Electrical humming and hissing noise at DVinfo.net

Neil Corbett · March 18th, 2009, 11:36 AM

This might be a Z1 issue or a mic issue but hopefully you guys can help.

I've just picked up my camera with a sennheiser k6/me66 mic attached. I was hand holding it and in certain positions particularly if i tilt it slightly i get a noticable hum, like an electrical hum. i've tried it in a room with all the electrical stuff off and it still happens. i had a play with the audio levels and when i moved them way up the hum got louder but seemed stay there for a second or two even when i'd lowered it. it only stops if i move the mic off the camera via a longer xlr cable.

there is also another issue with a hiss. but this happens on all my mics. i not sure if this is related but thought i should mention it. i get the hiss even when no mic is plugged in, but not sure if this is normal or not.

Thanks

Battle Vaughan · March 18th, 2009, 11:50 AM

I'm guessing here, but it sounds like a ground fault in either the xlr cable or the mike. Since it goes away when you use a different cable, that would be a good clue....

However, we once had a noisy ME66 that had a fault of some kind that Sennheiser repaired under warranty, it was more like intermittent static than a hum in that case. / Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

Neil Corbett · March 18th, 2009, 12:22 PM

i may have located the issue. I think its the position of the mic to the camera or its actual connection to the camera. even with the longer cable, when i attach the mic it gives this hum noise. not sure how i can get round this, i'm already using a rycote type clamp to keep the fluffy out of the lens. does this ring any bells with others? any way round it?

Mark Boyer · March 18th, 2009, 12:30 PM

You need to change your cable or your Gain setting is too hot.

March 18th, 2009, 11:36 AM	#1
Neil Corbett Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London,UK Posts: 64	Electrical humming and hissing noise This might be a Z1 issue or a mic issue but hopefully you guys can help. I've just picked up my camera with a sennheiser k6/me66 mic attached. I was hand holding it and in certain positions particularly if i tilt it slightly i get a noticable hum, like an electrical hum. i've tried it in a room with all the electrical stuff off and it still happens. i had a play with the audio levels and when i moved them way up the hum got louder but seemed stay there for a second or two even when i'd lowered it. it only stops if i move the mic off the camera via a longer xlr cable. there is also another issue with a hiss. but this happens on all my mics. i not sure if this is related but thought i should mention it. i get the hiss even when no mic is plugged in, but not sure if this is normal or not. Thanks

March 18th, 2009, 12:30 PM	#4
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	Hissing problem You need to change your cable or your Gain setting is too hot.

March 18th, 2009, 11:50 AM	#2
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	I'm guessing here, but it sounds like a ground fault in either the xlr cable or the mike. Since it goes away when you use a different cable, that would be a good clue.... However, we once had a noisy ME66 that had a fault of some kind that Sennheiser repaired under warranty, it was more like intermittent static than a hum in that case. / Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

March 18th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#3
Neil Corbett Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London,UK Posts: 64	i may have located the issue. I think its the position of the mic to the camera or its actual connection to the camera. even with the longer cable, when i attach the mic it gives this hum noise. not sure how i can get round this, i'm already using a rycote type clamp to keep the fluffy out of the lens. does this ring any bells with others? any way round it?