XL1s Stereo 1,2 and dubbing at DVinfo.net

Duane Craig · June 10th, 2003, 11:18 AM

I'd just like to confirm my understanding of this issue. I have the camera set to Stereo 1,2, and am using the on-cam mike along with a wireless mike plugged into ONE of the XLR jacks on the MA-100. Does this mean I still have ONE channel remaining for post dubbing? Thanks.

Nathan Gifford · June 10th, 2003, 11:36 AM

When you have the cam in 12 bit audio (stereo 1,2) you have 4 channels of audio. The main channels is where the stock stereo mic is plugged in, plus the 2 sub channels.

Provided your NLE (editing package) supports 4 channel, then you will still have 1 channel left over.

Don Palomaki · June 10th, 2003, 03:25 PM

Many NLE's allow many channels of audio. They will mix down to the format that is exported according to how you have the pan and mix settings in the NLE and the audio tracks.

On the camcorder the 4 channels come in pairs. You cannot dub to the 4th channel only without effect on the 3rd channel when using the camcorder.

Al Smith · June 27th, 2003, 03:40 PM

I haven't been able to get the stock mic to work with a XLR mic. I've tried setting to 12 bit audio and still cannot get the XL1 mic to work with an XLR mic. What gives? What exactly do I need to do to get this to work?

Thanks,
Al

Nathan Gifford · June 27th, 2003, 10:02 PM

There can be several problems.

Problem one is the XLR mic itself. The XL1(S) does not have a balanced input (Sony's PD150 does). You may need to use a audio adapter (MA100, 200, BeachTek, etc) to get balanced audio to work. Some mics require batteries or phantom power so check your mic specs to find out.

Other mics will work with the XL-1. I use a Shure hand mic without adapters.

A number of people have problems because they do not understand what they should have read in the manual (so don't feel like you are the first!). You need to make sure that you are feeding the audio into the correct audio input (Audio 1 [on the handle] or Audio 2 [on the back of the cam]). Then if you are judging the audio through headphones you need to press the audio monitor switch to mix if you want to hear all four channels.

Don Palomaki · June 30th, 2003, 04:35 PM

How do you have things connected.

To have an external mic work reasonably well with the stock mic, you need to do several things.

1. use 12-bit (4 channel) mode.
2. connect the external mic to the Audiio 2 inputs.
3. Be sure you have the levels set correctly for the Audio 2 input.
4. Be sure that the Audio 1/Mic switch is set to MIC (or MIC ATT).
5. Be sure you have the Audio Monitor setting set to the sources you want to monitor.

Al Smith · July 3rd, 2003, 09:38 PM

Thanks Don, I got it to work. I was not setting the monitor correctly.

Duane Craig · October 1st, 2003, 06:47 PM

Thanks for the answers. I want to add the results of my experience with the MA-100 and wireless mikes.

For some reason the Sennheiser wireless kit comes with a SINGLE XLR connector for the receiver. So, depending upon which XLR connector you plug into on the MA-100, you get the sound coming through the left OR right channel of audio 2. BE SURE YOU PUNCH THE AUDIO MONITOR BUTTON TWICE and have your cam setup to 12bit stereo 1,2.

So, you can get two additional mikes using the MA-100 by plugging each mike into just ONE of the XLR connectors. Of course each of those mikes will be mono, one on the left channel of audio 2 and one on the right channel. I haven't noticed any negative aspects to this configuration, but if someone knows of some, please let me know.

The other thing that I've noticed is that whenever I want to transfer the video to my computer, or playback on a monitor, I have to make sure that I have set the cam to 12bit, stereo 1,2 AND punched the audio monitor buttom twice. Otherwise I don't get all of the sound. This seems to hold true when I'm transferring clips BACK to the camera in order to send to VHS, etc.

Most of you I'm sure know this, but I thought someone new might benefit from the clarification.

Trig Simon · October 8th, 2003, 08:42 PM

You do have the Audio 1 and Audio 2 backwards, right? Audio 1 is in the back of the camera, Audio 2 is on the handle. Or did I read you wrong.

Trig

Trig Simon · October 8th, 2003, 08:44 PM

You do have the Audio 1 and Audio 2 backwards, right? Audio 1 is in the back of the camera, Audio 2 is on the handle. Or did I read you wrong.

Trig

Duane Craig · October 9th, 2003, 10:38 AM

Actually, when I referred to the Audio 1 I was referring to the on-board camera mike. I plug the xlr cables from the MA-100 into the audio 2 jacks on the SIDE of the handle.

