* * Xlr Audio Vs External Audio Recording * *
 

I am moving forward with my feature and I am looking to resolve a AUDIO route.

EQUIPMENT

XL1S
Sennheiser Directional Shotgun (In process of purchasing)
MA-100 (In process of purchasing)
Sony Mini-Disk Recorder
Boom

Because of the dialogue, my question is, what route would you recommend recording audio?

Combo One:
Onboard Audio of the XL1S
MA-100
Shotgun
Boom

Combo Two:
Sony Mini-Disk
Shotgun
Boom

I am looking for the best quality recording. As adjusting the XL1S on the fly for sound, while maintaining the image, introduces too many human tasking problems.

Please help, if you have had experience with this, or advice.

Much Appreciated!

Derrick

At some point, the complexity of a professional production requires a seperate soundman. As you said, overtasking of one camera operator becomes the critical issue. Your two configurations really lend themselves to one soundman/cameraman for option one and a seperate soundman/cameraman for option two. If you were to throw in a mixer, like a Samson mixpad or a Mackie mixer, you'd be more flexible for either config. The mixer really is a good complement, providing phantom power, limited equalization capability, and of course mixing capability beyond which recorder method you choose. It's really impossible to record quality audio and video with a single person since both need to be monitored and adjusted on the fly.

* * THANK YOU * *
 

Yes, indeed.

I do plan on using a sound person for recording. The mixer was something I did not think about and a good bit. I will be looking into that more thoroughly.

I am thinking about a sound person with their own equipment.

I won't have to guess what is needed.

Thanks for the information!

A Lesson In Xlr
 

Here's a scenario. I'm shooting a project and I am not audio swavy at all. I have a XL-1, I have a sennheiser me66 shotgun mic, and I want to figure out how it all works. I know I need an XLR adapter. Can someone tell me the best route to go in my situation and where is the best place to buy an XLR adapt. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks.

Jo

Jo,

You need the K6 power module and an adapter like the Cannon MA100, which gives you two channels of bal audio inputs and a sholder pad or the newer MA200, with 4 channels of XLR inputs. You can also use adapters from Sound Devices and Beachteck.
For the differences, see our thread in this section, listed as: "MA100 noise". al.

Studio One also offers an XLR adapter. Some folks prefer it to the Beachtek model.

I use a Sound Devices mic pre-amp with phantom power http://www.sounddevices.com/index.html Zotz carries the Sound Devices products along with the Studio 1 products http://www.zotzdigital.com/ They all offer similar products, just depends on what you need to do and what your budget is.

Jeff

Jo,
I don't know what your budget is, but if you want one of the best solutions, I have a new Sound Devices Mix Pre for sale if you are interested. This unit provides phantom power for mics and can be used both off-camera by a seperate audio person, and on camera. See "www.sounddevices.com" for details on this and other adapters they have. The MixPre is a full featured field preamp/mixer combo with 2 mic/line inputs and outputs w/add outs for tape & headphone monitoring.
This is new-in-the-box unit for $750.00. al.

* * Xl1s Microphone Power * *
 

Does anybody know what the voltage of the power that is supplied to the 'onboard' manufacturer's XL1S microphone.

I don't have a meter and I would like to know my options for customizing my system.

Thanks in advance...

Cheers!

Derrick

Dont bank on this but I think it is 5v. Can anyone else conform this?

The power supplied to the XL1 stock microphone is 5 volts DC.

* * EXCELLENT * *
 

That is exactly what I was looking for...

Thanks, VideoHead!

Thanks, Don!



Derrick

XLR attenuator
 

Has anyone ever run across an in-line signal attenuator with a female XLR on one end and a male XLR on the other? Just wonder if I should keep trying to find one...if such a thing exists. No luck yet. Thanks.

They exist. The units I've see are from Shure; e.g., from their web site:

* A15AS Switchable microphone attenuator prevents preamplifier overload when strong signals are applied.
* Provides 15, 20, 0r 25 dB of microphone attenuation
* Pass phantom power
* Requires use of balanced signals; XLR female in and XLR male out
* U.S. User Net Price $45.62

* A15LA Line adapter provides 50 dB attenuation, allowing a balanced line-level source to be connected to a balanced microphone input.
* Slender, in-line XLR (F) to XLR (M) configuration
* Requires use of balanced signals
* U.S. User Net Price $41.37

There are other brands and prices. Check any pro audio shop.

Thanks!


(you da man!)