Problems with external microphone on HV20 at DVinfo.net

Joshua Fulton · February 17th, 2008, 09:14 PM

Hi guys, I was wondering if you could help me with this.

I've gotten a couple external microphones and I'm not getting the results I'm looking for with either of them.

The first two are two Sennheiser G2 EW 112's. I got them both refurbished, but I'm getting the same result with both of them, so my instinct is that it's probably not the microphones. Basically, it sounds very "hot" or distorted when I plug in the microphones. I have the Attenuator on, but it still sounds very hot. I put the mesh windscreen on the microphones, but it still doesn't eliminate it. It's still quite significant in my opinion.

Ok, newsbreak, when the automatic wind filter is on in the HV20 it sounds alright, but I've tried that before and for some reason I just couldn't get it on. Did I fiddle around with the controls too much? What are the essential settings for making an external microphone sound good?

Also, I got an Oktava MK-012 and that's not working. It needs 48Volt phantom power. I have a Rolls MX124 Mixer. I don't know if that supplies phantom power or not, but I was just kind of hoping that I could plug the Oktava in there and it'd work. Anyone know what I can do to get the Oktava to work with my HV20? I just looked on the Rolls website and it says that the mixer comes with 18 VDC of Phantom power. I don't know what VDC means, but I know 18 is less than 48.

Sorry if this is a lot of questions guys, but I'm supposed to be shooting something on Sunday and I want to make sure all the sound is good.

Thanks a lot.

Josh

Mark Viducich · February 18th, 2008, 12:09 AM

you need to use the mic switch on the toggle to either turn the mic up or down to control the mic's input value you cannot use the oktava mic without some sort of mixer with phantom 48 power

Joshua Fulton · February 18th, 2008, 07:21 AM

Hi Mark, thanks very much for the response.

I've tried adjusting the mic level on the HV20, and even though I can get it lower without as much disortion, the sound quality still does not sound particularly good to me.

A friend mentioned that I might need to adjust the 'sensit' setting on the Sennheisers. Anyone have any ideas about that?

Thanks.

Josh

Also, I think I was wrong about that wind filter. Maybe I just didn't have the mic input plugged all the way in or something, because now whenever I try to plug it in that wind filter option goes off.

Ronan Fournier · February 19th, 2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua Fulton

A friend mentioned that I might need to adjust the 'sensit' setting on the Sennheisers. Anyone have any ideas about that?

Yes, it's true.
I've got the same problem with the EW100. By default this setting on the transmitter was a bit to high, I found.
You should decrease it as it is explained in the manual (chapter "Adjusting the sensitivity" (transmetters only).

Joshua Fulton · February 19th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Ok guys, it looks like my sensit settings were too high.

I also got a 48 Volt power supply from 'Artcessories' for about $40. So everything worked out pretty well.

Thanks.

C.S. Michael · February 19th, 2008, 11:59 PM

Have you paired the Oktava MK-012 and HV20 yet? I have an Oktava also, so the 48v phantom power supply is on my shopping list. I would be interested to hear how well it's working out for you.

I've been using an Audio Technics AT897 with my HV20. Outdoors this combo produces nice results, but indoors the sound is lacking. 'Tis said that the Oktava is superior indoors.

February 17th, 2008, 09:14 PM	#1
Joshua Fulton Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Union Co., New Jersey Posts: 26	Problems with external microphone on HV20 Hi guys, I was wondering if you could help me with this. I've gotten a couple external microphones and I'm not getting the results I'm looking for with either of them. The first two are two Sennheiser G2 EW 112's. I got them both refurbished, but I'm getting the same result with both of them, so my instinct is that it's probably not the microphones. Basically, it sounds very "hot" or distorted when I plug in the microphones. I have the Attenuator on, but it still sounds very hot. I put the mesh windscreen on the microphones, but it still doesn't eliminate it. It's still quite significant in my opinion. Ok, newsbreak, when the automatic wind filter is on in the HV20 it sounds alright, but I've tried that before and for some reason I just couldn't get it on. Did I fiddle around with the controls too much? What are the essential settings for making an external microphone sound good? Also, I got an Oktava MK-012 and that's not working. It needs 48Volt phantom power. I have a Rolls MX124 Mixer. I don't know if that supplies phantom power or not, but I was just kind of hoping that I could plug the Oktava in there and it'd work. Anyone know what I can do to get the Oktava to work with my HV20? I just looked on the Rolls website and it says that the mixer comes with 18 VDC of Phantom power. I don't know what VDC means, but I know 18 is less than 48. Sorry if this is a lot of questions guys, but I'm supposed to be shooting something on Sunday and I want to make sure all the sound is good. Thanks a lot. Josh

February 18th, 2008, 12:09 AM	#2
Mark Viducich Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pleasant Grove, CA Posts: 86	mic on hv20 you need to use the mic switch on the toggle to either turn the mic up or down to control the mic's input value you cannot use the oktava mic without some sort of mixer with phantom 48 power

February 19th, 2008, 11:59 PM	#6
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	Have you paired the Oktava MK-012 and HV20 yet? I have an Oktava also, so the 48v phantom power supply is on my shopping list. I would be interested to hear how well it's working out for you. I've been using an Audio Technics AT897 with my HV20. Outdoors this combo produces nice results, but indoors the sound is lacking. 'Tis said that the Oktava is superior indoors. __________________ Bored? Check out my blog (shot with Sony EX1, Panasonic TM700, Nikon D7100, Sony NEX-5N, GoPro2): LongLongHoneymoon.com

February 18th, 2008, 07:21 AM	#3
Joshua Fulton Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Union Co., New Jersey Posts: 26	Hi Mark, thanks very much for the response. I've tried adjusting the mic level on the HV20, and even though I can get it lower without as much disortion, the sound quality still does not sound particularly good to me. A friend mentioned that I might need to adjust the 'sensit' setting on the Sennheisers. Anyone have any ideas about that? Thanks. Josh Also, I think I was wrong about that wind filter. Maybe I just didn't have the mic input plugged all the way in or something, because now whenever I try to plug it in that wind filter option goes off.

February 19th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#5
Joshua Fulton Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Union Co., New Jersey Posts: 26	Ok guys, it looks like my sensit settings were too high. I also got a 48 Volt power supply from 'Artcessories' for about $40. So everything worked out pretty well. Thanks.