BeachTek specifications Product Description, Operation, DXA-4S, DXA-4P

DXA-4, 4S & 4P Dual XLR Adapters

Congratulations on purchasing this unique audio accessory for your camcorder.

Now you have the ability to attach professional audio gear to your camcorder for superb sound every time.

We hope that you will find the DXA-4 series of Dual XLR Adapters to be an indispensable accessory for each and every shoot.

Product Description

We have three Dual XLR Adapters models to ideally fit the most popular camcorders on the market today. The DXA-4 & DXA-4S models have a special ground design to work with the Sony camcorders.

DXA-4	Designed for optimum fit on the Sony VX1000, VX2000,
	TRV8, TRV10
DXA-4S	Designed for optimum fit on the Sony TRV900, PD100,
	PC100, other Sony DV & Digital8; Canon Optura,
	Ultura, Elura
DXA-4P	Designed for optimum fit on the Canon GL1, Optura Pi;
	Panasonic EZ1, AG456 and most other camcorders

The DXA-4 adapters allows you to attach two balanced XLR audio devices to your camcorder. Each input signal is sent to a MIC/LINE switch to allow you to set the proper level, then to an audio control to adjust attenuation. The balanced input signal is then converted to an unbalanced output through an impedance matching transformer. Finally, the output signal is sent through an attached shielded cable terminating in a stereo mini-plug that connects to your camcorder’s microphone jack.

The auxiliary input allows you to attach wireless microphones and other audio gear that use standard mini-jack connectors. This signal is sent to the left channel.

Note the connector you plug into the AUX input must be MONO for it to work.

A switch lets you select between stereo or mono operation. For stereo operation, the adapter sends the left XLR input signal to track 1 left and the right XLR input signal to track 1 right on the DV tape. The two channels are never mixed during recording allowing you to control both channels during editing for maximum versatility. Track 2 can be used to dub an additional stereo audio track on a DV VCR. For mono operation, both channels are mixed together - ideal when using only one audio source to give you two channel recording.

Operation

Mount the DXA-4 securely to the tripod bushing on the under side of your camcorder and connect the attached audio cable to the stereo microphone jack. The camcorder’s onboard microphone should now be disabled. You are now ready to attach external audio devices to the adapter.

Set the STEREO/MONO switch to the desired setting. Normally you would use the STEREO position when recording from two audio sources and MONO when using a single sound source. When in MONO mode, be sure to keep the volume control for the unused channel at max to reduce the loading effect on the working channel.

To connect a microphone to the DXA-4, set the MIC/LINE switch to MIC. To connect a line level output from a mixer, VCR, CD player or other audio device to the DXA-4, set the MIC/LINE switch to LINE to activate a 50 dB pad. This attenuates the signal to the proper level so that it will not overdrive the input of your camcorder.

To attach audio devices with mini-jack connectors, use the AUX input on the adapter. This sends the signal to the left input and you should therefore disconnect any cables from the left XLR connector to avoid interference.

Most camcorders use automatic gain control (AGC) to adjust the optimum audio level for recording. If your camcorder has no way of disabling this feature, the adapter can still be used to adjust the input levels but will not override the AGC circuitry. The DXA-4 controls should normally be set as high as possible to achieve the maximum signal to noise ratio. You may have to turn the volume controls down if you are using very sensitive microphones or are feeding in high level signals from a mixer. If necessary, adjust either the left or right volume control to balance both inputs so they are of equal amplitude. Try to avoid adjusting the volume controls on the adapter while recording as this may introduce contact noise from turning the potentiometers - instead, set the levels prior to recording.

If your camcorder allows you to switch the AGC off (Sony VX1000, TRV900, PD100) you can use this option for manual control over the audio levels. For the best signal to noise performance, the levels controls on the DXA-4 should normally be set as high as possible. If necessary, adjust either the left or right volume control to balance both inputs so they are of equal amplitude. Then set the desired recording level with the manual level control on the camcorder. Use this same control (not the adapter controls) to ride the levels during recording.

If you are using the Sony VX1000, the recording levels for speech should be set to give the bar-graph reading of about 50%, peaking to about 80%. Peaks touching 100% may sound unacceptably distorted.

Note: When attaching audio cables to the adapter from other AC powered equipment, be careful to avoid ground loops which will induce severe hum in the recording. Usually this problem can be eliminated by ensuring that all AC powered equipment is plugged into the same power bar. If the hum persists, try lifting the ground connection on one or more audio cables connected to the camcorder. As a last resort, disconnect the camcorder and or other equipment from the mains and run on battery power.