BeachTek DXA-4 And DXA-4P Adapter Operating Instructions

							  
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Specifications  Input Level    MIC setting:    -35 dBu ideal 
             -6 dBu max  
      LINE setting:      0 dBu ideal 
          +36 dBu max   
Output Level     nominal MIC levels 
  
Frequency Response   20 Hz to 20 KHz (+/- 3 dB) 
 
Case        Powder coated aluminum 
 
Dimensions      5.25 L x 2.75 W x 1.25 H 
 
Weight        12  oz   
   
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Warranty  Product is warranted for one full year from date of  purchase for parts and labor.  
  
In the event of a problem please contact us first b efore returning the unit for  
repair or replacement.          
BeachTek Inc.
 
2120 Queen Street East, Suite 300  Toronto, Ontario M4E 1E2   
tel  (416) 690-9457 •  fax (416) 690-0866 
email  
[email protected]
 
web  
www.beachtek.com
 
BeachTek  Operating Instructions for the DXA-4 and DXA-4P Ada pters 
 
   Before using this high quality device, please read  this operating manual thoroughly to 
obtain the highest performance. 
 
  Please contact us if you have any problems or ques tions. 
    
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Description  The BeachTek DXA-4 is a two channel, transformer ba lanced XLR adapter for the Sony VX2100 
and FX1 camcorders. The DXA-4P is identical in feat ures but designed for a perfect fit on the 
Canon GL1 or GL2. These adapters are designed to ea sily attach balanced or unbalanced type 
microphones to your camcorder. The DXA-4 and DXA-4P  gives you all the benefits of using 
balanced audio devices for clean audio as well as c ontrol over the signal levels to ensure the best 
possible sound recording.    
The adapters are very easy to set up and use. Their  rugged construction ensures years of use 
and the compact size fits neatly under the camcorde r - can also be mounted to any standard 
tripod. Since the adapters are passive devices, the y are completely silent and the premium 
transformers ensure superb audio.       ___________________________________________________  
Features   Inputs    Two transformer balanced XLR connectors 
   One unbalanced mini-jack – ideal for wireless micr ophones 
  
Output 
  Unbalanced stereo cable, terminating in a right an gled, gold-plated mini-plug 
   Selectable MONO or STEREO  
 
Trim Controls 
  Adjusts signal level on each channel from unity to  no output 
 
MIC / LINE Switches 
  Switchable input between MIC or LINE levels for ve rsatility 
 
Balancing Transformers 
  Premium wide-bandwidth transformers for superb aud io 
   Shielded in a custom deep drawn mu-metal cover for  very quiet operation 
  
						

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Product Description    
The DXA-4 (DXA-4P) Dual XLR Adapter allows you to a ttach two balanced XLR audio 
devices  to  your  camcorder.  Each  input  signal  is  sen t  to  a    MIC/LINE  switch  to  allow 
you to set the proper level, then to an audio contr ol to adjust attenuation. The balanced 
input  signal  is  then  converted  to  an  unbalanced  out put  through  an  impedance 
matching  transformer.  Finally,  the  output  signal  is   sent  through  an  attached  shielded 
cable  terminating  in  a  stereo  mini-plug  that  connec ts  to  your  camcorder’s  microphone 
jack.    
The  auxiliary  input  allows  you  to  attach  wireless  m icrophones  that  use  standard  mini-
plug connectors. This signal is sent to the right c hannel.  
 
A  switch  lets  you  select  between  stereo  or  mono  ope ration.  For  stereo  operation,  the 
adapter  sends  the  left  input  signal  to  the  left  cha nnel  and  the  right  input  to  the  right 
channel.  The  two  channels  are  never  mixed  allowing  you  to  access  both  channels 
during  editing  for  maximum  versatility.  For  mono  op eration,  both  channels  are  mixed 
together - ideal when using only one audio source t o give you two channel recording. 
 
We  recommend  the  use  of  sensitive  condenser  type  mi crophones  for  the  best  results. 
Dynamic microphones usually do not have sufficient  output levels and may result in an 
excessive  amount  of  hiss  from  the  high  level  of  amp lification  necessary  by  the 
camera’s audio preamps. Microphones with a sensitiv ity rating of greater than -40 dBV 
are ideal.        ___________________________________________________  
Operation   
Mounting and Connection  
Mount  the  DXA-4  securely  to  the  tripod  bushing  on  t he  under  side  of  your  camcorder. 
Connect the cable from the DXA-4 to the camcorder’s  microphone jack. Be sure to set 
the input of the camera to “MIC”. The camcorder’s o nboard microphone should now be 
disabled. You are now ready to attach external audi o devices to the adapter.  
    
AUX Input  
To  attach  audio  devices  with  mini-jack  connectors,  use  the  AUX  input  on  the  adapter. 
This sends the signal to the right input and you sh ould therefore disconnect any cables 
from the right XLR connector to avoid interference.  
    
MONO / STEREO Switch  
Normally you would use the STEREO position when rec ording from two audio sources 
and MONO when using a single sound source. When in  MONO mode, be sure to keep  
the  volume  control  for  the  unused  channel  fully  clo ckwise  to  reduce  the  loading  effect 
on the working channel.                                  
MIC / LINE Switches  
To  connect  a  microphone  to  either  channel  of  the  DX
A-4,  set  the  corresponding      
MIC/LINE switch to MIC. To connect a line level out put from a mixer to the DXA-4, set 
the MIC/LINE switch to LINE to activate a 40 dB pad . This attenuates the signal to the 
proper level so that it will not overdrive the inpu t of your camcorder.  
    
Trim Controls  
Camcorders  use  automatic  gain  control  (AGC)  to  adju st  the  optimum  audio  level  for 
recording.  If  your  camcorder  has  no  way  of  disablin g  this  feature,  the  adapter  can  still 
be  used  to  adjust  the  input  levels  but  will  not  ove rride  the  AGC  circuitry.  The  DXA-4 
trim  controls  should  normally  be  set  as  high  as  pos sible  to  achieve  the  maximum 
signal  to  noise  ratio.  If  necessary,  adjust  either  the  left  or  right  trim  control  to  balance 
both  inputs  so  they  are  of  equal  amplitude.  Try  to  avoid  adjusting  the  trim  controls  on 
the  adapter  while  recording  as  this  may  introduce  c ontact  noise  from  turning  the 
potentiometers - instead, set the levels prior to r ecording. 
  
If your camcorder allows you to switch the AGC off,  you can use this option for manual 
control  over  the  audio  levels.  For  the  best  signal  to  noise  performance,  the  trim 
controls on the DXA-4 should normally be set as hig h as possible. If necessary, adjust 
either  the  left  or  right  volume  control  to  balance  both  inputs  so  they  are  of  equal 
amplitude.  Then  set  the  desired  recording  level  wit h  the  manual  level  control  on  the 
camcorder.  Use  this  same  control  (not  the  adapter  c ontrols)  to  ride  the  levels  during 
recording.  
As  a  guide,  the  recording  levels  should  be  no  highe r  than  -12  dBFS  (-12  dBV  below 
maximum).  Please  refer  to  your  camcorder’s  user  man ual  for  more  information  on 
setting the proper recording levels.     
Record  
You  are  now  ready  to  record  your  audio.    With  the  u se  of  a  quality  professional 
microphone,  you  should  be  able  to  get  very  clean  au dio  for  superb  sound.  Happy 
recording! 
                 
©2005 BeachTek Inc.