The MicRig is a simple and affordable solution that combines audio and support for your camera, smartphone or GoPro. Having had a successful campaign on Kickstarter with over $100,000 pledged over target, the MicRig from Sevenoak is now shipping to buyers worldwide. It is a combination bottom plate, handle and microphone, with a variety of accessories that make it compatible for any kind of small camera, from a DSLR to a smartphone. It is made from ABS plastic which is both durable and lightweight, and takes a total payload of up to 8lbs, or around 3.5kg. The bottom plate features a couple of feet that will keep your camera off the ground if you need to set it down, and the grooves on the bottom allow you to position your camera in a variety of positions for ideal weight distribution. A handle protrudes along the back and over, allowing you to easily carry your camera, shoot handheld, and easily achieve low-angle shots such as those typical of skate videos. The handle also provides a cold shoe to mount further accessories. The top of the handle houses what is the key feature of the MicRig: a pair of 9.7mm condenser microphones in X-Y stereo configuration, allowing you to get better sound quality than with the built-in mic in your camera or smartphone. A single AA battery can power the device for up to 75 hours, and can be changed quickly as it is easily accessible on the underside of the handle. The audio module offers a few switches for power, high-pass filter, and a 0/+10db boost — useful to increase the level at the microphone and reduce it on the camera, allowing for cleaner recordings by not pushing the camera’s preamp. The package includes all the necessary accessories to mount cameras as well as smartphones, various cables to connect to whatever camera type you decide to use with the MicRig, as well as a fluffy microphone windscreen.  All in all, the Sevenoak MicRig seems like a quick and lightweight solution to give better audio capabilities and some stability to a bare-bones DSLR or smartphone system, making it ideal for skate or other action sport videos. It seems overall less bulky, more stable and — at only $60 — a good alternative to getting a standard cold-shoe top handle and a basic microphone, though the all-in-one approach makes it a little limited in terms of expandability with more accessories. The Sevenoak MicRig is available for purchase now on Kickstarter in several packages with various optional extras.

The new Sennheiser ClipMic Digital is a lav for iOS that combines a high-quality Sennheiser microphone with the ease of use of your iPhone. Sennheiser is a renowned manufacturer of microphones in the industry, with their AVX wireless mic system already a part of the arsenal of many shooters. Their new ClipMic Digital is a lavalier microphone that plugs right into your iOS device via the Apple Lightning connector, using your iPhone or iPad as both a recorder and preamp. The Sennheiser ME 2 capsule The Sennheiser ClipMic Digital system consists of the tried and trusted Sennheiser ME 2 lavalier capsule and an analogue-to-digital converter from Apogee, a manufacturer with a big name in the world of converters and audio interfaces. The system is hardwired, meaning it is one piece all the way from the microphone capsule to the Lightning connector – you can’t just unplug the microphone for use with your favourite wireless transmitter, for example. Apogee AD converter The free Apogee MetaRecorder app for iOS allows you to record 24-bit, 96kHz WAV or CAF files, as well as link up to four recording iPhones and control them from a master device. It even offers Apple Watch support. Now to discuss the big elephant in the room. Although it is handy that the ClipMic Digital lav for iOS can work via the Lightning connector, the lack of a dedicated headphone jack in more modern iPhones means that it is not possible to monitor sound. While there are Lightning splitters such as this solution from Belkin, this device is designed to be able to use headphones while simultaneously charging your iOS device, so there is no indication that you could in fact monitor audio through one Lightning port while the Sennheiser ClipMic Digital is connected to the other. Also, by the time you add a splitter like this, you would be complicating what should be a sleek and simple solution. Of course, you could use the wireless Earpods or other Bluetooth headphones, but latency will probably render this solution useless but for the most simple of sound checks. So, for now it seems that this lav for iOS is best paired with the somewhat older iPhones with both a Lightning port and a headphone jack. If you are a smartphone filmmaker, journalist or Vlogger, or if you are a DSLR/mirrorless shooter and suddenly need a third audio track  — and you have a slightly older iOS device — then the Sennheiser ClipMic Digital lav for iOS could be a small, practical yet very high-quality solution to have in your arsenal. The ClipMic Digital is available now for $199/€191. For more information, visit the product page. Do you use your smartphone for any kind of audio-related uses in your productions? Could the Sennheiser ClipMic Digital lav microphone be for you? Let us know in the comments below.

