Audio to Alexa Mini

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amirpohan
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 2:56 pm

ACSE GmbH wrote:This is where we come into game:

We are a professional manufacturer from munich, currently dipping into high end camera equipment.
To this point we made quite some useful breakoutboxes
Image

As we are currently designing the newest member with high end preamps and levelling we would be eager to get involved with you all. Since we are building this for all of you guys and gals out there in the field working with it:

Which features should an audio addition have?

i'd buy this! when do you guys think you will be able to start selling it?
ACSE GmbH
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:11 am

Great to hear!

It is quite hard to give you a exact date, but we will need 3-5 months for the whole design.
*this post was edited 63 times
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Robert from the ACSE Team
http://www.acse-gmbh.de
Patrick Tresch
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:58 pm

Is there a way to access the AES audio of the camera. This would skip the A/D/A/D process. I know a manufacturer that have a small audio preamp with AES output. This would be the best solution for pristine sound.

Thanks

Patrick
TPCoughlan
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:12 pm

I made a pre-amp for the Alexa Mini earlier this year using an RDL STM-2: http://www.rdlnet.com/product.php?page=64 inside of an Altoids tin.

The basics:

-requires 24vdc to power (arri rs 3-pin Fischer) which will also necessitate the use of an aftermarket battery plate like the Wooden Camera D-Box as there is no 24v accessory out of the camera
-mono mic output terminates to a TA3 male connector
-output level can be adjusted by 25-turn pot which i’ve parked in the middle; from there the camera can increase or decrease the level as needed
-outputs to both channels 1 & 2
-audio monitoring must be done via sdi monitoring preferably with a headphone output; again, thanks arri

I'll admit it's a little crude but most of our clients are using the Minis in MOS applications and it's worked for those needing mic input in more doc. situations
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Elliott Balsley
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:39 pm

I built headphone amps in Altoids tins when I was a kid. It's funny to see it being used with a professional camera like this! :D
eatChocolate
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:24 pm

If anyone is reading this looking for an audio solution, Beachtek released this solution for Alexa Mini:

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/beac ... alexa_mini
Stout Film
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:08 pm

eatChocolate wrote:If anyone is reading this looking for an audio solution, Beachtek released this solution for Alexa Mini:

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/beac ... alexa_mini

Does anyone see the major advantage of this over a Mix Pre-D? I've been hoping something smaller would come out. thx
Beachtek
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:35 am

I am happy to announce that we now have an audio solution for the Arri Alexa Mini. Our DXA-ALEXA preamplifier provides two transformer balanced XLR inputs with phantom power and a 40 or 60 dB gain stage along with headphone monitoring. It is designed to be as compact as possible to accommodate the Neutrik XLR inputs and outputs along with the switches and controls. A lot of thought went into this design to make it fit into a typical Arri rig including carbon fiber construction for light weight and water resistant toggle switches to be used under any conditions.

I will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about the DXA-ALEXA.

http://beachtek.com/dxa-alexa/

Harry Kaufmann
Product Support
Beachtek
Stout Film
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:08 pm

Beachtek wrote:I am happy to announce that we now have an audio solution for the Arri Alexa Mini. Our DXA-ALEXA preamplifier provides two transformer balanced XLR inputs with phantom power and a 40 or 60 dB gain stage along with headphone monitoring. It is designed to be as compact as possible to accommodate the Neutrik XLR inputs and outputs along with the switches and controls. A lot of thought went into this design to make it fit into a typical Arri rig including carbon fiber construction for light weight and water resistant toggle switches to be used under any conditions.

I will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about the DXA-ALEXA.

http://beachtek.com/dxa-alexa/

Harry Kaufmann
Product Support
Beachtek

-----------
Thanks Harry! 2 questions for you. How do we get a RTN to your mixer from the camera for monitoring? I see an input for this but don't see a way on the Mini besides going from certain external monitors with a headphone jack. And have you considered making one that is half the size with just one simple input. Many of us just want a simple small-as-possible option with one input. And it would be great if it came with a cable to attach to the camera.. Thanks!
Beachtek
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:35 am

Yes, you are correct, there is no audio out from the camera except via some external monitors with a headphone jack. The RTN feature was included on the DXA-ALEXA for use in this scenario or when used with other cameras like the RED.

We do have a much smaller device that has only one XLR input plus three mini-jack inputs for 3.5mm mics such as the popular Rode VideoMic, or wireless systems. Please see our DXA-MICRO PRO page for more information.

It only provides 30dB of gain as compared to the 60dB of gain on the DXA-ALEXA but you can simply increase the camera gain to compensate. AbleCine in New York tested this setup and it works very well.

