Let me preface everything Im about to say by saying Im an idiot. Im not a technical guru. Im a journalist by trade. The fact that I shoot photos and video as well and get away with it is only because I buy decent equipment to con people into believing I have any sense of what Im doing.

Alas my issue here. Order the Sennheiser Evolution G2 system w/transmittor, receiver, and the handheld mic extra. Im just trying to get it to work with my Canon GL2 right now.

I went through Guy's tutorial nearly exactly with the G2 receiver and transmittor before I tried to get cute and see if it worked. Adjusted levels and stuff, scanned frequencies, got both ends on the same frequency, on and on. Then hooked the mike up to the transmittor and voila', the audio bars are receiving on both units just fine. Im even right in the middle of the bar levels which is where I want to be.

Time to hook it to my Canon GL2. I put the hot shoe thingamajigger on and after about two hours and some beer, figured out how to get the receiver on it without busting the clip holder. In case you boys and girls dont know, you take the clip thing off completely, put the shoe on, and put the clip back over it. Like I said, Im not a sharp knife.

Anyway, so this is what I did. I took the audio cable that came with the package and plugged it into the AF Out on the receiver. Then ran the cable to the little secret compartment on the back right side of the GL2 where all the jacks are. I plugged it into the one that says "A/V in/out." This is the yellow jack right above the S-Video port. Then put the GL2 audio recording level to "M" on the left side of camea (little toggle switch). Then adjusted the GL2 audio levels down under half and staggered.

I then plugged the included lapel mike into the transmittor and walked maybe 15-20ft away and started up the camcorder.

End result. I would think even speaking softly into the mike right in front of my face that it would be a lot louder than when I walk back to camera to get what seems like ambient audio. The bars register fine on the transmittor -- even to the AF Peak point. I can only assume same is happening on the receiver end. Im 20ft away tops.

But Im not getting any "hey that guys got a microphone near him" audio. It sounds 20 feet away and when I whisper into the mike, I can make the bars to full AF Peak, but when I replay the video, I cant even hear myself (even adjusting camera audio back up).

It goes without saying Im probably doing something incredibly stupid, but alas, I figured Id ask now and save myself an entire weekend of frustration. The 2hr hot shoe clip thing about did me in.

Any suggestions on where I'm missing the boat? Im sort of expecting Anderson Cooper on Location type results here.

Well, I don't have a GL2 here in front of me, but if I remember, the mic input is actually on the side of the camera in front of the grip & strap. It's covered up by a plastic or rubber door. The jack you're using now is the crazy audio plus video output for camera mode, might function as an input in vcr mode.

The sound you've recorded so far came from the on-camera mic.

OK. Apparently Im plugging into wrong jack. Found the microphone jack you are talking about and plugged it in.

However now I am not getting any recorded sound at all in my video. Not even ambient sound from camcorder mircophone. Its like when I plugged it in, its going exclusively through the microphone jack as input as one would expect (at least I would), however there is zero audio.

bars look fine and perfectly in synch on the sennheisers. I even changed frequencies just for sanity.

Is there any setting in the camcorder I must make?

Im thinking this has to be something simple Im missing.

Plugging into the external mic socket will indeed shut off the on-camera mike ... its designed that way so that's not a glitch. But obviously you should now hear the Sennheiser.

You say the LCD bars on the receiver are moving, so the signal is getting that far at least .... you're sure the cable is properly connected at both ends? - screwed into the receiver, and full pushed into the mike-in socket on the camera?

Ok, back up a step. Didn't you say you put the camera into manual audio mode? Check to see where you have the levels set. Better yet, leave it in the automatic mode for your tests.

I don't remember you saying you were using headphones, but if you'll use them, you won't need to run any tape for your testing.

Since you said that you're technically challenged (we all have a challenge, one of mine is spelling) let's start from the beginning:

1) Power up the camera.
2) Plug in your head phones.
3) Make sure the audio is in automatic mode.

You should have sound in the phones and bars across the bottom of the LCD.

4) Now, power up the Senn and see if it APPEARS to be working. (LEDs, bars, etc.) Some wireless systems have a phones jack to monitor the audio at the receiver. If your system has that jack, plug in for a moment and check for sound.

