Which outputs are available on mixers for feeding sound to my cameras mic input..?

T

techspark

Member
HI, i have a panasonic fz150 camera and it has a mic input and i usually feed line out from the mixer to the mic input of the fz150. I am really not a sound guy and have no experience with mixers.

At times the signal is too hot for the camera, at times it is just fine.

I know mic level input needs a very low level signal typically around -10db if i am not wrong.

I would like to know generally which all ports are available on mixers that i can use for line out and feed sound to my camera without any distortion. ???

Rca tape outs and phones jack are usually occupied for other uses and at times i was left without any option and had to record from the cameras inbuilt mic:cry:...so i need to know all the options that i have so that even if rca or phones out ports are occupied , i can still get sound out from the mixer.

Once a dj guy told me he gave me output from group mix - i had no clue what that was and he asked me for a 1/4inch jack(the one used for phones out on mixer) which i luckily had at that time :)

I usually use a 10 meter aux (3.5mm to 3.5mm cable) and have all kinds of connectors with me from 1/4 jack to rca convertors. Can buy xlr convertors also if needed.

here is the specs of one of the mixers i have come across http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/mixers/mg_cx/specifications.jsp

Thank you all replies will be greatly appreciated.!
 
'Mic level output to mic level input' or 'line level output to line level input'. It's as simple as that.. almost anyway. Most mixer's main outputs are normally +4dB (nominal) line level via a balanced XLR and/or 1/4" TRS connector. The goes for the auxiliary sends and sub master outputs as well. The RCAs are usually -10dB, unbalanced. If the +4dB output is plugged into a mic level input, it will usually clip the device's input stage severely, the same goes plugging a +4dB signal into a -10dB input.. but will not clip as often.. only occasionally or sometimes not at all.. depending on how hard the mixers output is driven. In both of these instances, attenuation should be used. 10 to 15dB of attenuation going from +4 to -10 .. and 20 to 40dB of attenuation going from +4 to mic level. (typically -50dB nominal) An easiest solution IMO, is a 'Direct Interface' box (commonly known as a DI). Some have selectable attenuation values (aka, pads) and most have a 'ground lift' which can also come in real handy when a ground loop situation (50-60Hz. hum) develops. A decent passive DI can be bought for around $30.00 USD and has an XLR mic level output. (the Rolls DB25 comes to mind)
Some of the Mackie mixers (VLZ series for instance) have a mic/line switch for the main XLR output.
 
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The -10dBv level is actually a 'consumer' line level, so-called because it's often found on the interconnects for consumer grade audio equipment such as the preamp out of a stereo receiver into a power amplifier. It's NOT a mic level, being way hotter. There are TWO "live levels" in common use - +4dBu 'professional' or 'studio' line level and -10dBv 'consumer' line level. Mic levels are much lower, ranging from down around -55dBv up to -35dBv or so. As to what outputs on the mixer to use to feed your camera, it depends on the mixer and the stage & PA setup. Rick's recommendation of a DI box is an excellent idea.
 
Thank you guys for your inputs :)

Over the last few months i have been using rca tape out ports and headphone out port of the mixer to feed audio directly into my camera and so far i have not had any distortion. The agc of my cam is excellent, it works really well with -10db signal...(i read somewhere on the internet it has some inbuilt function which can attenuate -40db) and i have purchased -12db inline rca attenuator :)

Most mixer's main outputs are normally +4dB (nominal) line level via a balanced XLR and/or 1/4" TRS connector. The goes for the auxiliary sends and sub master outputs as well.
Click to expand...

Thank you rick for explaining it so well. I actually wanted to know what all options i have on the mixer that can output -10db or +4db that i can use to feed into my camera or my handheld recorder. Currently I am only aware of tape out and headphone ports and most of the time these ports are already occupied and so i need to know which other options i have. I have looked at the mixer and there is stereo out, monitor out and once a dj guy told me there is group out through which he gave me the direct sound. I would like to know out of these which ports can be used directly like the tape out ports, once i tried monitor out but did not get any sound.
 
A console mixer's 'tape out' are usually RCA connectors, unbalanced -10dB (or there abouts). 'Monitor' sends are usually pre-fader and have a level control on each channel strip and usually a master send as well. These are the same as an pre-fader auxiliary (Aux) send. Different manufacturers just use different names. I have worked on older consoles where the monitor/prefader aux send was labeled 'FB' for 'Foldback'. An 'FX' ( or Effects) send' is typically post-fader .. and as before, could also be labeled as Aux. (post-fader send)
As I stated previously, all outputs (Main, Aux or otherwise) are usually +4dB... except the 'Tape out' and headphone jack.
 
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