Which XLR Adaptor is Best with VX2100?

Dean Bull · May 9th, 2002, 10:03 PM

Ok, I need an xlr adapter for using a good external mic, but is there a cheaper option than paying 170 bucks! What is out there?

Chris Hurd · May 9th, 2002, 10:41 PM

$170 is actually fairly inexpensive. I think the reasoning goes, if you can afford a good external mic, you should be able to afford an additional $170 for the adapter. Or something like that. Look at it this way, it's money you spend one time but the tool is something you use over and over again. It should pay for itself rather quickly. Hope this helps,

May 11th, 2002, 08:51 AM

I recently bought the Beachtek DXA-6 (for about $270) and it is working quite well with the VX-2000.

Dean Bull · May 11th, 2002, 03:18 PM

geez... I guess there is nothing cheaper. Mini mike it is! or something. Maybe I can borrow it from someone.

Thanks

May 11th, 2002, 03:42 PM

Here's one on ebay for currently $80. Hope that helps....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1351269778

Mike Rehmus · May 21st, 2002, 09:08 PM

A friend of mine makes these for himself. He has posted the plans on his website, http://www.take2video.com/general.html

Almost exactly the same as a Beachtek or Studio 1.

If you are handy with a soldering iron, this will save you a lot of money.

hymnchoir · May 22nd, 2002, 10:00 PM

Over the past 2 years, I have used a Sony TRV-520 with the ECM-MS908C microphone to record acappella choirs in local churches. I was always satisfied with the audio, but wanted beter video. This is a hobby, no revenue generation involved, but I love this genre. So, I sprung for the VX2000, thinking the audio would be atleast as good. WRONG!

I am not noticing any hum per-se, but the audio quality is just poor- little bass response, over emphasised highs with a "transistor radio like" distortion.

I have recorded in ACG and in manual audio modes using the MS908C and the onboard mike with no acceptable resolution.

Question: Will using the Studio 1 or the Beachtek enable a "good" audio recording? To the level of the TRV-520

Thanks - Hymn Lover

Mike Rehmus · May 23rd, 2002, 10:43 AM

The VX-2000 is capable of fairly good sound.

Couple of places to look:

1. You have selected 16 bit audio, right?
2. You have turned off the Noise Reduction, right?

XLR is merely an electrical connector that can be used for balanced (or unbalanced) electrical connections. Other than providing a connection for balanced connections, it really doesn't enter into the sound quality picture except for noise reduction.

It does not influence the sound quality in any other significant manner.

I'm not familiar with the operational characteristics of the microphone but if it is an unbalanced design, you may not be able to drive long cables without some negative effects on sound quality. If it worked before, it may not work now because of some difference between the input circuits of the camcorders.

There is a great deal of similarity between the 2000 and my PD-150. I find that the 16 bit sound is quite good. Not supergood but adequate for most industrial and wedding videos.

hymnchoir · May 23rd, 2002, 08:48 PM

Mike, thanks for the reply...My camera definately has poor (brite, small bass) sound quality, especially in AGC mode. In my readings I found quite a few other folks that don't like the sound as well. Yes, the camera is set at 16 bit and I don't think the VX2000 has a noise reduction option (atleast I could not find it).

I was hoping the XLR option would be the fix I needed. But I think you confirmed my thoughts that an XLR adapter alone would not create better sound since it goes through the camera's audio circuit eventually. Understandably, the use of more "professional" equipment may provide improvements, but again I was "very satisfied" with the sound comming out of the 520 with the ms908C (a $120 Sony camera-mount mike).

The camera is still within the 90 day warranty, and Sony has offered to check it out for me. But, I am a little skeptical on sending it back to them. (not sure what is causing my fear).

Have any of you ever heard of "deffective" audio in the VX2000? Has anyone ever got a VX2000 audio fix from Sony? Thanks.

Hymn-Lover

Dean Bull · May 25th, 2002, 06:09 AM

Don't go to the sight. It's just a trick to get you to go to some ones business.

Mike Rehmus · May 25th, 2002, 01:12 PM

That is not true. The guy is a friend of mine and he does have a video business. But if you look for tech talk, you will find the diagrams for the XLR adapter. I admit it is hard to find.

