I'm preparing to take my audio to the next level, and get a nice mic (probably an AT897) and an XLR Adapter. I'm leaning toward the Studio 1 XLR-BP Pro, but I hear more people in these forums mentioning Beachtek (I'm considering the DXA-4P). Can I get some professional opinions/critiques of these adapters? Thanks!

I like the Beach, but then I'm a loyal Canadian boy (old fart). It's very well made, sturdy as hell and it attached to the bottom of the camera. (BeachTek is named after "The Beaches" part of Toronto and the product is made in or close to TO (Toronto, Ontario)

Clipping something to your belt and plugging a cable from the adapter (on your belt) into the 3.5mm(1/8) stereo plug is getting down on your hands and knees and begging for disaster.

I've used and still own a DXA-4 and a DXA-8 and i'm currently looking at the DXA-10 (line level stereo preamp).

Get one with a preamp for sure is my recommendation, then you can use any mike and you will use it for many things.

That would be the DXA-8 (http://www.dvfreelancer.com/articles/beachtekDXA-8.html)

For whatever it's worth, I've had very good results with the Studio 1. Mine doesn't attach to the camera, but that's ok--no cable weight hanging off the camera if you are using wireless or a long cable. No problem with the lead from belt (or tripod) to camera. And no level loss either, which I've been told is a minor issue with the unpowered Beachtek. Nice selection of input options, and ground lift too. If you can afford it, a preamp model would be nice & give more mic options. But a noisy preamp is no treat, so use caution (I borrowed a small mixer once that seemed nicely made, but introduced some regretable noise. In any event, I'd recommend the Studio 1 as a solid performer with no real disadvantages, for what it is. A bonus to all of these devices is that they can work as input to a range of other devices too.

Linc Kesler

The other model worth looking at is th Sign Video XLR Pro as sold by Zotz in Oregan.

It is a metal construction, has 2 XLR inputs, 2 mini jack inputs, Mic and Line settings, Stereo or mono, and two ground settings...

It screws tightly under the camera and is a well made and solid item...

Do a search for Zotz and perhaps give a guy there called Brian a call very helpful bloke.

cheers

Gareth