A Lesson In Xlr at DVinfo.net

Derrick Begin · June 27th, 2002, 10:02 AM

I am moving forward with my feature and I am looking to resolve a AUDIO route.

EQUIPMENT

XL1S
Sennheiser Directional Shotgun (In process of purchasing)
MA-100 (In process of purchasing)
Sony Mini-Disk Recorder
Boom

Because of the dialogue, my question is, what route would you recommend recording audio?

Combo One:
Onboard Audio of the XL1S
MA-100
Shotgun
Boom

Combo Two:
Sony Mini-Disk
Shotgun
Boom

I am looking for the best quality recording. As adjusting the XL1S on the fly for sound, while maintaining the image, introduces too many human tasking problems.

Please help, if you have had experience with this, or advice.

Much Appreciated!

Derrick

Bill Ravens · June 27th, 2002, 10:37 AM

At some point, the complexity of a professional production requires a seperate soundman. As you said, overtasking of one camera operator becomes the critical issue. Your two configurations really lend themselves to one soundman/cameraman for option one and a seperate soundman/cameraman for option two. If you were to throw in a mixer, like a Samson mixpad or a Mackie mixer, you'd be more flexible for either config. The mixer really is a good complement, providing phantom power, limited equalization capability, and of course mixing capability beyond which recorder method you choose. It's really impossible to record quality audio and video with a single person since both need to be monitored and adjusted on the fly.

Derrick Begin · June 27th, 2002, 10:47 AM

Yes, indeed.

I do plan on using a sound person for recording. The mixer was something I did not think about and a good bit. I will be looking into that more thoroughly.

I am thinking about a sound person with their own equipment.

I won't have to guess what is needed.

Thanks for the information!

July 24th, 2002, 11:30 PM

Here's a scenario. I'm shooting a project and I am not audio swavy at all. I have a XL-1, I have a sennheiser me66 shotgun mic, and I want to figure out how it all works. I know I need an XLR adapter. Can someone tell me the best route to go in my situation and where is the best place to buy an XLR adapt. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks.

Jo

Al Holston · July 24th, 2002, 11:49 PM

Jo,

You need the K6 power module and an adapter like the Cannon MA100, which gives you two channels of bal audio inputs and a sholder pad or the newer MA200, with 4 channels of XLR inputs. You can also use adapters from Sound Devices and Beachteck.
For the differences, see our thread in this section, listed as: "MA100 noise". al.

Don Palomaki · July 25th, 2002, 06:01 AM

Studio One also offers an XLR adapter. Some folks prefer it to the Beachtek model.

Jeff Donald · July 25th, 2002, 06:08 AM

I use a Sound Devices mic pre-amp with phantom power http://www.sounddevices.com/index.html Zotz carries the Sound Devices products along with the Studio 1 products http://www.zotzdigital.com/ They all offer similar products, just depends on what you need to do and what your budget is.

Jeff

Al Holston · July 25th, 2002, 09:49 AM

Jo,
I don't know what your budget is, but if you want one of the best solutions, I have a new Sound Devices Mix Pre for sale if you are interested. This unit provides phantom power for mics and can be used both off-camera by a seperate audio person, and on camera. See "www.sounddevices.com" for details on this and other adapters they have. The MixPre is a full featured field preamp/mixer combo with 2 mic/line inputs and outputs w/add outs for tape & headphone monitoring.
This is new-in-the-box unit for $750.00. al.

Derrick Begin · August 16th, 2002, 09:40 AM

Does anybody know what the voltage of the power that is supplied to the 'onboard' manufacturer's XL1S microphone.

I don't have a meter and I would like to know my options for customizing my system.

Thanks in advance...

Cheers!

Derrick

Chris Ferrer · August 18th, 2002, 09:44 PM

Dont bank on this but I think it is 5v. Can anyone else conform this?

Don Palomaki · August 19th, 2002, 05:21 AM

The power supplied to the XL1 stock microphone is 5 volts DC.

Derrick Begin · August 19th, 2002, 06:55 AM

That is exactly what I was looking for...

Thanks, VideoHead!

Thanks, Don!

Derrick

fargogogo · September 5th, 2002, 02:20 PM

Has anyone ever run across an in-line signal attenuator with a female XLR on one end and a male XLR on the other? Just wonder if I should keep trying to find one...if such a thing exists. No luck yet. Thanks.

Don Palomaki · September 5th, 2002, 05:13 PM

They exist. The units I've see are from Shure; e.g., from their web site:

* A15AS Switchable microphone attenuator prevents preamplifier overload when strong signals are applied.
* Provides 15, 20, 0r 25 dB of microphone attenuation
* Pass phantom power
* Requires use of balanced signals; XLR female in and XLR male out
* U.S. User Net Price $45.62

* A15LA Line adapter provides 50 dB attenuation, allowing a balanced line-level source to be connected to a balanced microphone input.
* Slender, in-line XLR (F) to XLR (M) configuration
* Requires use of balanced signals
* U.S. User Net Price $41.37

There are other brands and prices. Check any pro audio shop.

fargogogo · September 6th, 2002, 08:50 AM

Thanks!

(you da man!)

