I have a Mackie Onyx satellite system. It has 2 1/4" balanced outputs. I can control the mike gain and the output via separate pots.

If I connect this output via 1/4 to xlr adapters to the line in on my canon XH-A1, the canon tech guy says the phantom power in the camera will be disconnected. He says this is the same thing as the built-in camera preamps.

I'm going to try this to see if the audio sounds any better. What level should I set the mike preamp to? -15db, according to the Mackie guy, at least when using it with a computer. I can control the level to the camera with the output control. Where do I set the level on the cameras sound level meters?

I'm not quite sure how this actually works?

Hi Larry,
I have an A1 too. Great cam, never regret getting it.

About the levels, you most likely mean the output levels of the Mackie.
Well, the Mackie guy is right IF you record to computer for music apps.
But in Video, I would be a bit more cautious and go for -20 to 18. This works better in my experience. You got more headroom to absorp unforseen spikes.

Cheers
Arthur