Best way to connect to DJ mixer 80+ ft. away at DVinfo.net

Alan Banks · April 2nd, 2004, 11:19 AM

Hey there,

Can anyone fill me in on the best way to connect audio from the RCA out on my camcorder to a DJ/Sound System that's around 100 ft. away?

I need to do a audio/video projector presentation, and since there will be a DJ with speakers there, I might as well use his system (it's OK with him).

Because of the distance, I hear that I need balanced XLR cables. But my camera does not have XLR out. So, do I need an adapter, a DirectBox, low impedance XLR cables, etc.?

For those of you who do this regularly, what's the best way, and what specific equipment/adapters do I need?

Thanks,

Alan

Marty Atias · April 2nd, 2004, 12:14 PM

The DJ mixer will probably not have balanced line inputs either. an 80 ft unbalanced wire, if you could even find one, could work but you risk excessive hum and possible RF interferance.

To use a balanced cable, you would need a convertor or transformer at both ends. You could find these at Radio Shack or any on-line audio retailer. You other option would be to use a wireless link. A simple attenuator would drop the output level from you camera down to mic level and plug the receiver into the DJ mixer. You would have to find or make an input adapter for the transmitter's connector. This some in very handy for other applications too.

Ernest Acosta · April 2nd, 2004, 04:37 PM

Alan you can go RCA out to a wireless transmitter (check your local audio store) and of course go RCA in from the receiver into the line input of the mixer. The drawback can be interference from other sources. Also the quality may not be that good. You may also experience break up of the audio. There are good ones but they cost $$$. Try to find one with double or triple the range that you need and with a clear view from transmitter to receiver.

Jacques Mersereau · April 5th, 2004, 01:37 PM

A good way to hook up stereo audio camcorder ouput (usually -10dbv)
into a sound system over a long distance is to buy either
2 direct boxes or a single stereo direct box.

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--WHRDIRECTOR

You'll need a couple of female RCA to 1/4" phono adapters
(or RCA to 1/4" male cables) to get you
into the "DI" (direct input) from the camcorder's RCA outputs.

From the DI the signal
is converted to balanced XLR mic level and can go over 200 feet without
too much signal loss (the least amount of cable run is best).
You'll also need either a two channel XLR snake or a couple of long single
run XLR mic cables.

The Whirlwind director is a good piece of gear that will be useful for
other purposes as well. You also get transformer isolation, and what
that means is you can most times kill audio buzz and hum that
can occur when hooking an electronic device into a sound system
by fiddling with the ground lift switches.

April 2nd, 2004, 11:19 AM	#1
Alan Banks Tourist Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2	Best way to connect to DJ mixer 80+ ft. away Hey there, Can anyone fill me in on the best way to connect audio from the RCA out on my camcorder to a DJ/Sound System that's around 100 ft. away? I need to do a audio/video projector presentation, and since there will be a DJ with speakers there, I might as well use his system (it's OK with him). Because of the distance, I hear that I need balanced XLR cables. But my camera does not have XLR out. So, do I need an adapter, a DirectBox, low impedance XLR cables, etc.? For those of you who do this regularly, what's the best way, and what specific equipment/adapters do I need? Thanks, Alan

April 2nd, 2004, 04:37 PM	#3
Ernest Acosta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New York Posts: 59	Alan you can go RCA out to a wireless transmitter (check your local audio store) and of course go RCA in from the receiver into the line input of the mixer. The drawback can be interference from other sources. Also the quality may not be that good. You may also experience break up of the audio. There are good ones but they cost $$$. Try to find one with double or triple the range that you need and with a clear view from transmitter to receiver. __________________ Ernest L. Acosta, Jr. President Garage At Large Productions P.O. Box 42 Times Square Station New York, NY 10108

April 5th, 2004, 01:37 PM	#4
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	A good way to hook up stereo audio camcorder ouput (usually -10dbv) into a sound system over a long distance is to buy either 2 direct boxes or a single stereo direct box. http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--WHRDIRECTOR You'll need a couple of female RCA to 1/4" phono adapters (or RCA to 1/4" male cables) to get you into the "DI" (direct input) from the camcorder's RCA outputs. From the DI the signal is converted to balanced XLR mic level and can go over 200 feet without too much signal loss (the least amount of cable run is best). You'll also need either a two channel XLR snake or a couple of long single run XLR mic cables. The Whirlwind director is a good piece of gear that will be useful for other purposes as well. You also get transformer isolation, and what that means is you can most times kill audio buzz and hum that can occur when hooking an electronic device into a sound system by fiddling with the ground lift switches. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

April 2nd, 2004, 12:14 PM	#2
Marty Atias Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 91	The DJ mixer will probably not have balanced line inputs either. an 80 ft unbalanced wire, if you could even find one, could work but you risk excessive hum and possible RF interferance. To use a balanced cable, you would need a convertor or transformer at both ends. You could find these at Radio Shack or any on-line audio retailer. You other option would be to use a wireless link. A simple attenuator would drop the output level from you camera down to mic level and plug the receiver into the DJ mixer. You would have to find or make an input adapter for the transmitter's connector. This some in very handy for other applications too.