Problems with GL1, Beachtek DXA-2, Azden SGM-2x

[Oscar Vidales]

Has anyone out there had any problems with this combination? I had originally bought the Beachtek DXA-2 and the Azden SGM-2x for my Sony PC-100. And this worked great. I later upgraded to aGL-1 and tried hooking all the items up together and i get no sound at all. The only time i get any sound is when I speak right into the shotgun mic like with the mic right at my lipps. And even at that point I can barely even hear myself. I also tried hooking up my wireless lapel system and same thing. I also tried my friends Azden 1x which is the one that plugs straigh into the mini plug. Same results. Is there a problem with my GL1 or is this some kind of hardware problem with any of my devices? All these devices worked perfect on my Sony PC-100.

[Miguel Lombana]

Question, did you try to connect any of these mics directly to the camera, this would show that the mixer is bad or the camera inputs are bad. Do you have the AGC off on the cam and are the gains set up to atleast 50% or better?

Also on that Azden, make sure that you batteries are always full, I use rechargables with a higher maH output than a standard cell, not that it will make a diff in this test, just something to consider when you want to make sure that element is getting full power.

Again try hooking up the mic to cam without the mixer and get back to us. Also check your gains on the cam, make sure they are up all the way for these tests.

Let us know what you find...

[Oscar Vidales]

Ok i just plugged in a generic little hand held microphone into the mic in on my GL1 and it picked up sound fine. So not im thinking. Could it be my BEachtek DXA-2 doest work with the GL1? I bought it half a year ago and never used it. So i dont beleive its broken. Like I stated earlier, i tried it with my Sony PC-100 before I got my GL1 and it worked perfectly. Do the GL1's need a certain type of xlr adapter? I keep hearing something on message boards about "phantom power"? Also i cant adjust volume levels on the gl1 only on the gl2. By the way this is the adapter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=277930

[Miguel Lombana]

well now we know where the problem is and it's not the camera, good. now we have to deal with Beachtec, it's interesting that on the BH site they list the DXA-4p for the GL series units, however after review it really appears that is more of a "custom fit" under the camera, electrically (aside from 1 less input) they do the same.

XLR is a standard however there has been a debate for years about which pin is hot so make sure that your cables are not crossing over internally, you don't want PIN 1 to cross to PIN 2 (or 3) from end to end, again this is just something that may happen when they make that cable.

Phantom Power should not be an issue here, PP refers to an exteral power source, typically as high as 48v to power the element on condenser microphones, you're using a mic that should call for an internal battery, have you replaced the battery on that Azden to make sure it's new and powering the pickup element at the top?

As for not being able to adjust the GL1 and only the GL2, well that is the way it was designed, there are no audio level controls in the 1 only an automatic gain control system which may be on or off, check your menus and experiment.

I've posted a few links on the GL1 here that may help you find an answer. You may have already checked these or maybe someone on this board that still has the 1 can help a little farther, I'm out of options not having 1's but only 2's at this time. I would also call Beachtec and check with them on this!

Here are a few links Oscar...

http://gl1-411.com/forum/index.php
http://www.internetvideomag.com/articles1/CanonGL1.htm
http://www.bealecorner.com/gl1/
http://www.geocities.com/canon_gl1_faq/


Regards,
Miguel Lombana

[Zack Birlew]

This may sound like some stupid advice, but did you set the camera to record from an External microphone?

[Oscar Vidales]

Jack,

Does the GL1 have such an option? If so how do I access it?

Thanx for all your guys' help

[Zack Birlew]

Well, all you've got to do is use the little wheel next to the battery and press it, select microphone by scrolling the wheel down and pressing it again, then select EXT.

[Oscar Vidales]

Unfortunately it doesnt say microphone in the menus list. Just mic att.

[Don Palomaki]

MIC ATT will cause a roughly 20 dB reduction in sound leve. If the mic input singal is low, be sure MIC ATT is not selectgd from the menu.

Obvious thing s are to be sure the Beachtek switches and gain setting are correct.

Some Azden mics haave a relatively high output impedance that can cause reduced sould levels, but usually not as dramatic as you describe.

Call Azden and beachtek customer service - they may have run into the problem in the past.

[David Ennis]

Of course, make sure you have a fresh 9V battery in the BeachTek. A drop off in output is what happens as the battery starts to die.

[Oscar Vidales]

Today I tried my wirless lapel microphone system which is the Vivitar WMK-2 which i beleive is a rebadged NADY. I plugged it into the AUX left input on the beachtek DXA-2 and it worked flawlessly. There must be something with the Azden mics. It still baffles me because they worked before with the same setup with the exception of the cameras. I will call Azden and Beachtek and try to find out.

[Miguel Lombana]

Fred, you got me on this one, I've been through the manual for the BeachTeks and the Sign Video units and there is no mention of a battery inside the case. Not having my gear handy to open one up and check inside, I can't vouch for this one, but wouldn't it say something in the manual if it used a battery.

Also Oscar have you tried to change the mic cable on the Azden and did you make sure there was a fresh battery in that unit, oh and for the life of me, shame on me for asking and not to insult, but is the Azden switched on?

Miguel

[Oscar Vidales]

The Beachteks dont use batterys. Atleast i dont see where one would go. The Azden mics are new. And both ave new batterys and the xlr cable was bought new and only used once when i had this setup with my Sony PC-100 a few months back. All items in question were only used once and worked perfect on the Sony PC-100 setup. And yes the mics are swithced to on. HEHE

[David Ennis]

Sorry guys, I was forgetting that only the models with phantom power cabability use a 9V battery.