Multiple mics on XL2.
 

How do you use the onboard mic that comes with the XL2, and a wirless mic hooked up to the XLR in the rear at the same time?

Hey Mark,

You cant. It stinks. You need to get an XLR shotgun mic to use as well. Once you turn on the onboard mic you cant use the XLR's and vice versa.

err..
 

That does stink. What is a good recomendation for a mic. I will do doing mainly shorts/docs but intend to do the occasional wedding for cash.

This is one you really cant beat for the price. Sounds like you are doing the same things Im doing. Good luck.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=73100&is=REG

Sorry, but the response from Travis Anderson that you can't use the onboard mic that comes with the XL2, and a wirless mic hooked up to the XLR in the rear at the same time, is in error.

The answer is YES YOU CAN use both the onboard stereo mic PLUS two more mics going into the XLR jacks on the XL2. This is a major feature, and is definitely one of the better aspects of the XL1 / XL1S / XL2 series.

In the audio setup menu, switch to 12-bit, four-channel recording. You now have two stereo pairs (or in other words, four audio channels) which you can configure however you want. On the audio controls panel on the camera body, set Audio 1 (the first stereo pair) to the onboard front mic. It's a stereo mic which of course requires both channels in that stereo pair. Now set Audio 2 (the second stereo pair) to the rear XLR jacks. You can connect one or two monophonoc XLR mics here. Or wireless mic receivers... makes no difference. Adjust the levels for all four channels as you see fit. Use headphones!

Use the audio monitor button on the camera body to cycle through each channel independantly, or to monitor the entire four-channel mix.

Hope this helps,

Thanks for the info Chris. Iv spent a couple hours now trying to find that anwser.

and travis thatnks for the mic. suggestion. would that be good for both weddings, and for short films?

Not sure I'd be using 12 bit audio. I guess it's okay for event stuff, but I'd do some tests if I were you and see/hear if you feel the difference.

Kevin

I've never had a problem with 12-bit audio. In my opinion it seems to get a largely undeserved bad rap, and I have to wonder if the folks who like to slam the 12-bit quality have ever really heard it. The camcorder that started the DV revolution back in 1995, the ubiquitous Sony VX1000, had only 12-bit audio yet it was used for broadcast purposes all the time. If you need four channels of audio for multiple mics, I don't think 12-bit is a very high price to pay. It's not that much of a compromise in my opinion.

Hey Chris,

Thanks for the correct info. Sorry about that Mark.