What’s better than an ice cream float? 32-bit float audio on the LUMIX GH7

Lumix XLR2 Mic Adaptor
(Image credit: LUMIX)

Filmmakers and content creators know how it goes. You can get away with less-than-perfect video quality, but your audience will abandon ship at the first sign of bad audio quality.

It’s a lesson that most of us learn the hard way, when we don’t get our sound levels right while recording. We all know the impossible task of rescuing the audio in post, where sound that’s too quiet can’t be lifted without raising the noise floor, and sound that’s too loud is clipped to the point where nothing beneath it is audible.

This is a problem that’s made all the more miserable for small production crews, and especially for solo creators who don’t have the time – and sometimes, don’t have the knowhow – to set up perfect audio under the pressures of a shoot. There’s no worse feeling than coming back from filming a wedding or conducting an interview than finding that the audio is useless.

Thankfully, there is a solution: the LUMIX XLR2 microphone adaptor.

Lumix XLR2 Mic Adaptor

(Image credit: LUMIX)

Meet the XLR2 mic adaptor

The reason that it’s so hard to recover sound that’s too soft or too blown out is simple: most recording devices have the audio equivalent of poor dynamic range. Typical recorders capture 24-bit audio, which is great if your sound is perfectly balanced but a nightmare otherwise.

In photographic terms, it’s like shooting in JPEG; if you don’t get the exposure right in camera, there’s not much leeway when you try to correct crushed shadows or blown-out highlights.

The LUMIX XLR2 adaptor enables you to perform 32-bit float recording when paired with a LUMIX GH7 camera. This produces far superior dynamic range that, again in photographic terms, is like shooting a RAW file – giving you way more latitude to correct levels and bring back quiet or loud sounds.

This isn’t just for emergency cases where audio needs rescuing, though – 32-bit float will offer you a safety net for shooting in uncontrolled environments. Rather than constantly having to monitor levels and and make constant adjustments when cars go past or unexpected noises occur, you can focus on capturing the story safe in the knowledge that your audio is covered.

If your camera offers it, you wouldn’t dream of not capturing your footage in log – so if you’re shooting on a GH7, you’re doing yourself and your audience a disservice if you don’t go the extra mile to capture your audio in 32-bit float.

Lumix XLR2 Mic Adaptor

(Image credit: LUMIX)

Unlock more audio performance

That’s not the only trick that the XLR2 has up its sleeve. This adaptor also enables you to capture high-resolution 4-channel audio using either the XLR ports or the new 3.5mm input . And this facility isn’t just available on the GH7, but also on the GH6, S5II, S5IIX and G9II – meaning you can use the XLR2 across the broader LUMIX ecosystem.

The adaptor also comes with a clamp that enables you to connect and mount a professional-grade XLR microphone, and capture pristine audio directly to the camera file. No more having to pack and carry additional audio gear – or having to worry about syncing issues when marrying the files in post.

Despite all its advancements, the XLR2 adaptor only weighs 192g / 0.43 lb – so you won’t weigh down your lightweight mirrorless system. It also remains compact and discreetly designed, at just 106.2 x 94.6 x 92.0mm (4.19 x 3.73 x 3.63 inch) with microphone holder, so it still fits within rigs without any issue.

And if you’re anything like us, you’ll appreciate that the XLR2 retains traditional dials and switches for instinctive control – with a flip-up panel that protects them from accidental nudges during camera handling.

A perfect pairing… and FREE!

The XLR2 adaptor is an absolute no-brainer for LUMIX GH7 users, unlocking 32-bit float recording and 4-channel audio that streamlines your workflow while giving you a life preserver for audio accidents.

In fact, the two devices are such a great tag team that if you make your purchase before December 28 2024, you get an XLR2 adaptor at no extra cost when you buy a LUMIX GH7. That’s a $499.95 value, free!

So, say goodbye to saying goodbye to lost audio, and elevate your sound quality to the level you and your audiences deserve. Click here to claim your free XLR2.

James Artaius
Editor

James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.