7:40 Those are actually attenuators, they help control the volume on hot microphones or situations that may be loud in general. They definitely don't add volume, they decrease it. If you would turn the attenuator to -10dB, turn up the gain knob to around 6 and by doing so, you should get a clearer signal in your camera: around the desired -6db.
Just purchased this for my A7S III. Had NO IDEA why I couldn't get the volume to work. More than a decade in the audio field and didn't realize I hadn't actually active phantom power. :-p I had assumed it was just on! Thanks for the video!
Nice overview. Thanks. I just bought the K3M. One noteable difference between the K3M and the K2M is that the K3M comes with an off-camera Mi shoe cable so you can place the adapter off the camera and not lose the digital connection!
Nice video, Tracy. I recently made a quick comparison video between this adapter and included mic vs the Sennheiser MKH-416 plugged into the adapter, vs the smaller hotshoe mic that Sony offers. I was pretty surprised at the off-camera quality I was getting from the ECM-XM1 compared to the 416. Impressive kit. (Video's on my channel - but I did use the auto setting since I couldn't monitor my own levels.) Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you! I learned a lot from this video. I'm going to start my own channel to talk about building software so I'm reviewing all sorts of equipment options.
Add on piece of info for the audio input select parts 10:02, if the input camera like a7s iii can record up to 4ch, then the input 3 will support stereo audio on top of input 1+2
Exciting to hear that the K3M connected to the new a7S3 is going to allow 4channels of digital audio being baked directly into our video files. Only problem is lack of support in NLE right now, hopefully that will change.. With 4 channels of audio and audio controls on them, going straight into camera, this is going to bring the a7S3 that much closer to a baby FX9.
I went ECM-B1M. Just sticking a music file and clipping the full length raw is novice. All my production videos are like this. I want to create my own sound fx and was going to rode someday but saw this would work for the a7r4 digitally w/ no wires, I had to get. Never know when it could matter. Sure, can pull sound fx off the internet but being able to make your own adds to the resource. You may not be able to ever get what you can get when you do something yourself.
Good demo. Hmm, really only two channels in?? But the new Sony A7R III says it can accept 2 + a stereo channel ( so 4 channels). I wonder how to get that into the camera? Maybe through the 3.5mm jack + the K3M, but I haven't seen that on CZcams yet. Additionally, you could explain the Atten(uation) and Low Cut more. My understanding is, Attenuation you would use in a very noisy settings, say, jet engines. Low cut, to mute ambient noise when the speaker is quiet. Yes probably better done in post. My older version of this has been working well on a Sony camcorder for 10+ years.
Great video with real world experience which is great. Your background audio is too loud overall and interferes with your main audio in the mix. Good info and advice overall. I am debating the K2M (older analog) vs the K3M (digital) and this helps to understand why K3M is better overall 24bit :)
I really wish the shotgun mount was removable 😔 do you know if it can fit an aftermarket one (416/NTG3/etc)? Thanks for the video! Edit: Would it be possible to hear a comparison of the digital vs. analog recording? So many of us aren't using the A7riv/A9ii 😆🤔😭
deliberately I really doubt it would be that much of a difference. The only way to fit a different shotgun would be to wrap it and make it thicker in one spot.
IMHO, you will want to use the MI shoe cable and move the K3M any way to a better position and at that location, you are like to want the mic in a different location any way. Besides, I have heard terrible handling noise from that mic mount (I would just remove it and the XM1 mic, and sell them or keep as backup). then get a proper shock mount and mount your MKH-416 exactly where you want it (or even quick release with a longer XLR cable for off camera booming on location). That way you could position the mic in the best spot on your rig (without the bulk of the K3M getting in the way).
