GEAR MINI TESTS
BEACHTEK DXA-MAX £229/$229
beachtek.com
When it comes to audio, mirrorless and DSLR cameras are always a bit of a letdown. They only accept a 3.5mm jack for a smaller mic rather than a full-size XLR for pro equipment. And the gain circuits aren’t great, meaning audio often has hiss. Many filmmakers record separately to an external device, but this takes an additional step in post to sync it. Beachtek has built its global reputation on audio adapters that allow you to connect any mic to any camera – that includes wireless systems, on-camera mics and handheld or boom XLR mics for adjustable, multichannel audio. And the preamps are leagues better than in-camera amps; turn camera gain down and rely on the superior amplification of Beachtek to deliver top-quality audio. The Beachtek DXA-Micro Pro+ won a Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year award last month, but now there is an upgraded version called the DXA-Max. It loses none of the capabilities of the DXA-Micro Pro+, but adds a built-in audio level meter and can be used on a mixing board via an adapter plug. It also works with smartphones and for recording two-channel audio to allow a safety track. And like the Pro+ version, it has a ten-hour runtime from its internal battery.
“The proof is in the sound recorded. There’s a huge contrast between the high-quality amps in the Beachtek and the ones in your camera”
The DXA-Max has a full-size XLR connector, with 48v phantom power for using pro mics or wireless systems. There are also two 3.5mm mono inputs and 3.5mm stereo mini-jacks with plug-in power that work on DSLR- style mics; both need juice from the camera. And there’s a headphone out for monitoring. At the bottom of the unit is a solidly build coldshoe that fits onto a camera or rig – and at the top is a removable cheese plate. This will hold lots of different accessories and has a long, sliding coldshoe slot. The DXA-Max even has two coldshoes on the side of its body. Mount the Beachtek under the camera, if you want. You are not going to struggle to mount mics, screens or anything else. The multiple options mean you can plug in several different mics at once, such as an XLR shotgun or DSLR mic and wireless system. Levels for each are adjusted by two obvious knobs that offer precise trim control. If you put a mono mic into one of the inputs, you can set one channel to have a lower gain, so it works as a safety channel in case there is a sudden increase in volume. That alone could save many a shoot. New are the audio level indicator lights. These let you know if you are starting to get any peaking, going from
green to amber then red. The meters show that the signal coming into the Beachtek is not clipping. This is sent to the camera for further monitoring and adjustment, if needed. Audio experts may scoff, but we set the camera gain so its meters matched the Beachtek’s VU levels – and it worked for us. As well as adjusting camera gain, there are high and low settings on both channels. It’s all very easy to do and obvious to anyone with any experience. The proof is in the sound recorded. There’s a significant contrast between the high-quality amps in the Beachtek and the ones in your camera. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Improves your audio instantly Pros: Good value, solid build Cons: Adds bulk to small cameras
BOX OF TRICKS
The DXA-Max features LED audio meters and loads of connections
SPECIFICATIONS Audio I/O: 2x 3.5mm TRS mono inputs, one 3.5mm TRRS stereo input, 1x XLR three-pin input, 3.5mm output Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz Phantom power: 48v, 14mA Plug-in power: 3.5v on mini- jack inputs Gain: Low +15dB; high: +30dB Signal-to-noise ratio: 85dB at 1kHz Battery: Lithium, 2400mAh
Battery life: Ten hours Dimensions (wxhxd): 76x38x102mm/3x1.5x4in Weight: 400g/0.89lb
ENTRY POINT Its aluminium body has an XLR, plus these 3.5mm jacks
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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