Running from a mixer to a camcorder

M

mc2600

New member
Folks,

I have an el-cheapo Canon Elura 100 that I'm pulling from the trash heap for some simple office projects. I have very high quality mics, a great pre and a great mixer.

I need to get the balanced line out signal from the mixer into the camcorder (3.5mm mini stereo mic in).

I gather that I can use a Beachtek box for this, but is there another option?

I found two things when searching...

1)

There are two versions of the Tecnec cable on this page. One that offers "line to mic attenuation" and one that offers "line to mic conversion." I have no clue what the difference is.

http://www.tecnec.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=XLF-H8-10&off=1&sort=prod

2)

This one simple offers a DC voltage blocker (which I think eliminated hum.)

http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=146&cat=31&page=1

Or...

What if I just run a 1/4 TRS to mini cable from the mixer to the mic in?

Please keep in mind that top quality audio getting into the camcorder is the priority, I just don't want to spend more than I have to if it isn't necessary.

Has anyone had experience with one or both of these? Am I barking up the wrong tree, should I just get a Beachtek? I'm overwhelmed by the options.

Thanks,
Michael
 
if the camera support lconsumer line level you wil;ll need at lest 12-15 db attunuatoon
forr mic at least 50 \
use a beachteck
 
I think I already know the answer to this ... but if I run a line level signal from my pro-level audio gear through the Beachtek and into the Elura ... won't the Elura's mic preamp destroy my audio signal?

Ugh.
 
The Beachtek DXA-6 supports line level which would bypass the camera preamp entirely. But your signal might be low because the Elura is on a consumer line level.
 
mc2600 said:
...

What if I just run a 1/4 TRS to mini cable from the mixer to the mic in?
Click to expand...

What is your mixer output, mic or line level? Balanced XLR or TRS, unbalanced TS?

A simple XLR or 1/4 TRS to mini TRS adapter cable, or a daisey chain of all three, will put a mono signal from the mixer onto both the left and right channels in the camera but with their phases inverted with respect to each other, giving you no end of headaches in post. Go for the Beach or Sign Video's equivalent.
 
You could be facing an uphill battle with the Elura. I haven't used one, so I'll try to cover a few possible setup strategies.

The best-case scenario is to use the Elura's analogue line input via the A/V minijack (uses a cable that terminates in male RCA plugs). You'll still need to pad the Mixer's output to get it to consumer line level, but thats a pretty simple matter. However, most consumer video cameras disable the line inputs while in "camcorder" mode, activating them only in "VCR" mode. If that's the case with the Elura, then you'll need to go in at mic level.

If you do have to go in at mic level, then the Elura's preamps will likely prove problematic. If you're looking for high-quality audio, you're unlikely to find it with that camera's preamps. If your mixer's output is line-levle, a line-to-mic level attenuator will bring the audio down to a level with which the camera can work. Just make sure you can manually set the audio gain (set it to the lowest level and bring up the mixer's output to suit), because an automatic gain control will really trash your audio.

Consider recording double-system audio to a small digital recorder (eg. Zoom H4).
 
SMuir said:
You could be facing an uphill battle with the Elura. I haven't used one, so I'll try to cover a few possible setup strategies.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

SMuir said:
The best-case scenario is to use the Elura's analogue line input via the A/V minijack (uses a cable that terminates in male RCA plugs). You'll still need to pad the Mixer's output to get it to consumer line level, but thats a pretty simple matter. However, most consumer video cameras disable the line inputs while in "camcorder" mode, activating them only in "VCR" mode. If that's the case with the Elura, then you'll need to go in at mic level.
Click to expand...

VCR mode only, unfortunately...

SMuir said:
If you do have to go in at mic level, then the Elura's preamps will likely prove problematic. If you're looking for high-quality audio, you're unlikely to find it with that camera's preamps. If your mixer's output is line-levle, a line-to-mic level attenuator will bring the audio down to a level with which the camera can work. Just make sure you can manually set the audio gain (set it to the lowest level and bring up the mixer's output to suit), because an automatic gain control will really trash your audio.

Consider recording double-system audio to a small digital recorder (eg. Zoom H4).
Click to expand...

It is easy enough for me to record the audio straight from the mixer in high quality in addition to feeding it into the Elura for whatever it wants to do with it.

I have never tried syncing external audio with a video file before. Is it terribly difficult or time consuming? I'll do some searching, but if there are any resources that I should read or pay attention to, I'd like to know. I use Final Cut Express.

Thanks,
Michael
 
Synching double system sound is a pretty straight-forward affair, provided you keep everything organized. The actual mechanical opperation takes a little bit of time, but the results are well worth it.

Ideally, you should have a clapboard with which you can visually identify the shot in addition to providing a synch reference. However, you can also use the on-camera sound as a synch reference. Just make sure that you clearly identify each shot with a audible slate (eg. "Scene 1 shot 2 take 7"), so that you know at a glance which video goes with which audio. Whatever method you choose to use, do a test run first so that you can anticipate any problems that might creep up in post production.

Even when I'm shooting with more audio-friendly DV cameras, I like to shoot a double-system backup.
 
XLR Camcorder Adapter Options

XLR Camcorder Adapter Options

mc2600 said:
I gather that I can use a Beachtek box for this, but is there another option?
Click to expand...

Michael,

Here's a summary of what I've found:


www.beachtek.com - Mounts to camera. Various passive adapters. Some with phantom and audio meter. New unit with preamp (DXA6HD).


www.juicedlink.com - Mounts to camera. All include preamplifier. Options include phantom, 2-4 XLR inputs, audio meter.


www.studio1productions.com - Doesn't mount to camera, and no phantom or preamp option. Option for 3 XLR input. Plastic case.


www.signvideo.com - Mounts to camera. No phantom or preamp option. 1 and 2 XLR input options.
 
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