Beachtek DXA paperweight?

[Ty Ford]

Peter,

“all I really want is to use the Beachtek as a big switch to enable control of audio levels without having to dive into the menu system.”

That may or may not work or may not work as well as something else, especially if your camera has an undefeatable Automatic Level Control.

I’m not familiar with that unit, but most of the Beachtecks only turn the audio level down. If you need gain, you’re hosed.

Look at a Sound Devices 302 as a MUCH more robust and better sounding piece of audio gear.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field GuideWatch Ty play guitar

[Richard Crowley]

“TM300 AGC control off and audio levels control set to Manual (not auto)”
1) Is the camcorder manual recording level is set for somewhere near max?

2) If the wireless receiver works directly into the camcorder with the same cable that you are using between the receiver and the Beachtek box; and assuming that the manual level on the camera is set somewhere in the upper 1/4 of the range; and after exercising all the pots and switches, then you may indeed have a bad Beachtek box. IME the output cable from the Beachtek boxes are subject to failure after some use.

3) Have you tried plugging a conventional mic (or ANY other source) into the Beachtek? This is called “differential diagnosis” and is a standard debugging procedure.

[Craig Alan]

That was my experience when I used them (different model) on some consumer mini-cams. If the beachtek does not have any power source (battery or plug-in) then how could it provide any amplification? It can’t. When I used them, I never had any need to use the “gain control dials.” Basically you leave them all the way up and hope they don’t add too much extra noise. The one thing I liked about them is they took the strain off the mini-plug on small cams. And yes accept an xlr cable.

But now I just use https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=COCSMMXF1.5&N=0&InitialSearch=yes Comprehensive EXF Series Stereo 3.5mm Mini Male to 3-Pin XLR Female Cable – 1.5′
that I velcro to the tripod or camera strap. A lot cheaper to buy and replace and unless the cord starts to got bad does not add any noise.
A right angle plug might be nicer depending on where your cam has its mike in port.

Much easier set up than balancing your cam on a beachtek.

Beyond that, you need a mixer. For $1300 the sound devices 302 is a great way to improve your productions and will most likely outlast whatever cam you are using it with. I wish that sound devices would sell a mounting cage that would sit under the camera (something like https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=KI-EXO-R0+Exo-Skeleton+for+Ki+Pro&N=0&InitialSearch=yes)

Ty,
I find it ironic that BH lists your book as an Accessory for the Beachtek DXA-4P adapter.

Craig

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Ty Ford]

Craig,

Irony exists everywhere in nature. 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=217488&id=742965287&l=ad70dd0e95

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field GuideWatch Ty play guitar

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