Hey! I also have NTG5. Please help I don't understand one thing. When I set level on K3M on anything other than 5 - audio is either left or right - when recorded on level 2, whole footage was with the audio going to the right ear... Everything else is "by the book" - using INPUT1 with +48V. Do i miss something? ) By the way as far as I know you can record 4 CHANNELS simultaneously, here helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1920/v1/en/contents/TP0002394928.html
There is no option to use Input 1 and Input 3 together, right? So if I want to record from an XLR and 3,5mm microphone I would have to use a XLR to 3,5mm adapter and plug it into Input 2… So in the end the only difference between the K2M and K3M is the option to use it digital on new cameras…?
Hi Thanks for this! If I record two channels with the K3m, they end up being two mono's baked into one audio channel in Premiere Pro. How do I make each one stereo and also seperate from each other?
I don't use Premiere but in Final Cut I make the audio channel for the clip 'dual mono.' I can see track one and track two and I select between them as needed.
A7SIII is out now lol - I have it with the ECM-1BM! I have the XLR-K2M on my Sony A7RIV - would love to know if audio would be better on the K3M. I have the Rode Go too!
Have you got the chance to try the XLR adapter with the Sony ECM-B1M? I would love to buy both and ECM-B1M makes it perfect for lightweight and nature in general and has pristine quality as well with built-in processing just like this XLR kit.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! There are no videos explaining the set up and I need a super quick crash course for a lav and boom set up recording straight into camera. So just to clarify, if I'm shooting on the Sony a1, keep input 1 & 2 on +48 phantom power, both on manual, digital and select input 1 & 2? This will record to separate audio tracks one being my boom and the other my lav?
Can I please ask you an audio question ? I am a newbie in general. I have a Sony A7iii and enjoy recording video of streams, rivers and other nature scenes and want to increase the quality of the sound on my videos. Can I use two microphones with the K3M to create better quality stereo sound ? or should I use an H6 to add stereo sound to my nature videos ?
Question Tracy. I just brought the K3M. I have a Sony A7riii. Should I put my switch on Digital or Analog? Also for the best sound, I believe you said I can choose input 1 & 2. Correct? once I get the Sony Ar7V I can put my switch on Digital. Right?
Hi, Tracy, thanks for the interesting video. When I try to connect the 3.5 mm output of my Zoom H6 recorder directly to the 3.5mm mic input of my Sony Alpha7iii, I get a high interference level (no idea why, perhaps because I'm using a 10 m long 3.5mm cable??). So I'm considering to buy the K3M for directly recording in my video files the sound recorded with the Zoom H6 (mainly interviews and classical music). Do you recommend it? In such a case, what would be in your view the best interface/setting, knowing that I generally need to keep around 10m distance (sometimes more) between the subject that I record (usually my wife while she sings classical on a stage) and the place where I have the Sony Alpha 7iii recording? Thank you! Roger.
Hey! Sorry for the rookie question: I’m not sure if I understand the whole functionality of the K3M… Is it main that is it an adapter to use XLR/phantom power mics with your Sony camera… Or does it also provide superior preamps and sound procesing?
I set up a stereo mix from my audio interphase outputs for recording multi channel directly to the camera for live music. I can skip a whole step of trying to sync sound in post.
@@TracyDavis904 If you use it with an A7iii does it still talk to the K3M just analog or do you have to connect it to the camera's mic input through 3.5mm?
Hello ! You said that we can't record 3 channels at the same time on the K3M (2 xlr + the jack). But, when we're using the 2 xlr of the K3M, can we record a third audio channel via the jack of the camera body (not the K3M) ? Thank you !
If I’m not mistaken the K3M takes over all audio so I doubt it. You can’t even change audio levels on the camera itself, it says something about you have to change it on the K3M.
4:46 Even though I would love to trust you on your blue eyes, it really would have been helpful to actually do that comparison between the K3M and the Zoom. Other tests of the K3M show it to be not that good at all. For example this guy who plugged it into his A7R4 and used the included Sony mic: czcams.com/video/XGAFANbDMWg/video.html I'm hearing a high noise floor / background hiss in that test (just check the very end of that video) Not sure why its sounds so average, but its definitely not the same level as the Zoom H6. It's kinda unfortunate you choose to add background music to your whole video, because that makes it hard to judge how clean the audio sounds. If it's not too much trouble, a simple A/B test between the Zoom H6 and the K3M with the same Sony mic would still be very helpful.
