General
If you're often filming on location (reporting and gathering news), you'll probably be using a quality camera and durable directional microphone. The camera usually provides phantom power for the directional microphone, or the mic has its own batteries. But what to do if your camera doesn't provide phantom power and your microphone doesn't have its own power supply? In that case you need the Fostex AR501 hot shoe preamp for directional microphones! Fit a battery into the AR501, slot the preamp into the hot shoe of your camera and connect the microphone to this preamp and you're sorted!
Construction of the Fostex AR501
After mounting the AR501, your camera will obviously be a bit heavier, but Fostex have done all in their power to keep the weight increase minimal. They have therefore opted for an aluminium housing, which is lightweight as well as durable. The AR501 can also be used to other ends. It has a threaded insert on top for use with a tripod. The AR501 is perfectly at home in studios, where it can be also be used as a preamp. This versatile piece of kit lasts approximately ten hours on a single AA battery (four when phantom power is used), but can also be powered via USB.
Tips or comments about this product
Please note: the camera and microphone are not part of this product.
