What XLR adapter will allow headphones on a Sony DCR-VX2100?

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I thought the BeachTek DXA-8 XLR adapter box sounded good; then, I realized
there were no headphone inputs. I'm a newbie (not even that yet). I
haven't even bought the camera yet, but I'm exploring all aspects of
camcorder before I buy. I thought headphones were an intricate part of
obtaining good audio to get worth while video. It looks like all the XLR
adapters don't have headphone inputs. What's the info. on this aspect of
video production with a cheaper camcorders. Thanks for answering this --

Sincerely -- Randyman in WI

Also--- anyone captured and worked tape from this model camcorder in Adobe
Premiere Pro Specifically version """"1.5""" yet??
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Your camera has a headphone jack, doesn't it?
Bruce Yarock

 

Yes it does have one for the mini stereo setup it comes with. Once an XLR
adapter is attached with xlr microphones I would think the mini stereo
headphone input would not work; it would be somewhat a different circuitry.
I maybe wrong, but I bet I'm not. The XLR adapter box is running the audio
gain; so, I would think somehow the headphone should attach to the adapter.
I wish someone with a working knowledge of this particular camcorder (and
similar camcorder types) would post and discuss xlr adapter types and
headphone use with the adapters. Thanks all.
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It works just fine.

How much ya wanna bet?

Plug the Mic('s) into the XLR adapter. Plug the XLR adapter into the camera
mic jack. Plug your headphones into the camera headphone jack.

Depending on manufacture date of your VX2000, you may find that leaving the
audio gain on auto is the only way to get acceptable results.

As to discussing XLR adapters: The beachtek is fine. I prefer Azden and
Studio1.

 

You would be wrong in thinking that the headphone circuit would not work
with XL inputs. It does. F'gitaboutit!
You don't want to monitor from the BeachTek box. You want to monitor what is
actually IN the camera. That way you know exactly what should be going on
tape. Never believe that what you hear in the box is actually going into the
camcorder. Bad cabling, crossed cabling, NO cabling, RF interference,
Intermittent hits, under/over modulation, impedance mismatch are all very
common audio squawks. They happen all the time. Ask anyone that has been in
the biz for awhile. They will tell you that the best way to monitor FIELD
PRODUCTION AUDIO is from the recording source.
The only way to do this is to use the camcorder's headphone output.

Hope this helps.

Bill F
www.billfarnsworthvideo.com

 

The headphone jack works just fine with the Beachtek

--

Dave Jones
817-896-4277
Independent Video Productions
www.vdoguy.com

 

Assuming you mean "headphone OUTput". Most of us have
two headphone "INputs", one on either side of our head.

Unclear why your would buy a BeachTek adapter BEFORE
buying a camera. The BeachTek (and similar products) are
problem-solvers. You don't need one unless you have a
problem to solve. It is not a "magic bullet" that makes your
audio sound better.

Absolutely, and good for you to understand that. Some
people have been doing video for decades and have
never even thought about carrying a pair of headphones
along with them. Might as well frame and focus with
your eyes closed.

Nobody wants to monitor at THAT point. You want to
monitor at the very END of the chain (the headphone
output jack on the camera) in order to monitor the
ENTIRE audio path.

Or with expensive cameras just the same. If you go
over to and you
will see monitoring mentioned frequently. Several vendors
even sell special cables that allow the sound mixer to send
audio TO the camera, and a bundled second cable to bring
back the monitor sound FROM THE CAMERA back to the
audio mixer. Of course these kinds of things are overkill
for the kind of video most amateurs do, but the concept of
monitoring at the camera output remains constant everywhere.

 

Everything Bill said is correct. Let me add this:

The signals in the BeachTek are microphone level and would not likely
drive headphones very effectively.

The BeachTek does NOT provide any audio gain, contrary to the OP's
assumption. The sound level knobs can be used to reduce the levels but
not increase them. If you want some gain (which I often find useful)
then you need a mic pre-amp or mixer. Of course, that costs a bit more,
and the BeachTek will work just fine if you get an adequate signal from
the mic.

Unless you use a pre-amp, the cam's headphone jack is not only the best
way available to monitor the sound -- it's the only way.

 

I thank each and everyone of you for sharing your thoughts on this subject.
I'm not buying the adapter before buying the camera, but I wanted to know as
much as possible about the audio of this camera (the Sony DCR-VX2100). I
wanted to know what would be involved in using xlr microphones to get better
audio. I'm really just educating myself yet; so, I make the best purchase
decisions. You guys are the experts, and I'm trying to tap into your
accumulated knowledge; I sure can't get this info. at Circuit City, Best
Buy, or any place I know of. Thanks again.

Sincerely -- Randy in WI
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I posted that yesterday. Today, my copy of DV magazine arrived, and in
it an ad for a NEW BeachTek model that includes preamps, limiters and
phantom power. That sounds nice. If I didn't already have a nice mixer,
I'd be looking into it.