10:21 Hi, you can use it on the A7iii but you have to use the analog function switch. I think this means you have to connect it to the microphone input of the camera as the A7iii does not have the digital input in it's hotshot.
7:40 Those are actually attenuators, they help control the volume on hot microphones or situations that may be loud in general. They definitely don't add volume, they decrease it. If you would turn the attenuator to -10dB, turn up the gain knob to around 6 and by doing so, you should get a clearer signal in your camera: around the desired -6db.
Just purchased this for my A7S III. Had NO IDEA why I couldn't get the volume to work. More than a decade in the audio field and didn't realize I hadn't actually active phantom power. :-p I had assumed it was just on! Thanks for the video!
Haha no worries thank you!
Nice overview. Thanks. I just bought the K3M. One noteable difference between the K3M and the K2M is that the K3M comes with an off-camera Mi shoe cable so you can place the adapter off the camera and not lose the digital connection!
Orville Griffiths Yep! I haven’t used it yet but I’m glad I have it.
Nice video, Tracy. I recently made a quick comparison video between this adapter and included mic vs the Sennheiser MKH-416 plugged into the adapter, vs the smaller hotshoe mic that Sony offers. I was pretty surprised at the off-camera quality I was getting from the ECM-XM1 compared to the 416. Impressive kit. (Video's on my channel - but I did use the auto setting since I couldn't monitor my own levels.) Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you! I learned a lot from this video. I'm going to start my own channel to talk about building software so I'm reviewing all sorts of equipment options.
Useful, thank you - Colin
Add on piece of info for the audio input select parts 10:02, if the input camera like a7s iii can record up to 4ch, then the input 3 will support stereo audio on top of input 1+2
You also can run audio from your Zoom direct into camera from the line out
Exciting to hear that the K3M connected to the new a7S3 is going to allow 4channels of digital audio being baked directly into our video files. Only problem is lack of support in NLE right now, hopefully that will change.. With 4 channels of audio and audio controls on them, going straight into camera, this is going to bring the a7S3 that much closer to a baby FX9.
Helpful! Thanks - I would have also loved it to be able to remove the mic. ANd I'm glad you pointed out that it splits the record in to two channels.
Glad it helped! It's a really beneficial tool for me now to have professional XLR ports.
I went ECM-B1M. Just sticking a music file and clipping the full length raw is novice. All my production videos are like this. I want to create my own sound fx and was going to rode someday but saw this would work for the a7r4 digitally w/ no wires, I had to get. Never know when it could matter. Sure, can pull sound fx off the internet but being able to make your own adds to the resource. You may not be able to ever get what you can get when you do something yourself.
Awesome video man. Really apreciate it. I'm sticking around for more
Dave Armano Hey thank you!
Good demo. Hmm, really only two channels in?? But the new Sony A7R III says it can accept 2 + a stereo channel ( so 4 channels). I wonder how to get that into the camera? Maybe through the 3.5mm jack + the K3M, but I haven't seen that on CZcams yet. Additionally, you could explain the Atten(uation) and Low Cut more. My understanding is, Attenuation you would use in a very noisy settings, say, jet engines. Low cut, to mute ambient noise when the speaker is quiet. Yes probably better done in post. My older version of this has been working well on a Sony camcorder for 10+ years.
how is this when using in an event? So i don't need to patch my h6 zoom separately with a mixer. Have subscribed , btw. Thank you for the video!
I wouldn’t use for an event. The spot you’d set up tripod by is rarely close enough to sound board.
Thank you!!!
Thank you.
