HI there,

Shooting an event, in which one of our 2 cameras generally just records audio with built-in microphone; but it doesn't seem like there is a way to manually adjust the levels.

Am I missing something?

I have tried turning the handle power off, that doesn't help. It doesn't seem setting channels 1 & 2 on manual does anything.

Works fine when I have an external XLR mike plugged in.

Which camcorder?
Generally it is via the on-screen menus, not the knobs on the handle
For the XA20 see page 82 of the manual
For the XA10 see page 76.

Sorry, its the XA30. I have looked at the manual (page 82 as well)

Was hoping to find something that someone had discovered (not in the manual.)

The XHA1s have you the option of recording built-in mike to one channel while recording the other channel to an XLR input. That's what I was expecting, but it doesn't appear it gives you this option.

The XHA1s have you the option of recording built-in mike to one channel while recording the other channel to an XLR input. That's what I was expecting, but it doesn't appear it gives you this option.

Hmmm. The XA20/25 allows that. Again, selected from the Function->Menus->CH2 input. The choices are INPUT1, INPUT2, Built-in Mic/MIC. It is on page 86 of the XA20/25user manual.

I believe the XA30 manual describes the CH2 selection at the bottom of page 89.

Hmmm. The XA20/25 allows that. Again, selected from the Function->Menus->CH2 input. The choices are INPUT1, INPUT2, Built-in Mic/MIC. It is on page 86 of the XA20/25user manual.

I believe the XA30 manual describes the CH2 selection at the bottom of page 89.

Yes, that option is there; but there's no option for CH1. (only CH2.)

The INT/EXT switch on the handle determines which audio is recorded to CH1. XLR or MIC jack/Internal Mic. The function menu item can be used to select a different input for CH2 if you chose to do so.

If using different sources each channel ends up being mono. IYou can record an XLR mic to input to CH1 and the internal mic (or MIC jack input) mixed down to a mono signal on CH2 if you like. I guess I do not see the issue.

The INT/EXT switch on the handle determines which audio is recorded to CH1. XLR or MIC jack/Internal Mic. The function menu item can be used to select a different input for CH2 if you chose to do so.

I don't believe there's an INT/EXT switch on the handle for the XA 30. You can record an XLR mic to input to CH1 and the internal mic"

If using different sources each channel ends up being mono. IYou can record an XLR mic to input to CH1 and the internal mic...

This is what I wanted to do. Just haven't gotten it to work yet!

I don't believe there's an INT/EXT switch on the handle for the XA 30
I believe the XA30 calls the handle's int/ext switch ON/OFF, likely renamed to avoid confusion with an external mic attached to the MIC terminal. Pages 82/83 of the manual.