The 5 pin Lemo connector that attaches to the ALEXA Mini is very expensive and it not required when using the DXA-ALEXA on other cameras like the RED which is why we did not include it - the cost would have simply been added to the price of the preamp.
Stout Film
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:08 pm

Hi everyone,
What are your normal gain settings when inputting audio from a mixer? I know this depends on a lot of factors, but say typical interview mic'ing from a MixPre or similar.... I'm generally having to push my in-camera levels up in the teens, like +12 to +18. On a similar setup but going straight into the Amira without a separate mixer, I'm at like +5 and get much cleaner audio.
Curious if anyone using something like a MixPre-D could share their settings start to finish.
I'm also curious about trying this Beachtek out at some point.

Also Arri, are you aware that in the current SUP you cannot use wifi to input a number higher than 9 (no two digit numbers). You have to use the MVF-1 to do this. I mentioned this months ago but it's the same in more recent SUP's.

Cheers!
Jan Heugel
Posts: 516
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:15 pm
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Hey Stout,
to enter a double digit number place the cursor in front of the first digit (even if this is zero), then enter e.g. 12 and confirm.

Best,
Jan
Jan Heugel
Application Engineer
Stout Film
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:08 pm

Jan Heugel wrote:Hey Stout,
to enter a double digit number place the cursor in front of the first digit (even if this is zero), then enter e.g. 12 and confirm.

Best,
Jan

Thanks Jan but I've tried this many times and it doesn't work for me, at least on my iphone which is all I've tried for wifi. I go all the way to the left with the cursor and it if, for example "12" is the goal, it will only accept "1". It works perfectly on the MVF-1 by this same method so that's what I use.
justin lovell
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 5:19 am

We're using a mini audio lemo cable to male 3.5mm jack. Plugged into a Zoom h1 recorder. This can be used for scratch audio using it's mic.

Otherwise we can use the wooden camera abox and take a feed from sound guy.
OR
Use the mini audio lemo cable to male 3.5mm jack - convert this to XLR or female 3.5mm and take a feed from a wireless mic hop.

Hope that helps!

Justin Lovell
Associate CSC
www.justinlovell.com

Frame Discreet
8/16/35 film scans
www.framediscreet.com
Justin Lovell
Associate CSC Cinematographer

Frame Discreet // 8/16/35 film scans
http://www.framediscreet.com
Stout Film
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:08 pm

justin lovell wrote:We're using a mini audio lemo cable to male 3.5mm jack. Plugged into a Zoom h1 recorder. This can be used for scratch audio using it's mic.
Thanks Justin! This is an interesting option, I never knew the Zoom H1 had a line level output. This could be the simples and lightest solution for scratch audio. Curious if adding a Sennheiser MKE 400 to it could get better or more directional audio in a pinch. 2 questions for you:

1) Where are you getting your AlexaMini Lemo to 3.5mm cable? Looks like Remote Audio makes something for $199 and theres a cheaper version for $49: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Angle-3-5m ... mini+cable

2) What do you find your are setting your in camera audio gain to? Though I know it's just for scratch, I'm curious if I can get something useable for a doc situation in a pinch.
Laurie Webb
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:09 pm

Hi. My name is Laurie with Mozegear. We have a new tiny microphone pre-amp designed for the Alexa Mini. It is called the “Mini Papi” and it has some of the features which we think will address your “wish list”.

*Tiny size - It is only 4.2 cubic inches (2.5” x 2.1” x 0.8”) and just 4 oz

*Clean high-end audio quality that can be used for primary sound or a scratch track

*Additional features that support audio quality include 2 limiters to reduce clipping. Adjustable High Pass Filter to control wind noise. Switchable output levels and a bracket channel to help avoid clipping in the camera.

*There is a level (gain) control that has plenty of headroom (72dB of gain with 65 dB range.) It is adjustable in 5 db steps.

*Externally powered (via 2 pin Lemo) with an isolated power supply to reduce hum loops. Alternative powering via a micro usb.

*48-volt phantom power

For those who haven’t heard about our company "Mozegear", we manufacture equipment for production sound. We are located in Irvine, California and our products are made and serviced in the USA. We also have a second service center in London.

We are currently shipping. Please note that there are two versions of the Mini Papi, 1.) Alexa Mini/Camera version 2.) Audio Engineer version. Make sure you ask for the Alexa Mini or camera version.

For more information: http://www.mozegear.com
Or you can shoot me an email at: lauriew@mozegear.com
Stout Film
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:08 pm

Thanks Laurie,
I'm glad a company has stepped up. I think a lot of people will want one. I'll be ordering one today. Thanks!
FergusH
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 8:10 am

This thread is several years old now but still very useful. I’ve got a MixPre-3 that I’m using on a Alexa Mini but I’m thinking about getting a Mini Papi.

Does anyone have other suggestions of products I should look at? This is for production audio, not just scratch audio. Basically it’s for using the Alexa Mini in situations where the Amira would probably be a better choice! ;-)

Thanks.
rizarefaldi
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat May 01, 2021 8:09 pm

Is there a way to access the AES audio of the camera. This would skip the A/D/A/D process.
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