Help with Sony lavalier at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · December 4th, 2003, 08:20 AM

Just bought a Sony ECM-T145 lav to go with my Sony MZS-N10 mini-disc, and it isn't working at all. Sound is extremely distorted. I've tried it on manual and auto, with high sensitivity and low sensitivity, and can't record a damn thing with it. The sound isn't just kind of bad -- it sounds like a poker card in the spokes of a bicycle wheel. On manual, with the gain nearly turned off, it's a little better, but the audio gets swallowed up by background hiss and it's still distorted. The weird thing is that the signal doesn't seem to be overloading the input, at least it isn't on the meter. Anyone have any ideas? This thing is supposed to run on plug in power. It can also use a battery, which I haven't had a chance to try. Would that help?

Mike Rehmus · December 4th, 2003, 01:18 PM

Sounds broken. Mine works perfectly with my mini-disk and with 1/8" input Sony cameras.

Marco Leavitt · December 4th, 2003, 01:33 PM

Rats. You think it's likely to be the minidisc or the microphone? Just talked to B&H, and the guy there was skeptical that the microphone would work with plug in power at all.

Marco Leavitt · December 5th, 2003, 07:15 AM

Well, I noticed that the battery was kind of low when I first tested this lav, so I charged it up, and it works a lot better know. Maybe the minidisc didn't have the 3 volts to spare? Doh! Also tried the optional power source and that works even better. The mic is still pretty prone to distortion. I can't let it peak more than half way on the meter, but at least I can get some useable sound.

Mike Rehmus · December 5th, 2003, 12:50 PM

Yea, it doesn't take a lot of overpressure. I use it as the backup with minidisk for wedding ceremonies. It has always worked flawlessly.

My first microphone of choice is the ME2 which is supplied with the Sennheiser Evolution 100 wireless setup. I have a spare one of the ME2 microphone so I should attempt to plug it into the MD and see if it will work.

The reason the battery Power Supply is removable is exactly for use with devices like the Sony that are capable of supplying the excitor voltage.

Dave Largent · December 5th, 2003, 10:01 PM

Out of curiosity, where do you place the minidisc at your weddings?

Mike Rehmus · December 6th, 2003, 12:38 PM

On the Officiant if possible. Either in a pocket or hung off a belt.

I have had to put in on a mic stand with a shotgun when the person refused to wear one.

December 4th, 2003, 08:20 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Help with Sony lavalier Just bought a Sony ECM-T145 lav to go with my Sony MZS-N10 mini-disc, and it isn't working at all. Sound is extremely distorted. I've tried it on manual and auto, with high sensitivity and low sensitivity, and can't record a damn thing with it. The sound isn't just kind of bad -- it sounds like a poker card in the spokes of a bicycle wheel. On manual, with the gain nearly turned off, it's a little better, but the audio gets swallowed up by background hiss and it's still distorted. The weird thing is that the signal doesn't seem to be overloading the input, at least it isn't on the meter. Anyone have any ideas? This thing is supposed to run on plug in power. It can also use a battery, which I haven't had a chance to try. Would that help?

December 4th, 2003, 01:18 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Sounds broken. Mine works perfectly with my mini-disk and with 1/8" input Sony cameras. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

December 5th, 2003, 12:50 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Yea, it doesn't take a lot of overpressure. I use it as the backup with minidisk for wedding ceremonies. It has always worked flawlessly. My first microphone of choice is the ME2 which is supplied with the Sennheiser Evolution 100 wireless setup. I have a spare one of the ME2 microphone so I should attempt to plug it into the MD and see if it will work. The reason the battery Power Supply is removable is exactly for use with devices like the Sony that are capable of supplying the excitor voltage. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

December 6th, 2003, 12:38 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	On the Officiant if possible. Either in a pocket or hung off a belt. I have had to put in on a mic stand with a shotgun when the person refused to wear one. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

December 4th, 2003, 01:33 PM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Rats. You think it's likely to be the minidisc or the microphone? Just talked to B&H, and the guy there was skeptical that the microphone would work with plug in power at all.

December 5th, 2003, 07:15 AM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Well, I noticed that the battery was kind of low when I first tested this lav, so I charged it up, and it works a lot better know. Maybe the minidisc didn't have the 3 volts to spare? Doh! Also tried the optional power source and that works even better. The mic is still pretty prone to distortion. I can't let it peak more than half way on the meter, but at least I can get some useable sound.

December 5th, 2003, 10:01 PM	#6
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Out of curiosity, where do you place the minidisc at your weddings?