Steadicam Volt - EVERYTHING You Need to Know

This video is most everything I know about the Tiffen Steadicam Volt and some fun along the way. It includes demonstrations comparing it to a steadicam without the Volt. How to set up your rig for it to work correctly. How to remove the belts for practicing. Tips on the dock and demonstrations on what all the controls do. shown on My Tiffen Steadicam M1 with my G70-x arm and the exovest. Hopefully interesting to other steadicam operators, people interested in camera work and filmmaking and other gimbals and stabilisers.
Take a look at all of my gear
********* steadired.com/all-my-gear *********
#steadicam
#volt
#filmmaking
This video has nothing to do with Tiffen everything I talk about is my opinion

[@AdamOpie]

Almost definitely the most in-depth video on the volt online. Brilliant stuff, yet again!

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks so much Adam!

[@TheGallagherExperience]

I work with the Volt every day at work, and this video still helps like crazy! Some days I wonder if I’m doing things correctly and then come back to this video and sure enough, I am! Even when it feels like I’m not 😂

[@danielmimura1715]

Woah...that belt test. That's crazy.

[@LUCHTHANS4]

Your videos get more and more entertaining every upload. I love it

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, thanks so much!

[@asnavaro]

Yay!! Super stoked! I commented several times on your fb page about this but never thought you would make this video. Looking forward to it!!

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks for letting me know! So many people ask about it I had to make one.

[@BransenPass]

I’ve never laughed so hard at a film related video. This was gold bro. Loved every second of it.

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it!

[@BA-AB]

Wonderful Red! I love how precise you are with the visual details. Will definitely recommend to our students. Thanks a lot for helping the community!

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it 😁

[@topwaterfilms]

Great video Red! You reminded me of some stuff I have forgotten, being my rig doesn't have the Volt. Love the silliness too!

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks man!

[@MaxKissler]

Was about to ask a dumb question on one of your other videos but this one explains it. Thanks mate!

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, awesome!

[@MatthewCarmody]

Had fun watching this educational and entertaining breakdown. Thank you.

[@SteadiRed]

Glad to hear it! thanks so much!

[@pvsteadi]

Thanks for the Volt intro. I don't own one, but I keep running into Volt setups lately when I step in for other ops, so this was educational, especially the bit about removing the belts to get rid of servo drag. Didn't realize it was that easy.

[@SteadiRed]

Glad I could help

[@AdamKuzniar]

I have zero interest in buying this but your video was so enjoyable I watched it whole. Great job man!

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, thanks so much!

[@asnavaro]

Dude, so sick. And as always, tons of great info! Lol the sound guy with the timcodebox is too real (and I noticed cleaner audio this time around) So best steadicam monitor for the next video? (Or why everyone uses transvid?) 😬😬😬

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, Thanks Man! I did get a lav. good idea, id love to test the top ones side by side.

[@BehindTheCameraBTS]

Hey love all your videos. Hope to see some videos on what's your approach on dynamically balancing different setups

[@SteadiRed]

oh cool idea!

[@RealJuxta]

Very informative! Well done

[@SteadiRed]

Thank you!

[@yueshen9606]

I may never buy this for myself but i love this video.

[@SteadiRed]

thanks!

[@iforssberg74]

I echo what's already been said below... a brilliant video! Thanks!

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks so much 😁😁😁

[@mattlocdproductions]

Great video

[@vasiliyivanishvili9025]

Thank you for video! It's very useful!

[@SteadiRed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OneFish]

Yooo I thought it was a commercial for a second when you cut to the Kevlar belt bit😂 awesome!

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha. i shot it with out thinking how i would edit it and when i went to edit it it was sooo boring. then though, lets make it way over dramatic hahaha

[@24kayz]

So awesome

[@SteadiRed]

thanks so much!

[@vasiliyivanishvili9025]

The microphone scene a TOP! I know that feel, bro! ;)))

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha. thanks man!

[@anthonysinfield4778]

I'm never going to use one, but it was interesting to see what it's about.

[@SteadiRed]

thanks for watching!

[@pilkintonproductions]

Rode Wireless Go: Spotted. Love that little mic

[@SteadiRed]

yupppp. i love it too. I'm surprised what it can do

[@emanuelechiari]

Rally really well done 👏👏🙏😄

[@SteadiRed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@AttilaTevi]

Good video dude!

