darn, guess i should've bought an XL1s then heh.

Well, to be more specific, the audio jacks are bi-directional (input or output). It is the analog video jacks on the XL1 (both RCA and s-video) that are output only.

Don is right. I stand corrected. You can use the RCA jacks for audio input. There is both a menu selection and the switch on the left side of the camera body to accomplish this.

It's on pages 36,37 of the owner's manual.

Don't know what I was thinking cause it would have been really hard to use my MA-100 with the XL1 if the rca audio was output only.

Mea Culpa.

-gb-

Ma-100 - Newbee
 

So, when I plug in the MA-100 I noticed that only 1 Channel on the meter is responding to the signal. Although the Left or Right channel only shows activity on the Meter, depending upon which XLR plug is plugged in, is it still recording in Sterio?

I noticed this last weekend when I was recording a concert and I plugged in a XLR cable directly into the main board at the venu, but only one channel was responding to the recording. Also, in the the head phones one ear was only playing.

I Audio 1/MIC seetings on Audio1 and REC LEVEL on "A" per page 36 in the manual.

Should I have left the INPUT SELECT on MIC with the MA-100 engaged?

The MA-100 has two XLR inputs, one for left and one for right channel. If you are connecting only one input cable to it (e.g., a mono feed from the sound board), you will have sound only on the connected channel.

You can mix it in post to both channels (e.g., using the NLE audio PAN feature), or use a "Y" splitter at the MA-100 output or the MA-100 input, or run a second cable from the sound board for the other channel if it is a stereo sound board..

Be sure the signal feed to the MA-100 is MIC level, not line level. A line level signal will overload the MA-100.

The MA-100 is normally connectd to the Audio1 inputs, and Audio 1 is the slected input. If you set the input switch to MIC, you get the input from the mic jack (typically the standard XL1 mic), and the Audio1 jacks become audio output.

Connecting a AT PRO-88W to MA-100 XLR Adapter Properly
 

I have a XL1 with a MA-100 XLR Adapter. I connected a Audio-Technica PRO-88W LAV Wireless Mic with the 1/8" to XLR Cable setup. I connected the 88W receiver to the MA-100 and during filming I noticed that the 88W receiver started to smell like the curcuit board was burning.

Since the AT PRO-88W has it's own 9v Battery should I have disconnected the DC Cable of the MA-100? Will the MA-100 adapter work without that DC cable disconnected if the input device has it's own power? I can't get a difinitive answer from Canon Support on this question and I am afraid to duplicate this issue again. One tech yesterday said that the DC Cable needs to be connected to the XL1 in order to work. I have also spoken to a support guy at Audio-Technica and he said that if the MA-100 has phantom power that could potentially fry the PRO-88W.

Does the MA-100 have phantom power once the DC cable is connected? Also, if it does would that fry my battery powered mic?

If anyone can help me out on this issue that would be GREAT!!!

The MA-100 does not provided phantom power.

The MA-100 contains active circuits, so it must be connected to the 5 VDC power source on the camcorder to function.

It is a transformer-less design. The impedance and balanced-to-unbalanced conversion is with electronic circuits (including operational amplifiers), and it provides about 6 dB gain.

The input impedance of the MA-100 is about 600 ohms, and should be fed from a low impedance source with mic-level output. It will clip if you send it a line-level signal.

It is unlikely that the MA-100 would provide enough power to start a circuit burning, but you might have some sort of exotic ground loop depending on what else is connected and how it is connected/powered.

Don, thanks for the info. The AT88W is the only externally added device in conjuction with the MA-100. I mailed in the AT88W back to Audio-Technica and I will see on Monday as to what their findings were.

MA-100 Power Adapter Connection
 

I was wondering if anyone using an MA-100 has experimented with drilling a hole in the XL-1 Jack cover so the power jack could be plugged in with the cover closed. I am planning on shooting with the MA-100 Audio plugged into inputs 3 & 4, but the only acceptable power jack is behind the connector cover on the rear. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

have a ma-200, and need the bnc for the video out.

what are you gone do with the exposed out put, when not using the ma-100?

I figured the hole in the plastic cover would be about 3/8”, or just large enough for the power plug to fit thru. If I needed to protect it I could stick a small piece of electrical tape over the inside of the cover. I generally leave the MA-100 on since it’s also my only shoulder brace, so there would be very few times when the hole in the cover would not be filled by the power plug.

MA-100 broken?
 

Hi, My name is Thijo van Beek from Holland.
I would like to know the following:
I own an XL1s with MA-100 adapter.
But I bought a new mic, a Rode NTG 2
That comes with XLR connection.
I got it last week, it was the first time I ever worked with XLR.
I connected the mic to the left channel of the MA 100,
but the result was very, very poor.
A big wisttle/ noice came with the signal, no matter what settings I tried.
I have gone through the manual a thousand times.
Last night I took my camera and mic to the videoclub,
we tried whatever we could, and we do have some good technicians in our club.
Then we connected the mic to an other camera (A big Sony, don't know witch one)
and then the mic worked perfectly!
Our conclussion was it must be the MA 100.
But I would like to know very much what you guys think of this,
as you are using this camera/adapter a lot longer then I am!

