In this guide, we will show you three different ways to connect your audio interface to your video camera. This will work for DSLR-style and Point & Shoot-style video cameras with an ⅛” audio input.
Quick Answer: Connect your camera to the SSL2+ audio interface using either a 1/4″ TRS to 1/8″ TRS cable or a Dual 1/4″ TS to 1/8″ TRS Cable depending on whether you want to connect via headphone or monitor outputs. Alternatively, convert to XLR by connecting the camera to a video interface using a TSR to XLR adapter cable, and then from there to the SSL2+ with an XLR cable to create a balanced solution.
Interface Setup
To get started, let’s make sure that our audio interface is setup correctly.
- Connect Microphone or instrument to the audio interface
- Setup gain, so the microphone is recording between -18dB and -12dB
We want to make sure the gain is set up correctly on our inputs because it will impact the output level that goes to our video camera.
XLR Preamp Quality
Most video cameras don’t have a good preamp on their microphone input. We want to turn the microphone input down to its lowest setting so it doesn’t introduce any static or hiss into our recording.
Line Level vs Mic Level
There is a big difference between the line level outputs on your audio interface and the mic level input on your video camera. If you plug your audio interface directly into your video camera, you will probably notice that the audio is clipping, and distorted.
Unbalanced vs Balanced Audio Cables
Unbalanced audio cables should not be used for distances longer than 10ft (3m). For best results, we recommend using balanced audio cables which can be used up to 1000ft (300m).
Unbalanced Audio Cables | Balanced Audio Cables |
RCA | XLR |
1/4″ TS | 1/4″ TRS |
Option 1: Connect Headphone Output To Camera (Unbalanced)
Audio Interface > 1/4″ TRS to 1/8″ TRS Cable > Camera
This option is the least expensive. You can use a 1/4″ TRS to 1/8″ TRS cable to connect the headphone output of your audio interface to the microphone input on your video camera.
- Connect 1/4″ TRS to 1/8″ TRS Cable from the headphone output of the audio interface to the microphone input on your video camera.
- Adjust the input volume on the camera to its lowest setting (usually 1)
- Adjust the headphone volume on the audio interface until you see a level of -6dB on your video camera.
1/4″ TRS to 1/8″ TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/14trs_18trs
Option 2: Connect Stereo Output To Camera (Unbalanced)
SSL2+ Audio Interface > Dual ¼” to ⅛” TRS Cable > Camera
This option is a slightly different version of the same concept in option one. Instead of connecting from the headphone output on the audio interface, we will connect the stereo output of the audio interface to the microphone input on your video camera.
- Connect dual 1/4″ TS to 1/8″ TRS Cable from the stereo output of the audio interface to the microphone input on your video camera.
- Adjust the input volume on the camera to its lowest setting (usually 1)
- Adjust the headphone volume on the audio interface until you see a level of -6dB on your video camera.
NOTE: If you have an audio interface that has RCA. You can find an RCA version of this cable as well.
- Dual 1/4″ TS to 1/8″ TRS Cable: http://currentprice.io/14_to_dual_18
- RCA to 1/8″ TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/18_rca
Option 3: Connect Stereo Output To Camera (Balanced)
Camera > TRS to XLR cable > Camera audio Interface > XLR Cable > SSL2+
This option is a little more expensive but it will give you a balanced audio signal. This means that you can have your camera more than 10-15ft (3-5m) from your audio interface. This option also gives you the ability to handle the line-level output from your audio interface in a better way.
- Use 1/4″ TRS to XLR cable to connect the stereo output of your audio interface to the line-level input on your camera interface.
- Use 1/8″ TRS cable to connect your camera interface to the microphone input on your video camera.
- Turn the mic input on your camera down to it’s lowest setting (typically 1)
- Set the levels on your interface appropriately to get -6dB on your video camera.
Note: You can extend the distance of your 1/4″ TRS to XLR cable by using standard XLR cables.
Best Camera Audio Interfaces
- Budget Option: Kopul CMX2: http://currentprice.io/kopul_cmx2
- Mid-Tier Option: Tascam DR60D MKII: http://currentprice.io/dr60d
- Professional Option: Sound Devices MixPre-3: http://currentprice.io/mixpre3
- TRS To XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_xlr
Connect Audio Interface To Video Camera Equipment
- Sony A7iii Camera : https://currentprice.io/sony_a7iii
- SSL2+ Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/ssl2_plus
- Audio Interface For Camera: http://currentprice.io/kopul_cmx2
- 1/4″ TRS to 1/8″ TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/14trs_18trs
- Dual 1/4″ TS to 1/8″ TRS Cable: http://currentprice.io/14_to_dual_18
- RCA to 1/8″ TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/18_rca
- TRS To XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_xlr
- Camera Interface: http://currentprice.io/kopul_cmx2
- Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones: https://currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
- XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
- Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
- Rode PSA1 Boom Arm: https://currentprice.io/boom_arm
Connect Audio Interface to Video Camera Topics
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 0:30 – Equipment & Recording
- 1:26 – Pricing & Specs
- 1:42 – Theory
- 1:52 – XLR Preamp Quality
- 2:31 – Line Level vs Mic Level
- 3:20 – Unbalanced vs Balanced
- 5:05 – Option 1: Connect Headphone Output To Camera (Unbalanced)
- 6:50 – Option 2: Connect Stereo Output To Camera (Unbalanced)
- 8:44 – Option 3: Connect Stereo Output To Camera (Balanced)
- 12:09 – Summary
- 12:40 – Final Thoughts