(Verify in the manual, that the Senn's output jack you described is indeed the correct spot to plug in for sending sound to the camera.)

5) If everything seems ok at this point, try plugging the Senn into the GL-2.(to the "mic" jack near the headphone jack)

Everything SHOULD be working fine now.

If it's not working, get back to me via e-mail, and I'll help you diagnose the problem.

Mark

Edit:
Oh, Seth is correct about the location of the mic jack, but I figured if you found the headphones jack, you'd find the mic jack.

1) Power up the camera.
2) Plug in your head phones.
3) Make sure the audio is in automatic mode.

You should have sound in the phones and bars across the bottom of the LCD.

Yes. I get sound through the headphones.


4) Now, power up the Senn and see if it APPEARS to be working. (LEDs, bars, etc.) Some wireless systems have a phones jack to monitor the audio at the receiver. If your system has that jack, plug in for a moment and check for sound.

No jack. Just the Mic/Line jack for the microphone on transmitter and AF Out on receiver.

5) If everything seems ok at this point, try plugging the Senn into the GL-2.(to the "mic" jack near the headphone jack)

Did this. But once I plug it in, I get no sound through headphones.

I also noticed when in audio manual mode (this is the switch on left side of camera like a toggle), I get background hiss and faintly, one bar only will move on the camera. If I put it in audio auto mode, I get nothing. No hiss or anything. Like its not even connected.

I also noticed in the camera menus the "MIC" option in the camera setup menu is pink and I cant really select or deselect it.

Obviously it cant be the microphone that came with the unit b/c it records bars on both transmitter/receiver.

Man this is frustrating. I hate technology.

Chris, The receiver has an RF bar and an AF bar. The AF bar is the one you'll see reponding to mic signal volume.

You said the transmitter and receiver bars are in sync so I assume that's the case, but I'm just clarifying to be sure.

The receiver does have a gain control and a mute. (If it was muted it would say "mute" on the LCD). But the max gain reduction is -30dB so it shouldnt make the signal disappear.

Chris i have the same setup i would be more then happy to walk you threw this step by step if your still having issues. send me an email if you wish.

Yes transmitter/receiver bars are in synch.

Receiver is in mute mode until I turn on transmitter.

When plugged into the camera, the camera bars barely move. Just the tiniest movement on one of the L/R channels but almost nothing. The other L/R channel does not move. I have the levels all the way up too.

Is there any way to test to see if the cable from the receiver to the camera is working? You cant really screw it into the camera, you just plug it in. But I do get no external audio when I plug it in, which tells me the camera is recognizing the fact that it wants to solely use that jack for audio input.

And of course the headphone jack works fine. Proved that with no sennheisers hooked up.

Chris,

The "mic" you see in the menu is not what I'm referring to. Look on the left side of the GL-2 and notice the audio level controls. Below them is the A/M switch for the Auto/ Manual Audio. That should be in "A".

Next, as Graham has pointed out, I'd check the output level FROM the Senn. I'm not familiar with that unit, but it could be a user accessable, internal adjustment. Graham says that there's a gain control as well as a mute switch on the Senn, so I'd look at those. You might also try your headphones in the AF Out jack on the Senn, just to see if you hear ANYTHING. The levels may be too low, but it shouldn't hurt to try.

Mark

Yes transmitter/receiver bars are in synch.

Receiver is in mute mode until I turn on transmitter.

When plugged into the camera, the camera bars barely move. Just the tiniest movement on one of the L/R channels but almost nothing. The other L/R channel does not move. I have the levels all the way up too.

Is there any way to test to see if the cable from the receiver to the camera is working? You cant really screw it into the camera, you just plug it in. But I do get no external audio when I plug it in, which tells me the camera is recognizing the fact that it wants to solely use that jack for audio input.

And of course the headphone jack works fine. Proved that with no sennheisers hooked up.

I was composing a response when you posted this, but you haven't said if the camera is in Manual or Auto Audio. If it's in manual, the levels might be too low on the camera. Try Auto Mode.

Ok, I see it in another post now...I'll keep thinking...

In manual mode I just get static on the headphones. In auto mode its like nothing is even plugged in. At least when I switch to manual, the "static" clicks in like you connected something.

