JuicedLink RA202 Riggy-Assist 2XLR

Description

2XLR inputs low-noise preamp. "Riggy-Assist" means that it has added features to the Riggy-Micro to assist with cameras which do not have headphones, meters, or manual control. It is Riggy in that it has numerous mounting and accessory options (patent pending). Audio output bracketing (patent pending) for camera overload protection. Alkaline/LiPolymer operation (patent pending). Selective power-down mode (patent pending).

The Riggy-Assist RA202 takes all of the great features found in the Riggy-Micro RM202, and adds AGC Disable, Headphones, and Meters.

It's RIGGY !!! (Note, the RA333 is shown in the animation on the left) It is more than just a low-noise preamp with sweet audio features. It takes advantage of the valuable real estate when mounted to your camera, and has Riggy mounting points (patent pending) allowing you to mount a RB401 Riggy Bracket, which has 4 cold shoe mounts and lots of mounting holes for attaching more accessories to your camera, like microphones and wireless receivers, etc ...

Also, for the most popular DSLR cameras, you will still have access to the camera's battery compartment, while the Riggy-Assist is mounted to the bottom of your camera.

Camera Overload Protection - Audio Output Bracketing: The Riggy-Assist incorporates Audio Output Bracketing (patent pending) for camera overload protection. All of the microphone signals are combined, and sent to the left output channel. An additional copy is sent to the right output channel, but at safe lower signal level (about 16dB lower). So, if you blow out the main audio channel, you have a back up that you can pull from in post.

This approach has advantages over other types of overload protection, such as limiters. First, Audio Output Bracketing consumes no power from the battery, and also adds no noise or distortion to your audio. Second, every camera gain setting (and, every different camera) will have a unique signal level at which clipping will start to occur. So, if you were to attempt to use a limiter approach, you would need to re-calibrate the point at which the limiter would kick in for each different gain setting of the camera (and, each different camera).

Be careful, because not all manufacturers even provide you with the ability to set the limiter threshold setting. Audio Output Bracketing needs no calibration for different cameras or different camera gain settings. The backup channel is always there at ~16dB lower signal level, regardless of the camera or camera gain setting.

Designed for Battery Life Efficiency:

The Riggy-Assist uses a 9V battery, and is a high-current device when all of the elements are in operation. However, the Riggy-Assist has a number of features to allow you to optimize your battery life. Portions of the preamp can be selectively powered down if not being used (patent pending), to reduce the current and extend the battery life. If you are doing a fair amount of running-gunning with only one mic, you can power down 1 of the XLR channels (patent pending). If you are using a camera that has meters visible while recording, you can power down the meter (patent pending). Furthermore, there are very high capacity lithium-polymer batteries on the market, which also have the convenience of being rechargeable. The low-battery indicator can be switched between alkaline or lithium-polymer threshold, so you can use either chemistry without leaving unnecessary capacity in the battery (patent pending). Battery estimates below. Now, the Riggy-Micro series of preamps (RM202) will get considerably longer battery life, as it does not have the headphone, meter, or AGC Disable circuitry (and, it will be smaller and lighter).

Cameras and Recorders for the Riggy-Assist:

The Riggy-Assist is designed to be used with cameras which do not have manual control, meters, or headphones. The preamp adds AGC Disable, meters, and headphones that are missing in the camera. If your camera already has those features, then check out the Riggy-Micro line of preamps. The Riggy-Assist can also be used as a XLR front end to digital audio recorders. Here are some of the many companion devices used with the Riggy-Micro:

Examples of DSLRs missing headphones, meters, or manual control:

• Canon 5DMKII, 60D, 7D, T3i, T2i, etc.
• Panasonic GH2, etc

Product Features and Technical Specifications:

• 2XLR input low-noise preamp, amplified mic level output (3.5mm stereo minijack)
• 4 Segment R/L meters (each) which can be calibrated to camera
• Headphones
• AGC Disable
• Approx 9oz, 4.5" x 3.5" x 1.5" in an aluminum enclosure
• Riggy mounting options (patent pending)
• Mounts to bottom of camera, and you can still access the battery compartment of the camera
• Optional RB401 Riggy Accessory Bracket allows mounting of numerous other components, such as microphones, wireless receivers, etc. It's Riggy !!!
• Designed to optimize battery life efficiency
• Switchable between Alkaline and LiPoly 9V battery use (patent pending)
• Selective power down mode to turn off portions of the preamp (one XLR channels and/or meter) not being used (patent pending)
• Battery Life Estimates
• 8hr battery life (all 2 XLR inputs active, meter on, fresh Alkaline battery)
• 10hr battery life (all 2 XLR inputs active, meter off, fresh Alkaline battery)
• 12hr battery life (1 XLR input active, meter on, fresh Alkaline battery)
• 14hr battery life (1 XLR input active, meter off, fresh Alkaline battery)
• Camera overload protection - Audio Output Bracketing
• Audio Output Bracketing (patent pending) duplicates the left channel on the right channel at lower signal level (approximately 16dB lower). So, if the camera overloads on the main signal on the left channel, you have a backup at a safe lower level on the right chanel
• Audio Output Bracketing adds no noise or distortion, in contrast to the noise and distortion created by limiters. It also consumes no battery power.
• Approx 30dB max available gain
• Approx +0dB / -1.5dB frequency response from 20Hz to 20KHz
• MIC/LINE Switches for each XLR channel
• HI/LO Gain Switches for each XLR channel
• MONO/STEREO Switch
• Riggy-Assist Online User Manual
• Made in USA