I have some web videos going and I want to improve my audio. I like the equiped pcm mike. I want to be able to remove the pcm and use it for close miking. is there a cable I can get around 12 ft. I can attach to my xl-1 to accomplish this.

Yes, but you have to make it. The two cables you'll need
are regular male stereo mini to female stereo mini and 2.5 sub mini (mono)
to female 2.5mm mono. Radio shack has 10 footers(?). For anything longer
you'll need to make it yourself. The sub mini cable is for phantom
power to the mic, so there is probably a certain length beyond which your mic
won't work due to voltage drop. You might get 25' with good cable,
but that's a guess.

Thanks for the speedy reply. 10 ft will be good. Iwant to stick with the pcm mike it has great sound quality and the output is digital so no conversion of files.

The XL1 on board mic isn't really that bad. Better than most.
You're right that getting it closer to the sound source will produce
decent results, but it's not a *great* mic. Those cost more than
an XL1 kit ;)

However, the "sound" every mic makes is actually an
electrical "analog" signal. That signal voltage runs down the wire
from the microphone (transducer) and into a Analog to Digital
coverter (A to D coverter going in. Going back: D to A Coverter).

This "hardware encoder" processor samples the electrical signal (waveform)
and coverts it to a digital representation. Those zeros and
ones (a big stream of them) are recorded on the tape.

You should know there are options and add ons to improve the XL1s audio
quality, but the best way for the money is your way.

PS I hope I'm not telling a lie about Radio Shack. They do have
stereo mini (extensions) Male to Female, but the wiring may not
be shielded, meaning trouble might ensue.