Lockit Buddy - LB-01 DSLR TC Attenuator AGC Version (Canon 7

Lockit Buddy - LB-01 DSLR TC Attenuator AGC Version (Canon 7D/T2i/550D Lumix G2 ...)

The Lockit Buddy is a small device that is aimed at the professional sound recordist, currently being confronted with increasing amounts of footage shot on Digital SLR cameras, and to the owners of such cameras who want to work with a professional sound recordist using double system sound linked by time code.

Lockit Buddy takes care of the level and impedance conversions needed to record an accurate and dependable time code signal and confidence audio track to the Digital SLR camera. It also works on consumer video cameras with 3.5mm mic inputs

As long as your camera has the capability to record movies, a mic input and a standard size flash bracket you will be able to use the Lockit Buddy on your camera.

All you need is a constantly attached standard time code source, (Lockit box, broadcast camera TC out, hard disk recorder TC out etc ...) a sound source with a professional line level or standard headphone level output (IFB receiver, mixer output etc...) and a NLE that can handle audio TC. (Avid, FCP) There are no brand new expensive lockit boxes to be purchased that only work on your Digital SLR mini-jack connector... just use your industry standard equipment!

It will accept standard SMPTE LTC via the in built BNC connector, and left and right unbalanced line level audio signal via 3-pin Mini XLR connector. These audio signals will be mixed down at an equal ratio by the Lockit Buddy to a single mono reference audio track on the Digital SLR.

All connections to and from the Lockit Buddy are made with gold plated contacts to ensure a trouble free long life with minimal signal loss.

Why put your reputation on the line by forcing pro line level signal (+4dB) into powered microphone level inputs? (+/- 50dB more sensitive) It may work if you turn the camera's input level all the way down in manual mode and you are willing to live with horrible crosstalk between your channels and no signal headroom, but it could cause damage to your camera's inputs over time and compromise reliability of your signal.

So how does the Lockit Buddy solve these problems?

The Lockit Buddy provides a separate pre-set attenuation and impedance compensation circuit for both of it's inputs (timecode and audio), so that any equipment attached is 'seeing' the right kind of conditions to deliver it's signal into without straining it's outputs. It also cancels out the 'plug in power' being sent back from the camera microphone input to the attached equipment. The Digital SLR is getting reliably signal into it's inputs at the level it's expecting, without the crosstalk associated with sending hot signals down unbalanced connections.

There is a difference in setup between the camera's which have the option to use manual gain (like the Canon 5D, Nikon D3s/D7000, Lumix GH2 etc...) and camera's with AGC mode only (Canon 7D/T2i/550D, Lumix G2 etc...)... Hence there are Lockit Buddies available for each system. Both versions are physically identical, but have been factory set up to attenuate signal in a different way. Always use manual gain if possible.

If it becomes necessary your Lockit Buddy can be user modified by adjusting two internal trim controls. Details can be found in the manual.
(Please note that if you want to use a Lockit Buddy on Lumix cameras you will need to buy a conversion plug from 3.5mm to the 2.5mm Mic input)
 

(On the Canon 5D for example, this feature
can be accessed via the 2nd setup menu /
Live View - Movie Func. Set. / Sound Rec.)

In case of the auto gain cameras the Lockit Buddy uses the constant signal of the time code input to defeat the auto gain feature and produces an audio input free from the usual 'noise floor' artefacts. This will open up the entire dynamic range of the audio channel so a good quality reference audio track can be recorded on the camera.

For cameras with the option to use manual gain we strongly recommend downloading the latest firmware update for your camera and using the manual audio settings. This way a reference tone and time code signal can be put into allignment with one another and can be referenced to the audio meter display available on most cameras.

Lockit Buddy sends your reference audio track to channel 1 (L) and the time code to channel 2 (R).

This is conform to channel arrangements needed to ingest material with LTC recorded as audio with Avid editing systems. For editing in Final Cut Pro we recommend processing the video files using FCPauxTC by VideoToolshed to extract your time code and turn it into an Auxiliary TC track.

In terms of mounting options, the Lockit Buddy comes standard with a simple aircraft grade aluminium mount that slides into the camera's flash bracket. This mount also comes with industry standard 1/4 inch thread to allow more options mounting on rigs, spigots, etc ... or it can be taken off completely by removing two screws from the units bottom lid to allow you to use it with Velcro or an alternative way of affixing it.

Because of the multitude of possible wiring and plug arrangements connecting the Lockit Buddy to various third party devices, and due to the diversity in available rig setups, we are currently not providing any cables with the unit.

The Lockit Buddy has been intensively field tested with great reviews from users and is now available to you with a 1 year limited warranty.