MUTINY has just launched the TC-A, a tiny breakout box allowing you to feed external timecode to your mirrorless system without sacrificing the camera’s 3.5mm audio input. The device is available with either a BNC or a 5-pin TC connector, and it’s compatible with any mirrorless camera featuring a 3.5mm mic jack.
While the image quality of mirrorless cameras is no longer a limiting factor in most applications, it’s their lack of professional I/O ports that often leads to compromises in the workflow. Particularly, when integrating a mirrorless camera in a timecode-synced environment using devices like the Tentacle Sync or Deity TC-1, for example, you almost certainly end up losing the ability to use the camera’s 3.5mm mic jack as an audio input.
For this reason, MUTINY came up with a device that was initially intended to solve this problem on the new Nikon ZR (First Look / Lab Test / Review), but is actually compatible with virtually any mirrorless camera. Let’s take a look!
EMUTINY TC-A Timecode + Audio Breakout – overview
The new MUTINY TC-A is a small breakout box offering both a 3.5mm audio input as well as a timecode input. It comes in two versions, so you can opt for a BNC or a 5-pin connector for timecode, depending on your personal workflow.
The breakout box connects to the 3.5mm mic input of your Nikon ZR, Sony FX3, or other mirrorless camera via the included coiled 3.5mm to 3.5mm TRS right-angle to right-angle cable. The TC signal gets recorded on the left channel of your audio file, leaving the right channel free to accommodate the audio signal coming from the 3.5mm jack input.
TC-A Timecode + Audio Breakout kit. Image credit: MUTINY
Wisely, MUTINY also includes a dual mono TRS 3.5mm male to TRS 3.5mm female headphone adapter cable in the kit. This allows you to monitor only the right audio channel in both ears without having to deal with the annoying, high-pitched timecode signal.
The device is small (approximately 42.75x27x32mm), featherlight (48 g/1.7 oz.), and comes with a mounting bracket including a 1/4”-20 screw as well as a removable locating pin. The breakout box can be mounted onto your rig in different positions, either vertically or horizontally.
TC-A Timecode + Audio Breakout for mirrorless cameras – 5-pin version. Image credit: MUTINYPrice and availability
The new MUTINY TC-A Timecode + Audio Breakout module is now available to order from the manufacturer’s website for $140. Shipping will start on November 10th.
For more information, please visit MUTINY’s website here.
Do you often need both timecode as well as a 3.5mm audio input when working with your mirrorless camera? What do you think of this solution from MUTINY? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!