I'm using a new G2 100 on my PD series sony cam and getting terrible feedback but only when the headphones are plugged in. Any thoughts? I'm using the stock mic that cam with it. I'm using the mini to xlr adapter.

When I run the cam without the headphones the feedback disappears. I know this because I captured directly to my editing programs and the sound was fine. (fine as it can be with the sucky mic that comes with this unit. Poor excuse for a mic, I must say).

Is it possible that the headphones are loud enough that the lav is hearing them? That seems to be what you're saying...

If so:
Turn down the cans.
Get closed-ear headphones.
Get the cans further from the mic.

Thanks Seth. There is no volume control on the headset, unfortunately. Suppose I need to get new ones. It's so disappointing that my 4 year old wireless has never given me any similar issues and sounds so much nicer. Bummer. Nothing is ever as simple as I expect it to be.

Dear Jeff,

This is very curious.

Where is the microphone (ME2 lavaliere I presume) in relation to your headphones? How far from the camera is the lavaliere?

What brand of headphones are you using?

Are these "open" headphones?

I assume that these are not wireless headphones.

Can't you turn down the volume of the headphones on the camera?

Are you wearing these headphones, so that both cups are over your ears?

I have another questions about this unit if anyone has experience with it. My old unit works great still, and is super quiet. I've never used any other prior to this Sennheiser. The hiss and background noise with this unit out-of-the-box is horrible. Is that normal? Or is it just the cheap mic?

Dear Jeff,

No, the hiss and noise is not normal.

How far is the transmitter from the receiver?

Have your found a clear (open) channel so that you are not getting interference.

What Band (A, B, or C) are you using?

Where are you located?

What frequency are you using?

You should get just a little hiss, even with the supplied ME2 lavaliere.

Have you set the sensitivity on the transmitter? Setting this to -10db or -20db may help you in this situation.

The Sennheisers can be used for professional gigs, they are not junk, and they are not so noisy that you hear "a lot of hiss and noise".

The Sennheisers can be improved upon by using a better lavaliere, but your problems seem to go far beyond that.

I'm checking the settings Dan. I also might be using the wrong settings on the camera audio, I'll check back in, thanks.

Problem solved. The issue was not with the mic itself. The problem was that the Sennheiser requires the audio selector switch on the cam to be set on the "Mic Att" setting rather than just the mic setting. This was not the case for my older unit. Apparently the newer unit is much more sensitive.

Thank you for your attempts to troubleshoot with me!

In the process I did learn the menu, and after this bumpy start I feel confident in the product and how to operate it as a result of having to play with it for awhile!

You also might want to be sure that you aren't running the "AF Out" level too high. You shouldn't have to engage the camera's Attenuate control unless you are sending a very high level of audio out of the Senn's receiver.

I'll check it, Dave. I didn't think I should have to, but when it seemed to solve the problem I was so relieved. Everything is set to factory settings, but I'll check it as you suggest.

Thanks for the tip!

Actually Jeff, your way of doing it would probably be faster because you wouldn't have to get into the menu of the G2 as often. I'm fairly new to the G2's myself so I spend WAY too much time in those menus. However, since I always do a "Reset" and then a "Scan" for open freqs, I usually check my output level while I'm in there? I also have to make sure that both of my G2's are set the same as I record with two units fairly often.

Dave, when you say my way might be faster, are you referring to my setting the mic att on the cam rather than setting the af out?

Dear Jeff,

The best way of using the Sennheiser G2 wireless receivers is to set the AF Out, in the menu, to match your camera's input level requirements.

Yes, you can use Mic Att on your camera, but you should only have to set the AF Out level one time, unless you switch cameras or switch from mic to line or back.

That does make sense, I'll try that this morning. Thank you

Dave, when you say my way might be faster, are you referring to my setting the mic att on the cam rather than setting the af out?

Yes, that's what I meant, but it's better if you actually try to match the levels instead of merely inserting a "pad" by engaging the Attenuation switch. For instance, I bought a pair of Sennheiser MKE2-5 mics to replace the ME2's that came with my G2's. They don't have the same level settings as the ME2's so I have to go into the menus to adjust. I usually do a Reset just to make sure that I have cleared out any leftover settings but I might eventually quit doing that once I'm sure that the Senns will keep my desired settings between uses. Just my paranoia I guess.

