Mic-In/Line-In Adapter for DV Camcorder

[cp2k]

I just picked up a new Sony DV camcorder and I want to hook it directly into a sound system to record the audio feed of an event.

I'm using a line-out from our sound board but the camcorder only has a mic in 1/8 headphone jack. I have the necessary cables, but I've read you need some sort of "adapter" to allow the camcorder's mic jack to recognize the line input correctly.

Does anybody know exactly what "adapter" I need, and where I can find one? I've tried searching radio shack & Google, but haven't turned up the correct one.

[Dragonsf]

You need a voltage divider, i.e. per channel there are 2 resistors (for ex. 1000kOhm/10kOhm) in series to ground. Mic in will be tapped in the middle and the 10KOhm ends in ground. Thus the DCR 'sees' the voltage at the 10kOhm which has a 1:100 ratio (compared to to line input).
R=U/I->U=R*I. As I (the current) is constant thru both resistors (R1/R2), the Voltage ratio is U1/U2=R1*I/R2*I=10/1000=1/100. Therefore the voltage presented at the DCD input (across R2=10KOhm) is 1/100th of that at R1.
example:
http://www.onsetcomp.com/Support/installation_answers.html

[Richkut]

Here is a link to the Rolls DB25 Matchbox:

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=DB25&off=1&sort=prod

As a professional videographer, I have used this device for years to input line level signals to my camcorders' mic level inputs. The easiest thing is to unplug one of the DJ's speakers (unless there is an extra looping output on the speaker, which is preferred) and plug it into this device, the output of which is connected either directly to the camcorder's mic input or to a wireless microphone transmitter. There is a pad on the device (0 to-40db) and a ground lift. It works great!! As an alternative, you can plug the Matchbox into a DJ/Band's mixer line level output, but make sure that you are given a dedicated line out that contains the complete mix but that is preset and will not be touched during the preformance!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS