Great $23 Budget Preamp for Video Shooters
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Today we look at using the Saramonic SmartRig XLR preamp with video cameras. This cheap $23 preamp is very impressive and offers 48v phantom power and level control with a knob.
See my hack video for this preamp here: • Hacking the $23 Saramo...
UPDATE 1: A lot of people has asked me if the headphone jack on the unit works out of the box. It does not work unless you're using the unit as a phone. So no headphone jack. That said, check out this similar unit that will give you a headphone jack that works: • Best Audio Accessory F...
UPDATE 2: Please note that this preamp does NOT provide low voltage power needed for microphones like the Rode VideoMicro and Rode VideoMic GO. This unit only works with microphones that have batteries or microphones that support 48v phantom power.
Saramonic SmartRig
Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us/saramon...
B&H: tinyurl.com/h4h...
eBay: tinyurl.com/eba...
Rode TRRS to TRS Adapter
Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us/rodetrrs
B&H: tinyurl.com/z8c...
Keep in mind there are cheaper options out there, this is just the adapter I had on hand for this video. Just search for "TRRS to TRS adapter"
Here is the video showing you how to mod this great preamp for use with video accessories and cameras:
• Hacking the $23 Saramo...
Follow me for behind the scenes!
Instagram: / calebpike
Twitter: / calebpike
Facebook: / dslrvideoshoote
ok you prove one thing, a good mic is really important.
That is very true!
DSLR Video Shooter I bought 1 and it does not live view the sound into by headphones! How does it work??
DSLR Video Shooter I bought 1 and it does not live view the sound into by headphones! How does it work??
For those asking if it can work with a Rode videoMic with a 3.5 to XLR adapter, it can but do not switch it to the +48 volt mode. It could potentially fry your mic.
One of my fav TH-camrs
Thank you! Means a lot.
he's channeling a bit of the tim heidecker vibe
Hey Caleb. I wanted to give you a HUGE thank you for this and the hack video. I got this preamp, hacked it and now I am running it on my Canon Rebel T5i (700D for us europeans) with a Rode VideoMicro. I have to run phantom power to provide power for the VideoMicro which worries me a little, but so far it works flawlessly and the audioquality is much better than it was recording on my Zoom H1 which actually suprised me. You are really helping me a lot to improve my video quality. Greetings from Germany!
Hi! How did that setup worked over time?
I realize this is an old video.. but dude, your stuff rocks. I love this channel.
I took your advice and and used this and the Rode SC-3 and it works like a charm on my G85 with my Sennheiser ME64 and ME66. No headphone output but other than that it works so well for the price. Thanks. On another note, for those that asked, it does indeed help with field recorders. I have the original Tascam Dr-100 (not the Mark II). Always hated the preamps as you always had to be on H gain to get any decent levels but it was always too noisy to my ears. Hooking this rig up with the SC-3 into the Tascam and setting it to Line input worked really well after adjustments to the gain on both the recorder and the Smarttrig. The same setup should work with those that have a Zoom H4n which also has preamp issues. I've ordered a Rode VXLR and will see if it will work on the Tascam's XLR and XLR input setting with this setup.
I couldn't tell the difference (c100 vs saramonic)...but isn't it because the ntg4 is a great mic? I wonder how it would sound if you compared a simple mic without phantom power, like a video mic go, so we could hear the difference between the 6d preamp, the c100 and the saramonic... having said that... i really love that you come up with creative budget friendly options!
I really love that preamp as I see myself getting a ton of use out of it. I think it can even be possible to record sound board audio from a DJ's mixer to your phone as long as you bring some attenuators with you. Headphone jack is great. You were not using it, but it's great to have. The only thing I hate is that here, in Europe I end up paying like double for it :(
I must admit I bought the IRig before seeing this and have to say that I wish I had gotten the Saramonic instead! The major gripe I have with the iRig is the ridiculous gain dial, for a start it has no 'Min' and 'Max' labels nor any number values so you can determine volume levels or easily replicate a good level if you find it. I had to resort to painting on my own labels with white paint! Also, the recessed dial in the iRig is horrible to use I would much prefer the raised knob of the Saramonic. Thanks for a really useful video.
Thanks so much for showing this new product, the comparison and how to hack it to be even better!
I've had it for almost a year now and it works amazing. Nice vid :)
Sweet! Wish I had heard of it sooner!
Thank you Caleb for the nice video! Great to hear that you like the Saramonic SmartRig!
With the amount of different ways that I've seen to record clean audio in-camera on this channel, Caleb REALLY must hate syncing sound in post lol!
Very clever, though. Props on the innovative thinking.
Haha! I really do hate it. If you think about it, recording separately trickles all the way down the production/post production process. Managing two devices, two SD cards, more files, more editing/syncing etc... Good to have backups, but man do I hate it!
I am going to pick this up and try it with my A7R2 and my Sennheiser MKH-416! Great work as always
Thanks Larry! I think you'll be very happy. Can't go wrong with the MKH-416! Killer mic.
BEFORE PURCHASING IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT: If you connect "SmartRig II" to a smartphone, the headphone socket is for monitor the audio output of the smartphone. If you connect "SmartRig II" (via TRRS / TRS adapter) to a camera, the headphone socket cannot be used to monitor audio captured by the connected microphone.
Thank you so much for that! Hadn't heard of that thing before. I wanted to get a Zoom to use as a preamp but this actually does just what I need, while being smaller, cheaper and having a headphone jack for monitoring. You honestly made my day :D
5 years later, still amazing
I have been looking for a video on how to do this for a while now. Excellent! I'm looking forward to watching all of your future videos on this topic! Keep up the good work
Thank you Matthew!
Great, professional review with good visibility of product features. Thanks for your work man.
You are both a gentleman and a scholar.
Loving these hacky sorts of projects, Caleb. Definitely sets your channel apart.
Thanks Ken! Glad people are enjoying it. I love this stuff!
thanks for the video . great video again .
I have just bought the Saramonic. Waiting to see the brico... Thank you, DSLR Video Shooter!
Thank you for watching!
Quite impressive results!
Thanks Nerd Herd!
oh well, this is another useful tip Caleb! can't wait for the next video
Thanks Mohammed!
Can it be setup with Rode VideoMic?
Daniil Yurkevich yes
Great video Kaleb! The preamp sounds pretty good.
Loving where you're going with these videos. I hope you come out with your own line of gear in the future.
Thanks James! I would love that, but getting into the manufacturing game isn't very easy, much less taking time away from video making. But maybe! If anything, I'd love to do short runs of certain products. We'll see!
Nice, it does a really good job, especially given the price.
It is quite good indeed. I was really impressed.
I already did this exact thing with one of these! The only difference is that instead of removing the whole cord, I re-terminated it with a TRS connector.
Very nice Scott!
Great minds think alike I suppose
I noticed in the description you said it doesn't work with the VideoMicro. Do you know of a Preamp that does? I really hate the hiss when using the Rode with my Canon T6i. Maybe the Aputure A.Lav?
I second this!
Have you found a solution?
the saramonic smartrig is already out of stock!!! in both b&h and Amazon, i'll be looking in other places. Great video!!!
Whoops! Check eBay too: tinyurl.com/ebaysmartrig Should be able to find a few there.
Thanks for always producing great videos. Do you think I could use this with the rode wireless go so Ill have a preamp and a monitor out? Thanks.
This thing combined with a Self powered mic and a FetHead would be more than enough to low-no noise audio on an SLR in a small package
For sure!
I'm listening with ear monitors through my phone and I hear a good amount of noise like electronic interference. I don't know if that's the microphone or the sermonic device itself. I purchased a microphone that's specifically has a low noise floor and I don't want the preamp to create noise.