Thijo van Beek

The MA-100 does not provide phantom power so make sure you have installed a battery in the mic. The little power plug for the MA-100 is only to power the mic pre-amp.

regards,

-gb-

Thanks, Greg. But I knew that. The mic does have an AA battery.

I agree with you, Thijo. I bought a used MA100 several years ago and got maybe a dozen uses out of it. First one channel quit--now it doesn't work at all. I haven't decided what to do, because my cameras are old enough that I don't want to keep sinking money into accessories. Luckily, my best friend is an audio engineer and can help me out if I really need it. Hope you find a good solution. :)

It should work. Try another mic with the MA-100. That can help isolate the issue.

Thanks for the replies so far.
I will try another mic, as soon as I have one or can borough another mic with XLR connection.
I do have some other mics, but they all are 3,5 minijack.
And that is no problem, that works great.
So I need to find another XLR mic first.
And I don't wanna buy more of them as long as I am not sure the MA-100 is OK.
That videoshop I bought it is also not right around the corner, otherwise I would have gone there right away!

Thijo

Sorry Thijo, I wasn't trying to insult your intelligence. Sometimes though it's the simplest thing forgotten that gets overlooked by very intelligent people.

Hope you get it worked out okay.

-gb-

Greg, don't worry, be happy!
I never even considered it an insult!
And I'm too dum to see an insult anyway...

Thijo

You didn't say what settings you did use, so this is just to cover that base.
Behind the door, you have audio1 set to audio1, not mic and not mic att.
The levels are set to mid ,if in manual.
In the menu you have audio 1 set to LINE not mic, and 16bit 2channel
The MA100 power connector plugged in.
The rca connectors plugged into audio 1.
Hope the MA100 isn't faulty.

Hi Jack,

The settings were as you wrote,
exept the bit setting was on 12 bit, not on 16.
Could that have made the difference?

By the way: I think I found a reason why I had so much noise.
I can't test that idea yet, as the mic is in use somewhere else at the moment.
But I found out the headphones volume was wide open for some reason.
I never filmed with the mic, as I thought the noise was terrible through the headphones.
But that might (?!) have been a reason.
Maybe if I would have filmed a few shots, it would have been better then I thought.
Right?

Thijo

The headphone volume would not having any affect the recorded sound.

I think if you had the audio 1 set to line as I had indicated in the previous post, that is the problem.The MA100 outputs MIC level.
I had made the same mistake.
Basically, the switch behind the door sets the input source and the menu sets the input level sensitivity.So setting the menu to LINE would be for a CD or vcr or line level from a mixer.(using RCAs)
Setting the menu to MIC is for the MA100 or other MIC level sources.
The MA100 will not accept a line level input.

As Jack says, the head phone level setting will not effect the recorded sound, either level or noise floor. However, it can effect the subjective impression of noise level, especially hiss. Using headphones make hiss much more apparent to a listener.

And Jack is spot on with respect to the MA-100. It is intended for mic level signals. Line level signals sent to the MA-100 will clip at about around -10 dB. The level range (MIC, MIC ATT, LINE) for the audio 1 and Audio 2 input is selected from the menu.

Using 12-bit vs. 16-bit would not have any effect on record level. It mainly effects frequency response (due to different sample rates) and perhaps a slight effects on distortion. 16-bit mode is better quality, but limits you to two recorded channels. 12-bit is approximately FM broadcast quality potential

Canon XL1 MA-100 Audio Adapter
 

I have a Canon XL1 and have just bought Beyerdynamic M58 microphone for Interviews. I have a mini jack to XLR adapter which I plug in where the On camera mic goes and guess what it don't work. So I have been informed at I require and additional adapter.

I am also looking at the Canon MA-100
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_Adapter.html

My question is will this unit power my new mic?
Meaning will I get audio working correctly?

I have been really happy with the picture of this camera for the age of the camera and price but the audio has always been a problem.

So people will the Canon MA-100 adapter work?

Thanks

my MA-100 works like a champ. It provides an XLR interface as well as phantom power. Should run whatever you throw at it. Although, I didn't design it, so I'm not the end all, be all authority on saidsame adaptor.

Thanks for your reply Cole,

Just a quick question.

With the MA-100 there are 3 connection cables?
IE 1 red RCA, 1 white RCA (these are the actual audio cables?) and a small mini jack cable?

Is the small mini jack cable for Phantom power?

Is this how the microphone used is able to access power?

Sorry if these questions are really basic but I have just bought a good mic and I want to make sure it will work with this adapter.

Thanks
Simon

Sorry Cole, that's incorrect. The MA-100 DOES NOT provide phantom power. The little connector that plugs into the camera provides power for the pre-amp built into the MA-100.

So, whatever mic you plug in, must either be a dynamic, or one that can provide its own phantom power like the K6 module does on my Sennheiser ME66 shotgun.

Using wireless lavs would work okay.

-gb-

Thanks also Greg,

Currently I will be using a Beyerdynamic M58 which according to the Product Information booklet it is a Dynamic Microphone.

