Audio-Technica Wireless Lav/VX2000 Issue at DVinfo.net

Dan Cote · February 6th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Hello!

I just found this site and love it...lot's of great info!

My Equipment:
I have a VX2000, a Beachtek adapter, and an Audio-Technical Pro 88W wireless lav mic system.

My Problem:
The camcorder is not picking up any sound from the wireless lav mic. It doesn't work when I connect the receiver into the AUX input on the Beachtek, or when I bypass the Beachtek and go straight into the camcorder. The store where I purchased the gear from tested it with different (and more expensive wireless systems), different connectors, batteries, mics...same result.

What Works:
Only when they connected a cheap wired lav mic to the camcorder did they get sound. [Note: I do have a Senheiser hand mic that connects to the Beachtek XLR and it has always worked fine].

Recommended:
Beachtek tech support recommended I purchase a mono connector with a mini-plug on one end and an XLR on the other.

I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions.

Sincerely,
Dan Cote

Mike Rehmus · February 6th, 2003, 08:00 PM

let's look at what you've said you know and some guesses of mine. I'm going to be pedantic here because I don't know your level of comfort with electronics.

1. The input into the Beachtek is a mono 1/8" connector, right?

2. The output from the AT is not balanced as they sell an adapter for the 88 to make it so. So I'm guessing it is a 1/8" mono mini-jack (AT web site does not say).

3. The input to the camera is a 1/8" stereo mini-socket with about 3 vols dc on the signal leads to power electret microphones.

This may or may not cause problems with the AT depending on where the aux input for the Beachtek enters the circuits. If outboard of the Balance transformer, then it will not effect any microphone because the transformer blocks the voltage. If inboard, it might cause problems because the DC would then be present on the socket.

4. The output level from the AT is at microphone levels, that is, millivolt level signals, not at line level.

5. I assume that if the Beachtek has a line/microphone switch you have it placed in the microphone postition.

6. The Beachtek aux input accepts microphone level inputs? If it only accepts Line level, then it will not work.

7. The possibility exists that because the camera input socket is stereo, the mono jack of the receiver will not make contact. You would need to buy or build an adapter.

8 Recheck everything and make certain the Beachtek input is set for microphone levels, and the attenuator is set to its minimum position. Make certain you have a fresh battery in the transmitter & receiver. Make certain the camera is set up for microphone input by checking the mic/line switch right there by the input socket near the onboard microphone.

BTW, I assume you know the AT works by plugging a headset into the receiver and hearing sound from the mcirophone plugged into the transmitter, right?

You may have done some of this or all of it but it wouldn't hurt to go through everything once more. We know the Beachtek works through the XLR connector and we know the camera works with an external microphone.

So it has to be either a connection is broken, or a cable is mis-wired or the Beachtek is broken or only accepts line-level inputs on the aux connectors (which I doubt). Plugging a mono jack into a stereo socket is not a good idea. It frequently does not work or works erratically.

Good luck and please post the solution when you find it. Enquiring minds always like to know.

February 6th, 2003, 05:53 PM	#1
Dan Cote Tourist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lowell, MA Posts: 1	Audio-Technica Wireless Lav/VX2000 Issue Hello! I just found this site and love it...lot's of great info! My Equipment: I have a VX2000, a Beachtek adapter, and an Audio-Technical Pro 88W wireless lav mic system. My Problem: The camcorder is not picking up any sound from the wireless lav mic. It doesn't work when I connect the receiver into the AUX input on the Beachtek, or when I bypass the Beachtek and go straight into the camcorder. The store where I purchased the gear from tested it with different (and more expensive wireless systems), different connectors, batteries, mics...same result. What Works: Only when they connected a cheap wired lav mic to the camcorder did they get sound. [Note: I do have a Senheiser hand mic that connects to the Beachtek XLR and it has always worked fine]. Recommended: Beachtek tech support recommended I purchase a mono connector with a mini-plug on one end and an XLR on the other. I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions. Sincerely, Dan Cote

February 6th, 2003, 08:00 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	let's look at what you've said you know and some guesses of mine. I'm going to be pedantic here because I don't know your level of comfort with electronics. 1. The input into the Beachtek is a mono 1/8" connector, right? 2. The output from the AT is not balanced as they sell an adapter for the 88 to make it so. So I'm guessing it is a 1/8" mono mini-jack (AT web site does not say). 3. The input to the camera is a 1/8" stereo mini-socket with about 3 vols dc on the signal leads to power electret microphones. This may or may not cause problems with the AT depending on where the aux input for the Beachtek enters the circuits. If outboard of the Balance transformer, then it will not effect any microphone because the transformer blocks the voltage. If inboard, it might cause problems because the DC would then be present on the socket. 4. The output level from the AT is at microphone levels, that is, millivolt level signals, not at line level. 5. I assume that if the Beachtek has a line/microphone switch you have it placed in the microphone postition. 6. The Beachtek aux input accepts microphone level inputs? If it only accepts Line level, then it will not work. 7. The possibility exists that because the camera input socket is stereo, the mono jack of the receiver will not make contact. You would need to buy or build an adapter. 8 Recheck everything and make certain the Beachtek input is set for microphone levels, and the attenuator is set to its minimum position. Make certain you have a fresh battery in the transmitter & receiver. Make certain the camera is set up for microphone input by checking the mic/line switch right there by the input socket near the onboard microphone. BTW, I assume you know the AT works by plugging a headset into the receiver and hearing sound from the mcirophone plugged into the transmitter, right? You may have done some of this or all of it but it wouldn't hurt to go through everything once more. We know the Beachtek works through the XLR connector and we know the camera works with an external microphone. So it has to be either a connection is broken, or a cable is mis-wired or the Beachtek is broken or only accepts line-level inputs on the aux connectors (which I doubt). Plugging a mono jack into a stereo socket is not a good idea. It frequently does not work or works erratically. Good luck and please post the solution when you find it. Enquiring minds always like to know. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!