MA300 XLR microphone adapter

Albert Rodgers · May 5th, 2003, 10:49 PM

Hey guys/gals,

I just recently bought a GL2 and would like to know if you would recommend the Canon MA 300 or the Beachtek DXA-4p. I plan to use one of these for wedding videography. I am especially concerned about the interview portion with the guest.

The Canon seems to have better features than the Beachtek, but I am concerned about cords getting in the way when they are attached to the cam ( eventually I plan to buy a wireless system, but until then I will have to fight with the cords. Unless someones knows of a decent wireless handheld system for video that cost less than $300) The Beachtek seems to help with this problem by having a belt-clip mounting system.

Can someone please help.

Thank you.

A. Rodgers

Brendan Getchel · May 5th, 2003, 10:57 PM

Three things...

1) The Canon is not balanced.
2) The Canon does not have phantom power.
3) The Canon is a (relatively) flimsy piece of plastic. An "accident waiting to happen" -- as one reviewer put it.

That said, it works, it's more convenient, it makes the GL2 look kewl, and it's fine for most amateurs like myself (and you, if you have to ask ;-)

It's a toss-up. If you need the most functionality/flexibility, then the Beachtek-type device is the way to go. If you don't, then the Canon MA-300 is not too shabby.

Don Palomaki · May 6th, 2003, 04:34 AM

The Azden VHF wireless system work OK most places for wedding work and are modest cost. If you get one, be sure it is one that offers two frequences as a hedge against interference. I've used the WDR-Pro receiver-based system. For interviews you can attach a WXT-pro transmitter to a handheld mic.

Ron Little · May 6th, 2003, 09:36 AM

Go wireless my Sennheiser 500 combo came withe everything I need to shoot weddings and the sound is awesome. With this mic you don’t need the adapter. I use the Beachtek DXA-6 on my Sony and get great results. During the ceremony I put the lapel mic on the groom and for backup I place a shotgun mic in an inconspicuous place connected to my Sony Cam. (Using the Beachtek) During the reception I take the shotgun and use the Sennheiser plug on transmitter and hand it to the people that I interview. That way even if the DJ is loud you can still hear the interview.

Albert Rodgers · May 6th, 2003, 09:35 PM

Thanks for your advice. It is greatly appreciated.

More advice is welcomed.

A. Rodgers

Albert Rodgers · May 9th, 2003, 05:16 PM

I again thank you for your advice.

The final decision came down to the Beachtek, Studio 1 Pro or the Sign Video XLR Pro as a audio adapter for my GL2.

After much research and weighing pros and cons, I decided to buy the Sign Video XLR Pro from B&H. I feel that this adapter is reasonable priced and I like the fact that I have the option of mounting under the cam or using a belt clip.

The mounting under the cam option (wasn't option) is great because my wife is my business partner and usually wears a dress when shooting formal occassions (belt clip won't work.)

Beachtek was under cam only.
Studio Pro 1 was belt clip only.
Sign Video both.

The quality for all three adapters seemed similiar.

I truly appreciate this forum.

Thanks again.

Al

Graham Bernard · July 12th, 2003, 01:38 AM

I want to plug my Senni ME66 into BOTH XLR channels on the MA300. Yes, yes, yes I know this single track can be copied over in post. But I'm working with a guy that wants to have my work with audio recorded on both channels. I need to keep this simple.

Supplier in the UK - pref in London - yeah?

Grazie

Don Berube · July 12th, 2003, 03:25 AM

Hello Graham,

Give Simon at Optex a ring.

http://www.optexint.com

- don

Graham Bernard · July 12th, 2003, 07:29 AM

Yeah - Thanks Don. I've also a call request with T2 at Uxbridge. Good people - d'yer know 'em?

Grazie

Graham Bernard · July 16th, 2003, 08:20 AM

Just made up my own "Y" splitter with male XLR one end and 2 x female XLRs at other. Works as it should. Auto Audio balanced nicely. Manual Audio allows me to alter each left and right mono independantly.

One company wanted £60GBps - I did it for £9.58!