I was watching the level bars on the viewfinder as I had it open. I can only assume those level bars mimick the level bars on the outside of the viewfinder. The level bars were practically motionless. L would move ever so slightly. (like 1/2 of one bar out of say 15 bars). The R bar would never move.

I'll try plugging headphones into the AF Out.

MUTE is not on. Only comes on until I turn transmitter on. Then it goes off. I set Gain control to like -18. When I talk into the transmitter, the bars pick it up perfect and so does the receiver. I can hit Peak with no problem.

Looks like Im gonna need another six pack tonight.

Chris:

Try this to help narrow down where the problem is. Take a known good mic, preferably non-wireless, and plug it into the camera. This will insure that the jack on the camera is functioning correctly. Next plug the mic reciever into a known good device such as a PA system or other camera that you might have used it with before.

This should allow you to narrow down where the problem is.

Randy

I used to have another lavalier mike somewhere. Ill look for it. I dont think the mike is the issue because it sends good bars to both transmitter and receiver, but Ill try.

I have a Alesis keyboard amp. I'll try to plug the Senheisers microphone into it, then try to plug the Receiver into it as well (into microphone in as well?).

I will also try plugging microphone directly into Sennheiser receiver AF Out to see if I hear anything being passed.

I take it theres nothing that really needs to be set up on the GL2. Nothing in the menus? I do notice the MIKE menu is pink and unselectable. Then there is a MIK ALL as well. I messed with that setting but no dice.

Ill report back tonight on my findings. THANKS for the help thus far. Duly impressed with the spirit.

I used to have another lavalier mike somewhere. Ill look for it. I dont think the mike is the issue because it sends good bars to both transmitter and receiver, but Ill try.

I have a Alesis keyboard amp. I'll try to plug the Senheisers microphone into it, then try to plug the Receiver into it as well (into microphone in as well?).

I will also try plugging microphone directly into Sennheiser receiver AF Out to see if I hear anything being passed.

I take it theres nothing that really needs to be set up on the GL2. Nothing in the menus? I do notice the MIKE menu is pink and unselectable. Then there is a MIK ALL as well. I messed with that setting but no dice.

Ill report back tonight on my findings. THANKS for the help thus far. Duly impressed with the spirit.

You scare me a little here Chris. It sounds like you plan on connecting the mic to the receiver's output? Don't do it! I hope I'm just misunderstanding what you're saying. See if this is what you really mean to say:

You're going to -
Plug the wireless receiver's AF Output, into the keyboard amp's input?
Plug a different mic into the camera's mic input?
Good!

Now, think this over. If the Senn mic element is working, and the Senn transmitter is working, you'll get the RF and AF indicator bars you describe at the receiver. However, if the receiver's output is not right, then the camera's mic input will not "hear" anything, and you'll see little or nothing on the camera's indicators. That's why the suggestion to connect the system to something else for testing. It sounds like the keyboard amp is a good choice. Use the mic input on the amp.

If the whole Senn system works fine with the amp, you might have something wrong at the camera. That's the reason for the "try another mic" suggestion. Preferably, try a traditional, wired mic. If it works, your camera's probably ok.

Please forgive me if it seems like I'm talking down to you, I don't intend to do so. But, you said the technical stuff wasn't your strong point, so I'm trying to simplify it as much as I can.

If you'd like me to try and talk you thru it, then e-mail me. I probably won't be free again until Monday, but I'm willing to help as much as I can!

Mark

No you arent talking down to me. I know just enough to be dangerous as you can see. Anything to keep me from blowing up $600 in new gear Im all ears.

Heres what Im going to do:

I. Plug Senn receiver into Keyboard from AF Out into amp microphone-in or audio-in using the supplied Senn lavalier mike. I need to make a 1/4" jack conversion here but I have these to do so to plug into amp. Then I will turn amp on, Senn receiver on, Senn transmitter on, and talk into transmitter like "Watson, come here. I want to speak to you." In theory based on my limited knowledge of electronics, the sound would jump through the air from transmitter to receiver, then flow from receiver AF Out into amp input and spew outta the speakers like a big funnel of love.