Filmpower — the company behind the popular Nebula gimbals — have announced the new Nebula 5100 Slant 3-axis gimbal, a new line of shotgun microphones and a wireless follow focus system. Nebula 5100 Slant A couple of years ago, the Nebula 4000 from Filmpower was one of the many popular choices among a new breed of affordable 3-axis gimbal stabilisers for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. A few incarnations later, the Nebula 5100 (covered HERE) offered amazing battery life, time-lapse support, unlimited rotation on all axis and strong encoded motors that needed very little balancing. The newest model, the Nebula 5100 Slant, has already been announced, coming only a few months after the original 5100 and offering some interesting structural improvements. The Slant part of the name refers to the new design of the roll-axis arm, which now sits at a 45-degree angle from the camera rather than totally perpendicular behind the screen. According to Filmpower, not only does this improve the overall rigidity of the unit, but it also allows for a heavier total payload: the 900g Nebula 5100 Slant can take camera systems up to 3.2kg — a whole 700g more than its predecessor. Additionally, the new design allows for a clear view of your camera’s rear LCD monitor for easier use. The Nebula 5100 Slant is available now for $999, and includes a Vono Shotgun Lite microphone described below. Vono Shotgun Microphone Vono Shotgun Lite Filmpower have also announced a shotgun microphone series for DSLR use. The company claims the Vono Shotgun is capable of a achieving stereophonic recording thanks to its two “mutually perpendicular sound heads with double audio frequency”. The Vono is available in two versions. The Vono Shotgun Lite ($60) is a compact version with a 3.5mm connector, and a hot shoe mount that also serves as a housing for the control switches. The Vono Shotgun Pro ($300) on the other hand is a longer microphone that seems to connect via XLR, and comes with a padded hard case. Both mics feature a metal housing with a shock-absorbing design, and come with both a foam and a fluffy wind cover. Vono Shotgun Pro Nebula Focus Filmpower are also releasing a new follow-focus system specially designed to work with gimbal stabilisers. The Nebula Focus is designed to mount on the camera’s hot shoe and directly over the lens, though you can also use it in a more common configuration on rails. The motor enclosure also houses the wireless receiver, making for a 2-in-1 solution that keeps things compact. The Focus also offers ultrasonic distance measurement, with readings appearing instantly on a display on the thumb controller. Filmpower claims this feature may be updated in the future to support auto focus via the unit itself rather than in-camera. The Nebula Focus is available for $650. For more information regarding the new products, visit filmpower.us. Have you used products from Filmpower in the past? Would you recommend them? Let us know in the comments below!

Another smartphone gimbal has hit Kickstarter. The SmoothVu aims to bring you not only stabilisation, but all the other necessary elements to create professional-looking video. At its core, the SmoothVu is a handheld 3-axis gimbal for smartphones and GoPros, just like the dozens of others that have been flooding the crowdfunding arena in recent times. Obvious features include a rechargeable battery that also charges your phone, and a companion app that offers face tracking, 360 Panoramic filming and Time Lapse options. However, the SmoothvVu also doubles up as a teleprompter with a text overlay option when in Selfie mode, making it ideal for scripted walk-and-talks. Nice! The SmoothVu also goes beyond the standard iPhone gimbal in that it also includes a small LED panel that attaches onto the smartphone mount. It is made up of an array of 12 LEDs and is rechargeable via USB, making it portable and low-profile. In terms of audio, the package also includes a little cardioid condenser microphone to capture better quality audio. The included wind cover will make it usable outdoors, and its rotating mount means you can point in just about any direction you need it to. The SmoothVu in all its glory The SmoothVu kit also comes with a portable tripod foot so you can set the gimbal down on the floor or on top of a desk, allowing it to go from locked down to handheld in a single shot without having to change mounts. The kit even includes a set of clip-on wide angle lenses for your smartphone, as well as a handy carrying case. Talk about a complete package! All in all, the SmoothVu seems like a great solution for those wanting to get into smartphone filmmaking. It seems ideal for consumers looking for an all-in-one kit, without having to worry about building their own rig from separate parts. In terms of professional use, this would be perfect for real estate agents wanting to create video tours, and could also prove useful for journalists, although the sound quality of the microphone remains to be seen (or heard!). The expected retail price of the SmoothVu will be $329, but you can get it for almost $100 less if you back its Kickstarter campaign. It will start shipping to Kickstarter backers from July. Let us know what you think of the SmoothVu smartphone gimbal in the comments below!

