Canon XL H1A Camcorder Review

Audio Summary
• Supplied microphone won't give you professional audio quality, but it isn't terrible • 2-Channel XLR audio inputs (down from 4-Channels on the XL H1) • Independent audio level control for each channel • Phantom power for XLR inputs • Attenuator controls, mic sensitivity settings, peak limiter, and RCA audio inputs are also included.
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Audio Features (8.0)

Onboard Audio
Fans of Canon's pro camcorder series will quickly notice that audio controls have been simplified on the XL H1A in comparison to the older XL H1. The camcorder is no longer capable of recording 4-channel audio, but instead maxes out with 2-channels. This isn't a huge reduction, however, as the audio controls on the XL H1 were cluttered and difficult to maneuver. Plus, if you really want to fine-tune your audio recording you'll want to use a separate audio mixer and recording system anyway, that way you can have as many channels as you need.

The supplied mic on the XL H1A	The 3.5mm connector for the supplied mic

On the front of the Canon XL H1A, mounted above the lens, is a stereo electric condenser microphone. It connects to the 3.5mm mini jack located just under the accessory shoe at the front of the handlebar. While most pros and audiophiles will dismiss this on-board mic as garbage, it'll still record decent sound when you're in a pinch.

The microphone is fairly directional, so it won't pick up much noise coming from behind the camcorder and Canon claims it picks up sound with 120-degree range. The supplied mic has a black, foam cover that is not removable, and there's a switch on its side for changing between stereo and mono recording. In the camcorder's menu there's also a wind screen option for reducing the amount of wind noise picked up by the supplied microphone (this option only works with the supplied mic). The mic can be set to record at normal or high (+6dB) sensitivity settings.

The best aspect of the provided microphone may be the way it's positioned and mounted the XL H1A. The mic slides into a vice-like grip that can be loosened and tightened by turning a small dial. The grip is braced on a flexible shock-mount, which means the microphone shouldn't pick up ambient sound created by rotating lens rings, pressing buttons, and movement of the camcorder. The grip will also accommodate most traditionally-shaped microphones, so if you have a particular shotgun mic you like using it should fit seamlessly into the microphone holder on the Canon XL H1A.

Additional Audio Controls
For those who want to venture beyond the supplied microphone, Canon offers a good amount of audio controls and connectivity options so you can rig up a professional-quality audio recording system right on the camcorder. Opening the large hatch on the left side of the camcorder reveals most of the audio controls. A few more controls are located on the back of the camcorder, above the XL H1A's two XLR inputs. There are also two RCA audio-inputs (left and right) on the right side of the camcorder under a large port cover. Plugging an audio source into these inputs will produce unbalanced audio that cannot be adjusted using the XL H1A's audio level controls (see below), but a mixer or a device for AV-DV conversion could be connected here.

The main audio control panel on the left side of the camcorder is broken into two sections—CH1 and CH2. Both channels offer independent sensitivity control, as well as the ability to choose audio input selection between Front, XLR Mic, and XLR Line. There is also a button for switching each channel between automatic and manual audio recording levels. When the record level is in manual mode, each channel can be adjusted separately using the gain dials. Having individual adjustment for each channel is an excellent perk, as it makes the camcorder's 2-channel recording more versatile. With the XL H1A you can simultaneously use the front-mounted mic to pick up ambient sound on one channel, while running a boom-operated mic through an XLR input on the other channel. Audio levels can be viewed on the camcorder's LCD screen, as well as on the information box located on the outside of the mode dial.

The Audio Control panel offers independent channel adjustment

Both the front mic and each XLR input have attenuator controls that will reduce the audio signal by 20dB, which is useful if you're recording something that is coming in too loud. The front microphone attenuator is located with the rest of the audio controls on the camcorder's left side, while the XLR controls are on the back of the camcorder just above the mic inputs. Above the XLR attenuator controls are two phantom power switches that will give +48V of power to microphones connected via XLR. Further up on the back is a 3.5mm headphone output jack with its own volume level dial. The jack is covered strongly with a rotating port-cover and it is positioned well on the back of the camcorder.

The Audio Setup Menu

In the camcorder's audio setup menu the XLR microphone sensitivity can be adjusted from +12dB, +6dB, 0dB, -6dB, or -12dB. Adjusting these sensitivity settings changes the gain level of the XLR microphone input and it is not the same as manipulating the record level by rotating the dials on the left side of the camcorder. The audio gain sensitivity settings are only adjustable for XLR microphone inputs. There is an audio peak limiter feature on the XL H1A's as well. When activated, the camcorder places a limit on the amplitude of audio input signals at -4dBFS and any audio input that comes in louder will be automatically reduced.