I did a little searching couldn't find the answer. lately i have been noticing that my mic is picking up zoom sound it doesn't seem to matter if i use the ring or the buttons.

Yes, that's a big problem with any on-camera mic. That's why it is always best to use an external mic, either plugged into the XH-A1 or a digital recorder.

funny thing is i never really heard this until i added my new mic (Rode NTG-1) but now if i switch over to the on Bord i hear it

Tom, would you by any chance simply have changed the audio level & that's why you are all of a sudden picking it up?

i mainly keep my audio on Auto i will have to try manual and see what kind of result i get

Be careful not to over tighten tighten the locking screw in the mic mount, it can increase sound coupling to the mic as it compresses the damping material.

Also, some mics are more sensitive to mechanically coupled sound than others.

And using auto gain will tend to increase background sounds during quiet parts of program material.

Auto gain will automatically increase mic sensitivity in quiet periods.

does anyone ever use auto mode? I find that with auto mode you always can hear a bit of distortion. It's just too loud especially background noise.

Hi Victor,
I find the problem with auto mode on the audio side of things is that when it is quiet, it will increase levels, creating a lot of unwanted noise. Then when there is sound that you would want to be recorded at a normal level, the levels are too high & the camera cannot react quickly enough creating distortion in the recording.
I would try to stay away from auto mode as much as possible.
Bryce