Apparently not!

I suspect that the future version of the XL will (finally) incorporate phantom power and built-in XLR's. But I'm not so confident about a future version of the GL having this feature.

Meanwhile, there's always the Beachtek DXA-4P.

GL2 External Mic Question
 

Hello everyone,

Gotta question, I'm trying to figure out the following:
If I connect an external mic to the MIC terminal in my GL2, will I still get audio from the on-board mic? Will the mono signal from the external mic be one the left channel? If so, does it cancel out the audio from left channel of the on-board mic?

Another question: how would you connect two wireless mics to the cam and control their levels without a mixer. Do I need one of these (or something similar?):
http://www.signvideo.com/xlr-pro_xlr_adapter-audio-mixer.htm

Thanks all!

Regards,
Emilio

If you plug an external microphone into the mic socket, it automatically disconnects both channels of the built in microphone.

A mono microphone will play left channel only. You will get noise on the right channel.

Most editing software will allow you to duplicate the L channel on to the R channel to give dual channel mono.

If there are no impedance problems, you can use a female mono/male stereo adaptor between your microphone and the camera socket.

Canon MA300 for me . .. .
 

I decided to go down the Canon Audio Adaptor MA300 route. This gives 2xXLR and other stuff too. It sits in the HOT shoe of the XM2 . .

There are pluses and minus' with this setup, as too with screwing a box under the cammie itself. This is the "type" of box which you've found out about. Others here will suggest the BEECHTEK [ spelling may be out . . ].

Anyways, using XLRis a very good way to go. It gives the "clean" pro sound. I guess you've got say what you will be needing it for in the near future and could you see this investment payng off . . yeah?

I have external Sennihieser kit:

1 - A senni EVOL100 Wirless kit [ ltie mic ]

2 - The ME66, shotgun with the K6 power module.

I connect each of the 2 XLR inputs on the MA300 and get a fabulous "feeling" of controllable and clean sound. When I come to edit in Vegas, I then have LEFT and RIGHT as Wirless mic and Shotgun mic. Great stuff. Just did a whole load of interviews. These mics and the MA300 setup was the perfect setup for me.

If I was connecting 2 wireless mics, then I would remove the shotgun . . . yeah? Then I could "mix" on camera. This is the way I've been taught. I'm more concerned to get the best and cleanest sound coming TO the cammie. Then any further "mixing" I can do weithin Vegas. I treat sound the same as video. GET the BEST in the can. NOW, mic attenuation is THE way for me to get the levels set and maybe a little down or up twisting of the dials to fine tune it, gets me thru' the night.

At the end of the day, Emilio, it is very straight forward. BUT getting audio and the BEST you can for your budget is the only way to go. I wish others starting out spent more time on addressing the forlorn poor cousin of vide . . namely AUDIO! - Hey Good audio can MAKE an average video . . BUT poor audio can totally RUIN an excellent piece of video .. been there cdone that . . got the scars - yeah?

Hope this helps .. Others will come in with their own observations and suggestions.

Best regards,

Grazie

Thanks Grazie and Alan for your replies. Really helpful insight guys. I've definitely learned a lot using this forum, and all of you are to thank!!

Grazie,
Another question, using the MA300 you've got two inputs. Is that, two mono inputs, left and right? Or, two stereo, on four left and right channels?

Regards,
Emilio

Canon L1 stereo/zoom mic and the GL2
 

I have a Canon L1. It has a mic (stereo/zoom) that came with it. Has anyone ever hooked it up to the GL2? Would it work just from the hotshoe or do I need to get and extension cable 3" to reach the mic output?

I remember seeing on the board that someone used it this way before but I can't find the thread.

I'm shooting a reporter interviewing Gem experts at a Jewel convention atmosphere in a convention center.

Or will the onboard mic of my GL2 work fine?

Thanks for the help

Richard

Richard,

I would strongly recommend against using the built in mic for an interview in a noisy envrioment (actually pretty much anytime but especially here). You'll be picking up LOTS of sound that you don't want. Best would be to mic both with lav's, next best would be a good boom shotgun boom mounted.

Thanks Rob,

What about a Sure SM57 mic that he could hold? Would the GL2 pick this up as stereo or mono?

Richard

Richard,

Looks like that is a XLR mic so assuming you'll be using an adapter of some sort, yep, it'll record to just one channel. Plugging any external mic in to the GL2 disables the onboard mic so you'll just be getting that one channel.

No personal experience with that particular mic but it'll be waaaay better than using the onboard. Just make sure the interviewer points the mic in the vicinity of the source.

Thanks Again Rob,
This helps a lot!!!

