my set up: either a wireless sennheiser or an 816 shotgun, both going in XLR, 16 bit- I keep the recording level on the camera at the 4th notch and make sure the levels are as close to the ZERO db mark as possible. on DATs, the -12 db is a good level to be hitting, but on the canon that's pretty low still. i've found (with the avid i use to edit on) that when you have the levels hitting really close (but not over) zero db, the sound is really clean and strong. the onboard mic sucks. get the mic as close to the subject as possible and keep the rec. level on the canon no higher than the 4th notch- that's my advice!(posted 8980 days ago)my other advice is to check out the XIMIX productions website: www.net1plus.com/users/clashua