<p>An XLR cable used with an adapter won't give you the audio quality that an all-XLR cable will. If audio quality is really important, I'd buy or borrow an external recorder that takes XLR cables directly. If this isn't an option, pick up an XLR to 1/8" adapter cable. I suggest taping the adapter to the camcorder so it doesn't move around much. </p>

<p>(Mic cables <em>do</em> move around, particularly if you have a boom operator. However, with an interview, you may be able to use on-screen mics in stands or a single, overhead mic on a stand or hung from the ceiling.) </p>

<p>If you need two mics for the interview, you'll need a small mixer which you can then feed into the camera. </p>

<p>Wireless only really makes sense if you want to use lavalier mics on the actors; wireless systems introduce additional complexities, as they're less plug-and-play than a standard cabled mic. </p>

<p><strong>Balanced versus unbalanced audio:</strong></p>

<p>Any signal chain will have line noise. An unbalanced system (like an XLR cable going into an 1/8" stereo adapter would be) will have more of it. XLR cables (with three connectors) are good because they deliver <em>balanced audio</em>, which is another way of saying that they can do long cable runs without much noise. </p>

<p>A 1/8" cable has also three connectors, but usually because they carry a <em>stereo signal</em>, which is not the same as an unbalanced one. I assume the stereo cable jack on your camera means that the cable run is <em>not</em> balanced - repurposing that third prong from ground to a stereo signal is what does it. </p>

<p>Although I think it's technically possible to have a balanced 1/8" jack, I've never heard of one. (A stereo signal carried through XLR would neccesitate two XLR cables.)  </p>

<p>According to <a href="http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/HDC-TM700K?t=specs&amp;support#tabs" rel="nofollow">Panasonic's specs</a>, your camera uses a "stereo mini" jack, not a balanced or TRS jack. Connector quality would be even more important in that case, since you're feeding an unbalanced analog signal to the camera. </p>

<p>If you have a little time, perhaps getting two adapters - one high-end and one inexpensive - and doing a test may be in order. </p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p>

<p>In your situation, if buying or renting an external recorder isn't an option (around $300US), a good microphone feeding into an XLR to 1/8" adapter <em>will</em> introduce line noise, but will also give you getter audio quality than most onboard camera mics.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T18:06:50.583Z
something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-XVM105-Right-Angle-3-5mm/dp/B0010CTL66/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1340301923&sr=1-7&keywords=xlr+to+1+8
Prabhu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T18:11:02.183Z
Is the cable quality (see link above) good for what I'm trying to do?  Is it more like a cable that of a 1/8th inch or is it the kind of a typical XLR cable?  The latter is what I would need right, to eliminate the "hum" that would be picked up from these 1/8inch cables?
Prabhu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T18:39:49.927Z
@Prabhu - See my edit. (It's hard to guess at cable quality from this Amazon link.)
Goodbye Stack Exchange
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T18:57:00.763Z
thanks a lot for the clear explanation.  What is an "external recorder"?  You mean just rent a pro-camcorder?
Prabhu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T19:00:36.013Z
No, it's a small box that *only* records audio. You plug a mic into it directly and sync up the audio later on.
Goodbye Stack Exchange
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T19:02:42.080Z
Oh...in that case may be I can just get the PA system guys to record the audio for me on a CD or something, and I can just sync it up later?  That's doable right?
Prabhu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T19:06:12.000Z
I've never done it, but I understand it can be done. Ask them for an AIF or WAV file, *not* an MP3. Can anyone speak to whether or not it's possible for timecode sync to be used in a case like this, if the sound guys have something that'll generate it?
Goodbye Stack Exchange
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T19:08:43.537Z
Ok thanks, will get in touch with the sound guys.  But how is an "external recorder" different as far as I'm concerned?
Prabhu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T19:16:46.493Z
They'd be using a recorder of some sort - if they have one - or recording to a laptop. "External" in this context means any audio recorder that's not the camcorder.
Goodbye Stack Exchange
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-08-02T03:37:04.263Z
To sync the audio to the video, you want to have an even that is able to be precisely identified by both the sound and the video. A nice hand clap works well. I've done this with great success.
Lukas Woltjer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T17:53:37.227Z
2012-06-21T18:35:15.537Z
2012-06-21T18:35:15.537Z
Goodbye Stack Exchange
<p>Answer 3: <br>
Use XLR cables to get the audio from the PA to your camcorder. To convert the balanced PA signal to the line signal, take a passive <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DI_unit" rel="nofollow">DI-box (aka DI-unit)</a>. They are not expensive. You'll get a solid one for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&amp;field-keywords=di-unit#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&amp;field-keywords=di%20box&amp;rh=i%3aaps,k%3adi%20box" rel="nofollow">less than 50$</a> by Amazon. </p>

