XA50 Using an External Mic With Camera's Handle Removed

[KaiserRoll]

I am trying to use my XA50 without the top handle and plug a mini shotgun mic with an 1/8 phono plug into the mic IN jack by the lens. I want the top handle off to reduce the camera profile for my B-roll camera, but have a safety audio source by using a small Rode mini shotgun.

When I listen thru my headphones, I hear only the on-board mic just above the lens. Tapping the shotgun produces nothing - it's not "on".  Any ideas what I am doing wrong to prevent a plugged-in mic from working?

[rs-eos]

If you use the mic with the top handle, do audio recording then work?  What specific audio settings have you set when using the mic without the top handle?

[KaiserRoll]

Hello Ricky,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and asking pertinent questions. 

With the top handle installed and using an XLR cable into Inputs 1 or 2, audio comes in as expected.

Audio also comes in to channels 3 and 4 automagically thru the internal mic (right behind the lens). In addition, I have tried two different mini shotgun mics (with 1/8" phono plug)

Audio setup (with Top handle OFF):

MENU 1 - all choices grayed-out (Ch2 Input, CH3/CH4 Input, INPUT 1 Mic Trimming, INPUT 1 Mic Att., INPUT 2 Mic Trimming, INPUT 2 Mic Att.)

MENU 2 - INPUT 1/2 Limiter - grayed out, INPUT 1/2 ALC Link - grayed out,  Built-in Mic Sensitivity-NORM, Built-in Mic -OFF, Built-In Mic low Cut - OFF, MIC att. - OFF

MENU 3 - Mic Low Cut - OFF, MIC ALC Link - LINK, MIC Power - ON, Headphone vol - 7, Monitor Channels - CH3/4, HDMI Channels - CH1/2

MENU 4 - Modification sounds - OFF

This is my Broll camera and I just want to attach a small shotgun mic as an audio "safety". I thought this would be easy-peasy; slide a mic on top. Plug the 1/8" phono jack into the camera. Hit record. Get audio from the add-on mic, not the built-in mic.  Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. ~EdK

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

I think I found the answer.  You can record audio using the input terminals*

Then the fine print. *Requires that the handle unit be correctly attached to the camcorder.

[KaiserRoll]

Yep. That's the answer, Rick. NONE of the external mic inputs work unless the handle is attached - including the built-in 1/8"  MIC input on the camera body. Seems so odd to me to force me to use the handle when I don't want such a big profile camera for this project. I thought the whole purpose of the 1/8 MIC input was to enable better audio without using the handle. Silly me!

Thank you for taking the time to point my nose in the right direction.  

~Ed / Chicago Area

~C70, XA-50, R5, FCPX