So it should work fine with the MA-100 Adapter?

Thanks
Simon

Yes, a dynamic mic will work fine as they do not require a power source.

-gb-

I sit corrected. Good info, thank you.

A dynamic mic, such as the Bayerdynamic M58 should work OK with the MA100. BTW, the MA100 does provide about 6 dB gain, which will be helpful with dynamic mics (because they typically have lower output than condenser mics).

I am surprise that it did not work when plugged into the XL1 mic jack. It should have worked OK, but with lower audio level than the Canon stock mic. The adapter you had may not have been wired properly, or it was the wrong type of adapter.

New gear and still no audio
 

OK so I am really totally confused now. I have a brand new Beyerdynamic Mic (Dynamic Mic) and a new Canon MA-100 adapter just arrived from B&H. Now when I connect the MA-100 to my camera - connect the 2 RCA audio cables and the 3rd small power cable to the camera - plug in my shiny new Beyerdynamic Mic I get no sound what's so even.

When I look in the cameras menu setup I have the following:
Sensor ... ON
Tally Lamp ...OFF
Audio Mode ... 16 bit
Audio 1 In ... ---
Audio 2 In ... ---
Rec Mode ... SP

So guys what am I doing wrong not to get any audio out of my shinny new gear.

Just to repeat I don't get any audio whatsoever.

I have tried opening the white flap on the camera and under the AUDIO 1/MIC
setting change the input select to MIC or ATT or AUDIO 1 and the only time I get any change in the camera menu setting is when I select AUDIO 1 the camera menu setting AUDIO 1 in ... LINE

Remember I am using a Canon XL1 but this should work.

Any help???

Simon, if you are recording only from the Beyer mic, go into the menu ,vcr setup, set audio mode to 16 bit, go to audio 1 in and set to line,close the menu and open the audio door and set the audio 1/mic input to audio1.
make sure the ma100 is plugged in as you described( both RCAs and the MA100 power plug).That's it, it should work.
If your trying to do both the stock mic and the Beyer, it's a different process.
I see by your description
"When I look in the cameras menu setup I have the following:
Sensor ... ON
Tally Lamp ...OFF
Audio Mode ... 16 bit
Audio 1 In ... ---
Audio 2 In ... ---
Rec Mode ... SP"
the audio 1 is blank, so you have not set the audio1 in correctly.

A common issue for new users who have not studied the manual carefully.

To use the MA100 - connected it to the Audio 1 input jacks and the power jack.

You have to set the input select switch to Audio 1 (switch behind the door).

For this mic, you have to set the audio one input level (from the menu) to MIC (it defaults to line, which is about 45 dB less sensitive, and any audio from the mic would be very faint)

With only 1 mic connected the sound will probably be in the left (or right) channel only. You can pan the audio to both channels in post.

Hi Jack,

I have had success with your set-up but it works with setting the Audio 1 In to MIC rather than LINE.

I then close the menu and open up the white audio door on the camera and under AUDIO 1/MIC under Input Select I switch to Audio 1 and I get sound.

What is the difference between MIC and ATT? Since ATT sounds clearer.

Thanks for all your help. But the real lesson for me is READ THE GOD DAM MANUAL SIMON!

The difference between MIC and MIC ATT is that the MIC ATT setting reduces the amplitude of the input signal by 20 dB. This may be necessary necessary to avoid overloading the preamps and clipping if you are recording a very loud source, or using a very 'hot" mic. If using AGC mode, it may help reduce the pumping of the noise floor during quiet program material periods.

In most cases you need to be monitoring the audio to help you decide if the MIC ATT setting is the better way to go.

Of course Don is right.I should have reread my post before sending.

A few more lame questions:

What is AGC mode?
What does AGC stand for?

Thanks

AGC = automatic gain control. The camcorder adjusts the gain of the audio preamplifiers to try maintain an average recorded sound level. With soft sounds, the gain is increased. With loud sounds it is decreased.

You have this with the REC LEVEL switch set to "A" for auto. The "M" position = manual level adjustment.

OK a big thank you to all for your comments.

I now have the microphone working via the MA-100 adapter.

But I do notice that when I'm doing some testing with the Mircophone on the camera audio meter I getting a ready of around 12db as peak. On the audio meter this 12db is bolded so I assume that this indicts an audio level average one would like to aim for. I have been doing all this test with the microphone only say some 10 cm from my mouth so this is pretty close.

I have tried switching the audio level over to manual and turning the Level knob right around to Max which does see my audio on the meter peak up around 6 to 2. But when I take the mic say some 30 to 40 cm from my mouth is naturally drops back around the 12db level.

So my question is:
Does this all sound correct?
Ideally what is the level one should be aiming at for interview style recording?
EG is the 12db what I should looking at for a peaking level?

Remember I will be using this for an ENG Interview style reporting so in all honesty the interviewer will most likely have the mic some 30 to 40 cm away from the talents mouth.

As much as I don't want to and can't afford a mixer is there where I'm heading if I want to get good clear audio for my current setup?