<p>More info:  <br>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DI_unit" rel="nofollow">DI-Units - Wikipedia</a> <br>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&amp;field-keywords=di-unit#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&amp;field-keywords=di%20box&amp;rh=i%3aaps,k%3adi%20box" rel="nofollow">DI-Boxes - Amazon.com</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-24T09:36:41.270Z
2012-06-24T09:47:37.843Z
2012-06-24T09:47:37.843Z
DoktorHauser
<p>I can't really say anything else beyond what Neil said...that's great info...but I'll throw this into the mix. If you're handy with electronics (or know someone who is), try making <a href="http://www.crownaudio.com/kb/entry/279/" rel="nofollow">this</a> adapter from off-the-shelf parts at Radio Shack.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-21T18:46:19.390Z
2012-06-21T18:46:19.390Z
dwwilson66
<p>I've been asked to video tape a Q/A session with a speaker, and I plan to use my HD camcorder (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-HDC-TM700K-Camcorder-Control-Internal/dp/B0035LD0EY).</p>

<p>The issue is that my camcorder only has the 1/8th inch speaker cable input, and a long cable from the PA system to my camcorder could pick up a lot of noise.  Wondering what my options are as to how to get the audio from the PA system into my camcorder.  I thought of two options:</p>

<ol>
<li>Wirelessly transmit the audio from the PA system into the camcorder </li>
<li>Get an XLR &lt;--> 1/8th inch adapter for my camcorder and use an XLR cable to get the audio from the PA system.</li>
</ol>

<p>Are there any other ways?  If not, could you please recommend product options for 1 and 2. Not too expensive (around $100 if possible).  This isn't professional, but I do want decent audio quality.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<camcorder><digital-recording><connectors><live-recording>
Audio from PA system to Camcorder
Prabhu
# Audio from PA system to Camcorder

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-06-21)

I've been asked to video tape a Q/A session with a speaker, and I plan to use my HD camcorder (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-HDC-TM700K-Camcorder-Control-Internal/dp/B0035LD0EY).

The issue is that my camcorder only has the 1/8th inch speaker cable input, and a long cable from the PA system to my camcorder could pick up a lot of noise. Wondering what my options are as to how to get the audio from the PA system into my camcorder. I thought of two options:

1. Wirelessly transmit the audio from the PA system into the camcorder
2. Get an XLR <--> 1/8th inch adapter for my camcorder and use an XLR cable to get the audio from the PA system.

Are there any other ways? If not, could you please recommend product options for 1 and 2. Not too expensive (around $100 if possible). This isn't professional, but I do want decent audio quality.

Thanks

**Tags:** camcorder, digital-recording, connectors, live-recording


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-06-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

An XLR cable used with an adapter won't give you the audio quality that an all-XLR cable will. If audio quality is really important, I'd buy or borrow an external recorder that takes XLR cables directly. If this isn't an option, pick up an XLR to 1/8" adapter cable. I suggest taping the adapter to the camcorder so it doesn't move around much.

(Mic cables *do* move around, particularly if you have a boom operator. However, with an interview, you may be able to use on-screen mics in stands or a single, overhead mic on a stand or hung from the ceiling.)