I'm gonna try to get and adapter......


Richard

Hi
I recently purchased the XLR Pro from sign video ,only took 4 days to arrive (from placing order and i'm in the UK).Very pleased with both the service from SignVideo and the XLR Pro.The only dissadvantage to getting the XLR Pro(or similar Beachtek etc) over the MA-300 is you will have to get a hot shoe shock mount if you want to sit the mic on the camera(oh and the MA-300 lets you connect a field monitor). Beyer make a reasonably priced shock mount(just ordered one of those as well it was about £20.Other things to consider when it comes to the mic is ,does it need phantom power or does it take a battery.I have an AudioTechnicaAT4073a(phantom power only)and an AT835b(phantom or battery).So i had to order a phantom power supply,these can be either battery or mains powered and vary in price ,output voltage,number of channels etc.(ordered a PPS2-24v £50apprx),the one i'm getting has two channels and runs off 3 PP3 batteries,so i can connect both mics at the same time.It is a more expensive set up than going for the MA-300 but it's not restricted to just my cam(XM2).I would tsill have needed to buy the phantom power supply anyway for the AT4073a.
Hope that helps
Andy

Recommend an XLR adaptor????
 

I'm looking for an XLR adaptor for my GL-2. I'd like
two XLR inputs.

I'm currently considering Sign Video's XLR Pro and Studio One's XLR -BP Pro...

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan from Michigan

I opted for the SignVideo XLR Pro,and it seems fine to me .Haven't used it a great deal yet ,only played around,i use it with a battery powered phantom power unit ,and 2 AT mics.The service from Sign was excellent as well,had it within a few days of ordering,and i'm in the UK.I have one of thier Lanc controllers as well,the only downside i've found with the Lanc is i cannot zoom and focus at the same time.In all honesty i don't think there is really much beween the Sign video,studio one and beachtek adapters.With any of those adaptors you will need a hot shoe shock mount if you want to mount the mic on the cam,i opted for beyer 86 shock mount which works fine for me(especially for the price).
Hope that helps.

Thanks Andrew,

I've been comparing the Sign Video XLR Pro and the adaptor made by Studio One. According to Studio One, their XLR BP ($120) is only for dynamic microphones. If using a condensor, I guess that means you'd have to upgrade to their XLR BP Pro, which retails for $179.00. Sign Video's adaptor is about $149.

If anyone else has any input on these, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again Andrew!

I did a comparison between the Studio One XLRBP-PRO and the Beachtek a while back on this board when I had a GL2. I found the Studio One to allow more sound through, and it was more flexible with the ground lift switch (could be used with a variety of devices and cameras), and I also liked the belt clip method as opposed to the under camera method.

I don't know anything of the Sign Video one, but I can tell you that the XLR BP-PRO is a very good product. If the Sign one is as limited as you mentioned above, I'd shake it off for the Studio One.

Imran,

Thanks for the feedback.

Just to make myself clear -- according to a rep. from Studio One, the XLR BP can only be used with Dynamic microphones. Their next model up is the XLR BP Pro, which sells for $180, as compared to Sign Video's XLR pro which sells for $150.

Does anyone know if the XLR pro can be used with microphones besides dynamic only?

Thanks again.

Canon's MA300?
 

Why not? I've got it .. it works AND its got a BNC connector AND another cold shoe AND another a mic clamp too?!?! Why don't people suggest this? Do others know something I don't? .. . oh yeah .. it NOW looks like Sony's aduio "pods" they've designed-in to their "other" range too . . . hmmm... Canon must be doing something right here? . . . oh yeah . . it isn't bolted underneath the cammie!

Grazie

Modifying the GL2 MA-300 Adapter...
 

Has anyone ever tried adding a switch / circuit to make the MA-300 XLR adapter for the GL2 Mono/Stereo? I believe (I'm hoping) it should be rather easy. Running a wye-splitter into both jacks when taping handheld with a wireless receiver is bulky and bizaar. HELP!!!

Thanks, Christian

Are you saying you want the Mono feed to appear on both tracks? This isn't "stereo" it is the same feed on both tracks .. So I guess you're wanting the audio to appear on/in your NLE as 2 audio tracks. Why not double up the tracks in your edit, in post. This way:

1 - You wont muck up your MA300

2 - You've always got a spare XLR for another mono feed.

I've done both the "Y" and the separate recordings to each track. Others might have other views.

Grazie

My reason is this... I want my one input recorded on both tracks. If theres a dropout on one the other will cover it's arse. If it wasnt important I reckon Beachtek wouldnt include the feature on all their boxes either...

