Mini Jack to XLR adapters safe? at DVinfo.net

Glynn Morgan · March 24th, 2009, 05:59 AM

I need to use a mini jack recording mic on an XLR input on a camera. There are adapters that convert Mini Jack male to XLR male. Is this safe to just go using on any camera? If the mic is self powered do I need to be careful?

Thoughts?

Sam Mendolia · March 24th, 2009, 10:35 AM

After reading this a few times, you will be fine with this setup.
The power from the mic will not be seen by the cameras audio inputs.

Look up Phantom Power.

Mark Boyer · March 24th, 2009, 11:14 AM

I have tried to hook a XLR Pro mic to a consumer camera with a mini jack and it didn't work for me. Most adapters are for attaching a microphone with a mini jack, connect to an XLR input on a pro video camera.

If your camcorder only has a mini-jack audio input you can convert it to XLR with one of the handy adapters that attach to the bottom of your camera. With a BeachTek adapter you can now also use your camera with an XLR shotgun mic on a boom pole.

Sam Mendolia · March 24th, 2009, 11:59 AM

As I agree with Mark on the Beachtek option, only if your cam has a mini input.
I have not had any issues with what was initially asked- mini to XLR.
The Beachtek will not provide this, as the outputs are mini, and not XLR.

I wire my own gear, so I am comfortable with what I come up with.

Mike Beckett · March 24th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Aussie company Rode do a 3.5mm-XLR adapter that will let you plug their Videomic into an XLR socket. No probs at all with that. Maybe make sure that phantom power is turned off on your camera's audio settings just in case. I used it on my Sony V1 for a while, before I upgsaded upgraded to the Rodent2.

Check it out on the Rode website: RØDE Microphones - VXLR

It does get interesting if it's a stereo mic to XLR, as you'll need a splitter lead (a 3.5mm stereo socket on one end and two 3.5mm jacks on the other) but for mono mics, the above adapter should work. It's also a lot more compact than a lead.

Glynn Morgan · March 25th, 2009, 01:29 AM

thanks for all the help!

So my microphone, with it's mini jack male can go into this adapter which turns it into XLR male.

This will work with a self powered mic, if phantom power is off.

And the rode product was exactly what I was looking at getting. (http://uk.rodemic.com/accessory.php?product=VXLR)

THANKS!

Waldemar Winkler · March 25th, 2009, 05:34 PM

The circuitry of any battery powered condenser microphone could easily be destroyed by phantom power. I learned this the hard way with an old shotgun mic. My replacement mic had a specific warning in this regard.

Steve House · March 26th, 2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldemar Winkler

The circuitry of any battery powered condenser microphone could easily be destroyed by phantom power. I learned this the hard way with an old shotgun mic. My replacement mic had a specific warning in this regard.

It really depends on the microphone. The Rode NTG-2 or the Sennheiser ME66 baterry powered mics run quite happily with phantom power. The problem arises with a unbalanced consumer mic having a TS output connector or a stereo mic with a TRS output connector adapted to feed an XLR input that has phantom power on it.

March 24th, 2009, 05:59 AM	#1
Glynn Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 119	Mini Jack to XLR adapters safe? I need to use a mini jack recording mic on an XLR input on a camera. There are adapters that convert Mini Jack male to XLR male. Is this safe to just go using on any camera? If the mic is self powered do I need to be careful? Thoughts?

March 24th, 2009, 10:35 AM	#2
Sam Mendolia Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 217	After reading this a few times, you will be fine with this setup. The power from the mic will not be seen by the cameras audio inputs. Look up Phantom Power. __________________ I was told I have no vision, but boy do I see great!

March 24th, 2009, 11:14 AM	#3
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	Mini jacks to XLR adapter I have tried to hook a XLR Pro mic to a consumer camera with a mini jack and it didn't work for me. Most adapters are for attaching a microphone with a mini jack, connect to an XLR input on a pro video camera. If your camcorder only has a mini-jack audio input you can convert it to XLR with one of the handy adapters that attach to the bottom of your camera. With a BeachTek adapter you can now also use your camera with an XLR shotgun mic on a boom pole.

March 24th, 2009, 11:59 AM	#4
Sam Mendolia Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 217	As I agree with Mark on the Beachtek option, only if your cam has a mini input. I have not had any issues with what was initially asked- mini to XLR. The Beachtek will not provide this, as the outputs are mini, and not XLR. I wire my own gear, so I am comfortable with what I come up with. __________________ I was told I have no vision, but boy do I see great!

March 24th, 2009, 03:55 PM	#5
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Aussie company Rode do a 3.5mm-XLR adapter that will let you plug their Videomic into an XLR socket. No probs at all with that. Maybe make sure that phantom power is turned off on your camera's audio settings just in case. I used it on my Sony V1 for a while, before I upgsaded upgraded to the Rodent2. Check it out on the Rode website: RØDE Microphones - VXLR It does get interesting if it's a stereo mic to XLR, as you'll need a splitter lead (a 3.5mm stereo socket on one end and two 3.5mm jacks on the other) but for mono mics, the above adapter should work. It's also a lot more compact than a lead. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

March 25th, 2009, 01:29 AM	#6
Glynn Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 119	wow thanks for all the help! So my microphone, with it's mini jack male can go into this adapter which turns it into XLR male. This will work with a self powered mic, if phantom power is off. And the rode product was exactly what I was looking at getting. (http://uk.rodemic.com/accessory.php?product=VXLR) THANKS!

March 25th, 2009, 05:34 PM	#7
Waldemar Winkler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Posts: 711	The circuitry of any battery powered condenser microphone could easily be destroyed by phantom power. I learned this the hard way with an old shotgun mic. My replacement mic had a specific warning in this regard. __________________ Waldemar