Setting the Microphone (XF405 / XF400)

Recording Audio

The camcorder features 4-channel linear PCM or 2-channel MPEG-2 AAC-LC audio recording and playback. The sampling frequency is 48 kHz and the audio sampling bit depth is 16 bit. You can record audio using the INPUT terminals* (commercially available microphones or analog line-in audio sources), the MIC terminal (commercially available microphones) or the built-in microphone.

The audio signal will be output along with the video signal from the SDI OUT terminal ( only) and HDMI OUT terminal. You can record this audio signal on an external recorder.

* Requires that the handle unit be correctly attached to the camcorder.

: (audio level) dials for CH1 (left) and CH2 (right)

: Audio level switches: for CH1 (left) and CH2 (right)

: Audio input selection switches: for CH1 (left) and CH2 (right)

: INPUT 1 (left) / INPUT 2 (right) switches (audio source selection)

: INPUT terminals (XLR): INPUT 1 (right), INPUT 2 (left)

: MIC terminal

: Built-in stereo microphone

Selecting the Audio Recording Format

You can set the audio recording format to MPEG-2 AAC-LC (2 channels, 16 bit) or linear PCM (4 channels, 16 bit).

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Press the [MENU] button.

3. Touch [ Recording Setup ] -⋗ [MP4 Audio Format].

4. Touch the desired option.

5. Touch [ ].

Caution

Selecting the Audio Input Source for Audio Channels

: Audio input selection switches for INPUT 1

: Audio input selection switches for INPUT 2

: INPUT 1 / INPUT 2 switches

1. Select the INPUT terminals as the audio input for the desired audio channel.

Set the corresponding audio input selection switch to INPUT 1 or INPUT 2.

1B-1. Touch [MENU] -⋗ [ Audio Setup ] -⋗ [CH3/CH4 Input] -⋗ [INPUT Terminal].

1B-2. Touch [ ].

2. To select the audio source, set the corresponding INPUT switch to MIC (microphone) or LINE (audio device).

Caution

Caution

By default, when using the INPUT terminals, each audio input is recorded to a separate audio channel (INPUT 1 to CH1 and INPUT 2 to CH2). If necessary (for example, as an audio backup recording), you can record the audio input into the INPUT 1 terminal to both audio channels, CH1 and CH2. In that case, you can adjust the audio recording levels of each channel independently of each other.

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Press the [MENU] button.

3. Touch [ Audio Setup] -⋗ [CH2 Input].

4. Touch the desired option.

5. Touch [ ].

: Audio input selection switches for INPUT 1

: Audio input selection switches for INPUT 2

1. Select the built-in microphone/MIC terminal as the audio input for the desired audio channel.

If the handle unit is connected to the camcorder, set both audio input selection switches to INT.MIC/MIC.

1B-1. Touch [MENU] -⋗ [ Audio Setup ] -⋗ [CH3/CH4 Input] -⋗ [ Built-in Mic/MIC Terminal].

1B-2. Touch [ ].

2. To use an external microphone, connect it to the MIC terminal.

Caution

Adjusting the Audio Recording Level

You can adjust the audio recording level of the various audio channels using the audio controls on the handle unit or the audio screen in the FUNC menu. The audio screen shows an overview of the audio channels used and, for each audio channel: the audio input currently selected, whether the audio recording level is adjusted automatically or manually and the audio level indicator.

When the handle unit is attached to the camcorder, set the audio level switch of the desired channel to A (automatic) to let the camcorder automatically adjust that channel’s audio level. If the handle unit is not attached, adjust the audio levels using the FUNC menu.

: CH1/CH2 audio level switches

Caution

When the handle unit is attached to the camcorder, adjust the audio level using the controls on the handle unit. If the handle unit is not attached, adjust the audio levels using the FUNC menu.

: CH1/CH2 dials

: CH1/CH2 audio level switches

1. Set the audio level switch of the desired channel to M (manual).

2. Turn the corresponding dial to adjust the audio level.

Caution

For reference, 0 corresponds to – , 5 corresponds to 0 dB, and 10 corresponds to +18 dB.

As a guideline, adjust the audio recording level so that the audio level meter on the screen will go to the right of the –18 dB mark (one mark right of the –20 dB mark) only occasionally.

3. Close the protective cover to prevent the audio controls from being changed inadvertently.

When [ Recording Setup ] -⋗ [MP4 Audio Format] is set to [ LPCM 16bit 4CH ], use the audio screen in the FUNC menu to adjust the audio recording levels for CH3 and CH4. If the handle unit is not attached to the camcorder, you must use the audio screen to adjust the audio recording levels for CH1 and CH2 as well.

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Touch [FUNC] -⋗ [ Audio ].

3. Touch [CH1/CH2] or [CH3/CH4] as necessary, to change the pair of audio channels you wish to adjust.

4. Touch [ Automatic ] or [ Manual ] ().

5. Touch and hold [ ] or [ ] to adjust the recording level () as necessary.

6. Touch [ ].

Caution

When the audio level meter reaches the red point (0 dB), the sound may be distorted.

If the audio level display is normal but the sound is distorted, activate the microphone's attenuator.

We recommend using headphones to check the sound level while adjusting the audio recording level or when the microphone attenuator is activated.

If at least one of the audio channels is set to the INPUT terminals and manual audio level adjustment, you can activate the audio limiter to prevent audio distortions. When [ Audio Setup ] -⋗ [INPUT 1/2 Limiter] is set to [ On ], will appear at the bottom right of the screen and the audio limiter will limit the amplitude of audio input signals when they start to distort.

Microphone Sensitivity (INPUT Terminals)

When one of the audio channels is set to the INPUT terminals and the corresponding INPUT1 or INPUT2 switch is set to MIC or MIC+48V, you can select the external microphone’s sensitivity.

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Press the [MENU] button.

3. Select the desired INPUT terminal’s sensitivity.

Touch [ Audio Setup] -⋗ [INPUT 1 Mic Trimming] or [INPUT 2 Mic Trimming].

4. Touch the desired option.

5. Touch [ ].

Caution

Microphone Attenuator (INPUT Terminals)

When one of the audio channels is set to the INPUT terminals and the corresponding INPUT1 or INPUT2 switch is set to MIC or MIC+48V, you can activate the external microphone’s attenuator (20 dB).

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Press the [MENU] button.

3. Select the desired INPUT terminal's sensitivity.

Touch [ Audio Setup ] -⋗ [INPUT 1 Mic Att.] or [INPUT 2 Mic Att.].

4. Touch [ On ].

5. Touch [ ].

Caution

　appears at the right of the screen.

Microphone Attenuator (MIC Terminal)

When one of the audio channels is set to the built-in microphone/MIC terminal, you can activate the microphone attenuator (20 dB) for an external microphone connected to the MIC terminal to prevent audio distortions when the audio level is too high.

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Press the [MENU] button.

3. Touch [ Audio Setup] -⋗ [MIC Att.].

4. Touch [ On ].

5. Touch [ ].

Caution

　appears at the right of the screen.

Low-Cut Filter (MIC Terminal)

When one of the audio channels is set to the built-in microphone/MIC terminal, you can activate the low-cut filter for an external microphone connected to the MIC terminal. This can help, for example, to reduce the sound of wind in the background when recording outdoors. When recording in surroundings unaffected by wind or if you want to record low-frequency sounds, we recommend turning off the low-cut filter.

1. Set the power switch to [CAMERA].

2. Press the [MENU] button.

3. Touch [ Audio Setup] -⋗ [MIC Low Cut].

4. Touch [ On ].

5. Touch [ ].