Here is the specific URL http://www.take2video.com/tek.htm

Thanks for your personal vote of confidence

Bryan Beasleigh · May 25th, 2002, 02:33 PM

Yes the site is a good one and no one tried to sell me anything. I had to shorten the URL to http://www.take2video.com/
For some reason I was getting getting diverted to the host site.

I'll most likely bite the bullet and buy the Beach Tec. Being able to mount the unit directly to the camera, plug it in and leave it there is very important to me. I kinda like the recessed switches, hard to mistakenly switch one. Besides it's made in Toronto and that would be the loyal thing to do.

John Klein · May 30th, 2002, 01:50 AM

I know that on my xl1, it seems that the mics are opposed right and left to give good stereo. This, as opposed to forward facing mics. I was thinking of just making a little sound reflector to get the sound IN to the mic.

I wonder if that's how your's is, whereas the other cam, I think has a more forward facing mic.

Bass? The mics are designed to roll off on the bottom end to avoid cam noise ( and save $). I know this on all to well.

hymnchoir · June 1st, 2002, 09:06 AM

The VX2000 onboard mike and the MS908C have separate left and right capsules, however the MS908C also has a middle/center position.

Before sending my VX200 back to Sony, I am going to try another mike. Can you recommend a full frequency camera-mounted mike with a wide dispersion pattern?

Otherwise, I am thinking of the BBC Mod. Do you know how much (in $dollars) the BBC mod is?

June 9th, 2002, 03:51 AM

there is a cheap alternative but it is not portable,
you can purchase a behringer eurorack mx802a mixer from either
b&h or rock and ryhthms (usually they stock this item) for $99usa

It has 8 channels four of which have XLR that have phantom power. you can then send the tape out or main out to the sony vx2000.

The only problem it is not portable, but if you are doing a wedding or some indoor event, studio and plan to maintain your equipment on a tripod it works great. plus it gives you much more control over the sound enviroment. Since you can control voices with the built in equalizer.

Mackie also makes a small mixer, it starts at $300

May 9th, 2002, 10:03 PM	#16
Dean Bull Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 106	xlr adapter for vx-2000 Ok, I need an xlr adapter for using a good external mic, but is there a cheaper option than paying 170 bucks! What is out there?

May 9th, 2002, 10:41 PM	#17
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	$170 is actually fairly inexpensive. I think the reasoning goes, if you can afford a good external mic, you should be able to afford an additional $170 for the adapter. Or something like that. Look at it this way, it's money you spend one time but the tool is something you use over and over again. It should pay for itself rather quickly. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 21st, 2002, 09:08 PM	#21
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	XLR to mini converter A friend of mine makes these for himself. He has posted the plans on his website, http://www.take2video.com/general.html Almost exactly the same as a Beachtek or Studio 1. If you are handy with a soldering iron, this will save you a lot of money. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 22nd, 2002, 10:00 PM	#22
hymnchoir New Boot Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6	No Hum, Just Poor Quality Audio. Will XLR Fix It? Over the past 2 years, I have used a Sony TRV-520 with the ECM-MS908C microphone to record acappella choirs in local churches. I was always satisfied with the audio, but wanted beter video. This is a hobby, no revenue generation involved, but I love this genre. So, I sprung for the VX2000, thinking the audio would be atleast as good. WRONG! I am not noticing any hum per-se, but the audio quality is just poor- little bass response, over emphasised highs with a "transistor radio like" distortion. I have recorded in ACG and in manual audio modes using the MS908C and the onboard mike with no acceptable resolution. Question: Will using the Studio 1 or the Beachtek enable a "good" audio recording? To the level of the TRV-520 Thanks - Hymn Lover

May 23rd, 2002, 10:43 AM	#23
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	The VX-2000 is capable of fairly good sound. Couple of places to look: 1. You have selected 16 bit audio, right? 2. You have turned off the Noise Reduction, right? XLR is merely an electrical connector that can be used for balanced (or unbalanced) electrical connections. Other than providing a connection for balanced connections, it really doesn't enter into the sound quality picture except for noise reduction. It does not influence the sound quality in any other significant manner. I'm not familiar with the operational characteristics of the microphone but if it is an unbalanced design, you may not be able to drive long cables without some negative effects on sound quality. If it worked before, it may not work now because of some difference between the input circuits of the camcorders. There is a great deal of similarity between the 2000 and my PD-150. I find that the 16 bit sound is quite good. Not supergood but adequate for most industrial and wedding videos. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 11th, 2002, 08:51 AM	#18
madeline Posts: n/a	I recently bought the Beachtek DXA-6 (for about $270) and it is working quite well with the VX-2000.