June 10th, 2003, 11:18 AM	#1
Duane Craig Tourist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ramah, NM Posts: 4	XL1s Stereo 1,2 and dubbing I'd just like to confirm my understanding of this issue. I have the camera set to Stereo 1,2, and am using the on-cam mike along with a wireless mike plugged into ONE of the XLR jacks on the MA-100. Does this mean I still have ONE channel remaining for post dubbing? Thanks.

June 10th, 2003, 11:36 AM	#2
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	When you have the cam in 12 bit audio (stereo 1,2) you have 4 channels of audio. The main channels is where the stock stereo mic is plugged in, plus the 2 sub channels. Provided your NLE (editing package) supports 4 channel, then you will still have 1 channel left over. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

June 10th, 2003, 03:25 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Many NLE's allow many channels of audio. They will mix down to the format that is exported according to how you have the pan and mix settings in the NLE and the audio tracks. On the camcorder the 4 channels come in pairs. You cannot dub to the 4th channel only without effect on the 3rd channel when using the camcorder. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

June 27th, 2003, 03:40 PM	#4
Al Smith New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Jersey Posts: 14	I haven't been able to get the stock mic to work with a XLR mic. I've tried setting to 12 bit audio and still cannot get the XL1 mic to work with an XLR mic. What gives? What exactly do I need to do to get this to work? Thanks, Al __________________ Make It Happen!!!

June 27th, 2003, 10:02 PM	#5
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	There can be several problems. Problem one is the XLR mic itself. The XL1(S) does not have a balanced input (Sony's PD150 does). You may need to use a audio adapter (MA100, 200, BeachTek, etc) to get balanced audio to work. Some mics require batteries or phantom power so check your mic specs to find out. Other mics will work with the XL-1. I use a Shure hand mic without adapters. A number of people have problems because they do not understand what they should have read in the manual (so don't feel like you are the first!). You need to make sure that you are feeding the audio into the correct audio input (Audio 1 [on the handle] or Audio 2 [on the back of the cam]). Then if you are judging the audio through headphones you need to press the audio monitor switch to mix if you want to hear all four channels. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

June 30th, 2003, 04:35 PM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	How do you have things connected. To have an external mic work reasonably well with the stock mic, you need to do several things. 1. use 12-bit (4 channel) mode. 2. connect the external mic to the Audiio 2 inputs. 3. Be sure you have the levels set correctly for the Audio 2 input. 4. Be sure that the Audio 1/Mic switch is set to MIC (or MIC ATT). 5. Be sure you have the Audio Monitor setting set to the sources you want to monitor. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

July 3rd, 2003, 09:38 PM	#7
Al Smith New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Jersey Posts: 14	Thanks Don, I got it to work. I was not setting the monitor correctly. __________________ Make It Happen!!!

October 1st, 2003, 06:47 PM	#8
Duane Craig Tourist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ramah, NM Posts: 4	Followup Thanks for the answers. I want to add the results of my experience with the MA-100 and wireless mikes. For some reason the Sennheiser wireless kit comes with a SINGLE XLR connector for the receiver. So, depending upon which XLR connector you plug into on the MA-100, you get the sound coming through the left OR right channel of audio 2. BE SURE YOU PUNCH THE AUDIO MONITOR BUTTON TWICE and have your cam setup to 12bit stereo 1,2. So, you can get two additional mikes using the MA-100 by plugging each mike into just ONE of the XLR connectors. Of course each of those mikes will be mono, one on the left channel of audio 2 and one on the right channel. I haven't noticed any negative aspects to this configuration, but if someone knows of some, please let me know. The other thing that I've noticed is that whenever I want to transfer the video to my computer, or playback on a monitor, I have to make sure that I have set the cam to 12bit, stereo 1,2 AND punched the audio monitor buttom twice. Otherwise I don't get all of the sound. This seems to hold true when I'm transferring clips BACK to the camera in order to send to VHS, etc. Most of you I'm sure know this, but I thought someone new might benefit from the clarification. __________________ Video happens...audio doesn't.

October 8th, 2003, 08:42 PM	#9
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	Nathan Gifford You do have the Audio 1 and Audio 2 backwards, right? Audio 1 is in the back of the camera, Audio 2 is on the handle. Or did I read you wrong. Trig __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

October 8th, 2003, 08:44 PM	#10
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	Nathan Gifford You do have the Audio 1 and Audio 2 backwards, right? Audio 1 is in the back of the camera, Audio 2 is on the handle. Or did I read you wrong. Trig __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

October 9th, 2003, 10:38 AM	#11
Duane Craig Tourist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ramah, NM Posts: 4	How the mikes are plugged in Actually, when I referred to the Audio 1 I was referring to the on-board camera mike. I plug the xlr cables from the MA-100 into the audio 2 jacks on the SIDE of the handle. __________________ Video happens...audio doesn't.