DSLR Audio

Free Standing Monopod – Audio / Light Stand • 36 Comments

Emm • June 12, 2011

Here's a clever free standing Monopod that might be useful for more than just camera support. In the image they show a free standing DSLR with a long telephoto lens which is quite a bit of weight. Packs down to about 20 inches, much smaller and lighter than your basic light stand and with a mini ball head attached, it could also serve to hold a microphone, a portable audio recorder, or LED video light in place. Maximum height is approximately 4' 6".

Should be able to hold a portable Photo Flash when working on portraits or Macro photography, or maybe just throw a small camera off to the side for Time Lapsing an event while you run around shooting. I guess something like this would also work as an extra stabilizer towards the end of your Camera Slider. The Monopod works as a usual monopod, but if you need it in free standing mode, it has three legs that extend to a fairly stable tripod stand (unlike the small feet on the Manfrotto's). If you're in the market for a Monopod, this might be pretty a cool dual, triple, or quadruple purpose stand.

Monopod Stand
Free Standing Monopod With Tripod Feet

GoPro HD Camera Furry Windscreen • 10 Comments

Emm • June 1, 2011

Putting the Micover Stickover Windscreen to the real test, just inches away from a high blowing fan. You can totally tell the 'wind rumbling' being eliminated while you can still hear the actual fan motor. To get better audio, you should replace the waterproof housing with the non-waterproof skeleton housing. To get 'even better' audio, this Dead Cat windscreen cover is a must have. It's made from the same furry material and thick padding as their other popular microphone windscreens. Loud motors from Motorcross, Street Cycles, or even Car Drifting, this little accessory makes a big difference in the sound that is captured. [Thanks Olivia]

You can find an older article about Micovers on this blog found here: http://cheesycam.com/cheaper-microphone-windscreens/

Micover Windscreen GoPro
Micover Stickover Windscreen for GoPro HD Motorsports

Sanyo Eneloop XX – Rechargeable Batteries • 9 Comments

Emm • May 2, 2011

Sanyo Eneloop Kit
Sanyo Eneloop Battery Kits

I purchased the original set of Eneloops (white) from my local Costco about a year ago, and I have not had to buy AA, AAA, C Batteries, or D Batteries since. The set came with these very cool 'spacer' shells that transform simple AA batteries into C & D size batteries so you could use them on most portable electronics (not to mention all the kids toys and video game remotes).

Sanyo Eneloop Spacer AA to D size

Sanyo Eneloop Spacer AA to C Size

Sanyo has also released a higher capacity XX (Black and Grey) Eneloop battery rated at 2500mah, which holds a charge capacity of 75% up to one year in storage. This is not a replacement for the original version. The new XX battery should charge on the original Sanyo Eneloop charger, but if used with the optional 'boost' charger, a single battery can be brought to full charge in about 40 minutes. I honestly don't know anyone using the new XX version, and the (white) original ones I'm using seem to do perfectly fine.

Sanyo Eneloop XX Batteries

Besides the Eneloops's slow drain abilities during storage, these batteries will power any of your devices up to 5x longer than just standard alkaline. Definitely worth it in the field, and will save you money over time. I've used them with the AA battery adapter on DSLR Battery Grips, LED Video Lights, Portable Audio recorders, Flash Triggers, Canon Speedlights, to Wireless Microphones. It's an investment up front to get started with Eneloops, but i've been rocking all of my batteries for more than a year in constant rotation on the charger, and these have to be the best rechargeable batteries i've ever owned.

Flashner HotShoe Multi Accessory Bracket

Emm • April 16, 2011

If you caught the video showing some of our ideas for setting up a cage during NAB, you might have caught a small double bracket holding the wireless receivers on top. This bracket is slightly expensive on it's own, but proved to be really functional. Here's another option for anyone looking to mount several accessories to the top of your camera, or to some sort of light stand. From CamCaddie, this 'Flashner' is available from 4", 8" and 16" lengths giving you plenty of rail for as many accessories as you can think of.

With up to 16" of hot shoe mountable rail, it would be pretty sweet to use these for an entire top and bottom section of a DIY DSLR cage. If you want to know what other options are available, click here. Otherwise the version below is a bit cheaper for getting several accessories mounted in one place.