May 11th, 2002, 03:18 PM	#19
Dean Bull Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 106	geez... I guess there is nothing cheaper. Mini mike it is! or something. Maybe I can borrow it from someone. Thanks

May 11th, 2002, 03:42 PM	#20
madeline Posts: n/a	Here's one on ebay for currently $80. Hope that helps.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1351269778

May 23rd, 2002, 08:48 PM	#24
hymnchoir New Boot Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6	Mike, thanks for the reply...My camera definately has poor (brite, small bass) sound quality, especially in AGC mode. In my readings I found quite a few other folks that don't like the sound as well. Yes, the camera is set at 16 bit and I don't think the VX2000 has a noise reduction option (atleast I could not find it). I was hoping the XLR option would be the fix I needed. But I think you confirmed my thoughts that an XLR adapter alone would not create better sound since it goes through the camera's audio circuit eventually. Understandably, the use of more "professional" equipment may provide improvements, but again I was "very satisfied" with the sound comming out of the 520 with the ms908C (a $120 Sony camera-mount mike). The camera is still within the 90 day warranty, and Sony has offered to check it out for me. But, I am a little skeptical on sending it back to them. (not sure what is causing my fear). Have any of you ever heard of "deffective" audio in the VX2000? Has anyone ever got a VX2000 audio fix from Sony? Thanks. Hymn-Lover

May 25th, 2002, 06:09 AM	#25
Dean Bull Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 106	Don't go to the sight. It's just a trick to get you to go to some ones business.

May 25th, 2002, 01:12 PM	#26
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	That is not true. The guy is a friend of mine and he does have a video business. But if you look for tech talk, you will find the diagrams for the XLR adapter. I admit it is hard to find. Here is the specific URL http://www.take2video.com/tek.htm Thanks for your personal vote of confidence __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 25th, 2002, 02:33 PM	#27
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Yes the site is a good one and no one tried to sell me anything. I had to shorten the URL to http://www.take2video.com/ For some reason I was getting getting diverted to the host site. I'll most likely bite the bullet and buy the Beach Tec. Being able to mount the unit directly to the camera, plug it in and leave it there is very important to me. I kinda like the recessed switches, hard to mistakenly switch one. Besides it's made in Toronto and that would be the loyal thing to do.

May 30th, 2002, 01:50 AM	#28
John Klein Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 182	I know that on my xl1, it seems that the mics are opposed right and left to give good stereo. This, as opposed to forward facing mics. I was thinking of just making a little sound reflector to get the sound IN to the mic. I wonder if that's how your's is, whereas the other cam, I think has a more forward facing mic. Bass? The mics are designed to roll off on the bottom end to avoid cam noise ( and save $). I know this on all to well. __________________ < >< . . . . . < >< . . . . . < ><

June 1st, 2002, 09:06 AM	#29
hymnchoir New Boot Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6	The VX2000 onboard mike and the MS908C have separate left and right capsules, however the MS908C also has a middle/center position. Before sending my VX200 back to Sony, I am going to try another mike. Can you recommend a full frequency camera-mounted mike with a wide dispersion pattern? Otherwise, I am thinking of the BBC Mod. Do you know how much (in $dollars) the BBC mod is?

June 9th, 2002, 03:51 AM	#30
mustardseed Posts: n/a	how about a small mixer? there is a cheap alternative but it is not portable, you can purchase a behringer eurorack mx802a mixer from either b&h or rock and ryhthms (usually they stock this item) for $99usa It has 8 channels four of which have XLR that have phantom power. you can then send the tape out or main out to the sony vx2000. The only problem it is not portable, but if you are doing a wedding or some indoor event, studio and plan to maintain your equipment on a tripod it works great. plus it gives you much more control over the sound enviroment. Since you can control voices with the built in equalizer. Mackie also makes a small mixer, it starts at $300