Loud rushing noise at DVinfo.net

Terry Wall · May 28th, 2012, 11:28 AM

Good morning, and Happy Memorial Day, all! I searched through the audio forum and wasn't able to find the answer to my dilemma...forgive me in advance if I missed it, but here's my question for the day: I own 2 Senni 100 G2 ENG kits and I'm having a problem with the transmitter units of both kits. The problem stems from a loud rushing noise that seems to be triggered by a poor connection of the mic plug to the input jack on the xmtr. It is very loud and intermittent. Because I'm having a problem with both units, I'm wondering if this was a build problem. I've had nothing but good experiences with Senni gear, but this is quite a nuisance. I can get long passages of time without the loud rushing noise, but it returns when I least expect it ("Murphy's Law").

Any thoughts, suggestions or advice? I'm shooting some interviews tomorrow and can fall back to a shotgun on a boom pole if necessary.

Thanks, gang!
TW

Colin McDonald · May 28th, 2012, 12:05 PM

Interesting. Just trying a couple of tests with mine.

1. What happens when you run the TX with the mic unplugged completely?
Is there any signal on the TX display?
(I get 1/7 bars, funny, I thought there would be nothing at all. Disappears when MUTE is on though).

2.With mic still unplugged, does the RX display show the pilot but no signal?
(I get a full 7/7bars RF but 0/7 bars on AF. Can hear plenty white noise though a camera, again disappearing on MUTE). White moise is a kind of 'rushing sound' - like a waterfall.

3. Are both sets showing identical problems simultaneously, or does this show up in one at a time?

From what I found in 1 above, you might have a bad connection in a mic, but it seems unlikely that both sets would fail in the same way unless you have been doing something really bad with the mic cables when putting them away in storage.

Terry Wall · May 28th, 2012, 12:24 PM

Hi, Colin...how's things in Scotland today? My experience is the very same as your numbers 1 & 2. The rushing sound I'm getting is a fair bit louder...actually a crescendo of the sound, compared to "normal" white noise, which is fairly consistent. Re your #3, I didn't have both sets on at the same time, but experienced the sound issue with each one, separately. If I can stabilize the connection of mic to xmtr, I can minimize the errant sound...I'll try to find a way to work around.

Thanks, mate!
TW

Brian P. Reynolds · May 29th, 2012, 10:32 PM

I have several sets of G2 setups...Im trying to determine the noise you are talking about it could be a couple of things...

1. the frequencies might on the edge of another frequency coming from something RF in the area (radio /TV / or communications TX) Do a scan and change to another frequency group in the unit.

2. The Senni mics often fail about 2-3mm above the 3.5mm moulded plug, it often looks like a small swelling in the cable at that point it will also have a slight kink there also. The only way to fix it is to re-terminate the cable with a new connector.... because of the type of cable they use only do this if you are VERY competent at soldering.

Terry Wall · June 1st, 2012, 03:44 PM

Hi, Brian! You're right about the molded plug probably not being the best built in the world. I've noticed that if I wiggle it even gently, I'll get that noise. I've also found that If I screw down the locking collar as tight as I can with my hand, there's less likelihood of the noise. I was able to get through my interview job OK and I was able to keep "Mr. Murphy" in his cage. Thanks to you and Colin for the helpful feedback!

Cheers, mateys!
Terry

Brian P. Reynolds · June 1st, 2012, 05:29 PM

Senni locking plugs are often hard to find at times and when you do find them they aren't cheap... Standard 3.5mm stereo plugs can be used in an emergency (Im not advocating this as a permanent fix) just loop the cable through the TX clip to stop the connector being pulled out.

I have done a mock up with red cable so its easy to see.

The little bit of red heat shrink on the antenna is just to identify my units as TX / RX pairs, I have used red, blue, green, yellow, white.... makes life simple on location ;)

May 28th, 2012, 11:28 AM	#1
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Loud rushing noise Good morning, and Happy Memorial Day, all! I searched through the audio forum and wasn't able to find the answer to my dilemma...forgive me in advance if I missed it, but here's my question for the day: I own 2 Senni 100 G2 ENG kits and I'm having a problem with the transmitter units of both kits. The problem stems from a loud rushing noise that seems to be triggered by a poor connection of the mic plug to the input jack on the xmtr. It is very loud and intermittent. Because I'm having a problem with both units, I'm wondering if this was a build problem. I've had nothing but good experiences with Senni gear, but this is quite a nuisance. I can get long passages of time without the loud rushing noise, but it returns when I least expect it ("Murphy's Law"). Any thoughts, suggestions or advice? I'm shooting some interviews tomorrow and can fall back to a shotgun on a boom pole if necessary. Thanks, gang! TW __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!

May 28th, 2012, 12:05 PM	#2
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Re: Loud rushing noise Interesting. Just trying a couple of tests with mine. 1. What happens when you run the TX with the mic unplugged completely? Is there any signal on the TX display? (I get 1/7 bars, funny, I thought there would be nothing at all. Disappears when MUTE is on though). 2.With mic still unplugged, does the RX display show the pilot but no signal? (I get a full 7/7bars RF but 0/7 bars on AF. Can hear plenty white noise though a camera, again disappearing on MUTE). White moise is a kind of 'rushing sound' - like a waterfall. 3. Are both sets showing identical problems simultaneously, or does this show up in one at a time? From what I found in 1 above, you might have a bad connection in a mic, but it seems unlikely that both sets would fail in the same way unless you have been doing something really bad with the mic cables when putting them away in storage.

May 29th, 2012, 10:32 PM	#4
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Loud rushing noise I have several sets of G2 setups...Im trying to determine the noise you are talking about it could be a couple of things... 1. the frequencies might on the edge of another frequency coming from something RF in the area (radio /TV / or communications TX) Do a scan and change to another frequency group in the unit. 2. The Senni mics often fail about 2-3mm above the 3.5mm moulded plug, it often looks like a small swelling in the cable at that point it will also have a slight kink there also. The only way to fix it is to re-terminate the cable with a new connector.... because of the type of cable they use only do this if you are VERY competent at soldering.

June 1st, 2012, 03:44 PM	#5
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Re: Loud rushing noise Hi, Brian! You're right about the molded plug probably not being the best built in the world. I've noticed that if I wiggle it even gently, I'll get that noise. I've also found that If I screw down the locking collar as tight as I can with my hand, there's less likelihood of the noise. I was able to get through my interview job OK and I was able to keep "Mr. Murphy" in his cage. Thanks to you and Colin for the helpful feedback! Cheers, mateys! Terry __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!

June 1st, 2012, 05:29 PM	#6
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Loud rushing noise Senni locking plugs are often hard to find at times and when you do find them they aren't cheap... Standard 3.5mm stereo plugs can be used in an emergency (Im not advocating this as a permanent fix) just loop the cable through the TX clip to stop the connector being pulled out. I have done a mock up with red cable so its easy to see. The little bit of red heat shrink on the antenna is just to identify my units as TX / RX pairs, I have used red, blue, green, yellow, white.... makes life simple on location ;) Attached Thumbnails

May 28th, 2012, 12:24 PM	#3
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Re: Loud rushing noise Hi, Colin...how's things in Scotland today? My experience is the very same as your numbers 1 & 2. The rushing sound I'm getting is a fair bit louder...actually a crescendo of the sound, compared to "normal" white noise, which is fairly consistent. Re your #3, I didn't have both sets on at the same time, but experienced the sound issue with each one, separately. If I can stabilize the connection of mic to xmtr, I can minimize the errant sound...I'll try to find a way to work around. Thanks, mate! TW __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!