newbie on xl2:audio levels on auto? at DVinfo.net

Lutz Marini · March 22nd, 2005, 09:55 AM

when i use 2 channels 16bit mode with default front mic and on auto level,the 1 channel is almost at minimum.I must set it to almost max level to have some signal.Is this casual?Pls help,I m a newbie,but a real dedicated one.

Chris Hurd · March 22nd, 2005, 10:12 AM

Sounds like you might have the front mic attentuation switched on by mistake. Be sure to select "Off" for "Front Mic Att." on the audio control panel on the left side of the camera. Also be sure that your headphones plug is firmly inserted all the way into the headphones jack on the camera.

Charlie Wilkinson · March 22nd, 2005, 12:14 PM

You might also want to unplug/replug the front mic plug. Maybe you have a bad connection.

To help troubleshoot, you may want to point the camera at a steady sound source, set the audio to manual, and set the level controls to get equal readings on both channels. If after setting the levels, the two knobs are not set at approximately the same position, there might be a problem. The problem could be anything from the attenuation switches that Chris mentions to a blown preamp circuit, a bad mic, dirty contacts in one of the switches or connectors, etc....

If you cannot otherwise resolve it and you have access to another XL series camera, you should try switching mics. If the problem then goes away, you had a bad mic/cable/plug.

If none of these steps help, it may be time to send it on a vacation to the Canon service center...

-cw-

Lutz Marini · March 23rd, 2005, 02:59 AM

Thanks,guys,problem is I bought it just a month ago and I live in Romania,so I guess it would take a while..Can I test it with with a regular mic with mini jack plug and on/off switch?

Ed Bicker · March 23rd, 2005, 08:43 AM

Chris, THis question is for you. In your post reply you say that you should check that the headphone jack is firmly inserted. I presume from this that you are using headphones when you are filming. Is that correct? If so, do you do this as routine? Should we all be filming with hearing the sound through headphones and not naturally listening to the sounds that the camera will pick up, or do you not trust what the camera mics are picking up and you want to check them with headphones? I presume that you believe that what you hear on the headphones is what is being recorded. Is that correct?

Kevin Kocak · March 23rd, 2005, 09:44 AM

I know the question was posted for Chris but I'll throw in my 2 cents. If I am planning on using it, I always, always, always, monitor audio through headphones while shooting. To me it only makes sense. What good would it do to review your footage after a long day of shooting and find out something is wrong. And then say, "well it sounded alright to my ear." That would be like shooting without a monitor, or better yet without looking at the viewfinder. Plus everything might sound ok to your ear but what if you picked up any kind of mechanical noise from the camera or any kind of other audio garbage that can happen. Aside from some sort of tape malfunction, what you hear through the headphones is exactly what is being recorded. Always remember, Murphy's Law and CYA!

Charlie Wilkinson · March 23rd, 2005, 01:00 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Kevin Kocak : I know the question was posted for Chris but I'll throw in my 2 cents. If I am planning on using it, I always, always, always, monitor audio through headphones while shooting. ... -->>>

I was going to say exactly the same, but Kevin beat me to it!

I know we're supposed to avoid "me too" posts, but I think this is important enough to demonstrate a little consensus.

Unless you're fine with the idea of making a silent movie, or going the dubbing / foley artist route, CHECK YOUR AUDIO!!

-cw-

Ed Bicker · March 24th, 2005, 10:12 PM

Thanks, Guys...It makes perfect sense. I never gave that much thought. oh well, now I have to buy a good set of head phones...Any thoughts on what works best on the XL2.??

Charlie Wilkinson · March 25th, 2005, 01:26 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Lutz Marini : Thanks,guys,problem is I bought it just a month ago and I live in Romania,so I guess it would take a while..Can I test it with with a regular mic with mini jack plug and on/off switch? -->>>

Yes. If you have a non-powered or self-powered stereo mic with a stereo mini phone plug, it could be useful for testing. If you are just trying to compare the levels on each channel, a mono mic with a mono to stereo adapter might be even better.

-cw-

Lutz Marini · March 25th, 2005, 05:26 PM

Thanks Charlie,I ll try that,but who should I contact if the front mic is not working properly(for warranty issues I mean,I bought the camera from B&H a month ago)?

Charlie Wilkinson · March 26th, 2005, 11:17 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Lutz Marini : Thanks Charlie,I ll try that,but who should I contact if the front mic is not working properly(for warranty issues I mean,I bought the camera from B&H a month ago)? -->>>

It wouldn't hurt to call B&H seeking guidance, but my bet is that you'll end up calling your nearest Canon authorized service center, get an RMA, and ship the camera off to them. If it really is just the mic itself that is defective, maybe they'll let you send just the mic.

-cw-

March 22nd, 2005, 09:55 AM	#1
Lutz Marini Tourist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 4	newbie on xl2:audio levels on auto? when i use 2 channels 16bit mode with default front mic and on auto level,the 1 channel is almost at minimum.I must set it to almost max level to have some signal.Is this casual?Pls help,I m a newbie,but a real dedicated one.

March 22nd, 2005, 10:12 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Sounds like you might have the front mic attentuation switched on by mistake. Be sure to select "Off" for "Front Mic Att." on the audio control panel on the left side of the camera. Also be sure that your headphones plug is firmly inserted all the way into the headphones jack on the camera. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 22nd, 2005, 12:14 PM	#3
Charlie Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 53	You might also want to unplug/replug the front mic plug. Maybe you have a bad connection. To help troubleshoot, you may want to point the camera at a steady sound source, set the audio to manual, and set the level controls to get equal readings on both channels. If after setting the levels, the two knobs are not set at approximately the same position, there might be a problem. The problem could be anything from the attenuation switches that Chris mentions to a blown preamp circuit, a bad mic, dirty contacts in one of the switches or connectors, etc.... If you cannot otherwise resolve it and you have access to another XL series camera, you should try switching mics. If the problem then goes away, you had a bad mic/cable/plug. If none of these steps help, it may be time to send it on a vacation to the Canon service center... -cw- __________________ Charlie Wilkinson Full-time SysAdmin/Programmer Part-time Videographer wanna-be

March 23rd, 2005, 01:00 PM	#7
Charlie Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 53	<<<-- Originally posted by Kevin Kocak : I know the question was posted for Chris but I'll throw in my 2 cents. If I am planning on using it, I always, always, always, monitor audio through headphones while shooting. ... -->>> I was going to say exactly the same, but Kevin beat me to it! I know we're supposed to avoid "me too" posts, but I think this is important enough to demonstrate a little consensus. Unless you're fine with the idea of making a silent movie, or going the dubbing / foley artist route, CHECK YOUR AUDIO!! -cw- __________________ Charlie Wilkinson Full-time SysAdmin/Programmer Part-time Videographer wanna-be

March 25th, 2005, 01:26 PM	#9
Charlie Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 53	<<<-- Originally posted by Lutz Marini : Thanks,guys,problem is I bought it just a month ago and I live in Romania,so I guess it would take a while..Can I test it with with a regular mic with mini jack plug and on/off switch? -->>> Yes. If you have a non-powered or self-powered stereo mic with a stereo mini phone plug, it could be useful for testing. If you are just trying to compare the levels on each channel, a mono mic with a mono to stereo adapter might be even better. -cw- __________________ Charlie Wilkinson Full-time SysAdmin/Programmer Part-time Videographer wanna-be

March 23rd, 2005, 02:59 AM	#4
Lutz Marini Tourist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 4	Thanks,guys,problem is I bought it just a month ago and I live in Romania,so I guess it would take a while..Can I test it with with a regular mic with mini jack plug and on/off switch?

March 23rd, 2005, 08:43 AM	#5
Ed Bicker Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oakdale, Pa Posts: 51	Chris, THis question is for you. In your post reply you say that you should check that the headphone jack is firmly inserted. I presume from this that you are using headphones when you are filming. Is that correct? If so, do you do this as routine? Should we all be filming with hearing the sound through headphones and not naturally listening to the sounds that the camera will pick up, or do you not trust what the camera mics are picking up and you want to check them with headphones? I presume that you believe that what you hear on the headphones is what is being recorded. Is that correct?

March 23rd, 2005, 09:44 AM	#6
Kevin Kocak Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 149	I know the question was posted for Chris but I'll throw in my 2 cents. If I am planning on using it, I always, always, always, monitor audio through headphones while shooting. To me it only makes sense. What good would it do to review your footage after a long day of shooting and find out something is wrong. And then say, "well it sounded alright to my ear." That would be like shooting without a monitor, or better yet without looking at the viewfinder. Plus everything might sound ok to your ear but what if you picked up any kind of mechanical noise from the camera or any kind of other audio garbage that can happen. Aside from some sort of tape malfunction, what you hear through the headphones is exactly what is being recorded. Always remember, Murphy's Law and CYA!

March 24th, 2005, 10:12 PM	#8
Ed Bicker Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oakdale, Pa Posts: 51	Thanks, Guys...It makes perfect sense. I never gave that much thought. oh well, now I have to buy a good set of head phones...Any thoughts on what works best on the XL2.??

March 25th, 2005, 05:26 PM	#10
Lutz Marini Tourist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 4	Thanks Charlie,I ll try that,but who should I contact if the front mic is not working properly(for warranty issues I mean,I bought the camera from B&H a month ago)?

March 26th, 2005, 11:17 AM	#11
Charlie Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 53	<<<-- Originally posted by Lutz Marini : Thanks Charlie,I ll try that,but who should I contact if the front mic is not working properly(for warranty issues I mean,I bought the camera from B&H a month ago)? -->>> It wouldn't hurt to call B&H seeking guidance, but my bet is that you'll end up calling your nearest Canon authorized service center, get an RMA, and ship the camera off to them. If it really is just the mic itself that is defective, maybe they'll let you send just the mic. -cw- __________________ Charlie Wilkinson Full-time SysAdmin/Programmer Part-time Videographer wanna-be