Looks and sounds great
Thanks for these wonderful tutorials and product reviews. I truly appreciate your insights very detailed thanks again. Can I be able to use this on a Blackmagic Production 4k Camera?
I see your note that this doesn't work with the Rode Video Micro.
I have Lavalier mic and Rode Video Micro and the sound floor in-camera is terrible. What's the best pre-amp to use to improve the quality?
Hey Caleb, Quick question for you. Of the top of your head would you expect that the new version of this ( the saramonic smartrig+ ) will have better preamps? Im trying to figure out if its worth waiting for that one to be available..
Thanks for all your great videos, keep up the great work!
I ordered one but had two problems... My rode mic didn't work with it, nor with fanton power on. The monitoring output also does not give a signal from the microphone - only the audio from the computer or cell phone video playback comes out, for example. what am I doing wrong?
Great quality video! Thanks, this helped a lot!
i could really use this for my PC because it has a really bad preamp as well... thanks for the video!
Hey, just found your channel, great videos!
I have just bought a Nikon D3100 to get into photography. I thought I would be able to plug a standard mic into it but as it turned out it do not have audio in so I have to use a preamp I guess.
Could I use this setup too? I would need a separate device to record to audio, right? Since I do not have a audio in port.
thanks for sharing these cool tips and comparisons. Is it possible to use that Saramonic Preamp on a Blackmagic Production camera 4k? I have a Røde NTG4 Plus mic.
I wish to see how did you mount that mic on the top of the Saramonic SmartRig please. I mean the shoe mount how does is it mounted on the smartrig?
think this would have given a better idea if you used a mic like a rhode video mic or a low budget shotgun mic etc :). But big fan as always
I was going to, but the VMP make it even harder to tell the difference.
Hi, I bought the Saramonic SmartRig 2 and have tried using it with my Rode VideoMicro but I am not getting any signal. My setup is as follows... Rode (with original cable) into XLR-3.5mm adapter into SmartRig into TRRS-TRS adapter into my camera. I have checked if the SmartRig is faulty by using my guitar and it works fine. And my Rode is fine when I connect it directly to my camera. But for some reason when I hook it all up, it just does not want to work! HELP ME please!!!!
wish this was still available or maybe theres a new option
The first video i saw is about lenses and accesories and automatic i subscribe to your channel!
Thank JAAGGERG! Glad to have you aboard!
Would you say this would be a good setup for a Blackmagic Pocket, or would the low quality preamps in the bmpcc still let it down?
Very helpful video. I tried using it on my Panasonic G85 mirrorless camera and everything worked like a charm except the headphone jack is useless - I can't monitor my audio. I don't have that problem when I use it with my iphone - headphone jack works perfectly. Any suggestions? Much appreciated.
What if you set the camera's gain levels to just about as low as they can go? Could you boost the gain on the Sarmonic SmartRig some more? You had it set to less than 1/4th of the total range it could go in this video. You did not explain how high you had the camera's gain set up.
how are you attaching that to your cold shoe adapters? and similarly, i have the hacked iRig, and was wondering if there was attaching something like that to it? Simply super/hot glue the cold shoe adapter to it?
Could you please let us hear what the mic sounds like directly to the 6D, without a pre-amp?
I picked up one of these to use with my Canon 6D. I have not purchased the TRRS to TRS connector yet. While testing the unit with a condenser mic into my phone when I flip on the 48 volts there is a high pitch noise that is inside the box that makes its way into the recorded audio. Any thoughts on how to fix this? Did I just get a bad unit?
Thanks for this video! Just what I needed.
non-edited audio though?
Awesome! Can you monitor the sound via the headphone output easily?
fav channel.
Thanks Denilson!
I have one question, does it really matter if I remove the cable or not? I just don't wanna fuck it up.
Would this work with the panasonic g85 with the takstar sgc 598
Will this work with any dslr.
Awesome. Now I'm excited for the next one... Tomorrow or next week?
