Splitting audio inputs on Canon XL2 at DVinfo.net

Bill Honvlez · June 12th, 2010, 02:39 PM

I have a Canon XL2 camcorder (purchased new in May 2010. I need to run an audio line from a small mixing board into the camera. Is there a way to use one channel of audio for the "line in" from the board, and use one side of the stereo front microphone as the second channel? Sort of a safety track if there's trouble with the line in signal. I can't find any specific information on this option in the manual.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

-Bill

Rainer Listing · June 12th, 2010, 06:31 PM

Hi Bill, and congratulations on your purchase. Despite it's impressive audio features, what they don't tell you in the manual is that the XL2 doesn't natively accept line level input. Nor can it natively use both the rear and front mic inputs simultaneously. You can probably get mic level from the board, and the easiest and cheapest way to do what you want would be to plug a two mono to stereo 3.5mm jack adapter (available anywhere for around $2) into the front mic input giving you two 3.5mm mono inputs, but that's not recommended - it puts a lot of strain on the socket, is an unreliable connection and possibly noisy. You are much better off using the two rear XLR inputs - which really means getting a decent mic if you don't already own one, but if not, you were going to get one anyway sometime, so it may as well be now (I mainly use a Rode NTG1).

Dale Guthormsen · July 1st, 2010, 09:02 PM

Good evening,

the xl2 will allow you to actually use all four tracks! However capturing all the tracks requires a program like scenalyzer (an economical piece of software).

I have used the front stero mic and a wireless into the xlr input in the back. That actually gives you an extra track to deal with when you capture, hence use of scenalyzer live.

when you hook up your second mic to the xlr make certain you press the small audio button on the side of the camera to select the necessary tracks.

Marco Leavitt · November 21st, 2010, 08:03 PM

You can't use the stereo microphone and the rear XLR inputs. You'll need to get a different mic (with an XLR connection) for the first channel and an attenuator for connecting the line level signal to the second input. A Shure barrel attenuator should run you about $50.

Rainer Listing · November 21st, 2010, 09:44 PM

Hey Marco, I was under the same impression as you, i.e. that you can't simultaneously use the front and rear inputs - but Dale above is right - you can - go into audio setup/audio mode, select 12 bit 1,2,3,4 and designate which pair your front and rear inputs go to. You need Scenalyzer or two pass capture to download the 4 tracks. Thanks again Dale, and isn't it nice when someone revives a thread most of us would have considered dead?

Marco Leavitt · November 22nd, 2010, 02:31 PM

Sorry, didn't notice how old the post was. Most people (myself included) wouldn't consider recording audio at 12 bits a valid option. Also, can you really access the XLR inputs this way? I thought you had to use the RCA inputs on the side, also not a practical solution in most situations.

Rainer Listing · November 22nd, 2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Leavitt

Most people (myself included) wouldn't consider recording audio at 12 bits a valid option.

Most people includes me also. No, you don't need to use the RCA inputs to go 4 channel. I very seldom still use my XL2, such a lovely camera, just haven't been able to bring myself to sell it.

Marco Leavitt · November 22nd, 2010, 08:53 PM

That's cool to know Rainer. Love my XL2 too and still use it. Sad day when it will eventually have to pass on.

Josh Bass · November 22nd, 2010, 10:35 PM

You actually can use line level with the XL2, or at least a slightly padded/consumer line level. Going in through the RCAs will allow you to get line level of a sort. a "real" line level device is too hot for these inputs and you will have to turn down its output or use an attenuator between the device and the RCA input, but it can be done.

Alternately, if for some reason, you have a beachtek XLR adapter, as I did because I had an XL1s before I had an XL2, that is a way to use XLR connectors and line level devices. Still the same level matching issue, as the Beachtek hooks up to the cam's RCA inputs.

As I understand it, "pro" line level is +4 (+4 what? no idea) and consumer line level (what the RCA jacks are set up to receive) is -10. Put a +4 into a -10 and you get distortion. So you have to pad the +4 device down to +10 or set the output of the device to be less than +4 to begin with.

June 12th, 2010, 02:39 PM	#1
Bill Honvlez Tourist Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 1	Splitting audio inputs on Canon XL2 I have a Canon XL2 camcorder (purchased new in May 2010. I need to run an audio line from a small mixing board into the camera. Is there a way to use one channel of audio for the "line in" from the board, and use one side of the stereo front microphone as the second channel? Sort of a safety track if there's trouble with the line in signal. I can't find any specific information on this option in the manual. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. -Bill

July 1st, 2010, 09:02 PM	#3
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Good evening, the xl2 will allow you to actually use all four tracks! However capturing all the tracks requires a program like scenalyzer (an economical piece of software). I have used the front stero mic and a wireless into the xlr input in the back. That actually gives you an extra track to deal with when you capture, hence use of scenalyzer live. when you hook up your second mic to the xlr make certain you press the small audio button on the side of the camera to select the necessary tracks. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

November 22nd, 2010, 10:35 PM	#9
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	You actually can use line level with the XL2, or at least a slightly padded/consumer line level. Going in through the RCAs will allow you to get line level of a sort. a "real" line level device is too hot for these inputs and you will have to turn down its output or use an attenuator between the device and the RCA input, but it can be done. Alternately, if for some reason, you have a beachtek XLR adapter, as I did because I had an XL1s before I had an XL2, that is a way to use XLR connectors and line level devices. Still the same level matching issue, as the Beachtek hooks up to the cam's RCA inputs. As I understand it, "pro" line level is +4 (+4 what? no idea) and consumer line level (what the RCA jacks are set up to receive) is -10. Put a +4 into a -10 and you get distortion. So you have to pad the +4 device down to +10 or set the output of the device to be less than +4 to begin with. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 12th, 2010, 06:31 PM	#2
Rainer Listing Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nowra, Australia Posts: 440	Hi Bill, and congratulations on your purchase. Despite it's impressive audio features, what they don't tell you in the manual is that the XL2 doesn't natively accept line level input. Nor can it natively use both the rear and front mic inputs simultaneously. You can probably get mic level from the board, and the easiest and cheapest way to do what you want would be to plug a two mono to stereo 3.5mm jack adapter (available anywhere for around $2) into the front mic input giving you two 3.5mm mono inputs, but that's not recommended - it puts a lot of strain on the socket, is an unreliable connection and possibly noisy. You are much better off using the two rear XLR inputs - which really means getting a decent mic if you don't already own one, but if not, you were going to get one anyway sometime, so it may as well be now (I mainly use a Rode NTG1).

November 21st, 2010, 08:03 PM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	You can't use the stereo microphone and the rear XLR inputs. You'll need to get a different mic (with an XLR connection) for the first channel and an attenuator for connecting the line level signal to the second input. A Shure barrel attenuator should run you about $50.

November 21st, 2010, 09:44 PM	#5
Rainer Listing Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nowra, Australia Posts: 440	Hey Marco, I was under the same impression as you, i.e. that you can't simultaneously use the front and rear inputs - but Dale above is right - you can - go into audio setup/audio mode, select 12 bit 1,2,3,4 and designate which pair your front and rear inputs go to. You need Scenalyzer or two pass capture to download the 4 tracks. Thanks again Dale, and isn't it nice when someone revives a thread most of us would have considered dead?

November 22nd, 2010, 02:31 PM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Sorry, didn't notice how old the post was. Most people (myself included) wouldn't consider recording audio at 12 bits a valid option. Also, can you really access the XLR inputs this way? I thought you had to use the RCA inputs on the side, also not a practical solution in most situations.

November 22nd, 2010, 08:53 PM	#8
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	That's cool to know Rainer. Love my XL2 too and still use it. Sad day when it will eventually have to pass on.