XL-2 and Senheisser MKE-300

[Allen McLaughlin]

Has anyone successfully used this microphone via the stereo input jack on the XL-2? Or indeed any stereo mic via the jack plug as opposed to the rear inputs ?

I'm thinking of getting one as a cost effective solution rarther than pay more for an XLR equipped mic.

[Rob Neidig]

Allen,

I haven't tried it specifically with the XL2, but long ago I bought an MKE-300, mostly based on Sennheiser's reputation. I ended up sending it back. Unfortunately I think Sennheiser really cheaped out on this one. I don't think it will be any better than the stock mic that's on the XL2.

Just my $.02, your mileage may vary.

Have fun!

Rob

[Jarrod Whaley]

I agree with Rob. That mic just doesn't sound very good at all. I'd rate it somewhere between terrible and abysmal. You're pretty much better off with the stock mic.

The cheapest mic you can really expect to get decent results from is the Rode videomic. For not too much more, you can get an NTG-1 (which will give you XLR and thus the ability to get it off the camera and closer to the talent). It's a really darn good mic, especially for the price.

A good mic might even outlast you, if you take care of it. Cameras go obsolete before they're even designed.

[Allen McLaughlin]

Cheers fellas, my plan was to use it off camera with an extended stereo jack lead. I'll maybe have another think ?

[Jarrod Whaley]

Originally Posted by Allen McLaughlin

Cheers fellas, my plan was to use it off camera with an extended stereo jack lead. I'll maybe have another think ?

Yeah, it's usually not a good idea to run an unbalanced cable for more than a few feet at most. You're likely to get some nasty noise. You might get lucky with it in some situations, but it's not really worth the risk.