Camcorder mic in from mixer out?

[ozymango]

I started a new thread from this old thread:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=225651
as the question is quite different from original and more current.

Thanks to [the old] thread, I just ordered a Behringer UB802 so that I can use my 3 year-old Shure SM58 for recording voiceovers into my computer.

Now I have a question, which I hope (a) wasn't already answered (I _did_ read the thread) and/or (b) isn't hugely stupid. Here goes:

Any reason I could not also use the Behringer UB802 as the middleman between my Panasonic PV-GS65 DV Camcorder and an external mic like the SM58? (I'd be connecting the UB802 to my camcorder's external mic in jack.)

TIA

Sure you can do this, but it will likely require a few adaptors and if you're just looking to plug in an external mic, it may be overkill.

I'm not familiar with the PV-GS65 camcorder, can you set the mic input level to be either "mic" or "line"? Reason for this is that "mic" input levels are very small, a fraction of the voltage that a "line" level is -- and the UB802 mixer is designed for line level output, as it's aimed at plugging directly into the line inputs on an amp.

BUT you can get an adaptor (attenuator) that'll reduce a line level signal to a mic level signal, they're not very expensive, a few dollars each. You'll need two attenuators, one for each output channel (L + R) on the mixer. Then just run whatever kind of cable you need to change the plugs on the outputs of the attenuator, to the jack on the camcorder, I'm guessing you'll just need a stereo RCA cable from the mixer attenutors to a 1/8" stereo plug for the mic in. Then you can fine tune the mic input setting on the camcorder by adjusting the level output of the mixer. START AT THE LOWEST VOLUMES ON ALL SETTINGS!!! Then very slowly turn things up until the sound is good.

Again, this may be overkill, because you could just as easily plug an XLR to 1/8" microphone adaptor cable from your mic to the camcorder, and voila, you've got an external mic! But yeah, I can definitely see there can be times when it's nice to be able to tweak the sound levels externally, the mixer will have much more fine control than (I'm guessing) the input on your camcorder. Plus this way you could even plug in additional mics to the mixer (even a wireless) and set all the levels on it, much easier than hassling with tiny buttons on the camcorder.

If there's something specific you're trying to do for a certain job, if you let us know we can probably give more specific feedback (pun intended).

[JeffD]

Ozy -

Thank you for your very comprehensive reply.

I started a new thread from this old thread:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=225651
as the question is quite different from original and more current.

Good idea, and thanks.

I'm not familiar with the PV-GS65 camcorder, can you set the mic input level to be either "mic" or "line"?

Yes.

Again, this may be overkill, because you could just as easily plug an XLR to 1/8" microphone adaptor cable from your mic to the camcorder, and voila, you've got an external mic! But yeah, I can definitely see there can be times when it's nice to be able to tweak the sound levels externally, the mixer will have much more fine control than (I'm guessing) the input on your camcorder.

Plus this way you could even plug in additional mics to the mixer (even a wireless) and set all the levels on it, much easier than hassling with tiny buttons on the camcorder.

Yep; that's where my thinking was headed... Son Jake and I play music together when he graces us with his presence (acoustic folk/rock -- songs of MY generation that I'm thrilled he loves, too), and I thought this setup would allow me to record our performances from time to time -- better than the camcorder's internal mic would.

If there's something specific you're trying to do for a certain job, if you let us know we can probably give more specific feedback (pun intended).

Excellent. I'm sure I'll have more Qs once I get the equipment and start playing.

Thanks again,
JeffD

[edDV]

Standard ways to hook up a balanced 600 ohm pro mic to a camcorder are.

1 Impedence matching transformer (Low to High Z Transformer)
http://www.shure.com/accessories/a85f.asp
http://www.nationalavsupply.com/Product.aspx?DeptID=2&ClassID=26&SubClassID=157&ProdID=677

2 Beachtek type adapter (clones exist)
http://www.beachtek.com/

3 External mixer with unbalanced mic level out like you are doing


Other audio stuff
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=268824
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=275537

[JeffD]

Thanks, edDV. I'll come back and consult your post many times, I'm sure.

JeffD