Line Level to XLR inputs at DVinfo.net

Joe Dockery · June 21st, 2005, 04:12 PM

I have an XL2 and a Sony FP24 Field mixer. I am having some problems when I put the line level input into the XLR input on the back of the camera.
1. When I send a tone to the camera, it sounds fine and I am able to set the levels
2. When I use my microphone signal it sounds distorted.

I have tested the microphone/FP24 signal on a line level input on my speakers and it sounds great. I also tried sending the line level output into the RCA jacks on the side of my XL2 and it sounds great.

Why can't I use the XL2's XLR jacks for a line level input?
Is there a mic level/line level switch some where that I am missing like on many cameras?

Joe Dockery
Mount Si High School
Snoqualmie, Washington

Chris Hurd · June 21st, 2005, 04:27 PM

This is an old question that I suppose I need to put into the FAQ.

The XLR jacks on the XL2 are mic-level only. Many people, myself included, feel that this is a serious oversight on behalf of Canon. Your most convenient recourse is to route the incoming line-level audio to the RCA audio input jacks on the XL2, as they alone are line-level. Your other alternative is to impose a third-party impedence changer in between the camcorder's XLR jacks and your incoming audio signal.

Joe Dockery · June 22nd, 2005, 07:03 AM

Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Luckily I have a couple XLR to RCA adapters.

Joe

Tim Durham · June 22nd, 2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

This is an old question that I suppose I need to put into the FAQ.

The XLR jacks on the XL2 are mic-level only. Many people, myself included, feel that this is a serious oversight on behalf of Canon. Your most convenient recourse is to route the incoming line-level audio to the RCA audio input jacks on the XL2, as they alone are line-level. Your other alternative is to impose a third-party impedence changer in between the camcorder's XLR jacks and your incoming audio signal.

Why? Does that mixer not output a choice of line or mic level?

Chris Hurd · June 22nd, 2005, 08:45 PM

If your incoming audio source offers a choice, then you're in business... choose mic-level and you're good to go. If your source is line-level only, then you'll have to use one of the workarounds I've described above.

Dwayne R Smith · June 23rd, 2005, 09:11 PM

Chris,
I have the DVD tutorial about the XL2 and he says that he thinks you need a 50 pad for line in. Here is my dilema, I am going to video a crusade in Brazil in August. There is a good chance that they might be able to give me a line in from the mixer. I think I might be better off with a line in that a shotgun mic. I have no idea where I will be able to set up.I just want to be ready. I visited the B&H site and found only one inline attenuator from Shure that is adjustable, but it is adjustable from 10,15, and 25. Do I need to look else where or can I use this with that attenuator on the camera?

Thanks in advance
Dwayne

Marco Leavitt · June 24th, 2005, 09:19 AM

How about this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Make sure it doesn't unbalance the signal though. That would suck.

Patrick King · July 13th, 2005, 05:13 PM

Marco,

Just re-read this post today and found your link isn't active at B&H any longer. Do you remember what it was you were pointing to as the solution?

Also, if the XL2 requires a 50dB pad to bring Line-In down to Mic-In levels required for the XL2 aft XLR connections, can you just add two 25dB attenuators in line? Does that equal one 50dB attenuator?

June 21st, 2005, 04:12 PM	#1
Joe Dockery Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Line Level to XLR inputs I have an XL2 and a Sony FP24 Field mixer. I am having some problems when I put the line level input into the XLR input on the back of the camera. 1. When I send a tone to the camera, it sounds fine and I am able to set the levels 2. When I use my microphone signal it sounds distorted. I have tested the microphone/FP24 signal on a line level input on my speakers and it sounds great. I also tried sending the line level output into the RCA jacks on the side of my XL2 and it sounds great. Why can't I use the XL2's XLR jacks for a line level input? Is there a mic level/line level switch some where that I am missing like on many cameras? Joe Dockery Mount Si High School Snoqualmie, Washington

June 21st, 2005, 04:27 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	This is an old question that I suppose I need to put into the FAQ. The XLR jacks on the XL2 are mic-level only. Many people, myself included, feel that this is a serious oversight on behalf of Canon. Your most convenient recourse is to route the incoming line-level audio to the RCA audio input jacks on the XL2, as they alone are line-level. Your other alternative is to impose a third-party impedence changer in between the camcorder's XLR jacks and your incoming audio signal. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 22nd, 2005, 07:03 AM	#3
Joe Dockery Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Thank You Chris, Thank you for taking the time to respond. Luckily I have a couple XLR to RCA adapters. Joe

June 22nd, 2005, 08:45 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	If your incoming audio source offers a choice, then you're in business... choose mic-level and you're good to go. If your source is line-level only, then you'll have to use one of the workarounds I've described above. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 23rd, 2005, 09:11 PM	#6
Dwayne R Smith Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4	Pad for line input Chris, I have the DVD tutorial about the XL2 and he says that he thinks you need a 50 pad for line in. Here is my dilema, I am going to video a crusade in Brazil in August. There is a good chance that they might be able to give me a line in from the mixer. I think I might be better off with a line in that a shotgun mic. I have no idea where I will be able to set up.I just want to be ready. I visited the B&H site and found only one inline attenuator from Shure that is adjustable, but it is adjustable from 10,15, and 25. Do I need to look else where or can I use this with that attenuator on the camera? Thanks in advance Dwayne

June 24th, 2005, 09:19 AM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	How about this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Make sure it doesn't unbalance the signal though. That would suck.

July 13th, 2005, 05:13 PM	#8
Patrick King Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 857	Marco, Just re-read this post today and found your link isn't active at B&H any longer. Do you remember what it was you were pointing to as the solution? Also, if the XL2 requires a 50dB pad to bring Line-In down to Mic-In levels required for the XL2 aft XLR connections, can you just add two 25dB attenuators in line? Does that equal one 50dB attenuator? __________________ Fear No Weevil!