Deity Microphones TC-SL1 Good Timecode Slate Overview | Mod Tech

Deity Microphones, an audio model related to lighting producer Aputure, is called an reasonably priced different in an audio world dominated by manufacturers like Rode, Zaxcom, Denecke, Zoom, Tascam, Tentacle, Sony and others. Deity, for brief, makes quite a lot of wi-fi lavalier techniques, growth microphones, and now, for the primary time, a wise board. Soar beneath to see the Good Slate TC-SL1.

First, can all of us agree that total the Good Slate or the Slate wanted an replace?

The Slate, the Timecode, and Why We Nonetheless Want It

You might recall {that a} whiteboard is a tool designed to synchronize audio and video in a movie, tv, or industrial manufacturing. A “dummy” board, typically referred to as a “clapper,” shows worthwhile post-production data resembling scene title, take quantity, manufacturing title, director and cinematographer’s identify, and so forth. A “good” board takes issues a step additional with the introduction of timecode synchronization through a small exterior timecode field mounted on the board, digicam and audio mixing gadget.

From there, the timecode is synced wirelessly or through bodily related cables. Synchronized timecode permits the publishing staff to routinely (or, relying in your software program, with the push of some buttons) match video recordsdata to audio recordsdata. The profit is that in bigger productions, dozens of cameras and a number of crews can seize audio on the similar time. Particularly on multi-camera initiatives, timecode is 100% required at each step of manufacturing to keep away from probably pricey price overruns within the edit bay.

Additionally, typically a dummy board may be “owned” by the digicam division, and the audio division may be the gatekeeper of the good board, however not at all times.

Okay, evaluation completed! Now let’s transfer on to the Deity TC-SL1 good board.

Film Charts: The Competitors

Whereas there could also be many manufacturers within the normal audio area, the good board market shrinks after we think about solely these merchandise that may compete with the brand new TL-SL1. These can be good board gadgets from Ambient Recording and Denecke, which retail for between $1,600 and $2,000. Did I miss out on different rivals? Tell us within the feedback beneath!

The draw back of these gadgets is that they depend on costly disposable AA batteries or the necessity to join a separate exterior timecode gadget, which makes issues bulkier and fewer environment friendly. If it is advisable to join a separate gadget, then the good board acts extra like a display (increasing the definition of “good”).

The Deity TC-SL1 is designed to work together with (in a 2.4GHz radio ecosystem) the competitively priced $199 TC-1 timecode mills, and you’ll learn extra about them HERE. Nonetheless, you should utilize the 5-pin LEMO and 1/4″ TRS timecode ports to attach on to different widespread LTC-compatible timecode gadgets. So you aren’t utterly locked into the Deity ecosystem in case you have already invested elsewhere with different techniques.

Curiously, there appears to be an absence of Bluetooth adoption among the many competitors, whereas the TC-SL1 permits simple management as much as 250′ through the Sidus Audio app. Extra on that in a second.

First impressions

The listing value of $999 appeared like a cut price after I first took the glossy, milled-aluminum Deity Microphones TC-SL1 out of its grey semi-hard case that additionally features a dry-erase marker (thanks!), two NP-F550 batteries, USB C cable, 1/4″ TRS to 5-pin LEMO cable, all coated by a 2-year restricted guarantee. There is a web on the case that would maintain further batteries and cables, or you might even put some TC-1 timecode mills in there.

The board is constituted of a single piece of aluminum and feels nice to the contact, with simply sufficient traction to make it much less more likely to fall.

A small ledge on the again supplies a handy place for a second CA to carry the slate, and the facility button on the facet has a skid plate, stopping unintended energy on or off. Turning the slate round, you may see lockable doorways for the NP-550 batteries that take two hours to cost after which final a whopping 120 hours. The indicator lights on either side of the battery doorways present inexperienced if each batteries are offering energy to the board.

One other standout design function is the small display on the again of the gadget that reveals present settings (body charge, battery life, Bluetooth indicator, and extra). A bit toggle allows you to set every part up manually when you favor to not use the Sidus Audio Bluetooth app. Having a handbook management ought to ease the fear about your telephone operating out of battery in the course of a busy day of filming.

For those who’re capturing open air at midday, know that the timecode show on the entrance is extraordinarily shiny. To forestall digicam lens flare in a studio atmosphere, you’ll be able to scale back the brightness of the display. My favourite function is perhaps the flexibility to put in writing personalised brief messages on the whiteboard, giving the chance to impress the entire staff by including the consumer’s firm identify or manufacturing title. Creating that customized message takes just some seconds within the app.

A collection of small crimson LED mild dots on the high left or backside proper of the timecode show flash to let you already know when the slate is on. One other helpful function is a “flip” button on the facet that flips the timecode numbers with out having to flip the board. There isn’t any protecting slider over the rotary buttons, although, and I want Deity had additionally matched the slider design over the facility buttons to the rotary buttons, however that is a minor quibble.

One other potential design function could possibly be to have a velcro dot or small strap for mounting a 3rd celebration timecode generator to the again of the TC-SL1 pill. I additionally perceive why Deity would have wished to maintain the clear look of the design intact.

Sidus Audio software

Prior to now, the discharge of the Sidus Hyperlink app for Aputure lighting merchandise has not been with out its bugs, and that was to be anticipated contemplating it was a brand new software program product for an organization not essentially identified for software program design. I am completely happy to report that issues went rather more easily with the Sidus Audio app on launch day; in fact, from a design perspective, much less complexity might now be required.

A fast handbook Bluetooth reset on the Deity TC-SL1 meant that the app was capable of see the board immediately, together with three different TC1 timecode mills on my Apple iPhone 14.

Having all my TC-1 bins in the identical group labored tremendous for my functions. For bigger initiatives that require a number of digicam crews enjoying in several areas, it’s possible you’ll need to arrange your gadgets otherwise. Most of my time within the app was spent within the “gadgets” menu, although you might choose the “workstation” menu to get a bigger scrollable show of your gadgets in a given group.

By clicking “synchronize” within the app, all of your Deity gadgets are put along with an identical timecodes in just some seconds. Clearly, this app will not work as nicely when you use a competitor’s product to jam your whiteboard. In that case, a fast visible examine will present that you just’re in sync.

remaining ideas on the board Deity TC-SL1

To this point, the TC-SL1 Good Slate is a type of uncommon product house runs. It’s that nicely, and it invigorates a class of audio merchandise that hadn’t seen a lot iteration in years.

The TC-SL1 additionally does good issues for Deity, as its model enchantment expands from simply content material creators to incorporate bigger productions. Nothing in opposition to content material creators (as I write this!), however a broader enchantment for Deity can solely serve the audio area as a complete.

What do you assume? Will you be including the brand new Deity mic listing to your package? Tell us within the feedback beneath!