Need help connecting wired lavalier to XA60

[westpointbob]

I've tried to connect my lavalier mic to my new (for me) XA60 with no success. The mic cord has a 3.5mm TRS plug which I've connected to the microphone jack on the body of the camera and also via an XLR adapter on the right side of the handle. Still no audio. I've also tried different settings on the LCD screen menu and on the left side of the handle. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for any help! Robert

[NatalyaP]

Greetings westpointbob,

It sounds like you have done a great job testing the different physical connection points on your Canon XA60 camcorder. I'm unsure of which settings you have adjusted on the camcorder but let's see if the steps below help resolve the microphone issue.

1. Configure the CH1/CH2 Audio Input Switches The most common reason for audio silence on this model is that the camera is still looking for audio from the built-in internal microphone rather than your external mic. On the side of the handle, locate the CH1 and CH2 switches. If your microphone is plugged into the 3.5mm MIC terminal on the camera body, you must ensure these switches are NOT set to "XLR." Instead, you likely need to go into the digital menu to tell the camera to pull audio from the 3.5mm jack.

2. Check the 3.5mm MIC Terminal Settings When using the 3.5mm jack on the body of the camera, the camcorder needs to know what kind of power the microphone requires. Many lavalier microphones require a small amount of "Plug-in Power." To check this, press the Menu button, navigate to the Audio Setup menu (the cassette icon), and look for "MIC Power." If your lavalier does not have its own battery, ensure this is set to On. Additionally, in the same menu, look for "CH1/CH2 Input Selection" and ensure it is set to "MIC Terminal" rather than "Built-in Mic."

3. Troubleshooting the XLR Adapter Connection If you are using the XLR adapter on the handle, the physical switches on the handle become the priority. Ensure the switch for the channel you are plugged into is set to "MIC" or "MIC+48V" (if your mic requires phantom power). Note that most 3.5mm TRS to XLR adapters do not work correctly with lavalier mics unless they are specifically designed to convert 48V phantom power down to the 3-5V "Plug-in Power" that lavalier mics need. If you are using a simple passive adapter, the 3.5mm MIC terminal on the camera body is your best bet.

4. Monitor the Audio Level Meters To verify if the camera is receiving any signal at all, look at the audio level meters on the LCD screen. If the bars are not moving, try switching the audio level mode from "Auto" to "Manual" using the dial on the handle. Sometimes the "Auto" setting can aggressively dampen the gain if there is a lot of line noise, making it seem like the mic isn't working when it is actually just set too low.

5. Confirm the TRS Plug Seating Finally, ensure the 3.5mm TRS plug is pushed completely into the MIC terminal. These ports can be quite tight on new units, and if the plug is even a millimeter out, the "Ring" or "Tip" of the connector may not make contact with the internal pins, resulting in no audio.

If you have adjusted these menu settings and the meters on the LCD still show no movement, then we would suggest on reaching out to our phone support team for assistance. They can be reached at 1-800-652-2666, Monday through Friday between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET.