mic-in on 5D from Tascam DR-100. Signal is too strong.

M

meauounji

Well-known member
Guys,

Having some audio problems, maybe someone has some insight. I'm trying to use a Tascam DR-100 as the audio control module so I can adjust and monitor audio levels while shooting and have back-up audio files in case something goes wrong with the 5D sound. My hope is that if I set the DR-100 to slightly lower recording levels, it will server as a backup if the 5D clip/peaks. The DR-100 also seems to be able to handle a higher volume before peaking.

My problem is, when going from line-out on the DR-100 to mic-in on the 5D, the signal comes in ridiculously strong. Adjusting recording levels on the 5D and the recording levels on the DR-100 to minimal seems to have little effect. The audio level still comes in too strong. I've tried using a simple in-line volume control (the kind you use with cheap headphones) and it's helped, but there is a very audible hiss in the 5D audio that is not present on the 5D. I am going from line-out on the DR-100 (labeled -10 db) and NOT the headphones out. For now, I am using the onboard uni-mic on the DR-100, and will be adding a Rode NTG-2 soon.

I don't know enough about audio to go any further with this. I thought about using a 1/8" to XLR adapter, then to a line attenuator to an XLR gender changer back to another XLR to 1/8" in the hopes of decreasing signal strength , but I'm basically talking about something I know nothing about. Would that even work? I am NOT concerned about super-high fidelity recordings, just something that's "good enough" for small scale viewings on the computer and on TV.

Thanks for any suggestions ahead of time.
 
I can almost guarantee adding a bunch of cables will introduce noise before it drops the signal where you need it. If you need two seperate audio sources, I would run a mic directly into the 5d, and then use the tascam as a stand alone recorder. If their daiseychained, and something with your audio goes wrong, your gonna have two bad sources because their in-line. As if their seperate, you will have one thats still good. Honestly the only way I can think of setting it up as your trying to do, would be to add a beachtek, so you have a line control. but it's kind of pointless.
 
Hmm... So after having posted the post, I found this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0_LN2MIC_TASDR100_3_5_LINE_MIC_ATN_DR100.html

Which appears to be a line that pretty much solves my problem, designed specifically for the 5D and DR-100 pair.

BUT!

I'm still considering the 1/8"-XLR, Attenuator, XLR gender changer, 1/8"-XLR combination because it seems to me like a more useful set of bits and parts in the long run. I try as hard as I can not to buy DSLR specific equipment since the fad is bound to go away in a couple of years anyway. Will I run into any issues going through so many adapters?
 
maranfilms

Didn't see your post before I posted my second. I guess that kind of answered my question about using that many adapters.

My objective here is to use the in-camera audio on the 5D whenever I can to relieve myself from having to sync in post and use only the DR-100 as a backup. But I don't feel like the 5D audio is good enough without an external control device because I can't monitor the levels visually or with headphones. That's why I'm trying to avoid a "true" dual system that separates the two sources altogether.
 
meauounji said:
Hmm... So after having posted the post, I found this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0_LN2MIC_TASDR100_3_5_LINE_MIC_ATN_DR100.html

Which appears to be a line that pretty much solves my problem, designed specifically for the 5D and DR-100 pair.

BUT!

I'm still considering the 1/8"-XLR, Attenuator, XLR gender changer, 1/8"-XLR combination because it seems to me like a more useful set of bits and parts in the long run. I try as hard as I can not to buy DSLR specific equipment since the fad is bound to go away in a couple of years anyway. Will I run into any issues going through so many adapters?
Click to expand...

The cable you found at BH is the right solution. Using additional adapters increases the possibility of noise or interference. The Sescom pad cable is not necasarily a DSLR specific product. This cable can be used anytime you need to lower Line Level to Mic Level.
 
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