No Audio Recorded Using External Mic With Canon Vixia XA-11

[D.V. Dee]

I recorded some video clips with my new Canon Vixia XA-11 using a Saramonic Vic Mini external mic...

But no audio got recorded at all using that external mic.

That mic works just fine with another camcorder, BTW.

I properly plugged the 3.5 mm male into the MIC female on the camera body, set
the Handle Unit Input 1 switch to MIC, and set the Input terminal switch to OFF.

Also carefully chose the appropriate Audio Recording Setups.

But still, no audio recorded while shooting. A mystery!

[aedipuss]

that mic needs power supplied by the cam. ain't gonna happen with most decent cams. get a mic that has it's own power source. rode still is the best.

[D.V. Dee]

But a tech at our local camera store tried out a powered external mic (an Azden, I believe) on the XA-11--and that didn't work, either.

The Saramonic mic worked great on my Panasonic HDC-SD90P. No problems.

I wonder if a 3.5 to XLS adapter plugged into the Handle Input 1 might work with the Saramonic....

[Cornucopia]

Make sure you are using a proper pinout on the 3.5mm plug. There are a number of variations, and a mismatched one could block power, null the audio, weaken the audio, futz the mic...


Scott

[D.V. Dee]

OK. Worth checking out.

Thanks to both replies.

[aedipuss]

from page 76 of the xa-11 manual if you use the 3.5 mic connector it has to be a condenser mic with it's own power supply.


[Attachment 56357 - Click to enlarge]

[D.V. Dee]

By George, I think you've got it!

The XA-11 packaging only included a 32-page manual, so that item wasn't included.

Many Thanks, Aedipuss!

[D.V. Dee]

So I purchased a powered condenser shotgun mic--a TakStar SGC-598--and paired it with the Canon XA-11...

Voila!

Got great audio on playback!

Problem solved, many Thanks again, Aedipuss.

[aedipuss]

you're welcome.


good luck and happy holidays!