Thanks Dean. (Bummer)

<<<-- Originally posted by Matthew Elyash : Note the two sets of connector pins on the mic cable from the on camera mic that is for channel one and two -->>>

Umm, I think you'll find that one of the pins (larger one) on the plug-in connector on the on-camera mic is the stereo connector for L/R channels (note the ceramic separation between channels, just like a stereo mini plug) -- the other pin is for phantom power from the camera to the mic.

Regards.

To nit pick a bit, it is not phantom power, just 5 VDC to power the mic. Phantom power us normally assoicated with balanced (XLR) connections, not separate power leads, and typically is on the order of 48 volts. Note that both mic jacks need to be plugged in to power the mic.

I have a few question about audio
1. What is function of adapter MA-200 ? Because I think I can record from my external mic with that adapter.
I connect my external mic to audio in the behind camera.
2. Can I connect my external mic to audio 2 directly ?
3. Can I get two channel audio from xl1s ? From audio 1 and audio 2 ( different input )
4. How to transfer two channel audio from xl1s to computer ? Usually I using firewire cable and adobe premiere capture.
But I just get one channel.

Sorry, my english isn't quite good
Thx

I'm not sure I am following all of your questions. Basically the
MA-200 allows you to connect XLR type microphones to your
XL1(s) directly.

As for your last question (4), you will need another capture tool
to get the full 4 channels. Look at something like www.scenalyzer.com

I can connect microphone to audio directly to audio 1 without MA-200. So what the function MA-200 ?
Thx

I think with the MA-200 you have the XLR inputs, which you don't have standard on the cam. Better mics often have XLR outputs (I'm hoping I don't use the words input and output wrong here, forgive me if I do) and you cannot get them attached to your XL1s or XL1 without it.
As Rob stated it: you can connect mics to it, but you not the XLR-type mics, and the most and best mics have XLR. So...
I think quality is better too, but not sure of that last.
Good luck.

Is there other any answer ?

I think on your question 2, I think you CAN get 2 times audio from it, but I'm not sure, and I also don't know how.
Good luck.

1. The MA-200 provides an adapter that enables connection up to four mics with XLR connectors to the XL1, and provides a BNC analog video connector. It also provides about 6 dB of audio gain, an improved shoulder pad/mount, and place to hang some accessories.

2. YOu can connect excternal mics to Audio 2 inpt if you have the proper adapters and cables to make the connection. The audio 2 inputs have to be enabled abnd set to the require input sensitivity from the menu system.

3. The XL1 defaults to 2-channel (AKA 2-track or stereo) audio. that is recoorded from the stock mic input jack or the Aufio 1 inputs. Selection is made using the switch behind the door. The audio 2 inputs are active for input only if you have selected 4-track (4-channel or two stereo pair) audio mode.

4. If the audio was recorded in 4-channel mode, the XL-1 will automatically output 4-track audio over firewire. Many NLE system capture stereo (2-track/channel) audio only. Some allow capture of 4-track audio, this is usually a function of the capture card or drivers, and the default Windows drivers used by many moderate priced NLE systems do not support 4-channel. Check the documentation of your NLE carefully to see what it supports.

Note that 2- channel audio is sampled at 48 kHz sample rate and 16-bit sample size. 4-channel is sampled at 32 kHz and 12-bit sample size. Thus in theory 2-channel is better, about like comparing CD sound to FM radio sound. But many if not most people will not be able to hear the difference in the final edited tape.

4-channel recording can be a bit tricky to master, so practice to get it down before trying to use it at an important shoot.

That little 5 VDC jack from the camera to the MA 100 or MA 200 is only to power the electronics in the MA units. There's no phantom power going to the XLR connectors at all.

You'll need a seperate phantom power supply between the mic and the Canon XL1 if your mics require phantom power.

Matt,
The MA-100 is limitd to two audio inputs.

