Add XLR Inputs to your Sony camera with the XLR-K3M. But it's not perfect...

This was going to be a review of the Sony XLR-K3M, but it ended up being a video nitpicking its flaws and comparing other onboard mic-ing methods. Gain settings on the XLR-P3M was always set to "auto". When the RODE Videomic GO II was plugged in directly to the camera, gain was set to 15. All audio recorded in this video is "as is" from the camera media, with the exception of the audio compressor I applied to the master audio track in order to lift the overall gain. (Threshold -20db, Ratio 1.5, Gain +5db / Limiter set to -1db) Spoiler, most of the setups I tested sound very similar despite the price differences.

[@MoonbearDiedHere]

They all sounded good. I’m watching videos to find out if the Sony xlr k3m would be best for my video podcast setup over what I can currently use but have to use my laptop + audio interface & sync everything in post later.
I currently see a Sony xlr k3m for a deep discount and have a Sony a7s iii that would utilize the 24 bit audio as well

[@marchez87]

Hi @keisugimoto570 thanks for the video and the mic comparison. When you connected the RODE Wireless GO II to the K3M, did you run it through the 3.5mm or through the XLR via an adapter?

[@ProjectBeats_]

Thanks for the video! Have you tried checking the audio setting within your Sony camera while you have the k3m on? maybe there is a setting there for 24-bit recording? Sorry if you mentioned it in the video already. I'm also curious to try. My issue is the audio noise floor with the on-camera mic pre and it sort of has an auto compression which I couldn't turn off. (ZV-E1)

[@keisugimoto570]

I just realized. When I made this video I was using the Sony ZV-E1. By chance I used the XLR-K3M in a Sony a7IV, and found that on the a7IV, the audio settings menu changes when the unit is attached. The audio gain option gets greyed out and there’s a new line that reads “24bit 48khz Audio”.

[@dcameron7736]

Be aware 4ch is a poly recording