Line level RCA or Mic level XLR? at DVinfo.net

Tim Commeijne · January 14th, 2006, 06:52 PM

So we all know that the XL2 XLR connectors accept mic-level only, and the RCA connectors accept line level.
XLR is better than RCA and
Sending out line level is better than mic level.

So what is the best I can do? Set my mixer outputs to line and go to the RCA's or set my mixer outputs to mic-level and go to the XLR's?

Tim

Bill Hamell · January 15th, 2006, 09:35 AM

Tim,

Your options are…
1.) Set the mixers output to Line Level and go to the RCA connector
2.) Set the mixers output to Mic Level and go to the XLR connector
3.) Set the mixers output to Line Level and use a Attenuator between the cameras XLR and the cable from the mixer

I use a 30db attenuator when I have a line leval signal if I need more attenuation then I turn on the cameras attenuator. YMMV

Bill

Jason Varner · January 15th, 2006, 04:50 PM

If you want to run balanced line out into the XL2 you need a transformer. Some mixers have a Mic/Line output but it often just an attenuator and not a transformer. It is important to note that mic and line level are two different types of signal. It would be like trying to run speaker cable into a line input. Also keep in mind the more you process the audio the more the quality will suffer. If you're not having problems with noise just use xlr-rca adapters. The fewer mic-pre's, transformers, and gain stages inline the better. Good Luck, Jason.

January 14th, 2006, 06:52 PM	#1
Tim Commeijne Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Europe, Belgium, Oostende Posts: 44	Line level RCA or Mic level XLR? So we all know that the XL2 XLR connectors accept mic-level only, and the RCA connectors accept line level. XLR is better than RCA and Sending out line level is better than mic level. So what is the best I can do? Set my mixer outputs to line and go to the RCA's or set my mixer outputs to mic-level and go to the XLR's? Tim

January 15th, 2006, 09:35 AM	#2
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	Tim, Your options are… 1.) Set the mixers output to Line Level and go to the RCA connector 2.) Set the mixers output to Mic Level and go to the XLR connector 3.) Set the mixers output to Line Level and use a Attenuator between the cameras XLR and the cable from the mixer I use a 30db attenuator when I have a line leval signal if I need more attenuation then I turn on the cameras attenuator. YMMV Bill __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

January 15th, 2006, 04:50 PM	#3
Jason Varner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 119	More than meets the ear. If you want to run balanced line out into the XL2 you need a transformer. Some mixers have a Mic/Line output but it often just an attenuator and not a transformer. It is important to note that mic and line level are two different types of signal. It would be like trying to run speaker cable into a line input. Also keep in mind the more you process the audio the more the quality will suffer. If you're not having problems with noise just use xlr-rca adapters. The fewer mic-pre's, transformers, and gain stages inline the better. Good Luck, Jason.