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks!

[@outputsforreview5779]

Thanks a lot Red.. !!

[@SteadiRed]

Always welcome

[@jakflasdick]

Holy shit you really do look exactly like Fry! Great video man

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha. thanks!

[@garhwalidude]

I enjoyed that epic belt break test great video though .

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks 👍

[@stevewagnet7497]

steve wagner here - co-inventor of the volt with garrett- look me up on the patents for it; the small plastic one although not a big consumer hit is not as trivial of a toy as you showed by dropping it on the ground. put a decent phone on and shoot steadicam style you will be surprised by the footage. The big Volt is a surprise in how many purists of the pendulum still appreciate it when it helps make the DP happy, all that matters. Thanks for your instructive series, love when more kids and older kids pick up the craft

[@stevewagnet7497]

And with Volt: super precise neutral balance is a suggestion not a strict requirement. Many OPs that have experience with it set the rig to a much longer than normal drop time let's say 5 or 6 seconds, then set the Volt roll and tilt strength knobs to make rig feel like it has a much faster drop time, say one to two seconds. The knobs allow any combination of passive versus assisted stabilizing. Have fun and experiment ahead of time for the shot.

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, sorry about that. (It was meant to land on a pillow but bounced. Still intact so it's integrity is well.) I did test it out and it did work as it says. However, I do feel that there smaller, easier to set up devices on the market today that also allow for whip pans. If I made the video a few years ago i would have recommended it.

[@SteadiRed]

Oh, I thought it was a requirement but that's good to know. I'm excited to try it out!

[@stevewagnet7497]

@@SteadiRed Its tough - abs plastic! i got a few during development but gave most away but I still love the one I have with my 11 pro max. We had some help from yuneec but I did user servo feedback code for small one and pro one,

[@SophieGotraceMusic]

I love your channel and just subscribed. I am new to steadicam and just made a purchase for the zephyr( I have to wait 1 month for it to be delivered). I don't think the zephyr can support the volt. I wonder how the Volt is different than Wave1 by Betz-Tools? Would you recommend Wave for beginner?

[@SteadiRed]

awesome! thanks for the sub! congrats, i know it takes forever. hahaha. i would learn how to use the zephyr on its own before buying something like the Wave. you may find you dont need it or that jobs don't care about it.

[@GarretGrayCamera]

I've been thinking about getting into steadicam for a while and find your videos very informative. But man all this gear is pricey. In fact "pricey" doesn't even cover it! I looked up the M1 and was just stunned by the price. So this'll be put on hold for now. But if I ever come into some money perhaps I'll get back into it.

[@SteadiRed]

I definitely understand that, I hate that it would discourage you. its a scary investment for sure but there are other options for starting as well.

[@GarretGrayCamera]

@@SteadiRed Thanks for the reply. I already have a glidecam sled and might buy a used vest and arm, build up my reel, see what happens, etc. it’s kind of a mid life crisis for me at this point. Cheers!

[@KrisKhunachak]

Sound Guy Red and DP Red were gold ahahaha

[@SteadiRed]

hahahaa, thanks!

[@ohmss006]

Great video! But out of curiosity, what are the other Horizon stabilisers out there in the market perhaps??

[@SteadiRed]

thanks! i was thinking the betz wave or something like a Rock-a-bye

[@bedikcamera5275]

Hey Red, love the video. What rods do you have that attaches to the front of the control box? I cant seem to find one that fits the threading.

[@SteadiRed]

Thanks! I had a hard time with that too. adorama.rfvk.net/kBW5z

[@bedikcamera5275]

@@SteadiRed Awesome! Appreciate you!

[@steadipedro]

Hey Red, Do you find like having a tilt stage is still valuable if you have the Volt. Do you use the tilt stage often and if so, in what situations?

[@SteadiRed]

good question! i really never use it. i can see there being some times when I would, but it hasn't come up for me. i originally got it because i was shooting a lot of concerts and i wanted to be able to tilt up and hold it that way if i was in the pit below the stage.

[@mexicosbodyshop8125]

I got LLC got my M1 Tiffen rig on it but what other stuff can we write off for work?

[@SteadiRed]

my car is a big one for me.

[@vasiliyivanishvili9025]

BTW, 12:06 for fixing this problem i use a long strip of VELKRO on right shoulder. Just "attach" hand-pin to shoulder and you can move free!

[@SteadiRed]

good tip!

[@airfilm_it]

i follow all your step! But EVERYTIME i turn on the gimbal, the horizon drift! I pressed (short) the trim button of the roll, and i also pressed it long for 5 econds, nothing change, any suggestions?

[@Illuminatethedark_]

Could you please do a video where you go over rates? Like how much you should charge as a beginner/intermediate/advanced camera op?

[@SteadiRed]

I wish I could, it's something im still struggling to figure out.

[@gfuterfas]

Ha, you made a fun video about something so boring. Nice!

[@SteadiRed]

glad you liked it!

[@Samualwallow]

I absolutely love the rediverse assistants. Guess you watched Ryan George?

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, thanks! I didn't, it was more of a fix for making something all alone haha

[@Samualwallow]

@@SteadiRed well, it worked out perfectly. I think you have the same humor as him. Worth a watch. Basically youtube search any Pitch Meeting from screen rant Keep up the good work with the videos, convinced me to get a budget one to start practicing as a hobby (I generally do allround video production in live events)

[@SRG-Learn-Filmmaking]

Very cool, awesome production and script, thanks for sharing. Have you tried a gimbal in top like a trinity?

[@SteadiRed]

thanks so much! I have not tried it yet. I dont own one so it's hard for me to do.

[@ptoreang4168]

✊✊

[@SteadiRed]

😁

[@Extraedit]

I felt the pain when he dropped the little phone stabilizer😢

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha

[@BrinkHouse]

I'm sure you already caught this but it's a 7/64 to adjust the belt tension, not 7/16. :)

[@SteadiRed]

hahaha, dam, I never noticed

[@Iekomedia]

Hey Red! I have had my M2 with integrate volt for about 6 months, I have not used it once, I can get it working well on the stand but the moment I take it off to operate it just does what it wants so I just go without it. Given the cost i'd like to at least understand what my faults are. what are some things you did to optimize your use in shooting once you got the arm on the rig? Thanks! p.s. I used your above video to set the balance when I got it but i'm still getting the wobble once off the stand.

[@SteadiRed]

Dammm. are you making sure the gimbal handle is pointed to the back when you power on the volt? (to the front if you are goofy ) its very important. If its still not working I would contact tiffen.

[@Iekomedia]

@@SteadiRed I am using goofy, I will reconfirm the direction in the AM, thank you!

[@ItshawkXx]

jajajajaja no me lo esperaba the audio guy jjajajaja

[@SteadiRed]

hahahaha

[@CaseyStreet2]

What is the price approximately?

[@SteadiRed]

i think the volt is around $6000

[@CaseyStreet2]

Yep sounds about right. Thanks for the video!

[@richienum1]

How much is this now?

[@SteadiRed]

Im not sure, but I don't think they have gone down in cost any.

[@raredreamfootage]

It looks like this operates like a normal steadicam as opposed to a crane on an arm/vest system, movement with more humanity.

[@SteadiRed]

yes, thats a good way to put it.

[@abrahamcahyosugio7593]

11:51😂

[@SteadiRed]

😁

[@abrahamcahyosugio7593]

Hello Bro I'm from Indonesia

[@Alexa-ck7mq]

oh man i can't afford one of those

[@SteadiRed]

i get it, its so expensive

[@Illuminatethedark_]

Is this the kind of investment where you take out a loan that would normally go to attending a film school and just buy the gear and start working freelance?

[@SteadiRed]

yeah, kind of. I would recommend a smaller rig first so you can learn on it and use the extra money to stay afloat in a film city. Also take the workshops, they are worth the investment.

[@Illuminatethedark_]

@@SteadiRed ok cool thanks! I’m trying to find workshops that are open right now but it’s trick with Covid. Right now I’m using a ronin s but want to invest in a rig that I can build off of and learn what I need to in order to become a professional. What rig is a good one for me to start with?

[@SteadiRed]

Yeah, it's a pain right now. What kind of cameras are you using?