7D Firmware 2.0 Audio Issues

[Topher Martin]

I upgraded both of my camera's to the new 2.0 firmware. However, when setting the audio to manual with a rode videomic pro plugged in, the levels never drop to zero and maintain a noise. I tried 2 rodemic pro's on both of my 7D's and the same issue occurred, once I unplug them, the levels drop to zero and work perfectly with just the onboard mic. I also tried a zoom h4n and though the result was a lower hum, the levels never dropped to zero in a quiet room... just maintained a low hum. Obviously I adjusted the audio manually but the only way for the room to register with no noise was to unplug the mic. I tested the same mic's on a 5d mark ii and the levels were perfect when adjusting manually and there was no constant hum/noise.

Anyone else test this?

[Mark Andersson]

I'm interested in hearing about this too.

Just wondering when u bring your audio into your NLE are both tracks recorded to or is one just low noise and the other with the recorded audio?

[Mark Watson]

I tested the Rode Video Mic Pro with the 7D and new firmware. I get two bars of sound level even with the 7D audio turned all the way down. I haven't downloaded the file to play it back or check the waveform. Haven't checked my Zoom yet, but it's probably going to be the same as you're getting. Must just be the microphone output is higher than usual. I'll try a couple other mics with the 7D and also check out the H4n.

[Topher Martin]

Maybe this isn't a global problem? Seems like alot more people would be a bit bummed after waiting for this firmware to save our audio in terms of ambient/onboard.

[Ciprian Ganciulescu]

Hi there, don't laugh at me, but I haven't got the chance to test it with a more professional mic, but i tested it with my headphones mic, and to my surprise the sound was amazing, the test was almost like lavalier mic, what you are testing is like a field mic (shotgun super/hyper-cardioid). There has to be a catch somewhere, I don't want to confuse you. I'll be testing with a Rode Stereo Video Mic Pro this weekend and let u guys know.

[Ron Little]

I tried the 7d with the manual levels set on the first mark on the camera meter, using a Sinnheiser G2 and it sounds useable. I tried it with an Audio Technika 835b shot gun mic and the sound level was so low it was unusable. Even tho the 835b is a powered mic I suspect it will need a pre amp. So why does the wireless mic sound so much better? I believe it has its own pre amp because you can set the AF out. What do you think?

[Ron Little]

I shot my first event with the 7d Saturday. The video looked great and the audio was good as well.

I rigged up a Beech tec DX6 (I had laying around) with a XLR Splitter sent the signal from my wireless mic to left and right channels on the Beech tec. Set the level on the right to 10 and the left to 5 set the camera to the first mark. That way if the speaker blows out the right the left will still be good.

As I had a chance I would look at the meter in the camera I ended up dropping the level on the right channel to 9. I hate not having head phones to monitor the sound.

The camera rig I have cobbled together is starting to work as I learn to use it. Rigged up it is a heavy rig for hand held work. I will be on a tripod as much as I can.

[Ron Little]

Here are a couple more pics of my audio setup.