Use Bluetooth to Sync Audio with the Tentacle Sync E

This article was written by guest author Travis Devin.

The Tentacle Sync E is an independent timecode generator, often used to send Timecode or Audio Timecode to a recording source. It's useful for writing the same timecode to all recording mediums on set, providing an easier syncing process in post-production.

Tentacle Sync E (left), Tentacle Sync (center), and 9V battery (right) for size comparison.Credit: Travis Devin

Why would you need a product like this? Here’s the deal: many digital cinema cameras already record timecode. You can always jam them once every couple of hours and hope for the best.

However, in my experience as a location sound mixer, the clocks in these cameras tend to be inaccurate and drift over time (or lose sync when the camera is powered down for battery changes). Many location sound professionals use what we a call a “lockbox” to act as an independent timecode generator that constantly sends TC (timecode) to the camera.

For many years, these solutions were bulky and added weight to the camera. A system of these independent lockboxes were expensive, with some systems costing upward of $1,000. Additionally, many filmmakers and content creators added a second camera to their setup via DSLR. These cameras rarely support timecode.

That’s where the Tentacle comes in. In addition to sending regular timecode, it seamlessly sends audio timecode and a “scratch track” to the camera through its internal microphone. This audio timecode can be decoded with many modern NLEs or Tentacle Sync, providing you with its own software to decode the audio LTC and print timecode to your footage.

The benefit to you as a filmmaker is that you can have two independent timecode generators (and the software) to sync your footage for only $520, a fraction of the price of many more complicated systems. These lock boxes are also easy to use. Adding them to my own workflow in 2017 was a breeze.

The Tentacle Sync E

The Tentacle Sync E is the successor to the popular Tentacle Sync, which I added to my own workflow as a location sound mixer. They offer an arguably sleeker design and improvements to the Tentacle. Oh, and they offer Bluetooth functionality through the app supported on Android and iOS!

The Tentacle Sync E is slightly thinner than the original tentacle, yet wider by a few millimeters. Both units are close to the size of a 9V battery and yet weigh less than one. They have an integral hooked Velcro patch on the backside that can be used to secure the using to a camera with adhesive Velcro. Some creativity and a zip-tie can work in a pinch too.

There is one external control in the form of a power button. On the Tentacle Sync E, this has been upgraded to a slide-and-hold style as opposed to the recessed button on the original. This could result in a decreased chance of the button accidentally being pressed. I have never had this happen with either the original model or the Tentacle Sync E.

One complaint about the original model was the output connection. Tentacle sync sends TC and audio to camera via a 1/8” TRS connection. This is not a locking connection and can easily be pulled out. The Tentacle Sync E has a workaround for this in the form of a sliding plastic piece that fits over a right angle TRS and prevents it from being pulled out. It’s a creative idea that might give some users peace of mind, but I suspect this small plastic piece will get lost or broken easily.

I have yet to experience a time where the connection on my original tentacle comes unplugged. However, I certainly suspect that it may present an issue for certain users. Tentacle says that they have upgraded the reference microphone on Tentacle Sync E. After comparing it to the original, I determined that it is slightly less noisy and less muffled.

Ultimately, this is a reference microphone and should never be used as a primary audio recording source. You should never use a microphone mounted on the camera as your primary audio recording source.