Videomike on FX1 at DVinfo.net

Brett Schofield · May 20th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Hi all. I have finally got my new FX1 and veryy happy with it.
I bought a Rode Videomike to go with it but I am a little confused with setting it up.
The Rode manual says it outputs Line level but when I set the cameras input to line I get no or little sound. When I change it to ext mic it comes through, but only on the right channel at proper levels and on the left channel at the same level as for the line level....Anyone understand this and able to tell me whats wrong.

Thanks

Leo Pepingco · May 21st, 2006, 03:35 AM

someone out there must own a Rode Video Mic?

Ben De Rydt · May 21st, 2006, 06:43 AM

It outputs mic level. Check the plug if the left and right channel won't line up. Chances are you didn't push it deep enough.

Stu Holmes · May 21st, 2006, 09:21 AM

Also, (i'm not too familiar with FX1), but if there's a facility to independently change the levels of left and right channel, i'd check that too.

Mack Fisher · May 21st, 2006, 09:39 AM

I use the rode video mic, When I got it I plugged it into the jack on the camera and changed it to ext mic it worked perfectly. Just make sure you use auto for some reason every sony aside from the f900 etc.. when they come in contact with forgein audio masacure it completely

Brett Schofield · May 22nd, 2006, 04:59 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys. I does work fine on ext mike setting, but when I use the data screen to check Ch1 and Ch2 (L/R) only the right channel (2) has normal audio. The Left channel is VERY low and only registers sound when I tap the mic....
I have double checked the connection and it is plugged in properly and all the way in....has anyone heard of this situation at all?

Thanks again
Brett

Leo Pepingco · May 22nd, 2006, 09:26 AM

I did some reading, and since I live in Australia, I'll se if I can give the Rode people a call.

But for now, what I've found out is that the Mic is Mono. So you'll have to somehow split the sound in post. I'll post again after I get off the phone with Rode... Unless someone gets there before me...

Darin Boville · May 22nd, 2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo Pepingco

I did some reading, and since I live in Australia, I'll se if I can give the Rode people a call.

But for now, what I've found out is that the Mic is Mono. So you'll have to somehow split the sound in post. I'll post again after I get off the phone with Rode... Unless someone gets there before me...

I have a Rode Videomic on my FX1. The sound is indeed in mono but the mic splits it and uses a stereo pin--you get the same mono track on both both of the Sony's stereo channels. Nice.

I've never had a problem with the two channels being at different levels. Yours sounds defective. Can you return it?

By the way, I do not believe there is any facility on the FX1 to adjust audio channels independently of one another--it is either auto or manual with a single adjustement wheel. No way to bias it in the menus either.

--Darin

Ron Evans · May 23rd, 2006, 08:36 AM

I too have the Rode mic. I had problems at first with nothing going to the FX1. But after stretching the cord out a little it now works just fine. I think that the cord pulls on the jack in the FX1 if there is not enough slack. You might try stretching it a little to make sure that it is not pulling on the jack and see if this solves the problem. Yes the manual says line but it is mic level!!!

Ron Evans

Brett Schofield · May 24th, 2006, 07:47 PM

Thanks guys, I will give this a go...I suppose its not all that bad only being on the right track though at least there is some audio there.....
Thanks
Brett

Brett Schofield · May 24th, 2006, 09:40 PM

Well i figured out what the problem was....I opened the microphone up only to discover the worst manufacturing I have seen from a well known reputable company I have seen in a long time.....

Inside there are 3 wires from the cable that are soldered to the main PC board.
The stranded earth wire, a Red and a White insulated wires.
The white one was half melted from the sodering iron being to close at installation. The Red has broken off because they did not strip back enough of the insualtion and did not tin the wires first. And the Earth wire almost looked corroded and in a really bad way. So I have since fixed it by chopping it all off and starting again and all works perfectly fine now!!!

Hope this helps others with a similar problem!!

Brett

Leo Pepingco · May 25th, 2006, 04:54 AM

I hope that hasnt killed your warranty.... it may be 200 bucks, but its a good 200...

Still, good on ya. And good luck mate.

Brett Schofield · May 25th, 2006, 07:09 AM

Dont really care that much about the warranty......The things fixed now and to tell you the truth, I did a better job fixing the thing than they did making it!!!

Thanks for the help though - all of you.

Brett

Brett Schofield · May 25th, 2006, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo Pepingco

I hope that hasnt killed your warranty.... it may be 200 bucks, but its a good 200...

Still, good on ya. And good luck mate.

PS - I got it for $130 when I bought the FX1!!!

