Audioequipment for Panny GS400 (XLR and mic) at DVinfo.net

Thomas Hartz-Olsson · March 9th, 2006, 12:24 PM

Hi,

I'm looking to buy some audio equipment for my Panasonic GS400. I definately want an XLR adaptor so I can use two mono inputs. Preferably one with an amplifier. And then I need a good shotgun mic for the hotshoe. Good but no neccesarely pro sound - my budget is rather tight.

So is beachtek the choise for the XLR? And wich model will fit my camera? And what about the mic?

Oh yeah, and if you know a place that ships to Denmark (europe) fairly cheap that'll be appreciated.

Thanks!

Thomas Shaddox · March 9th, 2006, 01:13 PM

The Beachtek's http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ar&A=search&Q= are nice, but I'm not sure what you mean by an adapter with an amplifier. Mics don't need amplifiers, unless you mean phantom power, which the higher end Beachteks can supply. Another XLR adapter is the Sign-Video XLR-PRO, http://www.signvideo.com/xlr-pro_xlr...udio-mixer.htm . It has no phantom power either, but individual phantom power units can be purchased for around US$50 I believe.

As far as compatibility with the GS400, anything with an unbalanced headphone output (which all the XLR adapters are, since that's what they're adapting XLR to) will work. The GS400 also has manual audio controls, meaning you can attenuate the level if it's too high. My GS150 sadly lacks this feature, forcing me to buy a Radio Shack headphone volume control.

Thomas Hartz-Olsson · March 9th, 2006, 01:27 PM

Thanks. I don't know I just thought some had a feature that amplified the sound.

That first link to the beachtek doesn't work though?

What about a shotgun mic? Any suggestions? The Rode Videomic looks nice but it's not XLR.

EDIT: That Signvideo XLR-Pro looks nice. I'm definately thinking about buying that. Can I trust the site with my visa details?

Daniel Manasia · March 11th, 2006, 10:04 AM

Yes, I've ordered that unit from them. They're very quick and reliable, and the unit itself (the XLR-Pro) is very sturdy amd well made....

Georg Liigand · March 12th, 2006, 03:08 PM

Don't worry that the Rode VideoMic isn't XLR. I used Beachtek DXA-2S and VideoMic when I had GS400 and it was a perfect setup. I made a miniplug->XLR converter myself according to the instructions provided by Pana3CCD User members http://www.pana3ccduser.com/showthread.php?t=4041 . Make sure you scroll down to the Guy's instructions as the first ones are not correct.

You can also plug VideoMic to the addon XLR box' AUX input which is miniplug. I just found it a bit uncomfortable.

David Ennis · March 12th, 2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Hartz-Olsson

Thanks. I don't know I just thought some had a feature that amplified the sound.

That first link to the beachtek doesn't work though?

What about a shotgun mic? Any suggestions? The Rode Videomic looks nice but it's not XLR.

EDIT: That Signvideo XLR-Pro looks nice. I'm definately thinking about buying that. Can I trust the site with my visa details?

You were correct about amplification. The Beachtek DXA-8 does supply some amplification as well as phantom power and limiting.

Regarding the B&H link that didn't work, just go to their main page, bhphotovideo.com, and use the search feature to search for Beachtek or XLR adapter.

Rode makes a mini plug to XLR plug adaptor for the VideoMic, which is also available at B&H.

--
Fred

Thomas Hartz-Olsson · March 13th, 2006, 04:46 AM

Okay I bought the 2S of B&H and I'm getting the Rode videomic of ebay. I'm waiting to see if I'll just use the minijack plug or i'll just get one of my friends to make the plug into an xlr. His a genius with audioequipment and he's soldered the first 1000 cables I think ;)

Thanks for your help. Will post a pic of the setup when everything is recieved.

March 9th, 2006, 12:24 PM	#1
Thomas Hartz-Olsson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 63	Audioequipment for Panny GS400 (XLR and mic) Hi, I'm looking to buy some audio equipment for my Panasonic GS400. I definately want an XLR adaptor so I can use two mono inputs. Preferably one with an amplifier. And then I need a good shotgun mic for the hotshoe. Good but no neccesarely pro sound - my budget is rather tight. So is beachtek the choise for the XLR? And wich model will fit my camera? And what about the mic? Oh yeah, and if you know a place that ships to Denmark (europe) fairly cheap that'll be appreciated. Thanks!

March 9th, 2006, 01:13 PM	#2
Thomas Shaddox New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 14	The Beachtek's http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ar&A=search&Q= are nice, but I'm not sure what you mean by an adapter with an amplifier. Mics don't need amplifiers, unless you mean phantom power, which the higher end Beachteks can supply. Another XLR adapter is the Sign-Video XLR-PRO, http://www.signvideo.com/xlr-pro_xlr...udio-mixer.htm . It has no phantom power either, but individual phantom power units can be purchased for around US$50 I believe. As far as compatibility with the GS400, anything with an unbalanced headphone output (which all the XLR adapters are, since that's what they're adapting XLR to) will work. The GS400 also has manual audio controls, meaning you can attenuate the level if it's too high. My GS150 sadly lacks this feature, forcing me to buy a Radio Shack headphone volume control. __________________ _______________________________/ Thomas Shaddox _______________________/ wediddoit at gmail dot com _______________/ MSN: cptshaddox at hotmail dot com _______/

March 9th, 2006, 01:27 PM	#3
Thomas Hartz-Olsson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 63	Thanks. I don't know I just thought some had a feature that amplified the sound. That first link to the beachtek doesn't work though? What about a shotgun mic? Any suggestions? The Rode Videomic looks nice but it's not XLR. EDIT: That Signvideo XLR-Pro looks nice. I'm definately thinking about buying that. Can I trust the site with my visa details?

March 11th, 2006, 10:04 AM	#4
Daniel Manasia New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 5	Yes, I've ordered that unit from them. They're very quick and reliable, and the unit itself (the XLR-Pro) is very sturdy amd well made....

March 12th, 2006, 03:08 PM	#5
Georg Liigand Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Estonia Posts: 214	Don't worry that the Rode VideoMic isn't XLR. I used Beachtek DXA-2S and VideoMic when I had GS400 and it was a perfect setup. I made a miniplug->XLR converter myself according to the instructions provided by Pana3CCD User members http://www.pana3ccduser.com/showthread.php?t=4041 . Make sure you scroll down to the Guy's instructions as the first ones are not correct. You can also plug VideoMic to the addon XLR box' AUX input which is miniplug. I just found it a bit uncomfortable.

March 13th, 2006, 04:46 AM	#7
Thomas Hartz-Olsson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 63	Okay I bought the 2S of B&H and I'm getting the Rode videomic of ebay. I'm waiting to see if I'll just use the minijack plug or i'll just get one of my friends to make the plug into an xlr. His a genius with audioequipment and he's soldered the first 1000 cables I think ;) Thanks for your help. Will post a pic of the setup when everything is recieved.