I just purchased a vx2100 and a sennheiser MKE300 shotgun mic... when used in conjunction there is a bad background noise. The noise is only there if the mic is mounted on the camera, not if I hold it off the camera. Any suggestions on a fix or new mic?

Thanks in advance,
Dave

Get a mount that will hold the microphone up off the camera. Shotgun microphones are not directional at low frequencies so it is picking up camera noise. Separation is the only solution.

I just purchased a vx2100 and a sennheiser MKE300 shotgun mic... when used in conjunction there is a bad background noise. The noise is only there if the mic is mounted on the camera, not if I hold it off the camera. Any suggestions on a fix or new mic?

Thanks in advance,
Dave
Get the mic away from your camera, as you are most likely picking up motor noise from your camera.
Maybe attach a standoff plate from your cameras hot shoe and use a good mic shockmount.

The plate:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=382955&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Shockmount from Rode:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=398316&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Or you could get a device that attaches to the bottom of your camera and allows you to place the mic on the handle grip like the Mini Rover from Videosmith.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194070&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

You've bought the wrong mic David. Sennheiser say this mic is designed for cameras costing up to half of what the VX sells for, and anway, you need the 300D (D for digital) version. This D model has extra screening on the internal wiring and will allow cold shoe connection without hum.

tom.

David,
If you are able to return that mic I would get the Rode VideoMic. It is made for that camera and it works great. It has a shock mount and also a low band filter that will filter out the low end noise, like from the camera or wind.
I have one and it is great.

Jim

I agrree wholeheartidly with Jim, go for the Rode Videomic.

You've bought the wrong mic David. Sennheiser say this mic is designed for cameras costing up to half of what the VX sells for, and anway, you need the 300D (D for digital) version. This D model has extra screening on the internal wiring and will allow cold shoe connection without hum.

tom.


I have that same mic on a VX2100, what does cost of cam have to do with it?

The original cost of the camera is a good indication of where the model stands in the pecking order which goes:

picnic, amateur, keen amateur, prosumer, semi-pro and pro.

The MKE300 is designed to make the first couple of camera categories sound a bit better.

Gotcha. I am pretty happy with that mic so far, granted I'd like a more expensive model, but not everyone has the cash...