Canon MA300 Microphone Adapter with Shoulder Pad for GL2 Camcorder

by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 4.2 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006I546
• Item model number: 8032A002
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #98 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Professional Video Accessories > Microphones
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 3, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

For those using the Canon GL2 Digital Video Camcorder for pro applications, or those with specific video-production needs, Canon offers a number of accessories designed to meet your every creative need, including the MA-300 Microphone Adapter. This adapter lets the user attach a microphone that has XLR connectors to the Canon GL2 Digital Video Camcorder.

Product Description

Connects (2) XLR style microphones. It attaches to the camcorder s advanced accessory shoe, providing power and connections without any wires.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Overpriced Connector Box, January 16, 2006

By 

Dave (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon MA300 Microphone Adapter with Shoulder Pad for GL2 Camcorder (Electronics)

If you're serious enough about sound quality to be considering spending the money for a MA300, I salute you. But don't buy this item without comparing it to the equally priced Beachtek DXA-4p also available at Amazon. For product details, see beachtek.com. There's no comparison.

Don't get me wrong. I'm actually a Canon supporter. I own and love a Canon GL2 camcorder. And I've heard very positive things about other Canon accessories, like their zoom controller. But the MA300 is highly overpriced for what you get.

Here's what you get with the Beachtek that you don't get with the MA300:
1. Volume control knobs for both channels
2. A mic/line level switch for each input, so you can take a feed from a sound board (line level) in either or both inputs.
3. A mono/stereo switch so that you can optionally apply one input to both channels
4. An auxilliary input mini jack so you can plug in a microphone or a wireless receiver that has a mini plug on it.
5. A ground lift switch that can help eliminate 60 cycle hum
6. Mounts between the tripod and the cam (or just to the bottom of the cam) for greater stability and a more professional (IMO) look.

Be aware that when you install the MA300 it cuts out the GL2's internal mic, so you can't use both at the same time. If you have a DM-50, you can't use it with the MA300--the shoe on top of the MA300 is only a mechanical mount. The only thing the MA300 offers is the built-in microphone mount, but you can get one for $30 that will go in the camera's accessory shoe.

Both the MA300 and the Beachtek DXA-4p will only work with battery powered microphones. If you want the ability to buy and use any of the very many professional quality microphones now or in the future, I'd urge you to consider spending $100 more to get the DXA-6. It supplies the "phantom power" required by most high quality mics.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!, May 12, 2007

By 

D. Baquero (Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA.. and Quito, Ecuador) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon MA300 Microphone Adapter with Shoulder Pad for GL2 Camcorder (Electronics)

So for a while now I kept on wanting to get this adapter for my gl2, and because of the price I forgot about it for some time. I was looking for a replacement battery and found this. I absolutely love it! I'm using my professional mics and the sound quality is so superior. Now I don't have to carry the ikegami everywhere for budget jobs! Thanks guys!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handy way to connect XLR cords to Canon GL2, December 16, 2008

By 

Kenneth G. Marx "American" (Fort Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canon MA300 Microphone Adapter with Shoulder Pad for GL2 Camcorder (Electronics)

I had read reviews that weren't totally positive about this item. As far as I'm concerned, it meets my expectations. It's a handy way to connect XLR cables to a camcorder not otherwise equipped to receive them. It would be nice if it had a switch to allow one channel of sound to be combined into both channels. That's a small drawback, however, because I can do the same thing in my editing program.