Now, I wonder on what I can spend the 50 quid I just saved? . . . ( was it ever thus )

Grazie ;-)

Jim Pruett · July 17th, 2003, 07:06 PM

I have just purchased the Azden 500UDR system as my wireless mic for my GL2, along with the Canon MA300 adapter. Does anyone have a suggestion where on the camera to mount the wireless receiver? It came with some velcro to use to attach it, but there does not appear to be an obvious location on the camera that would be good. Should I try to mount it on the MA300? Or does someone have another suggestion? Thanks in advance for any help.

Jim

K. Forman · July 17th, 2003, 07:38 PM

I have the Azden WR model, and it came with an attatchment to mount it to the accesory shoe. Otherwise, I would just plug the reciever into a hard disk recorder, and stash it out of the way.

Jim Pruett · July 17th, 2003, 09:19 PM

Keith, I don't have a hard-drive recorder. My MA300 adaptor mounts on the accessory shoe, and while it also provides yet another accessory shoe, I don't find any connection on the receiver to mount it there. Maybe I will just use the velcro and attach it to the MA300.

Thanks,

Jim

Bud Kuenzli · July 20th, 2003, 01:36 AM

keep in mind the antenna of the reciever need to be, or should be, in alignment with the transmitter. If the transmitter antenna is vertical, so should the receiver be. I mentioned in an email I had just got my 500 and now I've used it a time or two. I put the velcro on my 5500mAh battery but I don't trust it so I also run gaffer tape around it and onto the each side of my GL2 in areas that still allow me access. not the best of solutions but perfectly workable. Add the beachtek, the wd58 and yikes...it becomes quite the monster. :)

Jim Pruett · July 20th, 2003, 12:55 PM

Thanks for the replies. I ended up using the velcro and attaching the receiver to the MA300 and it worked great! I filmed a wedding yesterday - which was outside - and the audio was great! Last night I played with the lapel mic and had a friend walk upstairs in his house and all over on different floors, and the 500UDR receiver picked it all up perfectly. I am very happy with the model I chose. I also think that it was a good choice to mount the receiver on the MA300 adapter, since I will never use the receiver without the adapter. Anyway, thanks for the replies.

Jim

May 5th, 2003, 10:49 PM	#46
Albert Rodgers Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 87	Canon MA-300 VS Beachtek DXA-4p Hey guys/gals, I just recently bought a GL2 and would like to know if you would recommend the Canon MA 300 or the Beachtek DXA-4p. I plan to use one of these for wedding videography. I am especially concerned about the interview portion with the guest. The Canon seems to have better features than the Beachtek, but I am concerned about cords getting in the way when they are attached to the cam ( eventually I plan to buy a wireless system, but until then I will have to fight with the cords. Unless someones knows of a decent wireless handheld system for video that cost less than $300) The Beachtek seems to help with this problem by having a belt-clip mounting system. Can someone please help. Thank you. A. Rodgers

May 5th, 2003, 10:57 PM	#47
Brendan Getchel Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Waterbury, CT Posts: 101	Three things... 1) The Canon is not balanced. 2) The Canon does not have phantom power. 3) The Canon is a (relatively) flimsy piece of plastic. An "accident waiting to happen" -- as one reviewer put it. That said, it works, it's more convenient, it makes the GL2 look kewl, and it's fine for most amateurs like myself (and you, if you have to ask ;-) It's a toss-up. If you need the most functionality/flexibility, then the Beachtek-type device is the way to go. If you don't, then the Canon MA-300 is not too shabby. __________________ Dumb Guy.

May 6th, 2003, 09:35 PM	#50
Albert Rodgers Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 87	Thanks for your advice. It is greatly appreciated. More advice is welcomed. A. Rodgers __________________ Jack-of-all-trades trying to master one (Videography) www.sdfvideo.com

May 9th, 2003, 05:16 PM	#51
Albert Rodgers Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 87	I again thank you for your advice. The final decision came down to the Beachtek, Studio 1 Pro or the Sign Video XLR Pro as a audio adapter for my GL2. After much research and weighing pros and cons, I decided to buy the Sign Video XLR Pro from B&H. I feel that this adapter is reasonable priced and I like the fact that I have the option of mounting under the cam or using a belt clip. The mounting under the cam option (wasn't option) is great because my wife is my business partner and usually wears a dress when shooting formal occassions (belt clip won't work.) Beachtek was under cam only. Studio Pro 1 was belt clip only. Sign Video both. The quality for all three adapters seemed similiar. I truly appreciate this forum. Thanks again. Al __________________ Jack-of-all-trades trying to master one (Videography) www.sdfvideo.com

