PIX 240 as audio recorder?

[Alexander Alexandrov]

it's a shame that pix 240, being a fully timecode capable, 2 xlr inputs, made by sound devices cant record audio only without video feed?

has anyone been able to use it as a Pro stand alone sound recorder with any workaround?
or has any insight whether it would ever be enabled to work as one?

[Marc Wielage]

You could ask the manufacturer:

Sound Devices Support <support@sounddevices.com>
(800) 505-0625

[Mike Tiffee]

I was just going to ask if anyone had any experience with this. I'm looking at the PIX 240 as an audio recorder too with the added benefit of having ProRes copies of everything. But I'd also like to be able to record without the camera/ Maybe will need to pair this with a cheap digital point and shoot that features HDMI so there's a video feed but that's a pain in the butt.

[brian leisring]

Saw this post, and fired up my pix and gave it a try. Looks like the answer is no. You get a "no input detected" message, even though the xlr's are registering on the audio meters. maybe it can be fixed with a firmware update, but as of now it needs a video feed to record.

[Mitch Gross]

Just like a video camera often has its mike switched on for an audio reference track, when using a PIX240 for audio one can consider the video to be reference. The recorder need the signal to clock the frame rate and genlock.

[Alexander Alexandrov]

From SD:

PIX recorders are not designed as a designated audio recorder and there are no plans to make it a designated audio recorder. If you need audio only recording, you will need to use a recorder specifically aimed at audio recording. The PIX recorders require a video input signal to enter record mode. Further, the sample rates are capped at 48k/24bit and would be wrapped into a quicktime wrapper. Metadata is entirely different between audio and video files too and both have different protocols. This would be a major issue for any professional audio tech. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. Thanks

[Ted Parkes]

I have had very acceptable results with my Zoom H4n recorder.. and its about the price of a CF card for the Pix.

[Mike Tiffee]

Maybe there is hope, I got this email from one of their engineers. If you're interested in this feature, you should all bug them! I assume he means definitely on the "list".

"Right now the PIX line requires an SDI signal input to record. We have
heard from multiple users that they would like to be able to record
audio only. It is definitely on the like, but I don't know how long it
will be before is comes to fruition."

[Lee Dashiell]

Hey Tiffee…..Pix 240 is in the house.

[Mike Tiffee]

Hey Tiffee…..Pix 240 is in the house.

Sweet! Let me know if you're in town shooting I'd love to check it out.