II. Then I will throw the Senns to the side and try to just connect Senn lavalier mike to amp audio/microphone in. We know mike is good but this will confirm it. Ill do the Watson thing again just for full effect.

III. Then I will find my other lavelier mike (fingers crossed) and test in amp to see if it works. Then test in transmitter in Scenario I to see if it works. Then plug directly into GL2 to see if it works.

If everything works, where does this leave me, besides grabbing another brewskie from the fridge?

Chris,

Sorry it took so long i hope this is not late.

i put together a crappy step by step video it's a big file so let it load.

Please keep in mind i put it together for you, so it's not anything pro and im not a reporter or anything in fact i dont like being in front of the camera so dont judge me on my skill of being in front of the cam.. if you do the setup i have and you still have a prob there might be a bigger issue at hand.

hope it helps or at least confirms your settings

again sorry it took so long making a video and uploading takes some time.

~Mike

Video 120MB ---> http://homedir-c.libsyn.com/podcasts/b96c42735a58efb999598c56ffe01341/46297463/elitemedia/settingupmic.mov

WOW.

Ive heard of customer service but a freaking one-off video. This is just TOO good. Impressed I must say! I owe you one.

Heres the deal: SUCCESS!

CAVEAT!

I have no earthly idea what I did to make this work. Id almost swear on a tall stack of bibles Ive done everything the same. I just noticed when messing around with it this time that when I plugged the receiver in to the mic-in, I saw bars when I started talking. Id done that about 100 times before. I dunno. And Im afraid(!!) whatever I did will disappear on me. Its working at moment though. Sound is REAL good.

If you want to know how stupid I am, I wondered "ok Chriseroo, why am I getting reverb/echo on this audio? Turns out I had my viewfinder on camera on and when capturing the vid in my Vegas, I was hearing the play on my PC and from the stupid GL2 speakers. Im a piece of work.

I dont know anything on the mike-att stuff. I think I have it set right though. Is there anything I need to "reset" when I unhook this stuff and just shoot with the GL2 mike? I have the Canon DM50 as well.

VIdeo forthcoming on progress -- and more questions. Stay tuned. Big time thanks on the help!

One little side-issue ..... not a biggie since you seem to have fixed the problem, but in case others read this thread later.

A previous post suggested plugging your headphones into the audio-out of the G3 receiver to check there was indeed an output signal. And I was going to suggest that too, but thought I'd better try it first.

Suprisingly (to me) I heard nothing, even though my receiver transmits fine to my camera's 'mic in'. So it seems the G3 output is either the wrong level or perhaps the wrong wiring to power typical 3.5mm-jack headphones.

Just my $0.02.

awesome chris congrats.

when unplugging and using the auto just unplug and slide the switch for audio back to auto.... and if using mic att turn it off. boom thats it.

Mic att in the simplest way is like putting your fingers in your ear. if someone is yelling and you cant take it anymore what can you do. i noticed that when working with un balanced sources using the mic in on any cam i like to use mic att.

also when you go to auto on your audio don't worry about changing your levels on the knobs... this way when you hook back up and go to manule for your mics it's in the sweet spot you had it in.

again bravo for getting it to work.

~Mike

Welp-

messing around with this more last night, I noticed when I turned everything on again (I had not unhooked anything) that when the GL2 was in manual mode, there were ZERO bars on the GL2, but okay on the Sennheisers. When I switched the GL2 to auto mode, I got bars and was able to pass audio.

Not really sure why this is. I disabled and re-enabled MIKE ATT and it doesnt seem to affect anything.

Hmm.

On another related Sennheiser topic, anyone know how to get the battery cover off the SKP-100? I have tried for 2 days to get it off and cannot. Yes, I really am this dumb. My thumbs and fingers are practically blistered from trying to get it off.

Chris, I don't have a GL2, nor have I ever used one, but if the audio control wheels are anything like they are on the XG-A1, they're backwards! Counter clockwise to raise the level, clockwise to lower. Maybe you think you have manual levels maxed out when in fact they are at 0.

On the SKP-100, it's a push down & slide out flip up kind of thing. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy.

Bill

your suggestion may have solved my manual audio issue.

im still trying to get the battery cover off the SKP. I have pushed pulled prodded twisted yanked spanked and cussed like a sailor for three days trying to get it off.

your suggestion may have solved my manual audio issue.

