A strange buzz, unless I grip the cable... at DVinfo.net

James Collins · September 13th, 2009, 12:43 PM

I have an Azden shotgun mic that goes into my camcorder via XLR. It prouduces a buzzing background noise, unless I touch the metal bit on the cable that connects it to the camera.

At the moment I need someone to stand there and touch it whilst I record so that the sound doesn't appear.

Any ideas how I can get rid of this buzz?

Shaun Roemich · September 13th, 2009, 01:19 PM

Check to see if another cable produces the same result. Sounds like you have a bad ground (I believe you folks in the UK call it a bad earth).

Mike Peter Reed · September 13th, 2009, 02:12 PM

If it's a cable run, also make sure it's not laying over any power supply units and other mains power cables.

Steve House · September 13th, 2009, 02:25 PM

Of course you could take a couple of feet of wire and put an alligator clip on each end. Clip one end to the "metal bit" on the XLR plug and the other to your earlobe while you are shooting <grin>.

Shaun Roemich · September 13th, 2009, 04:37 PM

Steve: I thought alligator clip earring died a hideous death at the end of the 80's...

Marco Leavitt · September 13th, 2009, 07:36 PM

Definitely sounds like the cable. First thing to do is try another, as has already been suggested.

Michael Wisniewski · September 13th, 2009, 09:58 PM

If it's not the cable, check the screws on your microphone. I had this problem once when one of the tiny screws on my microphone had fallen out. The part with the XLR plug was loose and creating electrical havoc.

Jay Massengill · September 14th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Some Azden shotguns from the past weren't balanced even though they had an XLR connector. That's one more variable to consider when you test a different cable, but hopefully just switching to a new cable will solve it with no further head-ache (or ear-ache).
Which camera? Which Azden shotgun? Are you operating the camera on AC or battery power?

September 13th, 2009, 12:43 PM	#1
James Collins Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 59	A strange buzz, unless I grip the cable... I have an Azden shotgun mic that goes into my camcorder via XLR. It prouduces a buzzing background noise, unless I touch the metal bit on the cable that connects it to the camera. At the moment I need someone to stand there and touch it whilst I record so that the sound doesn't appear. Any ideas how I can get rid of this buzz?

September 13th, 2009, 01:19 PM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Check to see if another cable produces the same result. Sounds like you have a bad ground (I believe you folks in the UK call it a bad earth). __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 13th, 2009, 02:12 PM	#3
Mike Peter Reed Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hants, UK Posts: 185	If it's a cable run, also make sure it's not laying over any power supply units and other mains power cables. __________________ ---8<---

September 13th, 2009, 02:25 PM	#4
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Of course you could take a couple of feet of wire and put an alligator clip on each end. Clip one end to the "metal bit" on the XLR plug and the other to your earlobe while you are shooting <grin>. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

September 13th, 2009, 04:37 PM	#5
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Steve: I thought alligator clip earring died a hideous death at the end of the 80's... __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 13th, 2009, 07:36 PM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Definitely sounds like the cable. First thing to do is try another, as has already been suggested.

September 13th, 2009, 09:58 PM	#7
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	If it's not the cable, check the screws on your microphone. I had this problem once when one of the tiny screws on my microphone had fallen out. The part with the XLR plug was loose and creating electrical havoc. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

September 14th, 2009, 09:04 AM	#8
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Some Azden shotguns from the past weren't balanced even though they had an XLR connector. That's one more variable to consider when you test a different cable, but hopefully just switching to a new cable will solve it with no further head-ache (or ear-ache). Which camera? Which Azden shotgun? Are you operating the camera on AC or battery power?