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

The Watchdog Notes: Two channel audio recording in the XL1 allows the use of the camera's built-in microphone, or line-level playback sound sources such as CD players and mixing boards, or other professional XLR microphones through the optional MA-100 or similar XLR audio adapters. In this third installment of XL1 Audio Step-by-Step, the procedures for each of these methods is explored in detail.

Audio Input for Two Channel Recording (Stereo 1) using the mini jacks, where the sound source is the supplied microphone or an external microphone plugged into the mini jacks (3.5mm mini-plug type):

1. Open the Camera Menu.

Select AUDIO MODE. Choose one of the following modes:

1. 16-bit 48kHz 2 channel (for the highest sound quality). Note: the 16-bit mode contains only Stereo 1 sound. There is no Stereo 2 in this mode.



2. 12-bit Stereo 1 (32kHz, 2 out of 4 total channels) for recording on 2 channels (Stereo 1), leaving 2 channels (Stereo 2) free for you to add new sound at a later date using a DV VCR. NOTE: you cannot add new sound to a tape using the XL1 camcorder.

Close the menu. The name of your chosen mode is displayed in the viewfinder and main LCD panel. It is not necessary to set AUDIO 1 to MIC on the menu.

2. Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to MIC.

This assigns the MIC mini jacks as the source for the audio input. You can use the supplied microphone or attach an external microphone, or slide the INPUT SELECT switch to ATT. If you are recording in a very loud environment (at an airport for example), you may want to use the attenuator. The attenuator reduces loud noises to produce a more natural sound.

3. Select the recording level method.

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

1. Slide the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 1/Mic controls to M. (MANU appears in the audio LCD panel).



2. Turn the LEVEL dial to adjust the recording level and BALANCE dial to adjust the balance between the 2 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.

 

Audio 1 Input for Two Channel Recording (Stereo 1) using the RCA jacks, where the sound source is a VCR, CD or other input device using the RCA terminals on the back of the XL1, instead of the microphone mini jack.

1. Open the Camera Menu.

Select AUDIO MODE and choose one of the following modes:

1. 16-bit 48KHz 2 channel (for the highest sound quality) Note: the 16-bit mode contains only Stereo 1 sound. There is no Stereo 2 in this mode.



2. 12-bit Stereo 1 (32kHz, 2 out of 4 total channels) for recording on 2 channels (Stereo 1), leaving 2 channels (Stereo 2) free for you to add new sound at a later date using a DV VCR. NOTE: you cannot add new sound to a tape using the XL1 camcorder.

Close the menu. The name of your chosen mode is displayed in the viewfinder and main LCD panel. It is not necessary to set AUDIO 1 to MIC on the menu.

2. Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to AUDIO 1. This assigns the AUDIO 1 RCA jacks as the source for the audio input.



3. Open the Camera Menu and select AUDIO 1 INPUT, then choose LINE to record sound from a VCR, CD or other line-in devices.



4. Select the recording level method.

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

1. Slide the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 1/Mic controls to M. (MANU appears in the audio LCD panel).



2. 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 cannot 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.¹

 

Audio 1 Input for Two Channel Recording (Stereo 1) using the RCA jacks, where the sound sources are XLR type microphones attached via the MA-100 Microphone Adapter/Shoulder Pad which contains 2 XLR inputs (L and R). The MA-100 can be plugged into the AUDIO 1 RCA terminals on the back of the camcorder, or AUDIO 2 RCA terminals on the right side of the grip handle.

1. Open the Camera Menu.

Select AUDIO MODE and choose one of the following modes:

1. 16-bit 48KHz 2 channel (for the highest sound quality) Note: the 16-bit mode contains only Stereo 1 sound. There is no Stereo 2 in this mode.



2. 12-bit Stereo 1 (32kHz, 2 out of 4 total channels) for recording on 2 channels (Stereo 1), leaving 2 channels (Stereo 2) free for you to add new sound at a later date using a DV VCR. NOTE: you cannot add new sound to a tape using the XL1 camcorder.

Close the menu. Chosen mode is displayed in the finder and main LCD.

2. If you are using the AUDIO 1 inputs, slide the INPUT SELECT switch to AUDIO 1. This assigns the AUDIO 1 RCA jacks (on the back of the XL1) as the source for the audio input, and disables the supplied microphone.²



3. Open the Camera Menu and select AUDIO 1 INPUT, then choose:



1. MIC ATT 20: recording high-level sound using a mic
   
   
2. MIC: to record sound using an XLR microphone


4. Select the recording level method. 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. Slide the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 1/Mic controls to M. (MANU appears in the audio LCD panel).



2. Turn the LEVEL dial to adjust the recording level and BALANCE dial to adjust the balance between the 2 inputs. Check the levels in the audio LCD panel. Note: you can not adjust he 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.¹

 

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.

² If you wish to use Audio 2, plug the MA-100 RCA jacks into the Audio 2 terminals (on the right side of the handle), and set the Audio 1 Input Select to MIC.

 

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

 

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Thrown together by Chris Hurd