No more headaches over signal range or dropouts with the Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder.
We've been excited about this product since it was announced at NAB 2014 — and it's finally here! The Little DARling was designed as an alternative workflow to the wireless bodypack transmitter/receiver form factor like the ever-present Sennheiser G3. The DARling is a high quality recorder packed with a ton of handy (and very customizable) features for run n' gun shooters and guerrilla filmmakers. Plug your choice of lavalier microphone into the unit and you can easily record for a full production day on just one AA battery. The release of the product was pushed back when JuicedLink announced a second unit in the family with wireless control. The wireless unit (DAR124RX01) allows for wireless start/stop and slating from a handheld transmitter.
Video is no longer available: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZHM1C9ax8w
From the JuicedLink blog:
A great alternative to using wireless lav mic transmitter/receivers, the Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder overcomes limitations in wireless range and dropouts. This opens up new creative possibilities for events. Sprinkle the DARs around ... one for each member of the wedding party ... and beyond.
- Audio Bracketing (aka Dual-Mono) 2-track recording of a single lav mic
- Super-long battery life
- Locking audio connectors
- Locking battery / card compartment
- Aluminum enclosure: durable ... no plastic ...
- Recessed button - talent can't accidentally stop recording or alter settings
- Wireless control / slate (DARlink enabled units)
- And MORE ...
Pricing:
- DAR123 (distributed audio recorder, no wireless control) $200.00
- DAR124RX01 (DARlink wireless control / slate) $265.00
I've been looking forward to the release of this unit for quite some time, and I'm currently working on an in-depth review and test of the feature set and creative applications. I'm excited to see what the Little DARlings can do in a micro-budget narrative film environment — so stay tuned.
Your Comment
11 Comments
just waiting for b&h to have it in stock. will be getting a few
February 17, 2016 at 11:09PM
What Lav's are you gonna plug into it? I've love a list of at least 3 options to pick from
TRS plug-in power rules out all my XLR lavs and what I have immediate access to from others.
I'm no audio master, please enlighten me if you are... how do we plug a decent mic into one of these? XLR to TRS plug in power adapter w/ a battery pack?
I absolutely love the DARling idea, and want to try it out for an upcoming project, but i find zero mention of supported lavs in the juiced link manual, not finding results from the old standbys of B&H/Adorma, and sound house rental guys I asked were at as much of a loss as I am.
February 23, 2016 at 5:10PM, Edited February 23, 5:15PM
Sanken COS-11D w/ 3.5mm locking screw connector
beyond that lav, the DARling/k may work w/ any mic that accepts Sennheiser Evolution Wireless Transmitters
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606469-REG/Sanken_COS_11D_PT_BK_EW...
February 23, 2016 at 9:03PM
I hate to be 'that guy' but why not just buy a few Zoom H1's at half the price?
They don't have audio bracketing but they do have lock switches and XY mics so they can be used for multiple purposes.
I feel like if you're essentially cutting the top half off a Zoom H1 for portability/durability (which is a really good idea!), the price should be cut in half too.
February 18, 2016 at 1:01AM
This is to replace the wireless lav packs like the Sennheiser G3s. The Zoom H1 can't really do that.
February 18, 2016 at 6:48AM
Form factor is more ideal, low profile with no XY mic creating an awkward looking bulge under clothes. Dual channel recording, with one channel recording at -12db lower than the other, is also a nice perk, especially give than you cant get to the volume controls once the unit is attached to the talent. The Zoom h1n is cheaper and it can do the same thing, but the DARling is designed for this very purpose.
February 18, 2016 at 7:44AM
Being able to remotely START / STOP / SLATE multiple recorders at the same time is a big deal, and something you won't get from a bunch of small recorders.
February 18, 2016 at 8:13AM
In addition to the other responses, JuicedLink products feature noticeably better (quieter) pre-amps.
February 18, 2016 at 1:47PM
We have been waiting a long time for this, so in the meantime Tascam came out with a similar product, the DR-10 C
http://tascam.com/product/dr-10c/
I was hoping that the DARlink would be cheaper, but maybe it has better preamps?
February 19, 2016 at 4:29PM
This product infringes on patents and will possibly never reach the end users. Unless the company that holds the patent decides that it will not cut in to their market share.
February 19, 2016 at 10:35PM, Edited February 19, 10:40PM
This has been proven? What is the company you are talking about? What is their product you make this claim about?
February 20, 2016 at 12:01AM, Edited February 20, 12:02AM