GL2 No Mic Input Audio

Hi,

I had an extremely odd thing happen recently with my GL2.

During a shoot in which I was using an XLR adapter box, I suddenly
lost all mic input audio to the camera.

I assume the box had malfunctioned, because when I pulled the
jack from the mic input, the built-in camera mic worked fine.

But when I plugged a mic directly into the camera using an adapter,
same thing, camera mic cutoff, but no audio from the attached mic.

So I assumed the problem was with the camera.

After testing the adapter box, I found that it in fact, it does not work
now, AND the camera mic input doesn't work now. I get built-in mic
cutoff but no audio from the jack.

Is it possible that I did something to damage both simultaneously?

Thanks in advance for all responses!

Assuming it's an XLR mic, it sounds possible that the adapter box quit, and that the adapter cable you use when you connect the mic directly is the wrong type. If it's an XLR to mini stereo connector, there are two ways those are wired. One way will apply a mono mic's signal to both channels but with opposite polarity. When played back on the cam's mono speaker they cancel out.

If this is the case, you will hear audio with stereo headphones plugged into the headphone jack.

--
Fred

Thanks, Fred.

I tried various things.

Connecting the mic with an xlr - 1/4" mono plug cable adapted to 1/8."

I used both a stereo and mono 1/8" adapter - still no audio.

I also connected a wireless mic receiver (which I have done before),
that has a 1/4" stereo "mixed" mic level output using a 1/4" - 1/4" stereo cable adapted to 1/8." Again, I tried both a mono and stereo adapter.

No audio - and that is a configuration that worked before.

I know enough about audio just to be dangerous, but I usually find a
way to make things work.

I can't imagine how I'd have a simultaneous failure like this.

Weird.

I would have cautioned about using a 1/4" plug adapted to 1/8" going into the mic jack. That sounds like a lot of potential torque on the innards of the jack in the case of a sideways tug or hit on the protruding plug. The jack's internal spring contacts are flimsy. I've heard from several users who lost jack functionality from that kind of scenario.

But if you spontaneously lost audio in the middle of the shoot without any mechanical disturbance, and then both the cam and the box fail to function after that, then yes it's weird. I guess you're going to have to send the cam in for service if you want the jack function back.

--
Fred