Tascam CA-XLR2d: XLR hot shoe adapter for Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm DSLMs

[11:10 Fri,17.December 2021 by Thomas Richter]

Tascam has now announced the launch of its CA-XLR2d professional digital XLR/TRS two-channel microphone adapter and preamplifier, already introduced in August. This enables high-quality stereo sound to be recorded using external microphones with a mirrorless or other camera. The audio signal - either digital via the accessory shoe or analog via the supplied cable - is transmitted directly to the camera and recorded together with the video signal, eliminating the need for subsequent synchronization and reducing the time required for post-production.

XLR microphone adapter Tascam CA-XLR2d

With the CA-XLR2d, Tascam is aiming for use together with mirrorless system cameras from Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm, which are thus enabled to connect XLR mics. So far, only Sony and Panasonic offer a corresponding adapter for their DSLMs. Through the cooperation with Tascam, other camera manufacturers can now catch up and give their users access to more professional on-board sound recording.

Depending on the application scenario, the audio source can be a single shotgun microphone (for interviews, for example), two dynamic or condenser microphones for stereo recording, or an audio mix via a line-level connection from the main mixing console. Dynamic and condenser microphones can be connected to the Tascam CA-XLR2d using XLR, standard phone plug or mini jack. Through its analog output, the CA-XLR2d can be connected to the camera&s microphone or audio input using the included stereo audio cable.

The CA-XLR2d is powered by a compatible camera (an overview of compatible cameras can be found

here) from Canon or Fujifilm via the hot shoe, which makes an additional power supply unnecessary. Alternatively, it can also be powered by batteries via an included battery holder for two AA batteries that can be attached to the bottom of the CA-XLR2d.

XLR microphone adapter Tascam CA-XLR2d with accessories

The hot shoe on the top is insensitive to vibration and can accommodate both a microphone and other accessories such as a wireless receiver or transmitter. A transparent cover is supposed to ensure that unwanted changes to settings are prevented.

The included audio processing functions such as auto level, depth filter and limiter can be accessed via switches. In addition, the CA-XLR2d allows two input channels to be linked together, so that input gain and level and limiter settings for the left and right channels can be controlled simultaneously for stereo recording. The analog output can be used to monitor the audio signal or feed it into a camera or recorder.

The three variants of the Tascam XLR microphone adapter CA-XLR2d

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Canon kit (CA-XLR2d-C) -- Thanks to Tascam&s collaboration with Canon in developing and testing a digital hot shoe with built-in AD converter compatible with Canon&s new multi-function hot shoe, audio goes directly into the camera via digital means. Since power is supplied through the camera, this is a wireless setup.

However, the only or first mirrorless Canon camera to feature the new multi-function shoe will be the Canon R3, which is not yet available. But the CA-XLR2d is also compatible with the multifunction shoe of the recently introduced

professional camcorder Canon XF605 -- this already has two integrated XLR inputs, so that then up to four XLR input channels are available.

However, with the included battery box (2 × AA) and hot shoe adapter, the CA-XLR2d will also work with cameras that do not have such a multi-function hot shoe. In this case, the analog output of the CA-XLR2d is connected to the microphone input of the camera via an analog audio cable.

Fujifilm kit (CA-XLR2d-F) -- Similarly, the adapter for Fujifilm also makes a wireless connection, but here it is made via compatibility with the Fujifilm digital hot shoe. However, this will initially only work with the FUJIFILM X-T4 as well as the X-S10. Other cameras will have to be connected via an included hot shoe adapter and analog audio cable, just like Canon.

Analog Interface Kit (CA-XLR2d-AN) -- For Nikon cameras, on the other hand, there is "only" an analog interface, which comes with a hot shoe adapter and a battery box (2 × AA) and is connected to the camera&s microphone input via an analog audio cable. So here the CA-XLR2d works as an analog audio adapter. For now, the following products are compatible: Nikon Z 7II / Z 6II / Z 7 / Z 6 / Z 5 / Z fc / Z 50.

Main features of the Tascam CA-XLR2d

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- Two XLR/TRS input jacks allow you to use the optimal microphone depending on the situation and the location of use
- A powerful A/D converter transmits digital audio signals directly and unaltered to the camera via the accessory shoe (compatible manufacturers: Canon, Fujifilm)
- Power is supplied from the camera via the corresponding accessory shoe (compatible manufacturers: Canon, Fujifilm)
- Built-in Tascam HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) microphone preamplifier for best sound quality, low noise and wide dynamic range (level switchable mic/line, 48-volt phantom power)
- Additional 3.5mm stereo mini-jack input for a lavalier or small microphone that requires a power supply
- Can be used with virtually all cameras with analog input thanks to included accessories (battery compartment, camera shoe, detachable microphone holder with built-in shock protection, analog audio cable)
- Passive hot shoe holder on top for additional adapters or accessories
- Analog audio output, usable in two ways:
-- Camera mode for sending the audio signal to the camera&s microphone input.
-- Headphone mode for direct listening with headphones

XLR microphone adapter Tascam CA-XLR2d

Prices and Availability

As mentioned earlier, Tascam offers the CA-XLR2d XLR microphone adapter as a kit in three versions for cameras from Canon (CA-XLR2d-C), Fujifilm (CA-XLR2d-F), and and as an analog kit specifically for cameras without a multi-function hot shoe (CA-XLR2d-AN) such as Nikon&s mirrorless. The kits will be available from January 2022 at prices of around 590 euros (Canon and Fujifilm) and 530 euros (analog kit).

more infos at bei www.tascam.eu

deutsche Version dieser Seite: Tascam CA-XLR2d: XLR-Adapter für Canon, Nikon und Fujifilm DSLMs demnächst verfügbar