Just got my Theos set and doing a few tests with my FX3 and FX30. With the included W.Lav Pro I have my Transmitter set to +24db gain to get a good level. Using the RX Unit plugged in to the XLR handle I have the following for best results so far (these are quick and dirty tests) 1. Set Theos RX unit to -20dB output level, Select Mic Level on XLR handle AND select the 20db of attenuation switch with the audio level pot set to 3.5 The above gives me a similar level on the camera to what is showing on the Theos Transmitter so a voice sitting around -10db on the transmitter is also around -10 on the camera. 2. Set Theos RX unit to -0dB output level, Select Line Level on XLR handle and set the audio level pot to 10 (Max) 3. Set Theos RX unit to +10dB output level, Select Line Level on XLR handle and set the audio level pot set to 8 Again, I'll point out that this is a quick and dirty test but im finding methods 1 & 2 produce really nice results and option 3 shows a little distortion on peaks despite not peaking in camera . Really happy with the sound so far
Thanks for sharing, I came to the same adjustments using a Sanken COS-11. I find it weird to push all the levels so far on Line - We don't have many room to monitor the input gain. It seems like the signal is weak. I think about adding a XLR preamp to boost the entry in the Sony XLR handle
Very helpful thanks! On my FX6 -20db works very well if the input is set to mic level (I have to dial the gain up to only 3 on my FX6 to get similar levels in camera compared to the TX and RX). However when I set the output on the RX to 0db and switch the input on my FX6 to line level, I have to dial up the gain in camera quite a bit more (at -4db reference set in camera). Don't know, I feel better with having it run an -20db/mic level... (disclaimer: obviosly not a sound guy! :-| )
We have heard reports of this regarding the Sony FX6. We've been looking into the menu, settings, and how it handles audio... and found it to be VERY different than most devices. Glad you found settings that worked well for you and thank you for sharing them with the community.
Two questions. Should mic input be set to 3V or 5V in the DBTX with included lav? (I'm asking because default setting is 3V and even at +30dB I'm getting -12dB only when almost shouting). Not sure 5V will impact the gain. Do I need to turn off phantom power in the recorder when connecting D2RX via XRL cables? Manual does not say anything about it.
1) 3V. And don't worry about hitting -12dB, try to hit -20dBFS. 2) I don't know what kind of recorder you're using so hard to say? Maybe its labeled 48V in your recorder.
@@DeityMicrophones I mean theos manual. I'm not sure I should turn of phantom power (48V) or not. I fried one mic before with it :D It's Zoom F6, so I turned off phantom power and switched the ports for theos to line. Works fine, but I wonder what happens is someone connects my theos to hot XLR ports (with 48V phantom power).
So theoretically when using any type of wireless mic transmitters (Any brand) the receiver should be set to -20 dB because we are plugging them into the dslr mic 3.5 input?
When plugging the Theos receiver into a pro recorder like a Sound Devices Mixpre 10 ii, wouldn't it be better to lower the output of the receiver to lower the noise and boost it using the super clean preamps of the Mixpre 10? because i'm sure the preamps in the Theos are not as good as in the dedicated pro level recorder, right?
The signal is already a line-level signal coming from the ADC in the receiver. You'd actually would be adding to the signal chain when you reduce the output in the RX. With the settings in this video, we found they provided the quietest self-noise in the signal chain.
@@DeityMicrophones Oh I see, thank you for the info. So, if at 0db, it's a line signal, does that mean I should switch the input to Line on my sound devices Mixpre 10 ii? Thanks.
I have my Theos going into a MixPre 3 II at line level ,0 db at receiver, but at +30db at the transmitter, I am barely hitting -30 on the transmitter Vu meter?
Okay - switched over to COS-11d and at +24db on the transmitter I get about -20 db on the transmitter Vu meter. With +10db on the MixPre I get about -20 db on the MixPre Vu meter
Today i tested the Theos with a Sanken Cos 11-D and a Sound Devices MixPre 3-II (TX: +21dB, RX Out 0dB). I found that the noise floor is significantly reduced when setting the MixPre to Mic Level instead of Line Level. Am i overlooking something?
Just got my Theos set and doing a few tests with my FX3 and FX30. With the included W.Lav Pro I have my Transmitter set to +24db gain to get a good level. Using the RX Unit plugged in to the XLR handle I have the following for best results so far (these are quick and dirty tests)
1. Set Theos RX unit to -20dB output level, Select Mic Level on XLR handle AND select the 20db of attenuation switch with the audio level pot set to 3.5
The above gives me a similar level on the camera to what is showing on the Theos Transmitter so a voice sitting around -10db on the transmitter is also around -10 on the camera.
