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mungewell
Direct connection to Sony Multi-Interface Shoe?
I have a couple of Sony cameras without an audio jack, so I was wondering.... and ended up going down a massive rabbit hole.
The Multi-Shoe is described: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi_Interface_Shoe
It seems that (at least for simple devices) that the function is 'encoded' on the first 3 pins, as pull up/downs. It looks like for analogue audio that there are connections on:
- pin 4 - Mic GND
- pin 5 - Mic Right
- pin 6 - Mic Left
also
- pin 7/15/21 - Power GND
- pin 13 - Regulated power (3.1V)
- pin 14 - Mic Center(?)
- pin 17 - Un-reg Power (6.1-8.4V)
There are also some Digital Mic, with a digital connection to the camera(s), I presume that's the GVIF_SDATA_N / GVIF_SDATA_P alternate signals on the same pins.
There is a database of mics, and what they are supported on: https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/accessories/products.php?lang=en&area=gb&mnt=29
The real question is whether there's a cheap/easy way to get a compatible connector? Can we re-arrange the pins on a
Sony ADPMAA adapter?
There's another description here: https://www.mhohner.de/sony-minolta/flashcomp_techref.php
And Sony make an adapter for some wireless kit: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1272753-REG/sony_smad_p3d_smadp3d_multi_interface_shoe_adapter.html
It also appears that the (older) Nex-3/5 also supported a hot shoe mic, but the connection is different (vertical plan, rather than horizontal). https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/accessories/compatibility.php?area=gb&lang=en&mdl=ECM-SST1&cat=3
Multi-shoe replacement connectors intended for repairing flash guns are now appearing on eBay for around $15. This might be hackable, to move pins to places we need them...
The XLR-K1M mic adapter has a flying lead connection to the hot-shoe, which is available as a spare part - though kind of expensive.... https://sonyparts.com/products/1-846-330-11?srsltid=AfmBOopgottERDM1yLpO9kUrYRDZwedYgeac7rRLAyB7CacxPdOG2-0m
There's also an extension cable for use with the XLR-K3M: https://sony.encompass.com/item/12536372/Sony/1-002-838-11/
And replacement shoe for the XLR-K2M: https://sony.encompass.com/item/10344058/Sony/A-2063-272-A/
https://sonyparts.com/products/a-2063-272-a?srsltid=AfmBOorFgk3nH5Z9Ccf6irBnzS672SEztiRTSaSIhSGPz1iPnrRZrWNd
Just the flex: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/285791219868?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=706-53473-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050
This is the hot-shoe connector from the FX-3's TopHandle, XLRH1: https://sony.encompass.com/item/12636514/Sony/A-5030-779-A/
https://www.partstown.com/sony/sonya-5030-779-a?srsltid=AfmBOoraCnVOq-5dJzyZLbZ0TQF_aqHCmNoBujVAVY2WT-ynjtW0YPb7
"Multi-shoe replacement connectors intended for repairing flash guns", I got some to experiment....
Firstly of note is that the connections are made via the FFC, which is inserted vertically into the body of the 'connector'. The wire pins of the MI seem to be bent at 90' (haven't disassembled yet) and make contact with pads off the FFC.
The pads which are Pins 1..3 on the MI are hard wired to (assumed) Pin 7, which would be ID 0b000. Assuming the ID pins are short to ground or open, the whole table would be:
Pin1 Pin2 Pin3 Meaning
ID3 ID2 ID1
G G G Flash
G G O
G O G
G O O
O G G ADP-MAA adapter (ID3 =470k to ground)
O G O
O O G
O O O
The center portion of the connector is used for a floating pin (to hot-shoe center) which would block the center pins. We'd want to connect to pins 4, 5 & 6 for mic, perhaps this 'connector' can be modified. Maybe someone could 3D print a replacement or duplicate part.
At least 'we' should be able to use this connection to probe out the possible IDs, I'll update the table if I figure anything out.
There's also this DJI adapter: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1816274-REG/dji_cp_rn_00000332_01_mic_2_camera_adapter.html
Edit: looks like it's digital signal only.... https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/DJI_Mic_2/20240426/supporteddocs/DJI%20Mic%202%20Camera%20Adapter%20Compatibility%20List.EN.pdf