However, as I understand it, you should be able to get 4 channels from the MA-200 by connecting its output to the Audio 1 and Audio 2 input jacks. You have to select Audio 1 as the input with the Input switch behind the door. as well as settng up the record mode and Audio 2 and audio 1/2 sensitivity from the menu.

You also have to set your audio for 12bit at 32 k. Then you have to set your editor to recognize 32k audio.
depending upon the NLE you are using, you might be limited to capturing only two audio channels at a time.

Before burning you will need to be assured all audio is at 16 bit, 48k, or the dvd burning application won't process the audio correctly. At least that is what I have read in several posts both here and elsewhere. I don't capture more than two channels on videotape anymore, so anyone who has more experience, please add to or correct my comments.

Can anybody tell me if either the MA100 or the MA200 provide the phantom power necessary to connect a boom mic directly into an XL1s?

No phantom power from the MA100 or MA200.

And they are designed for mic-level inputs only. A line level (e.g., over -10 dBV) will be clipped.

used my new ma200 for the first time. set up at home, everything works fine. at the theatre i could not pick up any sound. (wired stage mic, which worked for the sound tech.)

help

thanks

karl

Sorry, can't offer any help without knowing more about your setup. Were you recording in 16-bit audio or 12-bit audio? Which inputs on the MA200 were you using? Which stereo pair on the camera were you connected to... Audio 1 or Audio 2 or both?

Sorry, can't offer any help without knowing more about your setup. Were you recording in 16-bit audio or 12-bit audio? Which inputs on the MA200 were you using? Which stereo pair on the camera were you connected to... Audio 1 or Audio 2 or both?

hello chriss,

sorry..

12 bit audio, used audio 1 in.
connectet at home a xlr, incl. mic was working fine. the theatre had a stage mic, wired, and i could not get anything. the sound manager was able to record with the same mic.

lenght of cable, about 200 ft.


do have have to have the camera in rec. -pause- ?

thanks

Is there a particular reason that you are recording in 12 bit? If you don't need all 4 channels, I would record at the highest 16 bit. The next thing is to make sure that you have the input switch set to input instead of camera mic. You could have possbly thought you were getting mic input at the house but actually got camera mic instead. Finally, make sure that you are in fact plugged into channel 1 or 2 on the MA-200. I have had audio mixers that weren't familiar with the MA-200 plug into 3 and 4 because they sit lower and appear to be the primaries at a glance. One other reason may be that if you are using 12 bit, you may have hit the audio monitor button which could have toggled over to the other channels therefore not allowing you to hear the one your actually plugged into. In 16 bit, you will only hear two channels, in 12 bit by hitting the audio monitor button, you can isolate channel pairs such as stereo 1 only, stereo 2 only or a mix of both. So, if you were plugged into 1 or 2 and the audio monitor was set to monitor 3 and 4, you wouldn't hear 1 and 2.

Are you taking a feed from a board at the theater? If so, and your menu is set at line, you're not going to get much if anything. If you are coming from a board first make sure that the line out of the board is active, then set your menu setting for audio 1 to ATT20.

I bought my camera used and it has no manuals for either the camera or the adaptor and I have a foot-ball dinner dance to do on Friday week.
The hall has a projector screen and the foot-ball club want a live feed from the camera on this for the presentation, I'm really looking forward to seeing the quality of the camera on such a big screen but where I have to position myself I am afraid of interferance from the house speakers and wanted to know if I can plug into the house amp and use this as my main audio but still keep the onboard mic for the crowd reraction.
If yes how do you get the power from the amp to do this or will the XLR plug from the amp carry all. Also do I have to make any changes to the audio setting s on my camera.
Thank you in advance
Paul

Note that you can download the camcorder manual from the Canon web site; www.canondv.com

The following suggestions may fit your situation.