I originally thought about this when this thread started, but didn't say anything because I could not imagine Canon doing this with other models. The A1 is the 1st Canon cam I've owned, so I didn't have anything to compare it to. So it's been a lame design flaw/decision for quite a while now and I suppose no one complained.


im still trying to get the battery cover off the SKP. I have pushed pulled prodded twisted yanked spanked and cussed like a sailor for three days trying to get it off.

Umm, surely with all that, you haven't deformed it to the point where it's stuck? :)

Yoo hoo... Michael... make a How To Open SKP Cover video (if you have one, of course) :D

Bill

I havent deformed anything. It wont budge a millimeter. Im assuming this is your ordinary garden variety battery cover. You put a thumb on the ridges, give it a push, and voila.

No dice. Its like its welded shut. my thumbs are out of commission trying to get this thing off.

Chris,

For the SKP-100 the cover wont come completely out... it;s just a slide and flip.

im sure you tryed the slide and flip... what i do is put my finger on it. push in a tad then slide it up(direction of the area of grooves) then it flips out.

if you got it to flip out then thats all your gonna get unless you break it... if you cant get it to flip out then you need to make me a video because thats crazy!!

Good luck man

~Mike

I havent deformed anything. It wont budge a millimeter. Im assuming this is your ordinary garden variety battery cover. You put a thumb on the ridges, give it a push, and voila.

No dice. Its like its welded shut. my thumbs are out of commission trying to get this thing off.

Chris,

There are a series of indented ridges in the shape of an arrowhead, and it points toward the rear.(This I'm sure you know.) In addition to pushing in the direction of that arrow, you must push down while doing it. There is a slight latch that holds it in place until it begins moving.

Mike

Welp-

messing around with this more last night, I noticed when I turned everything on again (I had not unhooked anything) that when the GL2 was in manual mode, there were ZERO bars on the GL2, but okay on the Sennheisers. When I switched the GL2 to auto mode, I got bars and was able to pass audio.

Not really sure why this is. I disabled and re-enabled MIKE ATT and it doesnt seem to affect anything.

Hmm.


That's exactly one of the things I was trying to get you to check out before. Now you can see what I meant. In the manual position, the sound is low because the level controls are set too low.

The 'mic att' acts kind of like was described before, 'hands over your ears'. (Good analogy Michael!) On that camera, I've only really needed to attenuate when I was too close to a DJ or band's speakers. (rare) You should be able to set the Senn levels to not overdrive the camera's input, and not need mic att.

Glad you got everything resolved!

Mark

Im going to attack the SKP battery cover again tonight. Ive pushed down with both hands with all of my might and tried to slide forward. Its just not moving.

In the limited testing Ive done the G2 transmitter/receiver is performing pretty doggone well. Good clarity. Anyone want to recommend a good wind booty for the lavalier?

If I can get the batteries in the SKP Im thinking of getting a handheld mike I can use with it. I dont think I want to tie/untie ppl with the transmitter/lavalier doing interviews outside (its great for hands free personal stuff). I saw on DVEStore that had a pretty good mike for $200 that will use the SKP100. With a wind muff or something on it, I think thats the most practical outdoor approach.

Anyone want to recommend a good wind booty for the lavalier?


Yep. Rather than re-type everything, look here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=90486

I was pleasantly suprised!

got the battery cover off. had to stick a buoey knife in the crack and force it open. once i closed it again it was still the only way to get it back open again. oh well. i synched it up with the receiver so it works! I have a crappy Samson microphone attached to it though so it doesnt get very loud.

Time to go shopping again for a good handheld unidirectional reporters mike.

thanks for the help. im a pain in the butt.

got the battery cover off. had to stick a buoey knife in the crack and force it open. once i closed it again it was still the only way to get it back open again. oh well. i synched it up with the receiver so it works! I have a crappy Samson microphone attached to it though so it doesnt get very loud.

Time to go shopping again for a good handheld unidirectional reporters mike.

thanks for the help. im a pain in the butt.

Years of working with tools on cars and such has given me very powerful hands and such. Maybe you can do some finger or digit exercises! :)

Mike