At NAB we took a closer look at the new Sound Devices MixPre-3 and MixPre-6 audio recorders that double as a usb-interface and bring pro audio to DSLR shooters. The MixPre Series in fact is Sound Devices’ first foray into the DSLR market. Small camera manufacturers tend to treat audio as a bit of an afterthought, but the MixPre promises to solve that with 8 tracks, WAV Poly format recording, high-quality preamps and a maximum sampling rate of 192kHz (MixPre-6). All the details and a full spec comparison below. Sound Devices MixPre Audio Recorders We originally reported on this announcement just before NAB, but thought we would visit the folks over at the Sound Devices booth to take a closer look at their new MixPre Series. Sound Devices MixPre-6 Audio Recorder Designed with small cameras such as the Panasonic GH5 or Sony a7S II in mind, both the Sound Devices MixPre-3 and Sound Devices MixPre-6 have Class-A mic preamps created by Sound Devices engineers. You can also feed timecode using the 3.5mm Aux/Mic in port, making it useful for professional productions where multiple cameras are in play. Here is the intro video to the Sound Devices MixPre series: The Sound Devices MixPre-6 is the larger of the two and features 6 inputs/8 tracks that can record to SD, SDHC or SDXC cards in WAV Poly. The base model (MixPre-3) has 3 inputs/5 tracks and a maximum sampling rate of 96kHZ, versus 192kHz for the larger model. You can power the Sound Devices MixPre series audio recorders a variety of ways: directly from a wall, AAs, via USB, or via a Sony L-Series lithium ion battery. Both models can accept a sled for either 4 or 8 AAs (not included), giving you numerous options when it comes to powering the devices. Below is a full comparison chat from Sound Devices that lays out all of the features in the Sound Devices MixPre-6 and Sound Devices MixPre-3: What do you think? Will the MixPre Series find its way into your kit for your next DSLR production? Let us know below!

NAB 2017 saw the introduction of the Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements waterproof microphone for GoPro Hero 4 Action Camera. Curious as to how it is possible to make an waterproof external microphone for a GoPro? Read on for all the details!  Sennheiser microphones have proven to be one of the leading standards for audio recording, and now they are tackling the lack of good-quality audio for small action cameras, such as the GoPro Hero4. When a GoPro is housed in the waterproof casing, the audio suffers and sounds muffled, but the new Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements waterproof microphone aims to guarantee better audio even in the most action-packed sequences.   As Achim from Sennheiser describes it, the development of an external audio solution like this proved challenging as the camera itself is kept completely sealed in its housing. Situating the microphone outside of the sealed compartment, your are exposing it to dirt, dust, snow, ice and of course water, so obviously a waterproof solution had to be implemented. Sennheiser took their “sweat-proof” stage application technology one step forward, and created this “waterproof” solution. Here is a great “side-by-side” example, between GoPro’s internal microphone capabilities against the Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements: The unit is built into its own backdoor casing for the GoPro housing which accommodates the battery-extension from GoPro, it plugs right into the GoPro’s USB port and the audio is controlled by GoPro’s auto-level functions. The microphone itself is suspended on a soft mount to reduce rumbling noise and is covered by its very own waterproof windshield. The Sennheiser MKE-2 Element is waterproof up to 1m for approximately 30 minutes. Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements for GoPro Hero 4 is available now for $199.95. Sennheiser is also working on a GoPro Hero 5 solution, but pricing and availability for that product are yet to be announced. What do you think of the Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements? Would you use it to improve your GoPro’s audio? Please let us know in the comments below.

