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Hardware Review: Beachtek DXA-4 Dual XLR Adapter
Welcome to the DOJO!
Indie and Guerilla filmmakers can get away with quite a bit on their low budget features - bad acting, bad scripts, even bad shots — but the one thing you absolutely cannot get away with is bad sound. That’s right, the only thing that keeps your masterpiece of a micro budget feature film from feeling like a bad porno is high quality sound recording. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to get decent sound from a low-cost consumer microphone with a 3.5mm mini jack. You can try it, but, much like me squeezing into a Medium-sized T-shirt, the end results are never pretty.
I can hear your cries now, “But, Mat, my consumer/prosumer camera doesn’t have XLR inputs…what can I do?”
Ah, quit your whining. Your answer comes in a compact little package called the Beachtek DXA-4 XLR adapter. This handy-dandy little device screws in to the bottom of your favorite video camera and gives you a pair of balanced XLR inputs. Even better, it also comes with an auxilary 3.5mm mini jack port for you to plug in your wireless microphone set up. And, even betterer (hey, this is my blog and I can slaughter the English language as much as I want) is how freakin’ simple the thing is to set up. All you have to do is plug the supplied cable in to your camcorder’s “mic in” and voila, you’re done.
I’ve been using these Beachtek adapters for years now — I picked up my first one in 2001 for use on my ultra low budget film, “Bite Me, Fanboy,” and have been a fan of theirs ever since.
Now, the Beachtek DXA-4 is great for any mic which doesn’t require a phantom power source. For example, I use the Azden SGM-1x shotgun mic with my Canon HV20 camera and it works perfect. If you’ve got a mic with phantom power requirements then you need to step up to the DXA-6A.
I picked up my Beachtek DXA-4 XLR Adapter at BHPhoto for about $179, which seems to be the going price. The Beachtek DXA-6A units go for about $309. If you are in need of XLR inputs for your camera, or want to make sure you have a shot at the best audio quality for your flip, then one of these XLR adapters from Beachtek are absolutely essential for indie and guerilla filmmakers alike.
-Mat N., the Film Sensei
http://www.FilmSensei.com
I am very interested in using the Azden SGM-1X with the hv20 also. However the mic is really long, does it show up on screen when shooting? Will it show up using a wide angle converter? Do you pick up the hv20 tape noise?
Thank you very much for your video reviews, however may I suggest that you go a little bit further in the review by providing us with audio and/or video samples of the products you use?
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
The Azden SGM-1x is long, but I use it on a flash bracket off to one side and even with a dead cat AND a wide angle lens it doesn’t show up.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Thank you Mat for your prompt response. When the mic is on the camera mount shoe does it show on screen and does it pick the tape noise?
I am looking for a mic that can be attached on the hv20 without any extension, and I want a good mic that alleviates me from doing post production audio cleanup, or at least the very minimum work if needed.
If the Azden stays out of the screen and gives tape-noise free audio, then I will buy it.
Thank you for your feedback.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Ian:
Thanks for the great comments. I am going to be uploading more video and audio examples soon. It comes down to a time thing more than anything else. I’m in pre-production on a new film right now, so a lot of my “extra” time isn’t around at the moment. I’ve got some great footage using my new Twoneil 35mm adapter that I’ll be posting very soon. I also want to post shots of my updated Canon HV20 camera rig now that I’m a month further along in its development.
In regards to the Azden SGM-1x being seen when monted on the top of the Canon HV20. Without a wide angle lens it doesn’t show, but it may show once you put on a WA adapter, especially with a furry mic cover on it. On camera or on a bracket, I haven’t had my SGM-1x pick up camera tap noise at all.
If you’re looking for something to work on top using the HV20’s hot shoe, your best bet might be the basic Canon DM30 microphone. It isn’t going to offer you as good a sound quality as a pro XLR mic, but it sticks right on top and won’t get in a shot at all. I’d recommend getting a flash bracket and going for a higher end mic. Just my opinion.
Hope that helps.
Mat N.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hi Mat,
I want the best audio quality for a good price. Your Azden gem is a very good contender, and moreover the Canon mics can only be used on the camera.
But I am having a big problem:
At first I was going to settle on the Azden SGM-1X based on your video and some others which you may know, because basically it doesn’t pick up the hv20 tape noise which is my main concern.
However someone on the hv20.com forum said that using the SGM-1X only on battery power yielded unsufficient signal and that the ntg2 was much better and still no tape noise. Then I decided I would go for the ntg2.
Then someone else said that even with the ntg2 he had tape noise. This is getting ridiculous… I don’t know if some people are representatives of Rode or a competitor…
Now I don’t know what to do.
So my final question (by the way thank you very much for taking the time to answer me) is: do you use the sgm-1x on battery and have sufficient signal and no tape noise?
I don’t want the Canon mic because it will pickup tape noise and it can only work on the camera.
Could you post a quickly shot video using the sgm-1x on battery power, mounted on the camera in a quiet environment and speaking from 2-3m from the mic? That way will be able to definitely give a conclusion on the tape noise issue of the hv20 cam when there is silence which is typical of interviews.
I know we could use a boompole, but I want minimum hassle, and if the Azden is capable of doing so without any boompole, then I’m in.
Thank you very much Mat.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Ian:
What you really need to go do is rent or borrow the mics and do a test for yourself. Online reviews and stuff are great, but the longer you look the more different answers you are going to find. At some point you just need to jump in.
-Mat Nastos, the Film Sensei
August 8th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Hi Mat, I currently have the Azden SGM-1x mic connected to my HV30 via a XLR to 3.5mm cable. I’ve noticed that I get this annoying fuzz when I’m monitoring the audio and in post. I was wondering whats causing this? is it a low quality cable? or will the beachtek help? Thanks!
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Jim:
Heya, Jim. I’d say a big part of your problem is going from XLR straight to the mini jack 3.5mm cable. I haven’t had any issues like that with my SGM1x through the Beachtek.
-Mat Nastos, Film Sensei
http://www.FilmSensei.com
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm