Need help with Beachtek issue at DVinfo.net

Bill Spearman · May 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM

I bought a used Beachtek DXA 4 a few months ago to use with my GL2 and have used it successfully since then, single channel only due to situations. Am planning for a job with multiple mics and was testing and find I cannot get sound out of the left channel. I believe I have been using the right channel all along, so this never surfaced. I have both set to mic level and the switch to stereo. Is there any history/likelihood of one channel failing or have I embarrassed myself and there is a simple answer? Thanks in advance!

Allan Black · May 2nd, 2009, 05:06 PM

Can you see audio on the DX4 left channel meter but not get it out? Make sure all connections are fully made and try setting the GL2 to line in, not mic in.

Cheers.

Guy Cochran · May 2nd, 2009, 08:46 PM

Is the same issue occurring in both Mono and Stereo modes?

Bill Spearman · May 2nd, 2009, 10:10 PM

Allan, I see nothing on Left channel on GL2 meter. Tried Line, no change.

Guy, when on mono, but mic plugged into Left channel connection, sound is good but shows coming in on right channel.

Allan Black · May 3rd, 2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Spearman

Allan, I see nothing on Left channel on GL2 meter.

But do you see an audio reading on the left meter of your DXA 4? If you do, try another output cable to the GL2 in case it is faulty.

Another thing you should do, have a look at the screws on the DXA 4, see if they look like they've been unscrewed. In other words, has someone been tampering with it.

Cheers.

Bill Spearman · May 3rd, 2009, 05:25 AM

There is not a separate meter on the Beachtek unit itself, I am only able to look at the one on the GL2. The screws on the Beachtek don't show any sign of having been touched, but was a good thought,thanks.

Steve House · May 3rd, 2009, 06:52 AM

Check to make sure the plug from the DXA is firmly seated in the external mic input jack on the camera. If you are outputting a signal from the DXA that is on the left channel only, the signal goes to the mini plug's tip. If you don't have it inserted all the way into the jack, the plug's tip makes contact with the jack's ring, placing it on the right channel in the camera. You might also have a faulty jack on the camera - those minijack's are notoriously prone to failure with heavy use - that's why they are virtually never used on professional equipment.

Battle Vaughan · May 4th, 2009, 02:37 PM

Bill, we had a similar problem with one of ours, the miniplug output cable had gotten pulled hard or something and the wire for one channel was broken inside. While it was a simple solder job to attach a new cable,(happened to have one on hand that would work) Beechtek was very prompt in offering a return authorization for us. Next time I'll let them do it...not saying this is your problem, but it apparently can happen..../ Battle Vaughan /miamiherald.com video team

Bill Spearman · May 4th, 2009, 03:20 PM

Battle, thank you, I was wondering if that was possible. I will call Beachtek to see what can be done. Was wondering if there was some "secret" I needed to know with these things, despite how straightforward they seem.

Ben Moore · May 4th, 2009, 06:08 PM

Make sure the MIC on the suspected channel is one that does not require phantom power.

May 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM	#1
Bill Spearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 161	Need help with Beachtek issue I bought a used Beachtek DXA 4 a few months ago to use with my GL2 and have used it successfully since then, single channel only due to situations. Am planning for a job with multiple mics and was testing and find I cannot get sound out of the left channel. I believe I have been using the right channel all along, so this never surfaced. I have both set to mic level and the switch to stereo. Is there any history/likelihood of one channel failing or have I embarrassed myself and there is a simple answer? Thanks in advance!

May 2nd, 2009, 08:46 PM	#3
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Is the same issue occurring in both Mono and Stereo modes? __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

May 3rd, 2009, 06:52 AM	#7
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Check to make sure the plug from the DXA is firmly seated in the external mic input jack on the camera. If you are outputting a signal from the DXA that is on the left channel only, the signal goes to the mini plug's tip. If you don't have it inserted all the way into the jack, the plug's tip makes contact with the jack's ring, placing it on the right channel in the camera. You might also have a faulty jack on the camera - those minijack's are notoriously prone to failure with heavy use - that's why they are virtually never used on professional equipment. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

May 2nd, 2009, 05:06 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Can you see audio on the DX4 left channel meter but not get it out? Make sure all connections are fully made and try setting the GL2 to line in, not mic in. Cheers.

May 2nd, 2009, 10:10 PM	#4
Bill Spearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 161	Allan, I see nothing on Left channel on GL2 meter. Tried Line, no change. Guy, when on mono, but mic plugged into Left channel connection, sound is good but shows coming in on right channel.

May 3rd, 2009, 05:25 AM	#6
Bill Spearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 161	There is not a separate meter on the Beachtek unit itself, I am only able to look at the one on the GL2. The screws on the Beachtek don't show any sign of having been touched, but was a good thought,thanks.

May 4th, 2009, 02:37 PM	#8
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Bill, we had a similar problem with one of ours, the miniplug output cable had gotten pulled hard or something and the wire for one channel was broken inside. While it was a simple solder job to attach a new cable,(happened to have one on hand that would work) Beechtek was very prompt in offering a return authorization for us. Next time I'll let them do it...not saying this is your problem, but it apparently can happen..../ Battle Vaughan /miamiherald.com video team

May 4th, 2009, 03:20 PM	#9
Bill Spearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 161	Battle, thank you, I was wondering if that was possible. I will call Beachtek to see what can be done. Was wondering if there was some "secret" I needed to know with these things, despite how straightforward they seem.

May 4th, 2009, 06:08 PM	#10
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	Make sure the MIC on the suspected channel is one that does not require phantom power.