XLR Adaptor Question...

Lyle Pendy · June 23rd, 2003, 03:19 AM

Thanks everyone,

The XLR did come with a belt clip and I'll just use that for any longer shoots. I was just curious if anyone found a "magic" solution. Taping to the tripod is another good idea. It is definitley a quality product and now that I have it I'll just work with it.

Thanks again,
Lyle

Jonathan Richards · June 24th, 2003, 09:02 AM

I've conquered the problem I think.

If you look on our web site at http://www.imageonartworks.co.uk and look in the services then click on video, you can see our XM1 set up and see what we've done with this adapter.

Marco Leavitt · June 24th, 2003, 10:54 AM

This is my setup exactly, right down to the Mighty Wondercam! I usually put the light on the camera itself though.

Jonathan Richards · June 25th, 2003, 03:05 AM

I get a bit of Red Eye effect if I do that!

The mic is a Beyer Dynamic MCE86N

Thought you might like to know.... ?

Cheers

Corey Sturmer · August 6th, 2003, 09:38 PM

What are some other options as far as XLR adapters go for the GL2? Is the MA-300 the best out there? Is there something that doesn't have to be camera mounted? Any reviews?

Thanks in advance.

Ken Tanaka · August 6th, 2003, 09:45 PM

The Beachtek and Studio 1 (or whatever its new name is) are the two primary options aside from the MA-300. I like the Beachtek. Solidly built, clean electronics.

Jonathan Richards · August 7th, 2003, 03:18 AM

Studio 1 is far better. Much lower noise and better construction.

Don Palomaki · August 7th, 2003, 04:32 AM

Lower noise? How much lower noise given that both are passive devices? Can you describe how the measurements were made?

BTW: A recent player is Signvideo, the OEM for the original Studio 1 product line. Studio 1 is still in business as well, with a somewhat revised set of products.

Peter Moore · August 7th, 2003, 10:18 AM

Are these adapters balanced? If so there should be virtually no noise.

Don Palomaki · August 7th, 2003, 07:35 PM

The MA-100 is an active device (electronics including integrated circuit amplifiers) inside so there will be some electronic noise - but not much. The Beachtek is passive, so the noise willl be the thermal noise of the components plus what ever is picked up form the ambient electrical/magnetic fields, even less. Because both are balanced input, pickup from the leads to balanced sources will be minimal.

Corey Sturmer · August 8th, 2003, 07:51 PM

The Studio 1 XLR adapter - how does that connect to the GL2? I know the MA-300 goes through the accesory shoe...Does it make a difference?

Ken Tanaka · August 8th, 2003, 08:10 PM

I believe that, like the Beachtek, it screws into the tripod screw and plugs into your mic jac.

Corey Sturmer · August 8th, 2003, 08:22 PM

Is there any quality difference/loss between the accesory shoe and the mic jack?

Diane Bogosian · October 22nd, 2003, 01:50 PM

I read (in Real World Digital Video by Pete Shaner to be exact) that when you use an adapter to connect an XLR cable to a mini plug, the mini plug only uses two of the three wires/lines that make up an XLR circuit, bypassing the feature of the unused wire, which is noise-canceling (meant to cancel 60Hz hum).

"Avoid using adapters except for stuff like headphones..." he says. "There's no substitute for XLR connectors and cables...if possible make connections at the mixer..."

But I haven't seen any discussion about this on this site. On the contrary, people seem to be pleased with their adapters and experiencing enhanced audio...

What am I missing?

Jim Hill · October 23rd, 2003, 12:20 AM

Long runs of unbalanced cable (ie RCA and mini-plug tipped cables) can pick up interference due to their acting as an aerial for radio waves (think about how many mobile phones might be close to your line). The longer the cables run, the more efficient the cable is at picking up background. Balanced cables solve this problem by running twin signals that are 180 degrees out of phase and then recombining them at the other end. This means that the real signal can be recombined and the noise is phased out.

However, for short runs, an unbalanced cable is usually fine. The XLR converter (should) take in the balanced signal, flip it and convert it into an unbalanced signal that can be recieved by the mic input on the camera. The only issue is the length of run from the converter to the camera.

I use the XLR-BP-PRO for mobile work, but I much prefer to use a mixer whenever possible.

Of course, just hooking an XLR plug to one end of a cable and putting a 1/8" jack on the other is not the same as a proper adapter.

