Microphone/Line Input Signals
Line Level Audio Inputs
Line Level audio inputs are designed to operate at unity gain (0dB Input Level), therefore an ap-
propriate line output level should be established by your production mixer or other signal source.
Reference signal level for Line inputs is 0dBu / 0.775 volts RMS / -20dBFS when operating at
0dB Input Level. The maximum input signal that can be applied before the onset of input signal
clipping is +18dBu / 6.5 volts RMS / - 2dBFS. This provides a guaranteed minimum of 18dB of
input signal headroom above reference, in combination with maximum Signal to Noise Ratio for
the resulting 24-bit digital recording.
If a signal headroom greater than 18dB is desired, the operator may choose to use an XLR to
mini-XLR adaptor cable with -4dB input signal pad available from RED Digital Cinema. This will
provide a guaranteed minimum of 22dB of input signal headroom above reference, however the
24-bit digital recording level will be -4dB lower, and so delivers a reduced Signal to Noise Ratio.
Note: If sending the camera a TAPE level line output (-10dBu), adjust the Input Level to +10dB.
Microphone Level Audio Inputs
The 24-bit digital recording level of each Microphone Level input is affected by the sensitivity of
the attached microphone and the Input Level setting applied to each of the audio pre-amplifiers.
Pre-amplifier Input Level range is +10dB to +54dB, with a default value of +32dB.
Choose an Input Level that aligns the input signal to the right hand reference line drawn verti-
cally through the camera’s PPM, which indicates 0dBu. This setting provides a guaranteed
