GL2 External Mics at DVinfo.net

Glen Tibbits · January 14th, 2006, 06:39 PM

Hi all,

My DM-50 works great. However, when I plug in a lapel mic or other mic the audio barely registers. I tested the mics with the computer and they are good. What am I missing?

Don Palomaki · January 15th, 2006, 05:43 AM

Do the other mics require power?

What is the external mic jack sensitivity setting (is MIC ATT on)?

What is their output impedance? The input inpedance of the GL series mic jack is about 600 ohms. Some mic have a higher output impedance and this will result in the loss of level - it can be significant if the mispatch is high.

Some mics have a fairly low output level.

Harry Marr · January 15th, 2006, 07:56 AM

i use a rode videomic, which works brilliantly. but the videomic uses a 9v battery and i dont think that most lapel mics are powered, and the gl2 doesn't provide power (unless you use a phantom xlr adaptor).

just wondering - what does the mic att actually do?

Len Imbery · January 15th, 2006, 08:54 AM

I believe the mic att. "pads" the input of the mic...so that if you're recording in a very loud environment you don't clip the sound recorded.....like with a factory or a rock band etc....of course, you still would need an external box like the Beachtek or similar to us an XLR input where to take a (balanced) feed off of a sound desk...which otherwise would be so hot that it would be very over-modulated and distorted....
Len

Glen Tibbits · January 15th, 2006, 01:59 PM

Thanks all,

I believe the problem is mic gain. The mics I am using do not have a power source. Soooo, I need a MA-300 or some such.

I purchased Visual Communicator and was trying to use the included lapel mic straight into the GL2.

Thanks again,

Don Palomaki · January 15th, 2006, 05:40 PM

What kind of mic is it? Is there a brand name? Many mics sold for sound cards are powered by the card.

Glen Tibbits · January 15th, 2006, 08:12 PM

Thanks Don,

I plugged the mic into my sound card and it works great, just like Visual Communicator said.

I was stumped when the mic would not work going directly into my GL2. All solved now.

Glen

Don Palomaki · January 16th, 2006, 04:53 AM

As I recall, the MA300 provides about 6 dB of gain, and it is also 600 ohm input impedance. It might not provide a significant improvement with the sound card mic.

David Ennis · January 16th, 2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Tibbits

...The mics I am using do not have a power source. Soooo, I need a MA-300 or some such....

The MA-300 does not supply any power. As a side note, it also lacks many HUGE features that are included in the equally priced Beachtek DXA-4 (beachtek.com). MA300 owners kick themselves when they see the Beachtek.

Incidentally, neither the DM-50 nor the internal mic will work with the MA300 (or any other XLR adapter).

Len Imbery · January 16th, 2006, 02:31 PM

....Also have a look at the one's made by Studio 1(XLR-Pro)....much like Beachtek and you can mix and match mics and input sources for left and right etc.
Len

Don Palomaki · January 16th, 2006, 05:52 PM

I have heard that Sign Video was the manufacturer of the original Studio One line. They also offer XLR adapters.

January 14th, 2006, 06:39 PM	#1
Glen Tibbits Tourist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 4	GL2 External Mics Hi all, My DM-50 works great. However, when I plug in a lapel mic or other mic the audio barely registers. I tested the mics with the computer and they are good. What am I missing?

January 15th, 2006, 05:43 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Do the other mics require power? What is the external mic jack sensitivity setting (is MIC ATT on)? What is their output impedance? The input inpedance of the GL series mic jack is about 600 ohms. Some mic have a higher output impedance and this will result in the loss of level - it can be significant if the mispatch is high. Some mics have a fairly low output level. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 15th, 2006, 08:54 AM	#4
Len Imbery Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Posts: 106	mic att. I believe the mic att. "pads" the input of the mic...so that if you're recording in a very loud environment you don't clip the sound recorded.....like with a factory or a rock band etc....of course, you still would need an external box like the Beachtek or similar to us an XLR input where to take a (balanced) feed off of a sound desk...which otherwise would be so hot that it would be very over-modulated and distorted.... Len

January 15th, 2006, 01:59 PM	#5
Glen Tibbits Tourist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 4	powered mics Thanks all, I believe the problem is mic gain. The mics I am using do not have a power source. Soooo, I need a MA-300 or some such. I purchased Visual Communicator and was trying to use the included lapel mic straight into the GL2. Thanks again,

January 15th, 2006, 05:40 PM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	What kind of mic is it? Is there a brand name? Many mics sold for sound cards are powered by the card. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 15th, 2006, 07:56 AM	#3
Harry Marr New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 10	i use a rode videomic, which works brilliantly. but the videomic uses a 9v battery and i dont think that most lapel mics are powered, and the gl2 doesn't provide power (unless you use a phantom xlr adaptor). just wondering - what does the mic att actually do?

January 15th, 2006, 08:12 PM	#7
Glen Tibbits Tourist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 4	mic types Thanks Don, I plugged the mic into my sound card and it works great, just like Visual Communicator said. I was stumped when the mic would not work going directly into my GL2. All solved now. Glen

January 16th, 2006, 04:53 AM	#8
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	As I recall, the MA300 provides about 6 dB of gain, and it is also 600 ohm input impedance. It might not provide a significant improvement with the sound card mic. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 16th, 2006, 02:31 PM	#10
Len Imbery Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Posts: 106	mic boxes ....Also have a look at the one's made by Studio 1(XLR-Pro)....much like Beachtek and you can mix and match mics and input sources for left and right etc. Len

January 16th, 2006, 05:52 PM	#11
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	I have heard that Sign Video was the manufacturer of the original Studio One line. They also offer XLR adapters. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com