WELL LEIGH, I also have had this problem. I own the XL-1 , & the MA100. Here's the deal. You need a line mixer to boost the signal cleanly. This is a standard piece of equipment on most pro ENG beta packages. For a studio situation, you can use any good mixer. Mackie or whatever. However, in a fielsd situation, you must have a portable battery operated model. Such as the Wendt, or sure. They cost approx. $1000, but work great. If you try to boost the signal without a line mixer, your audio will be very noisy. Good(posted 8959 days ago)