Probably next week, but I may get it out sooner.
Looking forward to part 2. I like how your videos are turning more and more into hacking stuff ;) More useful to me than some expensive ("affordable") pro-gear reviews. Honestly, did you hear anything in the sound with the Saramonic that would justify getting some fancy Zoom/Tascam or even Sound Devices preamps (I know there are other features on those devices)?
I'm sure you'd hear a difference, but you would REALLY have to listen hard to hear it. And for $23 you can't go wrong!!!
Totally, that's great value. I usually try to use a recorder but for times when I need to go straight to camera, this seems like a good solution.
sounds really good.
Hi man, your tips and tricks are so helpful, I recently bought Panasonic G85 and Saramonic SmartRig XLR preamp however I can't get audio working with my G85 when I connect Saramonic SmartRig XLR preamp and lapel, it only works with short gun mic. Please help
how does this compare to somthing like a micro juicedlink?
I haven't tested them together, but I'm sure the juiced link is a little better. That said, $350+ vs $23 is a big difference!
Thats what I was thinking. Major difference in price. I'd probably try this $23 dollar mod anyways but would love to see a comparison test video! That would save your views tons of money.
awesome job !
I wish it had a 3.5mm option instead of XLR only
Have you tried looking at the iRig series pre-amps and phantom power? Small, light and and can be hacked to work with cameras fairly easily might be worth a look!
I have. But I don't really care for the dial on those. The SmartRig is built much better and sounds great. Also cheaper!
Definitely going to have to give it a go, my audio setup is currently lacking,
Would this add alot to a Telephone or Gopro? And would it possible to use a Rode videomicro or a lavelier mic on this by using a 3.5mm female to Male XLR?
Tried this on my Canon 90D. Compared mic directly into camera VS mic through SmartRig to camera. NO DIFFERENCE whatsoever. Sound quality and noise-floor exactly the same.
this is great thanks for the tip, what kind of adaptor do you recommend for the panasonic GX8?
Do you have an recommendation for a good wide angle zoom objective for fullframe?
Great video!
absolutely great
Great video, I bought this after watching your videos on this preamp. I have the audio technica atr6550 and it has its own battery as well as a trs plug. I bought the rode sc3 and a rode vxlr adapter. I have a nikon d5300 and and I still get lots of noise and this shotgun is know to have. I have troubleshot the crap out of everything for the batteries to the in body settings. I am beginning it’s the rode vxlr adapter but I’m not sure. Is there anything else I can do to cut down the noise? Thanks
would have appreciated if you had shown the improvement the amp adds over the regular 6D amp.
That would have been a good idea. I do plan on doing a "Why you need a preamp" video in which, I'll be doing that very test.
I love this stuff- sound is so mysterious! That "why you need a preamp" video will be awesome too.
Hey Caleb, I was wondering if I bought an xlr to 3.5mm jack adapter then plugged my rode videomic go into this and use it as a pre amp would it work, thanks!
Hey, I am running that setup on my Canon T5i. You have to turn on the phantom power to provide power to your Rode VideoMic. I don`t know if that can cause any issues (since phantom power is quite a high voltage) but so far it works for me. The audio quality is really good, it`s actually better than recording on the Zoom H1 (havn`t posted my newer videos yet so I can`t show you).
German Survivalist Thanks so much!
www.rode.com/faq/my-mic-doesnt-need-phantom-power-but-it-is-switched-on-will-phantom-power-damage-my-microphone. Straight from RODE, by them "no problem"
Instead using saramonic phantom power, how if i use the ntg 4+ connected to zoom h1n ?
Can you monitor sound with headphones please please please.
Apparently a function of the recording device and software - the way it's set up. Which I think is kind of stupid. Maybe it has to do with signal isolation - not sure.