Sounds like you want to use 4-channel (12-bit) audio mode. Audio 1 inuts for the camcorder mic, and audio 2 inputs for the feed from the house sound system. These are selected form the menu - see the manual youdownload

If you are near the house sound board (say, less tahn 20 feet) you may be able to obtain a "tape out" feed at consumer line level from the house sound system and connect that to the Audio 2 inputs. No need for the MA200 with this setup. Just test it first.

If this in not workable for you, and you have XLR output available from the house sound system, you can connect it to the MA200, just be sure that it is the MA200 inputs connected to the Audio 2 input, and be sure the signal is at MIC level.

If all you have is the house sound syst4em speaker terminals, get a "direct box" from a local sound equipment house (the ones that cater to bands) to help with the connection.

Test well in advance so you have time to get any additional material you might need, such as cables, attenuators, etc.

Thanks for your help Don.
I'll download the manual and possibly contact you if thats alright if I'm stuck.
Paul

Free to ask. My advice and suggestions are at least worth what you pay for them <g>. But I suggest posting the questions here in the forum, that way you can benefit from the collective wisdom of the folks who frequent this forum.

Hi,

I stepped into a job that involves video work. The office has three XL1s, two MA100s and one MA200.

Also, there are three SHURE wired microphones.

I cannot get the MA100 or the MA200 to work with the microphones. I follow the instructions in the manuals to the T, but still no luck.

I try using Audio Input 1, Audio Input 2, changing the menu from 16-bit to 12-bit ST, and then to 12-bit ST 1,2. Plus I configure the different input settings from MIC, MIC ATT to LINE.

No luck and I have tried every type of configuration.

It is possible that the Audio adapters don't like SHURE microphones? The mics do work with an external mixer board.

Any suggestions?

Matt, U.S. Navy

Hello,

Just an update. The only time any audio is registered with the MA100 and MA200 that I have is when I plug in the DC connector (power). For a second I get a jump of audio...

I have used Shure mics with the MA100 without problem.
Have you tried 2 channel recording?
Open the door ,make sure record level for audio1 is either on "A"(auto) or the level dial is cranked up to a couple notchs short of max.Also set the input select to audio1 and balance centered. Close the door and open the menu.go to VCR setup, audio 1 in, then choose "mic".Close the menu. Make sure the MA100 is plugged in to audio1 RCA jacks and the DC plug is inserted ALL THE WAY. Plug in your mics and test.
Did that work?

You get a brief jump of audio when you connect the MA100/200 power lead?

That sounds ususpiciously like the MA100/200 audio lead grounds are not directly connected to the camcorder, or as Jack suggests, the power plug is not fully inserted into the DC jack.

How is the MA100 connected to the camcorder?

Do the Audio1/Audfio2 audio leads work without the MA100?

I just got the MA-200 for my XL1s, and the case I got with the camera is the standard Canon hard case. The problem is I have to take off the MA-200 to fit it in this case, and its a real hassle. I'm wondering what case you are using for the XL1 with the MA-200 attached. I want to have enough room for the camcorder, charger, and some batteries & tapes. I've looked at some Pelican cases and Portabrace, but I'm not travelling so much right now, so the hard shell is not necessary.

Also, on the MA-200 itself, there are 3 screws on top of it. What are these used for? I can't find a reference to them in the "manual" that came with it, and I can't figure out what they're for. They seem to be made to hold something large because the bracket in the back comes out so far. Anyone know?

Thanks

The screws are for the CH-910 Dual Battery Charger/Holder, but since I dont have a MA-200 or the CH-910, i cant be positive.

-Drew

I just got the MA-200 for my XL1s, and the case I got with the camera is the standard Canon hard case. The problem is I have to take off the MA-200 to fit it in this case, and its a real hassle. I'm wondering what case you are using for the XL1 with the MA-200 attached. I want to have enough room for the camcorder, charger, and some batteries & tapes. I've looked at some Pelican cases and Portabrace, but I'm not travelling so much right now, so the hard shell is not necessary.