July 12th, 2003, 01:38 AM	#52
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	"Y" XLR adaptor for XM2 MA300? I want to plug my Senni ME66 into BOTH XLR channels on the MA300. Yes, yes, yes I know this single track can be copied over in post. But I'm working with a guy that wants to have my work with audio recorded on both channels. I need to keep this simple. Supplier in the UK - pref in London - yeah? Grazie

May 6th, 2003, 04:34 AM	#48
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	The Azden VHF wireless system work OK most places for wedding work and are modest cost. If you get one, be sure it is one that offers two frequences as a hedge against interference. I've used the WDR-Pro receiver-based system. For interviews you can attach a WXT-pro transmitter to a handheld mic.

May 6th, 2003, 09:36 AM	#49
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	Go wireless my Sennheiser 500 combo came withe everything I need to shoot weddings and the sound is awesome. With this mic you don’t need the adapter. I use the Beachtek DXA-6 on my Sony and get great results. During the ceremony I put the lapel mic on the groom and for backup I place a shotgun mic in an inconspicuous place connected to my Sony Cam. (Using the Beachtek) During the reception I take the shotgun and use the Sennheiser plug on transmitter and hand it to the people that I interview. That way even if the DJ is loud you can still hear the interview.

July 12th, 2003, 03:25 AM	#53
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Hello Graham, Give Simon at Optex a ring. http://www.optexint.com - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

July 12th, 2003, 07:29 AM	#54
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Optex New Barnet? Yeah - Thanks Don. I've also a call request with T2 at Uxbridge. Good people - d'yer know 'em? Grazie

July 16th, 2003, 08:20 AM	#55
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	"Y" Spend £60pounds??? Just made up my own "Y" splitter with male XLR one end and 2 x female XLRs at other. Works as it should. Auto Audio balanced nicely. Manual Audio allows me to alter each left and right mono independantly. One company wanted £60GBps - I did it for £9.58! Now, I wonder on what I can spend the 50 quid I just saved? . . . ( was it ever thus ) Grazie ;-)

July 17th, 2003, 07:06 PM	#56
Jim Pruett New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 16	Mounting Wireless Receiver I have just purchased the Azden 500UDR system as my wireless mic for my GL2, along with the Canon MA300 adapter. Does anyone have a suggestion where on the camera to mount the wireless receiver? It came with some velcro to use to attach it, but there does not appear to be an obvious location on the camera that would be good. Should I try to mount it on the MA300? Or does someone have another suggestion? Thanks in advance for any help. Jim

July 17th, 2003, 07:38 PM	#57
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I have the Azden WR model, and it came with an attatchment to mount it to the accesory shoe. Otherwise, I would just plug the reciever into a hard disk recorder, and stash it out of the way.

July 17th, 2003, 09:19 PM	#58
Jim Pruett New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 16	Keith, I don't have a hard-drive recorder. My MA300 adaptor mounts on the accessory shoe, and while it also provides yet another accessory shoe, I don't find any connection on the receiver to mount it there. Maybe I will just use the velcro and attach it to the MA300. Thanks, Jim

July 20th, 2003, 01:36 AM	#59
Bud Kuenzli Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 197	attach to the ma300? keep in mind the antenna of the reciever need to be, or should be, in alignment with the transmitter. If the transmitter antenna is vertical, so should the receiver be. I mentioned in an email I had just got my 500 and now I've used it a time or two. I put the velcro on my 5500mAh battery but I don't trust it so I also run gaffer tape around it and onto the each side of my GL2 in areas that still allow me access. not the best of solutions but perfectly workable. Add the beachtek, the wd58 and yikes...it becomes quite the monster. :) __________________ on the Internet, when you get where you're going you still don't know where you are

July 20th, 2003, 12:55 PM	#60
Jim Pruett New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 16	Thanks for the replies. I ended up using the velcro and attaching the receiver to the MA300 and it worked great! I filmed a wedding yesterday - which was outside - and the audio was great! Last night I played with the lapel mic and had a friend walk upstairs in his house and all over on different floors, and the 500UDR receiver picked it all up perfectly. I am very happy with the model I chose. I also think that it was a good choice to mount the receiver on the MA300 adapter, since I will never use the receiver without the adapter. Anyway, thanks for the replies. Jim