nasty sound from field mixer to camera

J

JKG1833

New member
Hey everyone,

We have been having difficulty achieving great audio using a rode shotgun mic into a field mixer, then into the camera. We use a canon xl1 and an azden field mixer. Monitoring audio from the mixer sounds great. but somewhere between the field mixer and the input channels on the camera things are going wrong. It sounds totally clipped (really, really clipped) I have dropped the attenuator -20 db on the input side, it helped a bit, but not totally clean.

Again it sound great at the mixer, but bad at the camera. what am I missing?
 
Sounds like you're feeding a line-level signal from the mixer into mic-level inputs on the camera. That'll distort, and there's no way to fix it with the rotary input level adjustment. You have to match input to output.

Looks like none of Azden's field mixers offer the option of mic-level output, so you'll have to set your camera's inputs to accept line level. If you're using an XLR adapter for the XL-1, there's no line-level input selection. So you'll need to get an in-line attenuator (a little barrel with XLR in and out) that will dumb the signal down to mic level.
 
Last edited:
C2V said:
If you're using an XLR adapter for the XL-1, there's no line-level input selection.
Click to expand...

Sorry to disagree Alex,
But all Beachtek XLR adapters have mic/line level switches that can be adjusted not only for the adapcter, but for both channels individually. So if it's worth it to JKG1833 to drop $180 on a Beachtek DXA-4p or something the like, he'll have the ability to run the mixer into a line level input and into the camera, and still have the ability to have a shotgun or wireless mic system run into the other channel using mic level if desired (or another line level)

So there's a few options for you JKG, personally I'd start by double checking cables (basic and probably already done, but just in case) and then start looking into stuff like mentioned above.
 
RandomHero said:
Sorry to disagree Alex,
But all Beachtek XLR adapters have mic/line level switches that can be adjusted not only for the adapcter, but for both channels individually. So if it's worth it to JKG1833 to drop $180 on a Beachtek DXA-4p or something the like, he'll have the ability to run the mixer into a line level input and into the camera, and still have the ability to have a shotgun or wireless mic system run into the other channel using mic level if desired (or another line level)

So there's a few options for you JKG, personally I'd start by double checking cables (basic and probably already done, but just in case) and then start looking into stuff like mentioned above.
Click to expand...

Oh, no worries! I was envisioning the crappy Canon-made XLR adapter that was marketed for the XL1. Yeah, there are bigger and better adapters out there with line-in options, and would be a worthy investment if JKG isn't already using one. But if in a time and budget pinch, the barrels will do.

FWIW, JKG, line level is always better for mixer-to-camera, but I've seen situations where line-in wasn't available. Then you have to punt. I guess you could also adapt down to RCA for the line-ins, but that can introduce so many other issues that it isn't worth addressing.
 
C2V always has good advice, just had to make sure a few more options were explored :0) Best of luck JKG!
 
First, see my opinions on the Azden field mixers to begin with (they suck big time). One of the serious problems with them is clipping and distorting audio. And, they just suck. LOL.

What happens when you just plug the mic directly into the camera?

Phil
 
I should clarify. I am running with the (crappy) xlr adapter made for the xl1. I should have stated that. so the azden is running into the xlr's on the camera, then from there to the line 1 channels on the camera. If i set it to line level, I get nothing. If I set it to mic I get that overdriven, clipped audio. The azden may not be the best, but it is sounding very clean at the preamp. It's changing at the camera. Thanks for the replys.
 
oh yeah, one more thing. Everything is balanced XLR until the camera. I will look into the beechtech adapter. I need one ASAP if that will fix the problem. We have a field job on Tuesday. We're in a crunch.
 
JKG1833 said:
I should clarify. I am running with the (crappy) xlr adapter made for the xl1. I should have stated that. so the azden is running into the xlr's on the camera, then from there to the line 1 channels on the camera. If i set it to line level, I get nothing. If I set it to mic I get that overdriven, clipped audio. The azden may not be the best, but it is sounding very clean at the preamp. It's changing at the camera. Thanks for the replys.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe with that adapter, the only signal that can come in through the XLR ins is mic level. The mic/line switching is done on the camera, and not in the box. Switching to line won't help there, as the signal that's passing through that box is nothing but an overloaded mic signal.

So yes, you need either to invest in a Beachtek adapter or to get the in-line barrels... whichever you can secure before your shoot. Get the Beachtek if at all possible.

But, I always keep a bag-o-gadgets in my audio kit that contains all sorts of adapters and converters. in that kit, I have in-line attenuators that can pad signals in user-selectable steps (-10dB, -20dB, -30dB) as well as in-line attenuators that convert line-level to mic-level. Shure makes these, and they can be lifesavers. I'd also pick up a couple of in-line, XLR ground lift barrels (great for correcting ground-loop hum) and a couple of turnarounds (male>male, female>female).

I've learned over the years that preparedness can bail you out of all sorts of audio problems... and that's what producers, clients, and directors notice. They also notice really bad audio, and that's not what you want to be known for. I have a laundry list of things that I keep in stock from audio adapters to things available at your local drug store (for instance: pre-packed alcohol swabs, available in the diabetic supply section, can clean oil and makeup and sweat and dirt off the skin before you bury a mic).
 
Last edited:
Just a quick update. I think I've found a work around. I was looking at the Beachteck, getting ready to buy it, when I noticed that it had an 1/8" output for smaller camcorders. at that time I remembered that my azden had an 1/8" unballanced out, as well as, the balanced XLR outs. I used that output with an 1/8" to stereo RCA adapter into the line 1 input. So far the sound is identical to the sound coming off of the Azden. I'm a little disapointed that it's not balanced, but it works great. Thanks for all the feedback.

Ken
 
The only problem with running unbalanced is that, after about 10', an unbalanced line is vulnerable to noise and interference. So for now, you're on a short leash.
 
I know. It's not the best answer. In fact, it's not the answer, it's a work around. Thankfully the location shoot will have the boom pretty close to the subject and camera, yet to far for the on camera mic and the shot would really look better with out a lapel on the subject because the video is a marketing piece not an interview. I don't know why I'm having this problem (that's what I need to figure out). You would think that coming in with RCA would use the line setting in the camera, but it is still requiring me to use the mic setting. All I know is the audio is strong and clean right now. That buys me a little time to figure out the why. I think we should be able to keep everything balanced to the camera, but for some reason we can't. hmm. Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top