Also, on the MA-200 itself, there are 3 screws on top of it. What are these used for? I can't find a reference to them in the "manual" that came with it, and I can't figure out what they're for. They seem to be made to hold something large because the bracket in the back comes out so far. Anyone know?

Thanks


hello nick,

have in the botton space of the hardcase:

from left to right, 3 compartments:

1) dual batt. holder and charger + cables
ac/dc power cord/ cable for xl1-s

2) 7" lcd monitor, incl shoe mounting assy.
power cables for monitor
1 5 hour batterie

3) ma-200
1 5 hour batt.
1 2 hour batt.

next level:

in the center the xl1-s
behing the camera a bogen lanc 523, and a second pan handle

under the viewfinder a leather bag with 6 cables
the the right of the viewfinder i store the remote control for the camera, plus headphones
the bag in the lid is used for several filter.

makes everything kind of heavy, but i have to carry only one case.

greetings

the 3 screws will hopld the dual batt. charger incl. the 2 batts.

The PortaBrace CO-OB does everything you want and more. These are worth every cent of their price tag.

I have the Kata CCC-1 (http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=3&cid=5&perentId=1&ProdLine=1)

My XL-1S has the MA-200, a 25cm long Cavision 15mm rod assembly with a bellows matte box, and it all fits in very nicely, with enough room in front of the camera to lay in my Varizoom 5.6" monitor in it's case.

Very rooooomy. Very sturdy. Lots of external storage pockets.

Thanks for the input everyone... I got the CH-910 dual battery holder/charger with 2 BP-945 batteries, and a Portabrace CTC-3. The camera fits nicely with both the MA-200 and CH-910 attached and I still have room for tapes and such. I put more of my accessories in my VX2100 Sony case and I normally have both cameras with me, so everything ties together nicely. I like the fact that Portabrace threw in a nice plastic white balance card too, it was a nice touch. Good prices too from Adorama Camera.

Had an unfortunate dropping incident with my xl1, luckily (?) the viewfinder and the arms of the ma200 took the damage. I've now got a cracked, but working viewfinder which I can live with for the time being. However the extending arms on the ma200 are both slightly bent at the attachment plate end, which is now loose and rattles rather annoyingly everytime the camera moves... so anyone now if I can get replacement arms? I need the arms/plate for ch910/t-power supply for a mic.

Cheers

Matt

While I am uncertain exactly what is bent from your description, (if those steel arms are truly bent, you are lucky the camera still works, as these are stout pieces indeed), it is possible that any "looseness" may be attributed to the "hex" screws that attach the plate for the CH-910 and are tapped into the ends of each arm and through the plate.
Even though they are also of substantial means and contain equally substantial lock washers, they can become loose through "normal," (non-drop) use. If this is your primary culprit, then they need to be soundly tightened. I used to carry an appropriate wrench for this service until I one day I applied some medium-strength automotive thread locker. No more loose screws. No more wrench requirement.
If you need a replacement arm(s), then short of ebay, I would suggest a quality machinist.
Hope this helps.

While I am uncertain exactly what is bent from your description, (if those steel arms are truly bent, you are lucky the camera still works, as these are stout pieces indeed), it is possible that any "looseness" may be attributed to the "hex" screws that attach the plate for the CH-910 and are tapped into the ends of each arm and through the plate.
Even though they are also of substantial means and contain equally substantial lock washers, they can become loose through "normal," (non-drop) use. If this is your primary culprit, then they need to be soundly tightened. I used to carry an appropriate wrench for this service until I one day I applied some medium-strength automotive thread locker. No more loose screws. No more wrench requirement.
If you need a replacement arm(s), then short of ebay, I would suggest a quality machinist.
Hope this helps.

Yes, I realise that I'm lucky the camera still works... The arms seem to have taken most of the force when it fell. Basically the end of each arm, where the plate you would mount the ch-910 is, is slightly bent. The last inch on each arm now curves about 10/15 degress out of true. Had a good play with the camera over the weekend and everything else seems fine. The only damage is to the vf and ma200... oh well, time to start checking out ebay.

If I have time I will post a pic.

Cheers

Matt

Wow, I can't believe it's been four months since the last time I visited this thread.

I guess I didn't need to use the MA-100 that badly.

Anyways, how can I check if the leads work other times. Other than trying to use the MA-100 and MA-200, I have never plugged anything into that little socket.

Matthew

EDIT: If you mean "do the red and white sockets work?" The answer is yes! I often using a mixing board to mix 2 or 3 microphones. The board does successfully output into the camera. I'd rather not use the board...just the MA-100 or MA-200.

If you can, try the MA-100/200 on a different camcorder. Does it work there?

The MA-100/200 must have dc power, it obtains it from the camcorder via the 2.5mm mono sub mini phone plug that connects into the camcorder's 5 vdc jack on the handle back. Also the audio cables must be plugged directly into the audio input jacks of the same camcorder that provides the power.

I am looking for a new or used ma-200. If you have on let me know as I am in the market for one!

I have a new one I might be interested in selling.

where are you?

Richard, I am in Iowa!

ah im all the way over in the UK so it might not be cheap to get it shipped over. Not sure what the retail on these things new are now days either.

first off, I have a decent camera bag that fits my XL1 perfectly, without the MA-200 or matte box, I also have to remove the viewfinder.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of bag I should look for, or what they do instead of having to remove all the add on bits.

Also, the matte box I have uses a 72mm adapter to connect to the lens, this means I cant use my lense cap with it on. Does anyone have any suggetions on what I could do.


Thanks

Im doing something where I need 4 mics to be plugged in, since it covers a wide area. I have an MA-200 and can plug mics into the Audio 1 left and right, if I plug a mic into the lower XLR inputs, audio 2 nothing happens.

Ive connected the two side phono leads to the audio 2 inputs on the XL1 but still nothing. Am I missing something?

Yes, what you're missing is that in order to use those particular inputs (Audio 2), you'll need to set the camera for four-channel 12-bit audio recording via the menu.

Ahha, thats great thanks, does this effect the quality of the audio much at all?

The 12-bit mode uses a 32 kHz sample rate vs. 48 kHz sample for 16-bit mode. 12-bit allows for 4 channels on a MiniDV tale, while 16-bit for only 2 channels. (Note that 12 bits x 32 kHz x 4 channels = 16 bits x 48 kHz x 2 channels for data storage purposes.)

There is a reduced frequency response from a theoretical 24 kHz top end for 16-bit mode to 16 kHz for 12-bit mode. Not significant for most purposes except possibly for serious music, but it that case you would not be using a camcorder for audio recording anyway.

The 12-bit sample depth has theoretically less dynamic range than 16-bit depth, but that is compensated for by the using some compression/expansion, so most folks cannot hear the difference.

In any case, 12-bit mode generally can exceed FM broadcast quality, and is well within the quality limits/constraints of typical field recording environments.

Be aware that not all NLE systems support 4-channel audio capture, although there are ways to work around that limitation.

Note that historically, many MiniDV camcorders like the VX1000 default to 12-bit recording mode, but only offer 2 available channels. The other two channels may be available for dubbing additional audio to the tape later.

Bottom line is that for most practical purposes, 4-channel (12-bit) audio mode is fine. But best to do your own test in advance to see if it meets your quality needs.

Hi Everyone

I have just purchased an Ma 200 for my XL1S, but when I plug my Sennheiser wireless reciever with the XL conector into the Ma 200 all the audio records only on one channel.

What do I need to do so that the audio records on both channels?

Kind regards

Andy

A mono signal goes to one channel only -- if you want it to double it out to two channels, just use an XLR splitter cable (one jack to two plugs).

Thanks Chris

Kind regards

Andy

An alternative to recordign on both channels, if the video is to be edited, is to pan the one channel signal to both (assuming stereo) when you edit. Saves lugging about additional adapters in the field.