Well I just wrote a big long post and put it in the wrong forum....so, not only am I total beginner at audio but adding a post as well.
My problem is this....I ordered the ew100 wireless mic from B&H and the guy I ordered it from told me I did not need the MA200 or 100 to use this system on my XL1s, trusting his judgement I ordered it. Now I have it and the cords it came with don't seem to be compatible with the camera. XL1s audio 2 is RCA and the plug that came with the ew100 is the silver plug with two black bands and fits in the larger of the two holes that the on camera mic plugs into. I was thinking that I would be able to use on camera mic and wireless at the same time....but if I use the on camera hole then I only have one mic (wireless). And, I don't even know if I should use this plug. Do I need an adapter? Do I need the MA-200? Am I an idiot and there is an easier way?

Any info would help a lot!

Mike Murri

Don't fret Mike. Go down to Radio Shack and buy the adapters to take that minature plug (or is sub-mini?) to RCA. I recommend getting a right-angle RCA to phono, and then a phono to minature. All that should be under $10.

There are a number of ways to mount the receiver. I mounted mine on the side of the handle above the cassette door with 'gorilla' velcro (stronger than hook & loop).

Yes, you can run both sets of mics. In order to do that you must drop your audio resolution to 12 bits. Then you enable 'Audio 2' and hookup the receiver.

On the operational side, there are settings both in the transmitter and receiver that make an impact on audio. The knob on the receiver is its output. A number of new users forget about that critter, and fuss that Sennheiser isn't working. I leave mine set around 60%-75%.

Another new user problem is improperly setting the headphone output. There is a monitor button on the side of the case that directs which mic output is vectored towards the meter and the headphones. There are 3 settings: one for the main mic, another for the sub channel, and the third mixes both.

One other warning. Not all NLEs support Canon 4-track, though several do. I can't remember which add-on product will capture the sub channels, but you can search for it here on the site. I'm sure searching 4-track will list the product name (and its cheap).

Nathan,

Thanks for the info., it's just what I needed to hear!!!!!

I finally found the link for Scenalyzer (http://www.scenalyzer.com). They sell the s/w I was talking about.

I had a chance to see/hear how well the ew100 system performs in comparison to a higher priced system (Lectrosonics )...recorded both types and was amazed that the ew100 actually sounded better (this was strictly based on "how it sounded" via the human ear and not actually monitored the waveform)...glad I invested in the ew100....

Based on which camera/or XLR devices I use, I either go directly into my beachtek DXA-4 or use the same RS setup Nathan recommends....
Mark

JUst an FYI...The Lectrosonics is likely a diversity system which the Sennheiser Series 100 is not. Pro systems frequently have features, engineering, and support that other systems may not.

That said the Evolution Series 100 (300 or 500) are exceptionally well made and more than reasonably priced.

Thanks Nathan for pointing that out...as I wasn't as clear with my post as I have should have been. I wasn't trying to compare both systems from an engineering standpoint....

When I first purchased my ew100 system, I was concerned I would have some RF issues because it wasn't a diversity system...however I have never had a single drop out...and the audio quality is nothing less than superb considering the relatively low cost....
Mark

Like you I have been more than impressed how well this non-diversity system has performed. As well as it works it just pretty darn hard to believe that there may be better gear available...albeit more expensive.

I don't have much experience with audio (obviously) but, the little bit of audio that I have been playing with sure does seem clean and crisp out of my ew100. Having a little bit of trouble balancing the on camera sound with the off camera (wireless) mic; I suspect that it is hard to get a good balance for all possible levels of sound but I think I have found a fair balance....for the most part, anyway.

I'm a wildlife "still" photographer, hence, the lack of audio experience. And, I've done my fair share of underwater video, where audio is simply icing on the cake.

Learning more and more each day.

Thanks guys!

Mike

hmm this seems a good spot to ask my question.

I too bought the 100 (eng) from B&H, but here's my question.


I've tried the transmiter with the receiver one day and I could only get one channel of audio. Any ideas?

I'm using it with a Canon GL2

Here's the setup:

Transmiter to GL2 and Receiver to Audio mixer console. hmm or is it the other way around? Point is that I only get one channel. No mics used at all.

--William

William,
I hate to state the possible obvious...the signal from the 100 is mono...and you will have to physically split the signal to get the second input/channel into the audio mixer....
Mark

Mike I wouldn't spend much time trying to balance the audio on the camera. There are two stereo channels that can be vectored to the meters and headphones. Just get the audio into the camcorder at the proper levels.

Use your NLE to mix the audio in post.