The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins. They are most commonly associated with balanced audio interconnection, including digital audio, but are also used for lighting control, low-voltage power supplies, and other applications.

ADJUSTING RECORDING level

This adjusts the amount of sound being recorded by either internal or external microphones.

It does not adjust the level of sound going into your monitor headphones.

ADJUSTING MONITOR level

This adjusts the amount of sound coming into your monitor headphones.

ABOUT Audio Gain

Like increasing the ISO on your camera’s sensor, increasing the gain of an audio recording will artificially amplify your microphone’s sensitivity.

Best gain level is 0db, because your audio recording will have the least amount of “noise” and the sound you are recording will be the “cleanest.” This is similar to your video image being higher resolution, with more dynamic range.

ExerciseUse your camera as an audio recorder. Wearing headphones and using the shotgun mic, try to make a “clean” audio recording of something. You may find that most casual recording captures a lot of background noise, and that getting a clear audio is harder than you think. You need to bring the mic very close, keep the gain down and try to block outside sounds.