Screen shot 2011-04-16 at 5.44.17 AM
Flashner Accessory Mounting Rail Bracket 4" - 16"

Tascam DR-05 Size vs Zoom H1 & H4n • 14 Comments

Emm • April 6, 2011

zoom-tascam
(Left to Right) Zoom H1, Tascam DR-05, Zoom H4n

If anyone cares, here's the relative size of the Tascam DR-05 in between the Zoom H1 (left) and Zoom H4n (right). It's priced the same as the Zoom H1 and also lacks any XLR inputs. Although it's a bit larger than the Zoom H1, the Tascam DR-05 is just a better build overall. It has some decent weight to it too, so it doesn't feel very fragile. It's got many more features in the menu which is easy to navigate and obviously sounds great. The tripod mount in the rear has a metal insert (not plastic like H1), and i've had the same alkaline (the ones that came with) batteries in there for over a week now. So it doesn't drain over night like some odd Zoom H1 issues.

It's not as full featured as a Zoom H4n, but for the same price as an H1 it's a solid portable recorder. The Zoom H1 is still much lighter and smaller, and for those who are looking for a recorder to throw in someone's pocket with a LAV mic, it's still the way to go. By the way, if you're looking for an H4n the best deal was on the Manufacturer Refurb items. The first seller sold out, but there's one more seller with a few left. I've updated the link here: http://cheesycam.com/zoom-h4n-factory-refurbished-portable-recorder/

Tascam-DR-05
Tascam DR-05

Zoom H1
Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder

RodeVideo Mic Pro 10′ extension Cable • 7 Comments

Emm • April 3, 2011

The new sold out Rode VideoMic Pro should be coming around in stock in the next few weeks. This microphone has been performing really well and has excellent quality for the price and size. If you're not already on the pre-order list, it might be something to think about in case it's sold out again.

rode-videomic-pro-shotgun
Pre-Order Rode VideoMic Pro

One very small thing that you should consider carrying around is the Rode Extension cable. Of course this 3.5mm stereo cable extender will work for other 3.5mm microphones as well. This makes moving the microphone closer to your subject simple, and doesn't require any fancy wireless transmitters or receivers. Using this extension cable will help you position your camera within a distance of 10' feet or if you run the microphone to a Portable Recorder, you can keep the recorder close by to control and monitor levels. A basic light stand or microphone boom pole and you've got yourself a great little interview kit. Oh and yes you can find these types of cables in other electronics stores, but make sure you have the shielded version to prevent any additional interference. At about $10 bucks, you can't go wrong with the Rode version.

Rode-Extension-Cable
Rode 3.5mm Extension Stereo Cable

Rode VideoMic Pro – Pre Orders • 8 Comments

Emm • March 21, 2011

Just FYI about the shortage with the Rode VideoMic Pro Compact Shotgun Microphone. Ever since it's release, it's held up to the hype in both form and function. Definitely a winner even though the price is a bit on the high side for most. If you're waiting around for websites to say 'in stock', you might again be missing the boat (Hate to say I told ya so). I believe they should become available in the next few weeks, but most likely in limited quantities. You might just be able to get it in time for NAB.

If you think this is going to fit into your work flow, you might want to fall in line by placing a pre-order. If you're too far down on the pre-order line you can always cancel, and as one of the hottest microphones available for run-n-gun shooters, I don't think you'll have a problem selling it off if you end up with two. Heck, if they run out of stock (again), you might even be able to make a few bucks on auction (like those pesky iPad 2's). Call me crazy, but i'm already working with one and have signed up for another. I'll have my non-Pro Rode VideoMic one on auction as soon as this new one arrives.

rode-videomic-pro-shotgun
Pre-Order Rode VideoMic Pro Compact Shotgun

On that note, check out the recent Press Release about Rode's new iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad application. I just downloaded it on my iPad and am watching a video that talks about microphones with DSLRs too! Awesome stuff, and it's all FREE to add to your Apple Portables.

rode_uni_iphone
Apple iTunes Download Rode University App

Tuesday 22nd March 2011, Sydney Australia – RØDE Microphones is extremely excited to announce the release of its RØDE University audio education course for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. This free app includes all the video content from both the musical and broadcast syllabus from RØDE’s award winning website, rodeuniversity.com.

Rode University - RodeUniversity.com

Tascam DR-05 Review Video • 14 Comments

Emm • March 17, 2011

One of the first videos on YouTube regarding the new Tascam DR-05.

Tascam-DR-05
Tascam DR-05 Portable Recorder

zoom h1 recorder
Zoom H1 Portable Recorder

It's not quite the tiny package the Zoom H1 might be, in fact it looks about as big as the Zoom H4n. The build quality (at least from the videos) looks awesome, and looks to have more a few more features over the Zoom H1. Hopefully i'll have one in my hands soon to do a side by side comparison on build quality and size with the Zoom H1, and then put them through a few audio tests.

tascam-dr-05
Tascam DR-05 Portable Audio Recorder

Atomos Ninja – ????? • 1 Comment