Canon SL2 Microphone - External

[ajredaelli]

I have a brand new SL2. I am trying to setup an external lapel microphone. When I do that, my screen shows three ahlf circles, theicon of a mic, and the word "off" next to it. I cannot seem to get to microphone settings. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

[kvbarkley]

I don't know if this is the problem, but often "advanced settings" are only available in one of the "Creative modes", like P.

Try setting the camera to P or M.

(You can tell if this is the case since the manual will have a * by the setting.)

[ajredaelli]

I had it in M - I found where I can see the levels of the mic, but it just shows no activity at all. I know the mic works as it is the one I have used before with my Canon Vixia video camera. I have also read that the SL2 does support lapel mics. Not sure what I am missing. 

[RobertTheFat]

Consider the source, as I have no experience with video recording. But could this be a case where the microphone expects to draw power from the camera but the camera is incapable of providing it?

[ajredaelli]

It could be. What I am surprised is that the camera is well-known as a great "vlogging" camera. I would imagine it would support most mics .... but yes, good point. I'm hoping someone who has tried this before may have some insight. 

[kvbarkley]

Which mic do you have?

[kvbarkley]

Have you tried playing with the gain or attenuator settings?

[ajredaelli]

Yes kvbarkley- but once I plug in the external mic., I get no signal, but then I was reading about a TRS adaptor - I wonder if I may be needing one of those (?) 

[kvbarkley]

I was thinking that, if you have a mono mic, you could be shorting one side, maybe both if you don't push it all the way in.

[ajredaelli]

Right - that may be it. I will try and find an adapter and give it  try. I know for a fact it was pushed all the way in .... believe me, I tried! 🙂