XLR and radio mics at DVinfo.net

Richard Lewis · September 16th, 2004, 12:27 PM

Ok, if you have read my previous posts in this section, you'll know of my limited understanding of this field.

I just bought an MA300 mic adaptor for my XM2. It allows me to use an XLR connection which is running from my radio mic receiver.
I was previously just connecting via mini jack. This gave me stereo, both left and right channels.

Now I'm using this adaptor, I noticed that I have an option of using either left XLR Channel or right XLR input. So the audio coming from my mics is now only mono when it reaches the camera.

Will this be of a dis-advantage to me?

Also, I presume that this means that I can get a mini jack to XLR adaptor for my MKE300D microphone, and then put that in the other XLR socket. Then I could use the "in camera" controls to ajust sound levels. So i could have two mics connected.

David Ennis · September 16th, 2004, 07:36 PM

I'm guessing that the wireless receiver is only handling a mono signal, and the mini plug you were using distributed the mono signal to both channels. The MA300 will not, hence the single channel performance.

To put the MKE300 in the other channel, mini female to 3-pin XLR male adaptor cables are readily available in lengths ranging from one to twenty five feet. Don't be surprised if the lower impedance of the MA300 (as compared to the camera's mic imput jack) leads to a weaker signal than you're used to from that mic.

But yes, you will then have left and right channels adjustable with the camera's controls.

As you probably know, you can't use the MA300 and the camera's mic jack at the same time.

Frankly, if the MA300 were returnable I'd return it and get a BeachTek DXA-4P, which is more versatile, for about the same price.

Troy Tiscareno · September 16th, 2004, 10:41 PM

I agree, the BeachTek would be a better way to go. It has a mono/stereo switch that can send a single mic input to both left and right channels, or can send it to just one channel so that you can use a second mic or input on the other.

-Troy

Richard Lewis · September 17th, 2004, 11:50 AM

Thanks guys. I could return the MA300, but i think that it will be fine for all my needs.

Nathan Gifford · September 17th, 2004, 02:37 PM

Is there some reason you do not want to fix this in post? Most NLE packages allow you to select either track to be output to both tracks. You may find one day that you might want to another mic on the other track.

David Ennis · September 18th, 2004, 08:09 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Richard Lewis : Thanks guys. I could return the MA300, but i think that it will be fine for all my needs. -->>>

Lots of people use them, and they do have that built in shock mount. If you later want to use a line level feed you'll have to use separate attenuators, whereas that choice is just a toggle switch on adaptors like the BeachTek. But as long as you're armed with good information (the giving and receiving of which is why we're all here), you're the best judge of what's best for you.

Richard Lewis · September 18th, 2004, 01:46 PM

I'm quite proud of myself today....

I went to Maplin Electronics and bought some wire , an XLR male, and a 3.5mm mini jack female. When I had blindly finished soldering, I tried it. ...And IT WORKED!!

So now I've mounted my MA300 back on the top of the adapter and now I have audio from both that and my radio mic on seperate channels.

Couldn't have done it without you guys. I'm well chuffed :D

AND NOW I'VE JUST TURNED INTO A "MAJOR PLAYER", this day is getting better :)

David Ennis · September 18th, 2004, 03:45 PM

Great, Richard, congrats!

I am curious, though, whether the signal level of the mic actually was reduced as compared to inserting into the camera's jack. Do you notice anything?

Richard Lewis · September 19th, 2004, 12:17 PM

I've not noticed anything considerable, but then audio is not my primary field.
It seems to be performing as prior to the conversion.

I have yet to test everything fully yet, but I shall post something in a few days with my findings.

I do think that the ability to use two audio channels is a great asset.

September 16th, 2004, 12:27 PM	#1
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	XLR and radio mics Ok, if you have read my previous posts in this section, you'll know of my limited understanding of this field. I just bought an MA300 mic adaptor for my XM2. It allows me to use an XLR connection which is running from my radio mic receiver. I was previously just connecting via mini jack. This gave me stereo, both left and right channels. Now I'm using this adaptor, I noticed that I have an option of using either left XLR Channel or right XLR input. So the audio coming from my mics is now only mono when it reaches the camera. Will this be of a dis-advantage to me? Also, I presume that this means that I can get a mini jack to XLR adaptor for my MKE300D microphone, and then put that in the other XLR socket. Then I could use the "in camera" controls to ajust sound levels. So i could have two mics connected. __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

September 16th, 2004, 07:36 PM	#2
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	I'm guessing that the wireless receiver is only handling a mono signal, and the mini plug you were using distributed the mono signal to both channels. The MA300 will not, hence the single channel performance. To put the MKE300 in the other channel, mini female to 3-pin XLR male adaptor cables are readily available in lengths ranging from one to twenty five feet. Don't be surprised if the lower impedance of the MA300 (as compared to the camera's mic imput jack) leads to a weaker signal than you're used to from that mic. But yes, you will then have left and right channels adjustable with the camera's controls. As you probably know, you can't use the MA300 and the camera's mic jack at the same time. Frankly, if the MA300 were returnable I'd return it and get a BeachTek DXA-4P, which is more versatile, for about the same price. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

September 17th, 2004, 11:50 AM	#4
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	Thanks guys. I could return the MA300, but i think that it will be fine for all my needs. __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

September 17th, 2004, 02:37 PM	#5
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Is there some reason you do not want to fix this in post? Most NLE packages allow you to select either track to be output to both tracks. You may find one day that you might want to another mic on the other track. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

September 18th, 2004, 08:09 AM	#6
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	<<<-- Originally posted by Richard Lewis : Thanks guys. I could return the MA300, but i think that it will be fine for all my needs. -->>> Lots of people use them, and they do have that built in shock mount. If you later want to use a line level feed you'll have to use separate attenuators, whereas that choice is just a toggle switch on adaptors like the BeachTek. But as long as you're armed with good information (the giving and receiving of which is why we're all here), you're the best judge of what's best for you. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

September 16th, 2004, 10:41 PM	#3
Troy Tiscareno Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 53	I agree, the BeachTek would be a better way to go. It has a mono/stereo switch that can send a single mic input to both left and right channels, or can send it to just one channel so that you can use a second mic or input on the other. -Troy

September 18th, 2004, 01:46 PM	#7
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	I'm quite proud of myself today.... I went to Maplin Electronics and bought some wire , an XLR male, and a 3.5mm mini jack female. When I had blindly finished soldering, I tried it. ...And IT WORKED!! So now I've mounted my MA300 back on the top of the adapter and now I have audio from both that and my radio mic on seperate channels. Couldn't have done it without you guys. I'm well chuffed :D AND NOW I'VE JUST TURNED INTO A "MAJOR PLAYER", this day is getting better :) __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

September 18th, 2004, 03:45 PM	#8
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Great, Richard, congrats! I am curious, though, whether the signal level of the mic actually was reduced as compared to inserting into the camera's jack. Do you notice anything? __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

September 19th, 2004, 12:17 PM	#9
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	I've not noticed anything considerable, but then audio is not my primary field. It seems to be performing as prior to the conversion. I have yet to test everything fully yet, but I shall post something in a few days with my findings. I do think that the ability to use two audio channels is a great asset. __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator