Operating Manual DXA-MICRO PRO+ Compact XLR Adapter for DSLR Cameras and Camcorders This operating manual explains the adapter function settings and how to use the adapter to record audio into the camera. ©Beachtek Inc.
Thank You for Purchasing a BeachTek Product Congratulations on purchasing the DXA-MICRO PRO+ from the makers of the world’s most popular audio adapters for DSLR cameras and camcorders. This adapter is packed with features to enable you to record professional audio directly to your camera. Before using this high quality device, please read this guide thoroughly to obtain the highest performance. Please contact us if you have any problems or questions.
Warnings Ensure that the VOLUME control is set low to avoid excessively loud audio from damaging your hearing. Always do a test recording and play back the audio to ensure it is acceptable. DO NOT activate phantom power for dynamic microphones, condenser microphones that do not operate on phantom power, wireless receivers, mixing boards or any unbalanced device as it may cause damage to both the adapter and connecting device.
Contents Supplied Accessories…………………………………………………... Quick Setup Guide…………………………………………………....... Adapter Controls and Connectors…………………………………….. Power and Charging Status…………………………………………… Setup Guide……………………………………………………………... Basic Operation……………………………………………………........ Playback Monitoring……………………………………………………. Advanced Operation……………………………………………………. Features………………………………………………………………….. Specifications…………………………………………………………….
Supplied Accessories Removeable cheese plate Two 3.5mm to 3.
Quick Setup Guide 1) Ensure the POWER switch is set to OFF before you begin. 2) Fully charge the battery for 4 hours or use external power. 3) Mount the DXA-MICRO PRO+ adapter to the camera. 4) Connect the supplied SC35 cable from the OUT jack on the adapter to the MIC input jack on the camera. 5) Connect your microphones to the adapter inputs. 6) Set the GAIN switches to HI. 7) Set the MONITOR switch to REC.
Adapter Connectors and Controls Front Panel 1 2 3 POWER Switch Main power switch for adapter POWER LED 1 Green indicates power on and good battery condition Yellow indicates low battery level Red indicates critical low battery level MONITOR Switch REC selects headphone monitoring from either the microphones during recording, or PLAY for playback audio from the camera 4 PHONE Headphone jack to monitor the audio from microphones or camera 5 MONITOR IN Input jack for connecting the loopback audio from t
Front Control Panel 9 10 8 7 6 3 2 2 11 2 1 5 4 Rear Panel 12 MICRO USB Port Charging and External power port Rear Panel 12 4
Side XLR Panel 13 XLR Input Balanced XLR input to attach professional microphones or wireless systems. This sends the signal to the Right channel Side Mini-Jack Panel 14 OUT Stereo output jack for connection to the camera 15 L Left unbalanced 3.5mm mic input. Provides 3.5 volt plug-in power 16 R Right unbalanced 3.5mm mic input. Provides 3.5 volt plug-in power 17 S Stereo unbalanced 3.5mm mic input. Provides 3.
Power and Charging Status Charging Use the supplied Micro USB Cable connected to a USB power source to charge the LiPo battery in the adapter. The Adapter should be fully charged before use to ensure maximum run times. The Power LED indicates power status as follows: Charging: Flashing RED Charged: Solid GREEN External Power The MICRO USB Cable can also be used to power the adapter from an external USB battery pack. It should not be powered by a USB AC adapter as that will introduce noise into the audio.
Setup Guide Mounting and Connecting the Adapter to the Camera 1) Ensure that the camera and adapter are both switched off. 2) To mount the adapter under the camera, line up the mounting bolt on top of the adapter to the tripod hole on the underside of the camera. Turn the adapter mounting knob on the front panel to the right to screw the adapter securely under the camera. Remove the brass mounting foot to attach the adapter to a tripod.
Initial Setup 1) Connect your microphones or other audio gear to the adapter. 2) Set the PHANTOM switch to OFF if phantom power is not needed. Set to 48V only for condenser microphones that require phantom power to operate. 3) Set the MONITOR Switch to REC to monitor the audio from the microphones during recording. 4) Set the GAIN switch to HI. This is the normal setting for most microphones.
Basic Operation After following the above Initial Setup, you should be ready to start recording. The following setup is for cameras that only have Auto Gain Control (AGC) with no manual settings. 1) Turn the adapter POWER switch ON. The POWER LED should light green indicating good battery voltage. 2) Adjust the LEFT and RIGHT level controls until the level indicators flash green while capturing audio. Continue increasing the levels until the indicators just start flashing red.
Notes on Getting the Best Audio Performance The most common problem in recording professional audio on today’s DSLR cameras is the hiss generated by the camera preamplifiers. You will never completely eliminate all hiss, which is normal, but you can reduce it so that it is no longer a problem. The most important thing to remember when recording audio is to set the audio levels correctly as explained in this manual.
Advanced Operation Using Cameras that have Manual Audio Controls If your camera allows you to disable the AGC feature we recommend that you do so to get the best performance. Set the camera to manual mode and the camera gain as follows: Canon DSLR cameras 1 click above off Nikon DSLR cameras (With gain settings 0 to 20) Set to 5 (With gain settings LO,MED,HI) Set to LO Panasonic DSLR cameras Set to -12dB Other DSLR’s and camcorders Set the gain to between the lowest setting and about 25% of maximum.
How to Setup Audio Bracketing Audio Bracketing is a simply a technique of setting a secondary channel at a lower level to use as a backup in case the primary channel gets blown out from an overly hot signal. This can be used anytime a single mono mic is being used with the adapter. It is very easy to do: 1) Plug the mic into any input which will be the primary channel. 2) Set the OUTPUT switch to M for MONO. 3) Adjust the primary channel level as usual.
Features Inputs One balanced XLR connector Two unbalanced 3.5mm jacks with plug-in power One stereo unbalanced 3.5mm jack with plug-in power MONITOR IN for playback monitoring Output Unbalanced stereo mini-jack for connection to the camera Headphone Monitor Built-in headphone amplifier with volume control 3.
Specifications Maximum Input Levels LO gain HI gain -14dBu -29dBu Output Level -26dBu when level indicators change to red Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz (+/- 0.5dB) THD+N Less than 0.03% @ 1kHz, -30dBu input S/N Ratio 85dB @ 1Khz, -30dBu input Gain LO HI Phantom Power Regulated 48 volt power Current to 14mA (direct short) Plug-in Power 3.5 volts on all mini-jack mic inputs Battery Type Built-in 3.
Warranty Information Limited Two Year Warranty This warranty covers any defects or malfunction in your new BeachTek adapter for two years from date of purchase. BeachTek will replace or repair any defective or malfunctioning adapter, within the warranty period, at no charge. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident, alteration, misuse or abuse. The device must be sent to our service center at your expense. Should you require service please contact us first before returning the unit to us.
Contact Information Address Beachtek Inc. 480 Osprey Avenue Kelowna, British Columbia Canada V1Y 5A5 Phone 778-478-9872 Email info@beachtek.com Website www.beachtek.
