Merlin Settings with External mic? at DVinfo.net

Greg Clark · May 6th, 2009, 07:34 AM

I can't seem to get my HV30 balanced when I ad a Rhode Mic or an Azden SGMX. Anyone have merlin setting that would work with one of these mics.

Dana Love · May 6th, 2009, 01:52 PM

Is the mic directly attached to the camera, or to a mount that lifts it up? Do you have anything else mounted on the camera?

Greg Clark · May 6th, 2009, 03:38 PM

I have either Rhode or Azden mic attached to the top of the camera in the shoe. No I don't have any other weight. Battery is the standard one that came with the HV30. Without the mic I could use the Merlin Cookbook to balance it but with the added mic it seems impossible.

Charles Papert · May 6th, 2009, 05:12 PM

How would you describe the specific issue you are having? Presumably you are unable to get the Merlin back to it's proper slightly-bottom-heavy balance--did you extend the caliper or add weights?

Cookbook settings should really be thought of as a "quick start" method to get going with a given camera, but it is greatly beneficial to move forward and be able to balance from scratch for just this reason.

While that mike has undoubtedly raised the center of gravity quite high, that is a light camera and you should not have a problem dropping it back down again via the two methods listed above.

Greg Clark · May 9th, 2009, 09:33 AM

I have pulled out the original Merlin Manual and DVD and started from scratch so I can learn how to set up the Merlin manually. Hopefully this will help with all the different arrangements.

Charles Papert · May 9th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Good to hear Greg, let us know how you get on.

May 6th, 2009, 07:34 AM	#1
Greg Clark Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 297	Merlin Settings with External mic? I can't seem to get my HV30 balanced when I ad a Rhode Mic or an Azden SGMX. Anyone have merlin setting that would work with one of these mics.

May 6th, 2009, 05:12 PM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	How would you describe the specific issue you are having? Presumably you are unable to get the Merlin back to it's proper slightly-bottom-heavy balance--did you extend the caliper or add weights? Cookbook settings should really be thought of as a "quick start" method to get going with a given camera, but it is greatly beneficial to move forward and be able to balance from scratch for just this reason. While that mike has undoubtedly raised the center of gravity quite high, that is a light camera and you should not have a problem dropping it back down again via the two methods listed above. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

May 9th, 2009, 09:33 AM	#5
Greg Clark Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 297	I have always relied on cookbook I have pulled out the original Merlin Manual and DVD and started from scratch so I can learn how to set up the Merlin manually. Hopefully this will help with all the different arrangements.

May 9th, 2009, 11:25 AM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Good to hear Greg, let us know how you get on. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

May 6th, 2009, 01:52 PM	#2
Dana Love Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 63	Is the mic directly attached to the camera, or to a mount that lifts it up? Do you have anything else mounted on the camera?

May 6th, 2009, 03:38 PM	#3
Greg Clark Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 297	I have either Rhode or Azden mic attached to the top of the camera in the shoe. No I don't have any other weight. Battery is the standard one that came with the HV30. Without the mic I could use the Merlin Cookbook to balance it but with the added mic it seems impossible.