topic Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C in Video Accessories

Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

Ferenc_M — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 04:39:22 GMT

We, our university, bought TASCAM CA-XLR2D-C for Canon R5 C. It does not work. The adapter does not get power from the camera and also does not work with batteries. When connected to the camera, the yellow light with the camera symbol lights up for a short time, but then turns off after a few seconds. The camera displays the error message below: "Currently, the accessory cannot be used"

Tried everything firmware update, reboot, etc, but no results.

Unfortunately, all this happens at the beginning of a shoot in a foreign country. What to do?

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:51:14 GMT

Greetings,

Does the Tascam work on another camera? I know it won't work through a standard hot shoe, but does it stay powered? Do you have another camera with a multi-function hot shoe to test with?

Depending on that result, I would save my existing settings, reset the camera, also its custom settings and retest. You need to determine if it's the Tascam or the camera itself which is not working as expected.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

Stefan2 — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 19:19:38 GMT

Did you solve the problem? I have the same problem with my R3.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

asj43 — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 23:41:42 GMT

I've also just had this problem occur, with the R5C and the Tascam unit, which I had been using continuously on a shoot with good results... suddenly, after setting up an interview with two XLR inputs, the exact same symptom: orange light for 1 second, no levels register, light goes out, and message appears on display: "Currently, the accessory cannot be used." No visual signs of damage to contacts on either side of the hotshoe. Renting an R5C and new Tascam unit now to test and cover us for the remainder of the shoot... but are there any other updates on what might cause this outside of hardware damage, perhaps some obscure / unintentional tweak to settings that make it incompatible?

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 00:39:29 GMT

If you are renting another R5 C. Test your Tascam unit with it before making any settings modifications. Also test the rented Tascam on your body.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

JT_Taylor — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:06:39 GMT

Sending the unit to Tascam to have them verify the problem is not even a half baked answer, neither is "use the battery for the CA-XLR2d", I have several batteries for my R3, I bought the unit to simplify my setup. If there are known issues tell us upfront, don't change things after the fact. Shame on you Tascam.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

jimepstein — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 21:42:56 GMT

I'm having the same issue. I've sent my camera back to Canon, and it came back with a clean bill of health. I sent my Tascam back to Tascam. Tascam claimed they fixed the unit, but it came back with the same issue. My colleague with the same setup is having the same problem. Did anyone on this thread manage to resolve the problem?

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 03:26:15 GMT

Afraid I do not own this unit. Tascam says you are suppose to use the latest FW (currently v1.12)

CA-XLR2d | DOWNLOADS | TASCAM - United States

See Troubleshooting - 5

CA-XLR2d_REFERENCE MANUAL_vB (tascam.eu)

I believe the battery switch issue was resolved in the FW update above.

I also saw posts in regards to the LED turning on briefly then off again indicating a defective unit. Others said theirs worked 1-5 times then died.

I do know one user who owns the Tascam and bought for his R5 C, I'll see if I can reach him.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

jimepstein — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 18:19:11 GMT

Thank you. Tried a firmware update. No change.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

JT_Taylor — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 19:13:27 GMT

Hey Jim, The FW update seems to have worked for me, I have an R3 though.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 02:16:16 GMT

JT_Taylor,

Thanks for providing this update. Glad your Tascam is functioning now. Is there anything that stands out to you as problematic? Cause and effect wise? Seems odd that others are reporting "their unit worked", then stopped for no apparent reason? Do you have batteries installed. Are you powered from the shoe?

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 02:12:31 GMT

@jimepstein,

You said Tascam repaired your unit. What did they repair exactly?

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

jimepstein — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 10:13:51 GMT

They told me that the circuit board was corrupted and need replacing. Cost about $140 and took about a month and a half because they lacked the part. But the unit that came back has the same problem. Now they’re offering to give me a new one in a couple months when they have one in stock. I’m worried it won’t fix the issue because my colleague is having the same problem, and I find here that others are too.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 15:09:54 GMT

@jimepstein wrote:
They told me that the circuit board was corrupted and need replacing. Cost about $140 and took about a month and a half because they lacked the part. But the unit that came back has the same problem. Now they’re offering to give me a new one in a couple months when they have one in stock. I’m worried it won’t fix the issue because my colleague is having the same problem, and I find here that others are too.

I hope this is not a standard business practice for them. A corrupt circuit board, and they made you pay for it? Now they are offering a new unit to you. Why because they know the problem is likely with their product and not the result of normal use (your fault).

The device comes with a 1 yr warranty.

This is from their list of compatible products - R5 C

・It has a limitation of maximum current rated at 9mA for phantom power. It is recommended to use
battery-power using the battery box if you need more power.
・There is a 4 second MUTE when switching from camera-power to/from battery power.
・Does not support OL (overload) indicators.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

Texcorpus — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:08:45 GMT

Any updates on this or fixes? Mine was working fine on a Canon R5 C, but then it stopped working at the start of a job. Luckily, I had a Zoom 4n with me. A few times, I got the TASCAM to work, but it can cut out for no reason. I've been using my Zoom recorder, and finally started to look for a fix. Any help would be great.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 05:41:42 GMT

@Texcorpus,

Nothing from anyone since March of this year. For everyone's benefit. What FW are you running on your R5 C now?

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

Delarageaz — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 23:02:23 GMT

Hey ! it happened to me too about a year ago, sent it to TASCAM and they did repair it for free ! it only took them 8 months to repair it but at least it works now.

This product is a joke and i'm really sad about that cause it's what motivated me to buy an R5C, if i knew it was such a bad product, i would have got myself a Sony FX3 instead ! Built in XLR inputs that sound great are really really important to me, and i can't be satisfied with an half baked solution like that TASCAM. Canon needs to make their own XLR module, it needs to sound good and be reliable ! If Canon does not find a solution before the end of my warranty period, i'll be returning the R5C saying that the new Multi Function Hot Shoe is not working as advertised and that i want my money back.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

shadowsports — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 00:54:15 GMT

I don't think waiting until the end.of your warranty is wise. If the issue is with your tascam, I don't think Canon is going to take their camera back if there is nothing wrong with it. I'd seek relief from Tascam directly. I would not recommend backing yourself into a corner.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

MrDeity — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 21:24:55 GMT

I'm having the same problem. And this is with my second unit, which I had to wait 10 months to get because they didn't have enough stock. Both units worked fine for one shoot(!!!). Then, without changing anything about the setup. Without tearing down the camera or removing the unit, I started the camera up, the power light on the unit went on for a moment, and then I got the message, "Currently, the accessory cannot be used." So, Tascam, clearly doesn't know what the problem is and hasn't fixed it. They're just giving people another defective unit. It's absolutely outrageous! I would never have bought the R5c if I'd known it didn't have a reliable XLR option for audio. Shame on both Canon and Tascam. Guess it's time to move back to Sony. And yes, I have the latest firmware on the R5c.

Re: Serious Issues with TASCAM CA XLR2D C for Canon R5 C

Delarageaz — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 21:31:09 GMT

i'm 100% with you on this, it's making me very frustrated, now i'm scared cause my second unit still works but next time it breaks it'll be out of warranty and i'm not successful in my job enough to purchase a 600€ accessory every year to keep shooting movies with sound !

it's so frustrating that at this point i'm considering getting myself a second hand C100 mk 2 cause it's all i can afford and i need built in XLR audio so much i'll be giving up on 4K120, full frame and 8K Raw to get that 🙄