Great video with real world experience which is great. Your background audio is too loud overall and interferes with your main audio in the mix. Good info and advice overall. I am debating the K2M (older analog) vs the K3M (digital) and this helps to understand why K3M is better overall 24bit :)
I really wish the shotgun mount was removable 😔 do you know if it can fit an aftermarket one (416/NTG3/etc)? Thanks for the video!
Edit: Would it be possible to hear a comparison of the digital vs. analog recording? So many of us aren't using the A7riv/A9ii 😆🤔😭
deliberately I really doubt it would be that much of a difference. The only way to fit a different shotgun would be to wrap it and make it thicker in one spot.
IMHO, you will want to use the MI shoe cable and move the K3M any way to a better position and at that location, you are like to want the mic in a different location any way. Besides, I have heard terrible handling noise from that mic mount (I would just remove it and the XM1 mic, and sell them or keep as backup). then get a proper shock mount and mount your MKH-416 exactly where you want it (or even quick release with a longer XLR cable for off camera booming on location). That way you could position the mic in the best spot on your rig (without the bulk of the K3M getting in the way).
Hey! I also have NTG5. Please help I don't understand one thing. When I set level on K3M on anything other than 5 - audio is either left or right - when recorded on level 2, whole footage was with the audio going to the right ear... Everything else is "by the book" - using INPUT1 with +48V. Do i miss something? ) By the way as far as I know you can record 4 CHANNELS simultaneously, here helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1920/v1/en/contents/TP0002394928.html
On the back of the K3M are you recording just input 1 or 1 and 2? Not sure how volume adjustment could move it to L or R.
There is no option to use Input 1 and Input 3 together, right? So if I want to record from an XLR and 3,5mm microphone I would have to use a XLR to 3,5mm adapter and plug it into Input 2… So in the end the only difference between the K2M and K3M is the option to use it digital on new cameras…?
Hi Thanks for this! If I record two channels with the K3m, they end up being two mono's baked into one audio channel in Premiere Pro. How do I make each one stereo and also seperate from each other?
I don't use Premiere but in Final Cut I make the audio channel for the clip 'dual mono.' I can see track one and track two and I select between them as needed.
A7SIII is out now lol - I have it with the ECM-1BM! I have the XLR-K2M on my Sony A7RIV - would love to know if audio would be better on the K3M. I have the Rode Go too!
Not sure about ‘better.’ Depends if you need XLR really.
Have you got the chance to try the XLR adapter with the Sony ECM-B1M? I would love to buy both and ECM-B1M makes it perfect for lightweight and nature in general and has pristine quality as well with built-in processing just like this XLR kit.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! There are no videos explaining the set up and I need a super quick crash course for a lav and boom set up recording straight into camera. So just to clarify, if I'm shooting on the Sony a1, keep input 1 & 2 on +48 phantom power, both on manual, digital and select input 1 & 2? This will record to separate audio tracks one being my boom and the other my lav?
Yes, do a test first but have +48 on your boom, you can Velcro your lav receiver to your K3M.
@@TracyDavis904 Awesome thanks. So don't have the +48 on the lav? What should that be set to for optimum recording?
Can I please ask you an audio question ? I am a newbie in general. I have a Sony A7iii and enjoy recording video of streams, rivers and other nature scenes and want to increase the quality of the sound on my videos. Can I use two microphones with the K3M to create better quality stereo sound ? or should I use an H6 to add stereo sound to my nature videos ?
Question Tracy. I just brought the K3M. I have a Sony A7riii. Should I put my switch on Digital or Analog? Also for the best sound, I believe you said I can choose input 1 & 2. Correct? once I get the Sony Ar7V I can put my switch on Digital. Right?
The a7r3 doesn’t have the digital hot shoe so use analog with a 3.5mm cable. On the a7rIV you can use digital without a 3.5mm cable.
Dude, I though you are going to run comparison test between Sony and rode microphone to see how they sounds against each other.
Nope I said I wasn’t. You won’t be able to tell much difference through CZcams compression.
@@TracyDavis904 I got you.
Hi, Tracy, thanks for the interesting video. When I try to connect the 3.5 mm output of my Zoom H6 recorder directly to the 3.5mm mic input of my Sony Alpha7iii, I get a high interference level (no idea why, perhaps because I'm using a 10 m long 3.5mm cable??). So I'm considering to buy the K3M for directly recording in my video files the sound recorded with the Zoom H6 (mainly interviews and classical music). Do you recommend it? In such a case, what would be in your view the best interface/setting, knowing that I generally need to keep around 10m distance (sometimes more) between the subject that I record (usually my wife while she sings classical on a stage) and the place where I have the Sony Alpha 7iii recording? Thank you! Roger.
Hmm I’m not exactly sure, sorry. I know you can record directly into your a7iii using the line out port on the H6. Have you tried that?
Hello mate. i have a sony a73 and soon a camcorder.
is better the k3m or k2m than rode video mics?
I shoot events & weddings
Hey! Sorry for the rookie question: I’m not sure if I understand the whole functionality of the K3M… Is it main that is it an adapter to use XLR/phantom power mics with your Sony camera… Or does it also provide superior preamps and sound procesing?
Pretty sure there’s preamps inside as well as the camera would not be ready for XLR preamp’s.
I set up a stereo mix from my audio interphase outputs for recording multi channel directly to the camera for live music. I can skip a whole step of trying to sync sound in post.
Where do people put the lav receiver on the XLR-K3M? I wish there was a hot shoe instead of that shotgun mic.
mattcarlson12 I wish that as well. I’ll have to use a friction/magic arm.
@@TracyDavis904 If you use it with an A7iii does it still talk to the K3M just analog or do you have to connect it to the camera's mic input through 3.5mm?
@@mattcarlson12 it connects through analogue
Hello ! You said that we can't record 3 channels at the same time on the K3M (2 xlr + the jack). But, when we're using the 2 xlr of the K3M, can we record a third audio channel via the jack of the camera body (not the K3M) ? Thank you !
If I’m not mistaken the K3M takes over all audio so I doubt it. You can’t even change audio levels on the camera itself, it says something about you have to change it on the K3M.
@@TracyDavis904 Thanks :)
Rip I hope you gave up on the fx9 and Pre ordered two a7siiis instead lol
Haha no, just one a7s III for now! FX9 is in my future!
4:46 Even though I would love to trust you on your blue eyes, it really would have been helpful to actually do that comparison between the K3M and the Zoom. Other tests of the K3M show it to be not that good at all. For example this guy who plugged it into his A7R4 and used the included Sony mic: czcams.com/video/XGAFANbDMWg/video.html I'm hearing a high noise floor / background hiss in that test (just check the very end of that video) Not sure why its sounds so average, but its definitely not the same level as the Zoom H6. It's kinda unfortunate you choose to add background music to your whole video, because that makes it hard to judge how clean the audio sounds. If it's not too much trouble, a simple A/B test between the Zoom H6 and the K3M with the same Sony mic would still be very helpful.
MultiReel I just did an interview with the K3M, no noise. Sounds great. Maybe the guy on that video has his levels too high.
@@TracyDavis904 Yeah I do hope so. Still weird because the difference is day and night.
Hey Tracy ! would you be open to selling your k3m hot shoe extension cable lmk thanks!
I actually use it on my cage rigs. Sorry!
@@TracyDavis904 I figured but it’s impossible to find separately so asking around 😂
Can you use it on A7iii
10:21 Hi, you can use it on the A7iii but you have to use the analog function switch. I think this means you have to connect it to the microphone input of the camera as the A7iii does not have the digital input in it's hotshot.
Get rid of the music I passed over this because of the distraction.
Am I supposed to care?
@@TracyDavis904 You should because it would improve audience response