector (three contacts that match the three pins on XLR). You can buy ready made cables from most pro audio suppliers.

Great, thanks! my cable is definitely balanced.