XL2 Channel 2 Audio at DVinfo.net

Kambiz Koushan · January 19th, 2005, 12:44 AM

Hi, I am trying to use channel 1 for front mic and channel 2 for rear XLR mic, can any one tell me how, I follow the guidelines from the manual but I either get the front mic or just channel 1 audio from rear, I could not get channel one and two from different audio input!
Thanx

Brent Ray · January 19th, 2005, 12:54 AM

I had this exact same problem. As far as I know, there is no way to get both the front mic and an XLR input to both record on both audio channels simultaneously. I found a reasonably good solution to the problem however. I set the front mic to record on channels 1/2, but turned the channel 1 gain all the way down. Then I set the rear XLR mic to record on channels 3/4 (but it only comes out on 3). This way, the front mic records on one stereo channel, and the XLR mic records on the other. Then when you capture the audio (you need software that captures both audio channels) you can balance out those two channels to play on both left and right stereo channels.

I filmed a live event with my XL2 using this technique and it worked very effectively. If you need stereo however, it's not such a good option. Good luck and let us know if you actually find a way to have both mics on both channels simultaneously.

Chris Hurd · January 19th, 2005, 01:27 AM

Brent has it right.

The front mic included with the XL2 is a stereo mic. It always requires two channels. These two channels must be the first stereo pair on the XL2, this pair is labeled as Audio 1. The second stereo pair is Audio 2. Use this pair for two (or one) additional microphones, the inputs for which can be selected from the rear XLR jacks. This will of course require you to set the XL2 to record 12-bit audio from within the camera menu. Hope this helps,

Greg Boston · January 19th, 2005, 02:24 AM

Chris,

Slight clarification. Audio 1 also allows input from the XLR jacks. This would of course, disable the on camera mic.

I only posted this because reading your post seemed to indicate that the XLR jacks could only be used as Audio 2 input.

BTW, when are you coming up this way? I'm buying the beer (or wine). You gotta try the Fogo de Chao restaurant I was talking about.

regards,

=gb=

Kambiz Koushan · January 19th, 2005, 12:59 PM

So this is a problem from XL2 side, I let you guys know if I come up with another alternative.
Thanx

Chris Hurd · January 19th, 2005, 01:27 PM

Thanks Greg,

The way I wrote it was confusing. I meant to say that the front stereo mic can only go through Audio 1, but you can of course assign Audio 1 to other inputs as well (XLR jacks, RCA jacks etc.).

Not sure when I'm up there again, but you can bet I'll bring an appetite.

Donald Pittelli · January 19th, 2005, 02:50 PM

so lets say i use a mic on camera plugged to xlr 1/3 . and a wireless receiver plugged to xlr 2/4 . this would give me the same audeo tracs as the standerd on camera stereo mic as long as the switchs are set accorddingly . is that correct or am i as dumb as i sound . thanks dp

Chris Jothi · February 10th, 2005, 08:04 PM

How is the onboard mic connected to the camera?

Could you replace it with, say, a Sennheiser K6 ME66 (mono) mic, set it to channel 1, and then use the rear XLR inputs for channel 2 preserving the 16 bit recording?

Chris Hurd · February 10th, 2005, 08:29 PM

Yes, Chris, you can certainly do it that way.

Chris Wilkerson · April 4th, 2005, 01:55 AM

If I were to plug a mono mic into the 1/8th jack the onboard mic uses would the camera just duplicate the source onto both audio tracks, or would it realize that it isn't a stereo mic and just put the signal on on track, leaving the other one open for a rear input (ie, getting around the whole need for putting the rear input on channel 3).

--CW

Chris Hurd · April 4th, 2005, 07:01 AM

Neither. You'd be stuck with a mono signal on one side only and nothing at all on the other channel.

Van Berghe · April 29th, 2005, 09:09 AM

Hi all, and thanks for giving me a free education. No lurking anymore;
I'm registered now.

Following Brent's tip, I've tried using the onboard mic and a wireless
fed through the rear xlr input. With the settings mentioned in this
thread, however, my xl2 is only receiving from the onboard mic. I'm
positive my wireless works (when I switch audio 1 to rear), so I must
be doing something wrong. Any advice?

(and yes, I have switched to 12 bit when trying the above).

Thanks!

Bill Zens · April 29th, 2005, 10:53 AM

This is the way I've recorded audio with my onboard mic and Wireless XLR...

I have set the audio to 12 bit, and made sure that Channels 1-2-3-4 have all been selected.
I make sure my "Input Select" switch for Audio 2 is set to "Rear", and plug my XLR there.
The last step is to push the "Audio Monitor" button on the left side of the camera until it reads "1-2-3-4".
At that point you will get audio on all four channels, (Well, actually three unless you're using two mics) including the front 0n-board mic.

This does not get you channel 1/2 audio, but it does work.

Van Berghe · April 30th, 2005, 03:53 PM

Okay, that worked! Thanks alot. I'm pleased with the audio results
from today's shoot; now it's time to enter editing zone.

Van

Roberto Cetta · May 4th, 2005, 09:36 AM

Following your suggestions I got some interviews using the 4 channel audio (1+2 front mic, 3 XLR, 4 XLR). I can hear all the channel in my headphone when I play the tape. I'm just being crazy about transfering the audio via firewire to my pc (using Premiere or other sw running on Microsoft plattform). Is there any additional settings to be set on the camera in order to properly transfer the 4 channel audio to pc ? I also saw that other sw (eg. FinalCut) can acquire multiple audio tracks at the same time. Any chance ?

January 19th, 2005, 12:44 AM	#1
Kambiz Koushan Tourist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: los angeles, CA Posts: 4	XL2 Channel 2 Audio Hi, I am trying to use channel 1 for front mic and channel 2 for rear XLR mic, can any one tell me how, I follow the guidelines from the manual but I either get the front mic or just channel 1 audio from rear, I could not get channel one and two from different audio input! Thanx

January 19th, 2005, 01:27 AM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Brent has it right. The front mic included with the XL2 is a stereo mic. It always requires two channels. These two channels must be the first stereo pair on the XL2, this pair is labeled as Audio 1. The second stereo pair is Audio 2. Use this pair for two (or one) additional microphones, the inputs for which can be selected from the rear XLR jacks. This will of course require you to set the XL2 to record 12-bit audio from within the camera menu. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 19th, 2005, 12:59 PM	#5
Kambiz Koushan Tourist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: los angeles, CA Posts: 4	I will try So this is a problem from XL2 side, I let you guys know if I come up with another alternative. Thanx

January 19th, 2005, 01:27 PM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Thanks Greg, The way I wrote it was confusing. I meant to say that the front stereo mic can only go through Audio 1, but you can of course assign Audio 1 to other inputs as well (XLR jacks, RCA jacks etc.). Not sure when I'm up there again, but you can bet I'll bring an appetite. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 19th, 2005, 02:50 PM	#7
Donald Pittelli Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: babylon ny Posts: 53	two mics so lets say i use a mic on camera plugged to xlr 1/3 . and a wireless receiver plugged to xlr 2/4 . this would give me the same audeo tracs as the standerd on camera stereo mic as long as the switchs are set accorddingly . is that correct or am i as dumb as i sound . thanks dp __________________ dp

January 19th, 2005, 12:54 AM	#2
Brent Ray Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Westford, MA Posts: 145	I had this exact same problem. As far as I know, there is no way to get both the front mic and an XLR input to both record on both audio channels simultaneously. I found a reasonably good solution to the problem however. I set the front mic to record on channels 1/2, but turned the channel 1 gain all the way down. Then I set the rear XLR mic to record on channels 3/4 (but it only comes out on 3). This way, the front mic records on one stereo channel, and the XLR mic records on the other. Then when you capture the audio (you need software that captures both audio channels) you can balance out those two channels to play on both left and right stereo channels. I filmed a live event with my XL2 using this technique and it worked very effectively. If you need stereo however, it's not such a good option. Good luck and let us know if you actually find a way to have both mics on both channels simultaneously.

January 19th, 2005, 02:24 AM	#4
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Chris, Slight clarification. Audio 1 also allows input from the XLR jacks. This would of course, disable the on camera mic. I only posted this because reading your post seemed to indicate that the XLR jacks could only be used as Audio 2 input. BTW, when are you coming up this way? I'm buying the beer (or wine). You gotta try the Fogo de Chao restaurant I was talking about. regards, =gb=

February 10th, 2005, 08:04 PM	#8
Chris Jothi Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 74	Replace onboard mic with another? How is the onboard mic connected to the camera? Could you replace it with, say, a Sennheiser K6 ME66 (mono) mic, set it to channel 1, and then use the rear XLR inputs for channel 2 preserving the 16 bit recording?

February 10th, 2005, 08:29 PM	#9
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Yes, Chris, you can certainly do it that way. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 4th, 2005, 01:55 AM	#10
Chris Wilkerson New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Lafayette, IN Posts: 23	Tricking the camera? If I were to plug a mono mic into the 1/8th jack the onboard mic uses would the camera just duplicate the source onto both audio tracks, or would it realize that it isn't a stereo mic and just put the signal on on track, leaving the other one open for a rear input (ie, getting around the whole need for putting the rear input on channel 3). --CW

April 4th, 2005, 07:01 AM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Neither. You'd be stuck with a mono signal on one side only and nothing at all on the other channel. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 29th, 2005, 09:09 AM	#12
Van Berghe New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8	no dice Hi all, and thanks for giving me a free education. No lurking anymore; I'm registered now. Following Brent's tip, I've tried using the onboard mic and a wireless fed through the rear xlr input. With the settings mentioned in this thread, however, my xl2 is only receiving from the onboard mic. I'm positive my wireless works (when I switch audio 1 to rear), so I must be doing something wrong. Any advice? (and yes, I have switched to 12 bit when trying the above). Thanks!

April 29th, 2005, 10:53 AM	#13
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	This is the way I've recorded audio with my onboard mic and Wireless XLR... I have set the audio to 12 bit, and made sure that Channels 1-2-3-4 have all been selected. I make sure my "Input Select" switch for Audio 2 is set to "Rear", and plug my XLR there. The last step is to push the "Audio Monitor" button on the left side of the camera until it reads "1-2-3-4". At that point you will get audio on all four channels, (Well, actually three unless you're using two mics) including the front 0n-board mic. This does not get you channel 1/2 audio, but it does work.

April 30th, 2005, 03:53 PM	#14
Van Berghe New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8	Ah... Okay, that worked! Thanks alot. I'm pleased with the audio results from today's shoot; now it's time to enter editing zone. Van

May 4th, 2005, 09:36 AM	#15
Roberto Cetta Tourist Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3	4 ch audio got. And now ?? Following your suggestions I got some interviews using the 4 channel audio (1+2 front mic, 3 XLR, 4 XLR). I can hear all the channel in my headphone when I play the tape. I'm just being crazy about transfering the audio via firewire to my pc (using Premiere or other sw running on Microsoft plattform). Is there any additional settings to be set on the camera in order to properly transfer the 4 channel audio to pc ? I also saw that other sw (eg. FinalCut) can acquire multiple audio tracks at the same time. Any chance ?