These tiny new Zaxcom recorders announced by the premium audio device manufacturer at NAB 2017 both save high-quality .wav files directly to mini SD cards, and feature the company’s NeverClip technology for safe remote recording. Read on for the full details! ZFR400 Mini Recorder. Image: Graham Sheldon ZFR400 Mini Recorder The smallest of all Zaxcom recorders measures only 2.2″ x 1.6″ x.55″, and is designed to be carried around by your talent while recording from a lavalier microphone directly to a micro SD card. It is compatible with ZaxNet, a wireless network that distributes TC and metadata to compatible Zaxcom devices in range. Look HERE for more information on setting up a ZaxNet. While many shooters avoid recording unmonitored audio like the plague, the advantages of being able to record directly to this small device are numerous. For one, signal interference is no longer an issue and there is no chance of talent moving out of range from your receiver. And if you expect to be able to record wide dynamic range (from whispering to shouting levels, for example) there is no reason to fear not having a finger on the gain knob, as the Zaxcom NeverGain technology offers 128db of dynamic range, so the chance of clipping audio is much lower. Features: 128 dB of dynamic range Internal microSD recording Integrated IFB audio receiver Up to 10h battery life Weight: 2.20z with battery SMPTE Hardwire Timecode Input and Output Pricing: $975 Availability: shipping now. ZMT-3 Phantom attached just below shotgun mic. Image Credit: Graham Sheldon ZMT-3 Phantom Transmitter The second of the Zaxcom recorders introduced at NAB 2017 is the ZMT-3 Phantom Transmitter which promises to be a high-quality, though expensive, wireless booming solution. This transmitter will both send audio to an external mixer and it will record backup files directly to miniSD. The chances of “cable slap” are reduced and its 2.20z weight means the end of the pole won’t become significantly heavier while booming talent. The “Phantom” in the name also refers to the devices ability to provide phantom power to condenser microphones… And it also makes it sound much cooler than the ZFR400. Features: 114 dB dynamic range Selectable Phantom Power Encrypted Audio 5-hour battery life Internal backup recording to miniSD 2.20z Weight with Battery For more information, visit Zaxcom.com Is wireless booming worth the expense in exchange for freedom of movement on set? Or would you rather stick to cabled and monitored audio? Comment below!

This Argentina-based startup has created the Pandora: a shoulder rig that will power your camera for 12-14 hours, has a built-in light, pre-amps and even a built-in solar panel – yeah, a solar panel. You just have to see it to believe it.  Pandora front light. Image Credit: Graham Sheldon Tucked away in a corner of the South Hall of NAB 2017, you’ll find a one-stop shop for DSLR owners looking to reduce the amount of accessories attached to their camera and make their shooting day easier. Meet the Pandora DSLR Optimizer:   Pandora DSLR Optimizer The Pandora DSLR Optimizer is essentially a baseplate with all sorts of power and audio inputs and outputs, as well as 1/4″ accessory mounting threads and even a solar panel for charging up the built-in battery. The Pandora’s power supply solution has enough juice to provide phantom power to the two XLR inputs, but also to increase you camera’s battery life significantly. It also features integrated displays to monitor audio and power levels. There’s no doubt that the Pandora has an 80’s retro feel, but in a world filled with matte black camera gear, it’s nice to see something with a little flare to the design. The Pro Shoulder Kit, priced at $1,000, includes 1 shoulder mount, 2 hand grips, 1 power adapter, 1 audio cable, 1 battery holder, and will fit and power most brands of DSLRs and mirrorless on the market, such as Panasonic, Sony, Canon. It also promises compatibility with a variety of Pandora accessories in the future, such as sliders and prompters. It may look a bit unorthodox, but that sounds like a pretty good deal. Technical Highlights:  Power: 5 outputs, 2 USB ports, and 3 DC from 7.4v and 12v Solar Charger Built-in small frontal LED light Dual XLR Balanced Inputs Over 12-14 hours of shooting (camera dependent) without charging Pandora. Dual-Channel Preamps Phantom Power +48v for Left & Right Channels Audio bracketing on Camera Headphone Output for direct monitoring In-Line Attenuator – 20db Microphone Sometimes a manufacturer tries to create a device that does everything. Sometimes that works, but most often the results are less than stellar. You just have to admire the sheer design audacity of Pablo, the inventor of the Pandora, though. There is something about the enthusiasm with which he talks about his work, an enthusiasm that was clearly well transmitted in his successful Indigogo campaign, which raised over $45,000.   XLR Inputs x2 on the Pandora. Image: Graham Sheldon Bringing a product like this to market – especially a crowdfunded one – is difficult, and the fact that it is already shipping makes it something of a rarity in the fast-paced DSLR accessory world. For more information, visit www.dslroptimizer.com Could this be the retro DSLR shoulder rig solution you’re looking for? Let us know in the comments below!