Operating Manual DXA-SLR ULTRA Professional XLR Adapter for DSLR Cameras 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-SLR ULTRA from the makers of the world’s most popular audio adapters for DSLR cameras. 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.
Description The BeachTek DXA-SLR ULTRA is a two-channel, active XLR adapter with built-in preamplifiers for attaching external microphones and other audio gear to any DSLR camera that has a built-in mic jack. It can also be used with any camcorder or other audio recording device that has a mic jack. The DXA-SLR ULTRA uses exceptionally low noise, wide bandwidth preamplifiers for superb audio. This allows you to record high quality audio directly to the camera which will always be in sync with the video.
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 Before You Begin……………………………………………………….. Supplied Accessories…………………………………………………... Quick Setup Guide……………………………………………………… Adapter Connectors and Controls…………………………………….. Setup Guide……………………………………………………………... Basic Operation…………………………………………………………. Playback Monitoring……………………………………………………. Advanced Operation……………………………………………………. Features………………………………………………………………….
Before You Begin 1) These instructions refer to the use of this adapter with Canon DSLR cameras unless otherwise noted. 2) Do a few test recordings and check playback on the camera to ensure that the audio is captured as expected. Most cameras do not have a headphone jack to monitor what is being recorded. 3) Some early model Nikon cameras have a very sensitive microphone input and require a special 25dB padded output cable from the adapter. Please contact us for details.
Quick Setup Guide 1) Ensure the POWER switch is set to OFF before you begin. 2) Install a fresh alkaline or lithium battery in the adapter. 3) Mount the DXA-SLR ULTRA adapter to the camera. 4) Connect the supplied output cable from the OUT jack on the adapter to the MIC input jack on the camera. 5) Connect your microphones or other audio sources to the adapter XLR inputs. 6) Set the GAIN switches to HI. 7) Set the LIMITER switches to ON. 8) Set the MONITOR switch to REC.
13) Adjust the LEFT and RIGHT level controls for each channel to get an average reading of between 0 and -12dB on the VU Meter. The LIMITER LEDs will flash red when the audio signals exceed 0dB. 14) Plug your headphones into the PHONE jack on the adapter and adjust the VOLUME control to a comfortable level. Ensure that you hear audio on both channels from the connected devices. 15) See Advanced Operation on how to setup the camera gain.
Adapter Connectors and Controls Front Panel 1 PWR Switch Main power switch for adapter 2 PWR LED Green indicates power on and good battery condition Red indicates low battery voltage 3 MONITOR Switch Selects headphone monitoring from either the microphones during recording, or playback audio from the camera 5 4 PHONES Headphone jack to monitor the audio from microphones or camera 5 Volume Control Adjusts the headphone volume level 6 M/S Switch Selects mono or stereo output mode 5 7 5 8 5 9 5
10 5 11 5 12 5 VU Meter Indicates the sound level in dB for each channel LIMITER LEDs Indicates limiter activation when the input signals becomes too high Gain Switch Selects LO for unity gain or HI for +30dB boost Front Panel 10 7 8 3 6 4 2 11 12 9 5 5 1
Side Panel 13 LEFT and RIGHT XLR Inputs Two combo XLR / ¼” inputs attach to professional microphones or other audio gear such as wireless systems or mixers and sound boards 14 OUT Output jack for connection to the camera 15 MONITOR IN Input jacks for connecting the AV cable from the camera 13 15 Rod Support System 14 16 Rod Support Base Attaches to the bottom of the adapter 17 Threaded Rods Support rails thread into Rod Support Base Rod length can be extended by changing rods or threading additio
Setup Guide Battery Installation 1) The DXA-SLR ULTRA operates on one 9 volt battery. We recommend that you use either an alkaline or lithium type battery for the longest operating time. 2) To install the battery unlatch the drawer by pushing in and over on the drawer front, releasing and sliding the drawer out. Insert the battery with the “+” positive terminal lined up with the “+” indicator on the battery compartment. Slide the battery drawer closed until it clicks into place.
Initial Setup 1) Connect your microphones or other audio gear to the adapter via the XLR inputs. 2) Set the LIN/MIC switch to: MIC when connecting self powered microphones or most wireless receivers LIN when taking a line level feed from a mixer or sound board. PH if your microphones require phantom power to operate.
7) Set the M/S switch to M for mono when using one microphone. Set the unused channel level control fully counter-clockwise to 0 to disable it to prevent noise. When using two microphones, you should normally set the switch to S for stereo to keep each channel separated. 8) Set the LEFT and RIGHT level controls fully counter-clockwise to 0. 9) Plug your headphones into the PHONES jack to monitor the audio. Ensure that the VOLUME control is set low to avoid excessively loud audio from damaging your hearing.
Basic Operation After following the above Initial Setup, you should be ready to start recording. 1) Turn the adapter PWR switch ON. The power LED should light green indicating good battery voltage. Red indicates low battery warning. 2) Adjust the LEFT and RIGHT level controls to give you an average reading of about -12dB and 0dB on the VU Meter. This will provide a good signal level to the camera and still offer plenty of headroom for higher transient signals.
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.
Playback Monitoring To monitor audio from the camera during playback you will need to use the AV cable that came with the camera and AV cable that came with the adapter. Be sure to keep the output cable connected between the camera and adapter which supplies the needed ground path for the signal through the AV cable. 1) Plug the adapter AV cable into the MONITOR IN on the DXA-SLR ULTRA 2) Attach the camera AV cable to the AV output on the camera.
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.
Features Inputs Two Neutrik combo XLR / ¼” connectors Loop back for playback monitoring Outputs Unbalanced stereo mini-plug jack for connection to the camera Headphone Monitor Built-in headphone amplifier with volume control 3.
Specifications Maximum Input Levels MIC level (LO gain): MIC level (HI gain): LINE level: +10dBu -20dBu +14dBu Output Level -26dBu at 0dB on the VU meter Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz (+/- 0.5dB) THD Less than 0.
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.
