Audio Adapters for Videography
About Audio Adapter Boxes:
The three major brands all share some common features: two XLR inputs, each
input switchable for mic or line level; a mono/stereo switch that allows one
input to be recorded Mono on both camera channels, or two inputs as Left/Right.
Each input has a volume control that can reduce the signal but not amplify it,
in order to balance the audio levels. We do not recommend using the 1/8" aux
inputs, since they may create noise when an XLR input is present.
XLR-PRO adapter box
$159.00
 From Sign Video. Features XLR mic/line
input, mini input, mono/stereo switch. Switchable grounding allows compatability
with most camcorders. Excellent audio with almost no signal loss! Mounts
underneath camera body or onto your belt or tripod. Includes detachable belt
clip and extension cable.
For what it is worth, both Fred and Tom use the XLR-PRO on their personal
cameras.
EQE Headphone Matrix Box $99.95
 Allows you to monitor Left, Right, or
Stereo tracks in BOTH ears. Concentrate on just one track at a time, or switch
to regular stereo. Available with stereo mini or 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack.
BeachTek audio adapters
 Mounts underneath camcorders. Provides
XLR mic/line inputs. Mono/stereo. Passive gain (volume) controls. Output cable
plugs into camera's stereo mini ext. mic jack.
DXA-2S universal for small cams $179.95
DXA-4 for Sony VX2000,VX1000, TRV10 $179.95
DXA-4S for Sony $179.95
DXA-4C for Canon XL1 $179.95
DXA-4P for Canon GL1, GL2 $179.95
BeachTek DXA-FX for Sony FX1 $319.95
Features pre-amps and limiters.
new BeachTek DXA6vu $359.95
The new DXA6vu Adapter Box is an excellent solution for folks who have a
camcorder with auto gain control (such as my trusty olde Sony TRV8).
The box has the usual features found on a BeachTek, along with the major
addition of 48vPhantom power and LED metering of the raw audio! Now, it is true
that when your camcorder is auto gain, you will not hear much difference in
audio level regardless of what input setting you use, but you will notice a
difference in the NOISE level. Feed your camera a good, middle-of-the-scale
audio signal -- and it will be happier. Also, if you have two mics at work, it
is much easier to even out their differences with the aid of the LED meters.
And unlike previous boxes with meters, this box measures the raw signal going
to the camera and is not dependent on the (difficult to calibrate) headphone
output of the camera. Many other adapter boxes with "meters" take their
measurements from the headphone output, which is completely variable and prone
to mis-readings if you are not careful.
Here is a rundown of the DXA6vu features:
Two XLR inputs, switchable for mic or line input. 48v Phantom power (switchable
for each input). Aux mini-jack input. LED level meters (-51dB to -33dB, don't
worry about what the numbers mean, just get your audio levels around mid-scale),
Mono or Stereo output (one mic to both channels, or two mics split to L/R), two
Ground settings (use whichever one sounds quieter), and operates from one 9v
battery (runs approx 3 hours with Phantom power ON). Output to the
camcorder is a stereo mini MIC LEVEL connector.
BeachTek DXA-6 $279.95
 Provides switchable 48vPhantom mic
powering on the XLR mic inputs. Uses 9v battery. Similar functions as the DX4:
XLR mic/line inputs, mono/stereo, volume controls.
BeachTek DXA-8 $379.95
 Features powered mic preamps to
raise gain (volume); 48v Phantom mic powering; limiters. Unlike other audio
adapters, this unit allows you to amplify the sensitivity of a mic.
No provision for line level inputs.
Audio for Hi8mm, SVHS, and miniDV
Interfacing consumer and pro-sumer camcorders with professional audio can be a
nightmare.
Our widely acclaimed XLR-H8/DV cable was designed to solve this particular
headache.
The cable has a standard XLR3 female connector to accept regular mic level
audio. The camcorder end is a stereo mini plug, and the audio is bridged over
both the left and right camcorder channels so as to eliminate the problems that
an empty track will cause in Hi8mm.
Blocking capacitors are built into the cable to knock out the 4 to 6 volts DC
commonly found at many camcorder mic input jacks. Left unblocked, this DC
voltage may create hum and buzz with most professional mics.
For best results, we recommend slipping a rubber band around the mini connector
and pulling it around the camera body like an oxygen mask; thus applying inward
tension on the connector. The XLR connector of the cable should be strain
relieved by tying or taping it to something sturdy on the body, such as the
strap lug. Never allow any long cables to tug directly on the mini connector; it
will loosen and damage the camcorder receptacle.
XLR-H8/DV cable $59.95
 Adapts XLR to stereo mini, bridges
audio over Left and Right camcorder channels to eliminate noise. Blocks any
stray voltage at camcorder input. (Many Sony's work best with this cable.)
XLR-DV-mono-Line version $79.95
Same as above, but with attenuator to convert line level source to mic level feed into camcorder.
XLR DV (unfiltered) cable $18.00
Some of the newer DV camcorders do not require DC blocking. This basic cable
feeds a mono XLR to both camcorder channels, via a right angle stereo mini plug.
Note that standard, off-the-shelf XLR-stereo mini cables may look the same, but
often result in left and right audio being out of phase. Our cables are re-wired
so that left and right channels of the camcorder will be in phase. (Many Canon
and Panasonic are okay with this cable.)
Approx one foot long, intended for the XLR connector to be strain relieved to
the handgrip of the camera body, in order to connect with your extension mic
cable from off-camera mic.
AT8341 XLR female to st mini $25.00
Longer version of above, for connecting to camera mounted mics. Approx 19
inches.
rt angle XLR female to st mini $35.00
Similar to above, but with a compact right angle XLR connector.
EQE Mini Boom Line $99.95
Tom invented this one! It is a thin, 50 ft Canare mic cable that has been
modified to carry a headphone feed as well as one mic feed. At the camcorder end
is a standard XLR male, to plug into your mic input box. A stereo mini plug
connects to the headphone out. At the boom operator's end is an XLR female for
the mic and a stereo mini jack for the headphones.
st mini plug to dual st mini jack $7.50
Y-cable splits one stereo mini into two stereo mini signals.
st mini plug to L/R mini jacks $7.50
Y-cable separates stereo mini into left mono mini jack and right mono mini jack.
Camcorder audio/video out $15.00
10 ft. RCA audio L/Rand video output cable for Sony and other camcorders
requiring that funny looking 4-section mini plug!
Video dubbing cable $14.95
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We are authorities in production sound recording
for video and filmmaking. We also have lots of accessories for videography; and
are dealers for Casablanca, AVIO, and Renommee
non-linear video editors; as well as turnkey AVID & AVID Liquid (aka
Pinnacle) editing solutions.
If you would like a copy of our
2005/2006 "cowboy cover" catalog (free, of course), please phone or
e-mail us. We are working on a new 2007 catalog, coming later this year.