June 24th, 2003, 09:02 AM	#62
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	I've conquered the problem I think. If you look on our web site at http://www.imageonartworks.co.uk and look in the services then click on video, you can see our XM1 set up and see what we've done with this adapter. __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 25th, 2003, 03:05 AM	#64
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	I get a bit of Red Eye effect if I do that! The mic is a Beyer Dynamic MCE86N Thought you might like to know.... ? Cheers __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

August 6th, 2003, 09:38 PM	#65
Corey Sturmer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 144	Xlr What are some other options as far as XLR adapters go for the GL2? Is the MA-300 the best out there? Is there something that doesn't have to be camera mounted? Any reviews? Thanks in advance. __________________ Corey Sturmer Producer - Woffester Productions

August 6th, 2003, 09:45 PM	#66
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The Beachtek and Studio 1 (or whatever its new name is) are the two primary options aside from the MA-300. I like the Beachtek. Solidly built, clean electronics. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 7th, 2003, 03:18 AM	#67
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	Studio 1 is far better. Much lower noise and better construction. __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 23rd, 2003, 03:19 AM	#61
Lyle Pendy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 6	Thanks everyone, The XLR did come with a belt clip and I'll just use that for any longer shoots. I was just curious if anyone found a "magic" solution. Taping to the tripod is another good idea. It is definitley a quality product and now that I have it I'll just work with it. Thanks again, Lyle

June 24th, 2003, 10:54 AM	#63
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	This is my setup exactly, right down to the Mighty Wondercam! I usually put the light on the camera itself though.

August 7th, 2003, 04:32 AM	#68
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Lower noise? How much lower noise given that both are passive devices? Can you describe how the measurements were made? BTW: A recent player is Signvideo, the OEM for the original Studio 1 product line. Studio 1 is still in business as well, with a somewhat revised set of products. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

August 7th, 2003, 10:18 AM	#69
Peter Moore Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 1,034	Are these adapters balanced? If so there should be virtually no noise.

August 7th, 2003, 07:35 PM	#70
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	The MA-100 is an active device (electronics including integrated circuit amplifiers) inside so there will be some electronic noise - but not much. The Beachtek is passive, so the noise willl be the thermal noise of the components plus what ever is picked up form the ambient electrical/magnetic fields, even less. Because both are balanced input, pickup from the leads to balanced sources will be minimal. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

August 8th, 2003, 07:51 PM	#71
Corey Sturmer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 144	The Studio 1 XLR adapter - how does that connect to the GL2? I know the MA-300 goes through the accesory shoe...Does it make a difference? __________________ Corey Sturmer Producer - Woffester Productions

August 8th, 2003, 08:10 PM	#72
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I believe that, like the Beachtek, it screws into the tripod screw and plugs into your mic jac. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 8th, 2003, 08:22 PM	#73
Corey Sturmer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 144	Is there any quality difference/loss between the accesory shoe and the mic jack? __________________ Corey Sturmer Producer - Woffester Productions

October 22nd, 2003, 01:50 PM	#74
Diane Bogosian Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 55	Does Mic Adapter cancel benefits of XLR? I read (in Real World Digital Video by Pete Shaner to be exact) that when you use an adapter to connect an XLR cable to a mini plug, the mini plug only uses two of the three wires/lines that make up an XLR circuit, bypassing the feature of the unused wire, which is noise-canceling (meant to cancel 60Hz hum). "Avoid using adapters except for stuff like headphones..." he says. "There's no substitute for XLR connectors and cables...if possible make connections at the mixer..." But I haven't seen any discussion about this on this site. On the contrary, people seem to be pleased with their adapters and experiencing enhanced audio... What am I missing?

October 23rd, 2003, 12:20 AM	#75
Jim Hill New Boot Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Paris Posts: 15	Long runs of unbalanced cable (ie RCA and mini-plug tipped cables) can pick up interference due to their acting as an aerial for radio waves (think about how many mobile phones might be close to your line). The longer the cables run, the more efficient the cable is at picking up background. Balanced cables solve this problem by running twin signals that are 180 degrees out of phase and then recombining them at the other end. This means that the real signal can be recombined and the noise is phased out. However, for short runs, an unbalanced cable is usually fine. The XLR converter (should) take in the balanced signal, flip it and convert it into an unbalanced signal that can be recieved by the mic input on the camera. The only issue is the length of run from the converter to the camera. I use the XLR-BP-PRO for mobile work, but I much prefer to use a mixer whenever possible. Of course, just hooking an XLR plug to one end of a cable and putting a 1/8" jack on the other is not the same as a proper adapter.