How do I bypass the headphone jack? at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · March 20th, 2003, 07:58 PM

Apologies if this has been answered before, but I did a search and couldn't come up with the answer. How can I bypass the headphone jack on my GL-1? It doesn't seem to give enough volume for one thing, and it fuzzes out with loud sounds that often record just fine to tape. I'm thinking there has to be a way to use the socket that the audio/video cable plugs into. Does anyone know how I can do this? Thanks much if someone can help.

Don Palomaki · March 21st, 2003, 05:26 AM

The solution maybe to change to more efficient headphones. The headphone jack has limited power output capability. Some headphones just need too much power to yield desired volume level in the ears and in the process may put the internal headphoen amp into distortion.

Alternative to higher efficiency headphones is to use an external headphone amp to boost the jack output to the pointit can drive your headphons.

Marco Leavitt · March 21st, 2003, 07:51 AM

Am using Sony MDR-7506 headphones, which are pretty much the best that I can afford. I did try a cheap headphone booster from Radio Shack and if anything, the fuzzing was worse. I've heard complaints about the GL-1's headphone jack before, and that's why I was hoping there would be a way to use the audio from the audio/video plug, which I'm told is line level. I also own a SoundDevices MM-1 preamp which has a headphone jack with great volume control and an input to mix in sound from a monitor. Surely there's a way to use the red and white RCA plugs on the A/V cord to connect to the MM-1. Am unsure what kind of adapters I would need to accomplish this. The MM-1 requires a balanced input.

Don Palomaki · March 22nd, 2003, 05:48 AM

I believe that you can pull consumer line level audio from the analog AV output jack, but you will need to use the special AV cable and an external headphone amp.

Marco Leavitt · March 23rd, 2003, 08:44 PM

Thanks, as always Don.

March 20th, 2003, 07:58 PM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	How do I bypass the headphone jack? Apologies if this has been answered before, but I did a search and couldn't come up with the answer. How can I bypass the headphone jack on my GL-1? It doesn't seem to give enough volume for one thing, and it fuzzes out with loud sounds that often record just fine to tape. I'm thinking there has to be a way to use the socket that the audio/video cable plugs into. Does anyone know how I can do this? Thanks much if someone can help.

March 21st, 2003, 05:26 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	The solution maybe to change to more efficient headphones. The headphone jack has limited power output capability. Some headphones just need too much power to yield desired volume level in the ears and in the process may put the internal headphoen amp into distortion. Alternative to higher efficiency headphones is to use an external headphone amp to boost the jack output to the pointit can drive your headphons.

March 21st, 2003, 07:51 AM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Am using Sony MDR-7506 headphones, which are pretty much the best that I can afford. I did try a cheap headphone booster from Radio Shack and if anything, the fuzzing was worse. I've heard complaints about the GL-1's headphone jack before, and that's why I was hoping there would be a way to use the audio from the audio/video plug, which I'm told is line level. I also own a SoundDevices MM-1 preamp which has a headphone jack with great volume control and an input to mix in sound from a monitor. Surely there's a way to use the red and white RCA plugs on the A/V cord to connect to the MM-1. Am unsure what kind of adapters I would need to accomplish this. The MM-1 requires a balanced input.

March 22nd, 2003, 05:48 AM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	I believe that you can pull consumer line level audio from the analog AV output jack, but you will need to use the special AV cable and an external headphone amp.

March 23rd, 2003, 08:44 PM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Thanks, as always Don.