Hm, 9V batteries can be annoying. Do you have any idea if it would run off the 7.2V of a camera battery? You seem to enjoy gluing battery plates onto almost anything. ;)
Yes it would work. The only problem would be 48v. It would drop to 46ish. I've done this before and mics seem to still work. You could also throw in a voltage booster to get back to 9v easily... Damn it. Now I have to add a plate to mine in an upcoming Q&A. You will be blamed and yes, I have a battery plate problem lol!
Sorry I am from Germany and i didn't understand everything so I don't now if you said it. Does it works with the rode ntg2? And what do I have to set it to? Thx for an Answer
I will have to try this once I have a camera w/o AGC -_- damn 600D
Shit, you sold me. Gunna try it out anyway.
Haha! Nice.
Hi, Caleb (home I've typed your name right). In another your video you talked about rode videomic pro (with built-in preamp). So my question is it worth to buy videomic pro or I can buy videomic go + this preamp? Is this a good direction to move or am I completely wrong?
@DSLR Video Shooter Does this preamp work with canon 200D + Takstar sgc-598? Thank you so much! Great job!
What's the mount you're using for the rig?
How does this compare with having the rode videomic pro plus with the built in preamp?
Hi, what if I was taking audio from a soundboard to this device which is then connected to a cellphone to livestream on Facebook, would I be able to monitor the audio coming in using the headphone monitoring jack?
Do you still need a 9v battery if you're just using a dynamic mic?
Thanks! I have just saved a lot of money!
Hey Caleb, I ordered one of these as a back up preamp but the headphone jack doesn't seem to work. It's the second model I've ordered with the same problem so I feel like I'm missing something. It gets the sound fine but I can't monitor it which is frustrating
So you DID just adapt the out cable to TRS instead of (Literally!) hacking it? (There being no phantom power on the outs to fry little camera.) And who told you that 'hack' would even work? If the two outs circuitry is not 1:1 but isolated like even the maker says it is? Luck?
AWESOME.
Has this device got an imput for my rode videomic (normal microphone plug not XLR) for a better pre-amp?
This seems to be a good way to add headphone out to cameras that do not have a headphone out?
Is there a delay in sound from the mic to the headphones... planning to us one for song recording
So right now I'm using the Rode Stereo Videomic (not Pro) and I'm getting a ton of hiss. It seems what I need to do is drop the camera gain low and somehow boost the signal from the mic with a preamp like this or something along those lines. I would really rather not record audio separate if possible even though I know the Zoom or Tascam recorder options would be ideal. Would this work for that? I'm using a Nikon D5100 with a Rode Videomic Stereo in a near silent room with no background electronics or fans running. Thanks for any ideas!!
Yes, this preamp (and all preamps for that matter) are designed for that very use.
Not really - this one only accepts an XLR in and not sure if it provides MIC POWER if that's what a mic needs. Makes it ideal for a phantom powered XLR mic.
He was just referring to the preamps though @ion-, and you can use a cheap XLR adapter that connects to the Rode Mic. The most important part being the preamps being controlled with a small price/footprint. :)
When the Saramonic gain is fully counterclockwise, is the mic basically muted?
Would this work with a mic that had a 3.5 mm and not xlr? Specifically I'm talking about the rode VMP. would I have to add a 3.5 > xlr adapter to make it work? On the GH4 did you turn your mic level to -20 (or whatever the lowest is) or just 0? Great video. I've been trying to get better audio with my rose VMP and my GH4. I always get a couple seconds of hiss at the beginning and during quiet sections in interviews and it's hard to get rid of.
Yes, any 3.5mm can be use via a 3.5mm to XLR adapter with a catch... Microphones that use low voltage from the camera will NOT work. So you can use a VM Go or Micro.
Thanks for this video mate.
To record human voices and nature sounds on my Eos 600D (worst preamp I know lol) I got the Tascam DR05.
Would this SmartRig XLR be better in addition with my Videomic Pro ?
Cheers. Nico
Should I go with this or get a zoom h4n?