Well, I guess it takes two important political events and being surrounded by TV camera operators to feel totally out of the loop. I have a few questions about sound, I guess I never really understood it.

I own a Canon XL2 and I was wondering what sort of cable I need so that I can hook up my camera into the location sound ports. I know my Canon has 3-pin XLR ports in the back (CH 1/3 and CH 2/4) I taped two events just using the onboard mic and it does a decent job but spending the extra money for the new cord (which, if I'm looking at the right cord) isn't that much more.

Also, being a newbie to this all I was borrowing my dad's old tripod with a leakey fluid-head for the shoot. Well, it worked but was afraid for my camera the whole time. I've seen many different posts as to which tripod works the best for the Canon Xl2 and I'm wondering what advice you all have for me? Is it necessary to get the Canon Ta-100 adapter plate for a tripod or is this just for ease of use for quick release?

I have been very impressed with the Canon XL2 and I think I would excel much more in it if I had the basics (i.e.: tripod, cables, mics).

Any other advice or suggestions you all can give me would be great. I'm a new comer and would like to know the basic "stuff" I need to really get started and to "look like I know what I'm doing" LOL well I do...but I don't

Thanks in advance,
Nick

Welcome aboard, Nick. You should know first off that the XLR inputs on the XL2 are MIC LEVEL ONLY. Don't try to feed line level signals without an attenuator in line (you can buy these at many places).

IMO, the TA-100 is a great investment. It not only helps with quick release, it mounts with 4 screws to the underside of the camera and is better than a single 3/8 screw supporting that weight.

There's lots to read here so dive into some old threads and I think you'll find the answers to most of your questions.

regards,

-gb-

The "location sound ports"?

If you plugging into what's called a "mult box" or a "press pox" (something that looks like this: http://www.rittechcrew.com/inventory/showitem?value=60) it probably going to be mic level not line level. If you want to give the impression that you know what you are doing ask if there is a mult box.

If you are plugging directly into a mixer could be mic or line level.

Some facilities have mic level outputs in the walls (like the PA state Capitol where I often shoot) but you need to ask to be sure and have an attenuator at the ready.

By all means use the press box or other available outputs. You'll generally get much better sound. I carry 50' of cable in 25' foot lengths plus gaffer tape to tape it down if it's going to be in a place where people can trip over it.

It may be helpful, as was suggested, to have some 25 and 50 foot XLR cables, then you can get some adapters like XLR to 1/4" Phono jack-stereo and mono, XLR to RCA, etc. Having a pair of each adds up, but if you are doing events you'll find that having a good variety will pay off.

Definitely check the different threads, do some heavy research here in XL2 land, in the audio forum and all over DVInfo. Most likely, the answers to your questions are here already. Along the way you'll learn a lot about a lot of other things.

A pair of Audio Technica 8202 attenuators come in pretty handy.