It is more likely that the drop out will be caused by the source, i.e your microphone. In this case your drop out will be duplicated on both tracks...

not all NLEs
 

not all NLEs provide for duplicating the missing audio channel. this is a shortcoming of the canon adapter and another reason to consider the beachtek.

Low Volume with MA-300
 

Wondering if anybody has experienced this before.

With the Canon MA-300 microphone adapter and an Azden SGM-1X shotgun mic, my recording levels are on the low side.
If I plug the mic right into the camera using a XLR-mini adapter cable, the recording levels are noticeably louder (and better sounding). I have the audio set to manual and at the same level for both tests.
Is this a 'feature' of the MA-300? Is there any settings I should be aware of?

Thanks

Jeff, granted I've got the Senni k66, but I haven't noticed this. I'll do a test later this morning . . hmmm...

Grazie

Well I have decided after several other tests that I am not that thrilled with the Azden SGM-1X

I thought it would sound much better than it does.

I just got a deal of a lifetime on a used Sennheiser ME66/K6 so hopefully it solves my audio problems.

The Senn ME66 has substantially higher output than the Azden, a far better mic to boot!

GL2 and MA-300
 

Good Day All,

I am the a/v coordinator at my church and we will be purchasing the GL2 this week. I have numerous questions, but I will only ask a few now and follow up with more later.

With the MA-300, what is the best way to get the sound from the soundboard (Mackie 32) and also getting the sound from the congregation? With getting the sound from the Mackie, will I need anything to reduce any unwanted noise/sound going direct from the soundboard to the GL2?

2nd Question: I will be using Video Vegas 5 +DVD to edit and author DVDs. Has anyone done this and what problems if any have you experience or words of wisdom.

I have general concepts of the a/v world from my degree in tv/radio, but haven't used any of my degree since I got commissioned in the Air Force. I have a love and passion, but the technology has changed greatly from when I was in school with 30 lb cameras and 3/4 inch tape. Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.

I must say I have done a lot of reading on DV and this is an OUTSTANDING forum for newbys and those in the middle of the road!!!!

Hi Ryan, welcome to the forum.

I use a GL2 and often take a signal from a Mackie sound board, and I use Vegas 5 + DVD. My main venues are high school and cummunity theater auditoriums. I think that you and your "customers" will be thrilled with the DVD product you will be able to produce.

I recommend against the MA-300. It's usable, but if you haven't already bought it, or it's returnable, get a Beachtek adaptor instead, preferably the DXA-8. This will greatly increase your versatility. But even the DXA-4 is much better than the MA-300, and for about the same price.

Assuming that the church's PA sysem is working off the stereo outputs, I would plan on taking your signal from the Balanced Mono Out (not Monitor Out). That output is post eq, post fade and post mute, so you get the true mono mix of whatever the operator is sending to the stereo outputs. You will need a 1/4" TRS to 3-pin XLR male adaptor, and a suitable length of XLR cable. I would also purchase a few in line attenuators. because the DXA-8 is designed for mic level and Makie's Mono Out is a mix of the amplifed stereo output, controlled by the stereo faders. The stereo outputs normally go to the inputs of a power amplifier so the faders are not likely to be set too high for your use of the Mono (with attenuators), and not likely to be changed during an event. But check with the operator.

The output from the board is nice and pure, but as you apparently already know, can sound sterile if not mixed with some room sound. This is especially important when you have an audience or a congregation. So the idea is to take a line from the board into one of the GL2's stereo channels and a mic input into the other. Many mics will do the job for you, but don't get a shotgun like many people are inclined to do for their first mic (only a good idea if it's going to be a roving camera with a camera mounted mic). A cardiod or hypercardiod placed on a stand is better for indoor coverage. I use an AT 3031 cardiod.

Yes, this is a great site, easily one of the best on the internet, and you can get advice much more expert than mine on mics and on Vegas in their respective forums.

[Edit--I forgot to mention that the MA300 and the DXA-8 are both designed for mics, so attenuators are required in order to use them with line level inputs]

Best of luck!

Ryan,

I agree with Fred: The BeachTek DXA-4 is preferred over the MA-300. While the MA-300 has XLR inputs, it is NOT balanced inputs. I have used the DXA-4 with great success. The DXA-8 adds phantom power and limiters, so if your budget permits, this will provide you will more capability and flexibility as Fred said.

Good luck.

Fred and Pete,

Thanks for the information. The two of you have been very helpful and I will be checking into the recommendations you have offered.

