How to Monitor Audio on Cameras Without Headphone Jack

by Johnnie BehiriAugust 17^th, 2017

Subscribe to News

In this episode of cinema5D Essentials, Li-Lian and Johnnie discuss how to monitor audio if you have a camera with no headphone jack. Bear in mind that you still need a microphone input in order to be able to use this tip. 

Saramonic SmartRig+

What can you learn in this episode?

Some of the recent small, video-capable mirrorless cameras like the Sony a6500/a6300 and the FUJIFILM X-T20 are equipped with a microphone input but lack a headphone output. This is a major concern when needing to monitor audio during shooting interviews, or when wanting to control audio in general. One of our solutions is to use the modestly-priced Saramonic SmartRig+ 2-Channel XLR Microphone Audio Mixer. In this episode we take a closer look at this device.

Saramonic Smart Rig+ Pros:

• 2 professional XLR inputs
• Separate gain control knobs for each audio channel
• Can be used with a smartphone or a DSLR/Mirrorless camera
• It provides a standard 48V phantom power
• Better pre-amps then most DSLRs
• Offers a headphone jack to monitor audio

Saramonic Smart Rig+ Cons:

• No headphone volume adjustment, which can get quiet at times
• No battery level indicator
• You monitor the sound that comes into the Saramonic, which is not necessarily what makes the camera is recording.

Love this new episode and looking for previous ones? Look no further. Click here to see all our previous episodes.

Music was kindly provided by Art List.

What solution do you use when monitoring sound with your camera?  Do you have any special tricks to help combat the absence of a monitor jack ? Let us know in the comments section below.