RCA line out to Blackmagic Cinema Camera?

[Vadim Joy]

Hi, I'm running microphone to the Shure FP33 mixer, then output the signal to Marantz PMD661 to record the audio. I purchased an RCA to 1/4 jack cable to run signal straight to the camera from Marantz and realized that RCA cannot be balanced, and Blackmagic requires balanced signal. Damnit. Is there another way to send signal from Marantz to Blackmagic?

 

Thanks

[Freya Black]

Okay you can run an unbalanced signal into a balanced input but obviously it won't be balanced.

You need to have the wiring correct however.

 

The easiest way if you are not going to wire up your own cables might be a cable to convert the 1/4 jacks into XLR sockets and then another cable to take the phono output and turn it into an XLR plug.

 

Here is an example:

 

http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Audio-Cables/1-4in-Phone-to-XLR-Cables/Laird-Digital-Cinema/BMD-SPS-XLF-03.xhtml

 

Note how the jacks on this cable are STEREO! This is because the stereo jack carries both the in phase and out of phase audio signal for a connection.

 

Heres a nice little box that does the same thing:

 

http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/CAMTREE-HUNT-A-BOX-For-Blackmagic-Camera-CH-ABOX-BMC.html

 

Once you have a cable like this then if you have a phono to XLR cable it will also be wired correctly as phono is unbalnaced and XLR is balanced.

 

Freya

[Freya Black]

Then I had a bath and realised you could also get away with a stereo jack to 2 phono cable and just ignore one of the phono sockets. :)

 

...or at least I think you could.

 

Going XLR might make things easier for other stuff tho.

 

Freya

Edited April 19, 2014 by Freya Black

[Vadim Joy]

Wouldn't it be easier if an electrician can simply change 1/4 to xlr to make it balanced? And then run xlr to 1/4 into the camera?

[Vadim Joy]

Like this: Marantz > RCA - male xlr > female xlr - 1/4 jack > camera

[Freya Black]

Like this: Marantz > RCA - male xlr > female xlr - 1/4 jack > camera

 

Yup that's what I suggest in my first reply above. :)

You wouldn't even need an electrician, you can use off the shelf cables like I linked to.

 

That would probably be most straightforward as once you convert the jacks to XLR it's all kinda standard.

 

Freya

[Freya Black]

Heres a cheap adapter to XLR:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1P-XLR-Male-Plug-Adapter-to-1-4-Male-Stereo-TRS-Connector-4-Microphone-Jack-144-/291128356884?pt=US_Cables_Snakes_Interconnects&hash=item43c89a3014.

 

Might be hanging a lot of weight off your jack sockets tho compared to a cable.

 

Freya

Edited April 19, 2014 by Freya Black

[Freya Black]

Heres some more cables:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Balanced-Lead-XLR-Female-to-Right-Angle-TRS-Jack-cable-length-and-colour-choices-/290976283962

 

Right angled cables to protect your jack inputs:

 

http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Audio-Cables/1-4in-Phone-to-XLR-Cables/Laird-Digital-Cinema/BMD-RASPS-XLF-03.xhtml

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Balanced-Lead-XLR-Female-to-Right-Angle-TRS-Jack-cable-length-and-colour-choices-/290976283962

 

If you search, maybe you can find a similar cable that will work for you at a better price.

 

You need XLR to 1/4" TRS jack.

 

Freya

[Vadim Joy]

Thanks Freya, I appreciate it. I ordered few cables. Will do some tests when they arrive.