I need to use a mini jack recording mic on an XLR input on a camera. There are adapters that convert Mini Jack male to XLR male. Is this safe to just go using on any camera? If the mic is self powered do I need to be careful?

Thoughts?

After reading this a few times, you will be fine with this setup.
The power from the mic will not be seen by the cameras audio inputs.

Look up Phantom Power.

I have tried to hook a XLR Pro mic to a consumer camera with a mini jack and it didn't work for me. Most adapters are for attaching a microphone with a mini jack, connect to an XLR input on a pro video camera.

If your camcorder only has a mini-jack audio input you can convert it to XLR with one of the handy adapters that attach to the bottom of your camera. With a BeachTek adapter you can now also use your camera with an XLR shotgun mic on a boom pole.

As I agree with Mark on the Beachtek option, only if your cam has a mini input.
I have not had any issues with what was initially asked- mini to XLR.
The Beachtek will not provide this, as the outputs are mini, and not XLR.

I wire my own gear, so I am comfortable with what I come up with.

Aussie company Rode do a 3.5mm-XLR adapter that will let you plug their Videomic into an XLR socket. No probs at all with that. Maybe make sure that phantom power is turned off on your camera's audio settings just in case. I used it on my Sony V1 for a while, before I upgsaded upgraded to the Rodent2.

Check it out on the Rode website: RØDE Microphones - VXLR (http://uk.rodemic.com/accessory.php?product=VXLR)

It does get interesting if it's a stereo mic to XLR, as you'll need a splitter lead (a 3.5mm stereo socket on one end and two 3.5mm jacks on the other) but for mono mics, the above adapter should work. It's also a lot more compact than a lead.

thanks for all the help!

So my microphone, with it's mini jack male can go into this adapter which turns it into XLR male.

This will work with a self powered mic, if phantom power is off.

And the rode product was exactly what I was looking at getting. (http://uk.rodemic.com/accessory.php?product=VXLR)


THANKS!

The circuitry of any battery powered condenser microphone could easily be destroyed by phantom power. I learned this the hard way with an old shotgun mic. My replacement mic had a specific warning in this regard.

The circuitry of any battery powered condenser microphone could easily be destroyed by phantom power. I learned this the hard way with an old shotgun mic. My replacement mic had a specific warning in this regard.

It really depends on the microphone. The Rode NTG-2 or the Sennheiser ME66 baterry powered mics run quite happily with phantom power. The problem arises with a unbalanced consumer mic having a TS output connector or a stereo mic with a TRS output connector adapted to feed an XLR input that has phantom power on it.