XL1 Audio Step by Step, Part Four
an article provided by Canon USA

The Watchdog Notes: In the final chapter of this document, the exact procedure for 12-bit four channel audio recording is carefully outlined, along with instructions for monitoring four channel audio through the headphones. This is pretty much the same description found in your XL1 owner's manual, except the layout here is, in my opinion, much more clear. Again, my sincere thanks to Mr. Tim Smith of Canon USA for making this document available to The Watchdog.

Audio Input for Four Channel Recording (Stereo 1 and Stereo 2, simultaneous recording of all four channels) using the RCA jacks, where the sound sources are the supplied microphone; external microphones; VCR, CD or other line-in devices; or using XLR type microphones.

Four channel recording can be the most versatile configuration. For example, you can input two external wireless microphones and use the supplied microphone, all simultaneously.

1. Open the Camera Menu and select AUDIO MODE.

Select 12-bit ST-1, 2 and close the menu. "12bit ST-1,2" is displayed in the viewfinder and main LCD panel. Selecting Audio Mode 12-bit ST-1,2 (32kHz, 4 channels) is for simultaneous recording on four channels (referred to as Stereo 1 and Stereo 2).

2. To set the input for Stereo 1:

Use the supplied mic or external microphone plugged into the mini jacks. Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to MIC. This assigns the MIC mini jacks as the source for the audio input. In place of the supplied microphone, you can attach an external microphone to the mini jacks.

or

Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to ATT. If you are recording in a very loud environment, you may want to use the attenuator. The attenuator reduces loud noises to produce a more natural sound.

or

Use the Audio 1 RCA jacks on the back of the camcorder to record sound from a VCR, CD or other line-in devices; or XLR microphones. Switch the Input Selector to Audio 1. Open the Camera Menu and select the appropriate option for AUDIO 1 IN:

1. LINE: to record sound from a VCR, CD or other line-in devices



2. MIC ATT20: to record high-level sound using a microphone



3. MIC: to record sound using an XLR microphone attached to the MA-100 Microphone Adapter/Shoulder Pad.



3. To set the input for Stereo 2:

Connect a device to the AUDIO 2 RCA jacks on the handle.³ From the Camera Menu, select Audio 2 INPUT, then select the appropriate option for AUDIO 2 IN:

1. LINE: To record sound from a VCR, CD or other line-in devices



2. MIC ATT20: To record high-level sound using a microphone



3. MIC: To record sound using a XLR microphone attached to the MA-100 Microphone Adapter/Shoulder Pad.



4. Select the recording level for 4 channel recording.

Normally, the camera sets the audio recording level automatically, as long as the REC LEVEL switch is set to A (automatic). You can set the recording level manually:

1. Set the recording level for Stereo 1:

Slide the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 1/MIC controls to M.

Turn the LEVEL dial to adjust the recording level and BALANCE dial to adjust the balance between the two inputs. Check the levels in the audio LCD panel.

Note: you can not adjust the volume level independently for the left and right channels. We recommend keeping the level below the 12 point index mark, and monitoring the sound using headphones. You can adjust the headphone volume by rotating the PHONES LEVEL dial.

2. Set the recording level for Stereo 2:

Slide the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 2 controls to M (manual).

3. Turn the L and R dials to independently adjust the recording levels of the two inputs (corresponding to the L and R channels of the Audio 2 RCA jacks).

   Check the levels for each channel in the audio LCD panel. It is essential for you to monitor the sound using headphones. Adjust the headphone volume by rotating the PHONES LEVEL dial. ¹

 

Making a Sound Check while recording 4 channel audio:

Press the AUDIO MONITOR button to make a sound check — Stereo 1 only (ST1), Stereo 2 only (ST2) or both (MIX), each in turn.

• Your choice is selected a few seconds after you last pressed the button, and shown in the viewfinder and audio LCD panel.



• Unlike selecting the audio output in VCR mode, you cannot mix the balance at this point — even if VARIABLE is chosen at the VCR menu, it is fixed during camera mode.

 

¹ Analog audio recordings distort slightly when levels are above the maximum level. However digital signals usually clip severely the instant levels get too high. Clipping occurs when the frequency response is "cut off" so that the full capabilities are not produced.

³ To connect an external mic to the RCA jacks, you may need to use a mini-jack to RCA adapter (available at most electronics stores).

 

See also Part One, Part Two and Part Three
of XL1 Audio Step-by-Step by Canon USA

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Thrown together by Chris Hurd