Randy Chisolm · June 23rd, 2006, 10:40 AM

question, and it may sound extremely silly as I'm just now understanding the importance of having good audio but:

Am I correct in my assumption from what I've read so far that the Videomic is not xlr based - but in fact would work on the FX1 with no additional equipment?

Again, excuse the naiveté of this, but I just realized for this documentary of concert footage, that I'll need something better than the stock mic - correct? And the videomic seems to be the most viable option for my budget being I currently don't have the funds for both xlr + mic...

May 20th, 2006, 06:54 PM	#1
Brett Schofield New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 10	Videomike on FX1 Hi all. I have finally got my new FX1 and veryy happy with it. I bought a Rode Videomike to go with it but I am a little confused with setting it up. The Rode manual says it outputs Line level but when I set the cameras input to line I get no or little sound. When I change it to ext mic it comes through, but only on the right channel at proper levels and on the left channel at the same level as for the line level....Anyone understand this and able to tell me whats wrong. Thanks

May 21st, 2006, 06:43 AM	#3
Ben De Rydt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 139	It outputs mic level. Check the plug if the left and right channel won't line up. Chances are you didn't push it deep enough. __________________ Please keep in mind that English is not my native language.

June 23rd, 2006, 10:40 AM	#15
Randy Chisolm New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 7	Videomic not xlr question, and it may sound extremely silly as I'm just now understanding the importance of having good audio but: Am I correct in my assumption from what I've read so far that the Videomic is not xlr based - but in fact would work on the FX1 with no additional equipment? Again, excuse the naiveté of this, but I just realized for this documentary of concert footage, that I'll need something better than the stock mic - correct? And the videomic seems to be the most viable option for my budget being I currently don't have the funds for both xlr + mic...

May 21st, 2006, 03:35 AM	#2
Leo Pepingco Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 275	someone out there must own a Rode Video Mic?

May 21st, 2006, 09:21 AM	#4
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	Also, (i'm not too familiar with FX1), but if there's a facility to independently change the levels of left and right channel, i'd check that too.

May 21st, 2006, 09:39 AM	#5
Mack Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 158	I use the rode video mic, When I got it I plugged it into the jack on the camera and changed it to ext mic it worked perfectly. Just make sure you use auto for some reason every sony aside from the f900 etc.. when they come in contact with forgein audio masacure it completely

May 22nd, 2006, 04:59 AM	#6
Brett Schofield New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 10	Thanks for the ideas guys. I does work fine on ext mike setting, but when I use the data screen to check Ch1 and Ch2 (L/R) only the right channel (2) has normal audio. The Left channel is VERY low and only registers sound when I tap the mic.... I have double checked the connection and it is plugged in properly and all the way in....has anyone heard of this situation at all? Thanks again Brett

May 22nd, 2006, 09:26 AM	#7
Leo Pepingco Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 275	I did some reading, and since I live in Australia, I'll se if I can give the Rode people a call. But for now, what I've found out is that the Mic is Mono. So you'll have to somehow split the sound in post. I'll post again after I get off the phone with Rode... Unless someone gets there before me...

May 23rd, 2006, 08:36 AM	#9
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	I too have the Rode mic. I had problems at first with nothing going to the FX1. But after stretching the cord out a little it now works just fine. I think that the cord pulls on the jack in the FX1 if there is not enough slack. You might try stretching it a little to make sure that it is not pulling on the jack and see if this solves the problem. Yes the manual says line but it is mic level!!! Ron Evans

May 24th, 2006, 07:47 PM	#10
Brett Schofield New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 10	Thanks guys, I will give this a go...I suppose its not all that bad only being on the right track though at least there is some audio there..... Thanks Brett

May 24th, 2006, 09:40 PM	#11
Brett Schofield New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 10	Well i figured out what the problem was....I opened the microphone up only to discover the worst manufacturing I have seen from a well known reputable company I have seen in a long time..... Inside there are 3 wires from the cable that are soldered to the main PC board. The stranded earth wire, a Red and a White insulated wires. The white one was half melted from the sodering iron being to close at installation. The Red has broken off because they did not strip back enough of the insualtion and did not tin the wires first. And the Earth wire almost looked corroded and in a really bad way. So I have since fixed it by chopping it all off and starting again and all works perfectly fine now!!! Hope this helps others with a similar problem!! Brett

May 25th, 2006, 04:54 AM	#12
Leo Pepingco Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 275	I hope that hasnt killed your warranty.... it may be 200 bucks, but its a good 200... Still, good on ya. And good luck mate.

May 25th, 2006, 07:09 AM	#13
Brett Schofield New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 10	Dont really care that much about the warranty......The things fixed now and to tell you the truth, I did a better job fixing the thing than they did making it!!! Thanks for the help though - all of you. Brett