Trying to match my G2's to my Sony EX1 has been a chore, but you really need to start practicing good "gain staging" as this is the best way to avoid getting noisy or hissy audio. That means getting a good, hot level coming out of the mic into the transmitter, adjusting the output of the receiver via the AF Out so that you are feeding a strong signal into your camera and, in my case, getting the proper input sensitivity set in my Audio menu and, finally, setting the trim levels on the outside of the camera. Four different places to screw up your audio!!! ;-)

Trying to match my G2's to my Sony EX1 has been a chore, but you really need to start practicing good "gain staging" as this is the best way to avoid getting noisy or hissy audio. That means getting a good, hot level coming out of the mic into the transmitter, adjusting the output of the receiver via the AF Out so that you are feeding a strong signal into your camera and, in my case, getting the proper input sensitivity set in my Audio menu and, finally, setting the trim levels on the outside of the camera. Four different places to screw up your audio!!! ;-)

That's what you really need to do. Especially when using a mixer, so the audio person can look at the mixer and not at the camera meters to know if your levels are good.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Dave, I suspected that you meant that. In other words, it's best to do it as you and Dan outlined, setting the levels correctly. But your're also saying if it seems fine by simply using the mic att switch, and I don't want to go into the menus for some reason, such as time crunch or whatever, it will do in a pinch. eg. when I have to do a reset in the field and can't take the time to do detailed settings of the levels.

The Mic Att switches normally put in about 10-15 dB of reduction. In what pinch would you find yourself where that would be a solution that would be better than setting a proper level?

Just curious.

Ty Ford

Dear Jeff,

To use the Sennheiser G2's successfully, you should set the "Sensitivity" on the transmitter and the AF out on the receiver.

These are very easy to do and once you get familar with it, it should take less than 45 seconds to do each.

These two settings are critical.

For example, the quality of your sound will be drastically reduced if you have the transmitter (mic) sensitivity too high or low.

The same applies to your AF Out setting.

Just to add my own numbers to this, I found that the following settings worked with my G2's and my MKE2-5 lavs:

SK100 Transmitter - Sensitivity:-10dB (this will vary by the loudness of your talker or audio source.....haven't tried setting it with a line level source yet!)

EK100 Receiver: AF Out: - 0dB

Again, these settings worked for me and gave me good solid levels into my Sony EX1. At that point, I let the Sony mangle the audio as little as possible.

Ty, with the default settings on the G2 and the Mic Att set it sounds very good. Might not be the ideal way. If you're asking me what situation might arise where I need to reset things and not have time to set levels correctly, I won't outline the trials and tribulations I haven encountered on the road shooting out-of-town weddings where I arrive at the last minute because of a pile up on the freeway, etc.

It's called shit can and does happen. It's good to have the skinny on every way to get the job done, and every tool in our arsenal is important. While I aim for perfection, I have accepted for the most part it is impossible. You are right of course, setting the leves correctly is the best way.

Just to add my own numbers to this, I found that the following settings worked with my G2's and my MKE2-5 lavs:

SK100 Transmitter - Sensitivity:-10dB (this will vary by the loudness of your talker or audio source.....haven't tried setting it with a line level source yet!)

EK100 Receiver: AF Out: - 0dB

Again, these settings worked for me and gave me good solid levels into my Sony EX1. At that point, I let the Sony mangle the audio as little as possible.

Those settings are the same as mine, Dave! Still too hot. Those are the default settings, aren't they?

Dear Jeff,

May I recommend the following:

1. Set the Transmitter Sensitivity to the proper level for your average speaker. Take into consideration that the higher the sensitivity, the more ambient noise you will be getting.

When you have a loud or soft speaker, adjust accordingly.

2. Set the Receiver AF Out to match your camera's input level requirements.

3. Avoid using the Reset button on the units. You settings will remain, even if you take out the batteries

OK, Dave. I'm leaving for awhile, but when I return to the studio I will set it up. Thanks for the wealth of information. Good not to be alone with a new piece of equipment. good to know setting will remain, that I didn't know and was worried about.

Well, I set did set volume levels as recommended. Sensitivity is at -10 and AF out is at -18. Seems really low, except the meters look great across the board and it sounds fine. Do these settings seem unusually low to you guys?

At any rate, it seems to be working very well, and I thank all for your guidance. Nice little kit, and the mic, while certainly not world class, is certainly adequate for now.

Dear Jeff,

The -10dB Sensitivity is fine (and normal).

I do not remember my AF Out setting. -18 dB is fine.

Appreciate the reassurance, Dan.

Dear Jeff,

The -10dB Sensitivity is fine (and normal).

I do not remember my AF Out setting. -18 dB is fine.

For my Sony PD-170 I use -10dB setting on the G2 transmitter for soft speakers and -20dB for normal and loud ones. For the receiver AF Out I use
-12dB at all times (no mic ATT, just normal...)

Others have recommended -12 dB AF Out as well.

If -18 dB AF Out works for you and your camera, it is ok.

You could try -12 dB and see if it works for you.