June 27th, 2002, 10:02 AM	#1
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	*** * Xlr Audio Vs External Audio Recording * *** I am moving forward with my feature and I am looking to resolve a AUDIO route. EQUIPMENT XL1S Sennheiser Directional Shotgun (In process of purchasing) MA-100 (In process of purchasing) Sony Mini-Disk Recorder Boom Because of the dialogue, my question is, what route would you recommend recording audio? Combo One: Onboard Audio of the XL1S MA-100 Shotgun Boom Combo Two: Sony Mini-Disk Shotgun Boom I am looking for the best quality recording. As adjusting the XL1S on the fly for sound, while maintaining the image, introduces too many human tasking problems. Please help, if you have had experience with this, or advice. Much Appreciated! Derrick

June 27th, 2002, 10:47 AM	#3
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	*** * THANK YOU * *** Yes, indeed. I do plan on using a sound person for recording. The mixer was something I did not think about and a good bit. I will be looking into that more thoroughly. I am thinking about a sound person with their own equipment. I won't have to guess what is needed. Thanks for the information!

July 24th, 2002, 11:30 PM	#4
joshishido Posts: n/a	A Lesson In Xlr Here's a scenario. I'm shooting a project and I am not audio swavy at all. I have a XL-1, I have a sennheiser me66 shotgun mic, and I want to figure out how it all works. I know I need an XLR adapter. Can someone tell me the best route to go in my situation and where is the best place to buy an XLR adapt. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks. Jo

July 24th, 2002, 11:49 PM	#5
Al Holston Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 51	Jo, You need the K6 power module and an adapter like the Cannon MA100, which gives you two channels of bal audio inputs and a sholder pad or the newer MA200, with 4 channels of XLR inputs. You can also use adapters from Sound Devices and Beachteck. For the differences, see our thread in this section, listed as: "MA100 noise". al. __________________ Al

July 25th, 2002, 09:49 AM	#8
Al Holston Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 51	Jo, I don't know what your budget is, but if you want one of the best solutions, I have a new Sound Devices Mix Pre for sale if you are interested. This unit provides phantom power for mics and can be used both off-camera by a seperate audio person, and on camera. See "www.sounddevices.com" for details on this and other adapters they have. The MixPre is a full featured field preamp/mixer combo with 2 mic/line inputs and outputs w/add outs for tape & headphone monitoring. This is new-in-the-box unit for $750.00. al. __________________ Al

June 27th, 2002, 10:37 AM	#2
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	At some point, the complexity of a professional production requires a seperate soundman. As you said, overtasking of one camera operator becomes the critical issue. Your two configurations really lend themselves to one soundman/cameraman for option one and a seperate soundman/cameraman for option two. If you were to throw in a mixer, like a Samson mixpad or a Mackie mixer, you'd be more flexible for either config. The mixer really is a good complement, providing phantom power, limited equalization capability, and of course mixing capability beyond which recorder method you choose. It's really impossible to record quality audio and video with a single person since both need to be monitored and adjusted on the fly.

July 25th, 2002, 06:01 AM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Studio One also offers an XLR adapter. Some folks prefer it to the Beachtek model.

July 25th, 2002, 06:08 AM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I use a Sound Devices mic pre-amp with phantom power http://www.sounddevices.com/index.html Zotz carries the Sound Devices products along with the Studio 1 products http://www.zotzdigital.com/ They all offer similar products, just depends on what you need to do and what your budget is. Jeff

August 16th, 2002, 09:40 AM	#9
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	*** * Xl1s Microphone Power * *** Does anybody know what the voltage of the power that is supplied to the 'onboard' manufacturer's XL1S microphone. I don't have a meter and I would like to know my options for customizing my system. Thanks in advance... Cheers! Derrick

August 18th, 2002, 09:44 PM	#10
Chris Ferrer Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Durham Posts: 116	Dont bank on this but I think it is 5v. Can anyone else conform this?

August 19th, 2002, 05:21 AM	#11
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	The power supplied to the XL1 stock microphone is 5 volts DC.

August 19th, 2002, 06:55 AM	#12
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	*** * EXCELLENT * *** That is exactly what I was looking for... Thanks, VideoHead! Thanks, Don! Derrick

September 5th, 2002, 02:20 PM	#13
fargogogo Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 49	XLR attenuator Has anyone ever run across an in-line signal attenuator with a female XLR on one end and a male XLR on the other? Just wonder if I should keep trying to find one...if such a thing exists. No luck yet. Thanks.

September 5th, 2002, 05:13 PM	#14
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	They exist. The units I've see are from Shure; e.g., from their web site: * A15AS Switchable microphone attenuator prevents preamplifier overload when strong signals are applied. * Provides 15, 20, 0r 25 dB of microphone attenuation * Pass phantom power * Requires use of balanced signals; XLR female in and XLR male out * U.S. User Net Price $45.62 * A15LA Line adapter provides 50 dB attenuation, allowing a balanced line-level source to be connected to a balanced microphone input. * Slender, in-line XLR (F) to XLR (M) configuration * Requires use of balanced signals * U.S. User Net Price $41.37 There are other brands and prices. Check any pro audio shop.

September 6th, 2002, 08:50 AM	#15
fargogogo Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 49	Thanks! (you da man!)