2. Set Theos RX unit to -0dB output level, Select Line Level on XLR handle and set the audio level pot to 10 (Max)
3. Set Theos RX unit to +10dB output level, Select Line Level on XLR handle and set the audio level pot set to 8
Again, I'll point out that this is a quick and dirty test but im finding methods 1 & 2 produce really nice results and option 3 shows a little distortion on peaks despite not peaking in camera .
Really happy with the sound so far
Thanks for sharing, I came to the same adjustments using a Sanken COS-11. I find it weird to push all the levels so far on Line - We don't have many room to monitor the input gain. It seems like the signal is weak. I think about adding a XLR preamp to boost the entry in the Sony XLR handle
Very helpful thanks! On my FX6 -20db works very well if the input is set to mic level (I have to dial the gain up to only 3 on my FX6 to get similar levels in camera compared to the TX and RX). However when I set the output on the RX to 0db and switch the input on my FX6 to line level, I have to dial up the gain in camera quite a bit more (at -4db reference set in camera). Don't know, I feel better with having it run an -20db/mic level... (disclaimer: obviosly not a sound guy! :-| )
We have heard reports of this regarding the Sony FX6. We've been looking into the menu, settings, and how it handles audio... and found it to be VERY different than most devices. Glad you found settings that worked well for you and thank you for sharing them with the community.
Any updates on this? Im still heaving some noise issues when using the theos with the Sony fx6.@@DeityMicrophones
@@niekhuisman7575 @deityMicrophones same here with the Sony FX30 - Line sounds much less noisy but we have to push every level to the max
Two questions.
Should mic input be set to 3V or 5V in the DBTX with included lav? (I'm asking because default setting is 3V and even at +30dB I'm getting -12dB only when almost shouting). Not sure 5V will impact the gain.
Do I need to turn off phantom power in the recorder when connecting D2RX via XRL cables? Manual does not say anything about it.
1) 3V. And don't worry about hitting -12dB, try to hit -20dBFS.
2) I don't know what kind of recorder you're using so hard to say? Maybe its labeled 48V in your recorder.
@@DeityMicrophones I mean theos manual. I'm not sure I should turn of phantom power (48V) or not. I fried one mic before with it :D
It's Zoom F6, so I turned off phantom power and switched the ports for theos to line. Works fine, but I wonder what happens is someone connects my theos to hot XLR ports (with 48V phantom power).
@@JoATTech The D2RX has phantom power protection. You'd be fine.
@@DeityMicrophones Great, now I have a peace of mind :D.
Thx.
So theoretically when using any type of wireless mic transmitters (Any brand) the receiver should be set to -20 dB because we are plugging them into the dslr mic 3.5 input?
Really you should check with your wireless microphone manufacturer how to gain stage their system.
When plugging the Theos receiver into a pro recorder like a Sound Devices Mixpre 10 ii, wouldn't it be better to lower the output of the receiver to lower the noise and boost it using the super clean preamps of the Mixpre 10?
because i'm sure the preamps in the Theos are not as good as in the dedicated pro level recorder, right?
The signal is already a line-level signal coming from the ADC in the receiver. You'd actually would be adding to the signal chain when you reduce the output in the RX. With the settings in this video, we found they provided the quietest self-noise in the signal chain.
@@DeityMicrophones Oh I see, thank you for the info. So, if at 0db, it's a line signal, does that mean I should switch the input to Line on my sound devices Mixpre 10 ii? Thanks.
I have my Theos going into a MixPre 3 II at line level ,0 db at receiver, but at +30db at the transmitter, I am barely hitting -30 on the transmitter Vu meter?
What lav do you have plugged in that +30dB on your transmitter is barely causing the VU meter on your transmitter to hit -30dB?
@@DeityMicrophones - one of the included lavs - I will try a different lav
Okay - switched over to COS-11d and at +24db on the transmitter I get about -20 db on the transmitter Vu meter. With +10db on the MixPre I get about -20 db on the MixPre Vu meter
Switch back to the W. Lav Pro and now I am getting about the same readings as the COS-11d - thank you for the help and prompt replies.
Today i tested the Theos with a Sanken Cos 11-D and a Sound Devices MixPre 3-II (TX: +21dB, RX Out 0dB). I found that the noise floor is significantly reduced when setting the MixPre to Mic Level instead of Line Level. Am i overlooking something?
@deity?