If you need two mics for the interview, you'll need a small mixer which you can then feed into the camera.

Wireless only really makes sense if you want to use lavalier mics on the actors; wireless systems introduce additional complexities, as they're less plug-and-play than a standard cabled mic.

**Balanced versus unbalanced audio:**

Any signal chain will have line noise. An unbalanced system (like an XLR cable going into an 1/8" stereo adapter would be) will have more of it. XLR cables (with three connectors) are good because they deliver *balanced audio*, which is another way of saying that they can do long cable runs without much noise.

A 1/8" cable has also three connectors, but usually because they carry a *stereo signal*, which is not the same as an unbalanced one. I assume the stereo cable jack on your camera means that the cable run is *not* balanced - repurposing that third prong from ground to a stereo signal is what does it.

Although I think it's technically possible to have a balanced 1/8" jack, I've never heard of one. (A stereo signal carried through XLR would neccesitate two XLR cables.)

According to [Panasonic's specs](http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/HDC-TM700K?t=specs&support#tabs), your camera uses a "stereo mini" jack, not a balanced or TRS jack. Connector quality would be even more important in that case, since you're feeding an unbalanced analog signal to the camera.

If you have a little time, perhaps getting two adapters - one high-end and one inexpensive - and doing a test may be in order.

**Conclusion:**

In your situation, if buying or renting an external recorder isn't an option (around $300US), a good microphone feeding into an XLR to 1/8" adapter *will* introduce line noise, but will also give you getter audio quality than most onboard camera mics.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-XVM105-Right-Angle-3-5mm/dp/B0010CTL66/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1340301923&sr=1-7&keywords=xlr+to+1+8  
> **username_0**: Is the cable quality (see link above) good for what I'm trying to do?  Is it more like a cable that of a 1/8th inch or is it the kind of a typical XLR cable?  The latter is what I would need right, to eliminate the "hum" that would be picked up from these 1/8inch cables?  
> **username_1**: @username_0 - See my edit. (It's hard to guess at cable quality from this Amazon link.)  
> **username_0**: thanks a lot for the clear explanation.  What is an "external recorder"?  You mean just rent a pro-camcorder?  
> **username_1**: No, it's a small box that *only* records audio. You plug a mic into it directly and sync up the audio later on.  
> **username_0**: Oh...in that case may be I can just get the PA system guys to record the audio for me on a CD or something, and I can just sync it up later?  That's doable right?  
> **username_1**: I've never done it, but I understand it can be done. Ask them for an AIF or WAV file, *not* an MP3. Can anyone speak to whether or not it's possible for timecode sync to be used in a case like this, if the sound guys have something that'll generate it?  
> **username_0**: Ok thanks, will get in touch with the sound guys.  But how is an "external recorder" different as far as I'm concerned?  
> **username_1**: They'd be using a recorder of some sort - if they have one - or recording to a laptop. "External" in this context means any audio recorder that's not the camcorder.  
> **username_2**: To sync the audio to the video, you want to have an even that is able to be precisely identified by both the sound and the video. A nice hand clap works well. I've done this with great success.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-06-24. Score: 2

Answer 3:   
Use XLR cables to get the audio from the PA to your camcorder. To convert the balanced PA signal to the line signal, take a passive [DI-box (aka DI-unit)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DI_unit). They are not expensive. You'll get a solid one for [less than 50$](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=di-unit#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=di%20box&rh=i%3aaps,k%3adi%20box) by Amazon.

More info:   
[DI-Units - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DI_unit)   
[DI-Boxes - Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=di-unit#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=di%20box&rh=i%3aaps,k%3adi%20box)


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2012-06-21. Score: 1

I can't really say anything else beyond what Neil said...that's great info...but I'll throw this into the mix. If you're handy with electronics (or know someone who is), try making [this](http://www.crownaudio.com/kb/entry/279/) adapter from off-the-shelf parts at Radio Shack.


---