I do have some questions. With the DXA-4, thanks Pete for the link, does it have an attachment to allow you to connect it to the tripod. I see where it allows you to connect it to the camera, but does it allow you to connect it to the tripod. Being in the military you never want to assume, therefore I am a true believer that there is no such thing as a "dumb question".

Fred, what type(s) of attenuators do you recommend. Also with your recommendation, where can I find out more stuff about them. We do have a sound person who will definitely understand what you are talking about, but I believe knowledge is power, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

What are some of the places to purchase the DXA-4, the attenuators, and the AT 3031 cardiod?

Thanks again, and I'm sure you will be hearing from me again.

Ryan, B&H (www.bhphotovideo.com) is the best place to buy all things audio and video online. Trustworthy, huge selection, extensive product descriptions and specs posted for most items, friendly, knowledgeable staff when you call, fast delivery, no-hassle returns for refund or exchange. They are a sponsor of this web site.

All of the BeachTek adaptors attach to the camera's tripod mount. On the flip side of the BeachTek is its own tripod mount. So it winds up in the middle. Very solid and professional looking, with the control knobs handy.

I have two Audio Technica AT8202 in line attenuators. They cost about $44 each. They have a slide switch for setting them to -10, -20 or -30 dB of attenuation.

You can find out lots by just doing google searches on the words you're interested in. You can also ask audio questions in the Now Hear This forum. Very helpful pros there. I like my AT3031 (actually I have two so I can set up a stereo pair if I want to), but I suggest that you ask for recommendations in the Now Hear This forum before you decide. I've seen others post who do church work.

Finally (for now) Mackie has a great website with FAQs, downloadable instruction manuals for their gear, and such. They will also answer any specific questions you have via email.

Thanks Fred,

You have been very helpful! I will continue to browse through the different areas of this great forum.

I was able to do some google searches to find some of the information you spoke on and I did find that the DXA-4 connects to the tripod.

Thanks again!!!

To Anyone:

Do you recommend using a remote control zoom? If so, what do you recommend. I have researched the ZR-100 and the VZ-Rock DVX. There is $100 difference in price and I know you generally get what you pay for, but just looking for a little reassurance before I make the purchase. Are there any other brands between the $150-$250 price range that are realiable and durable. Looking to use them during church service and weddings to make sure I have nice controlled zooms.

Having a focussing options is not necessary if it is going to significantly increase the price. We are training churh youth to operate cameras and audio equipment (with obvious adult supervision). However, they haven't mastered the controlled zoom using the zoom control on the camera. I'm searching for the zoom control with variable spd control so that I can elimnate the start, stop, start that our youth are doing.

Any help is appreciated!!!

Ryan

<< Do you recommend using a remote control zoom? >>

In my book this is the single most useful thing you can buy.

There are a lot of articles about zoom controllers on my site at http://www.dvinfo.net. For starters, see http://www.dvinfo.net/canongl2/artic...ive.php#zr1000 -- hope this helps,

Thanks Chris,

A lot of the information you mention I have seen, but now it makes sense. Thanks again.

The Sony VCT-870 RM may be worth your consideration. It is a mid sized tripod with a pretty good built in variable zoom controller on the handle. It also has a record/pause button and a power standby button.

I have one that I use with my GL2. The zoom function works nicely. The tripod head is not a true fluid head, but the tilting and panning are very smooth. My only complaint is that the tripod is lightly built, so the video trembles noticeably if I bump the pan handle or a leg, or grasp the handle or let it go without deliberate care.

But the price is right, $135 at B&H.

This is not a professional quality tripod, but with care it's been a great solution for me for my work at my level. It will tide me over until I stop investing in audio and can afford a better tripod and separate controller.

Thanks Fred,

I do have a Tripod already, but we will be looking to get another once we get money to get another GL2. Thanks for the information. I still have more questions, but I have to digest all of the information I have thus far. I shall return. Thanks again to all that have helped thus far.

MA-300 video out question
 

I'm curious to know whether using the video out BNC connector on the MA-300 mic adaptor gives different/better results than using the AV out on the XM/GL2.

The signal is going into a JVC monitor (BNC).

In fact, thinking about it, why did they put the video out on the MA-300 in the first place?

Any ideas?

I think idea was to provide BNC for some monitors. For example, i was once in studio where i needed to connect my XM2 to video panel, and they only had BNC cables (silly,but true), so MA300 came out pretty handy. I doubt, howewer, there could be any difference in quality.

And don't forget the Lil Cutesy Wire!
 

Ah yes! And don't forget to use the "cutesy" lil wire to get your video UP to the MA300. It don't go via the hot shoe - NICE ONE CANON - you could have gone the other 2" on this one!

Unbridled silliness!

Grazie