XL1s On-camera mic Zoom noise at DVinfo.net

Dan Gutwein · November 12th, 2003, 12:39 PM

I'm a newbie to the list and to the XL1s. I bought the XL1s starter kit and am using the standard stereo mic supplied. I just taped an all afternoon conference for a nearby community college and in order to get the lecturer's audio signal up to -12db on VU I had to turn up the mic volume to about 3:30. I wasn't using headphones, so I was unaware that when I used the Zoom the on-camera mic would pick up the Zoom noise. In fact, I've also found in general that this on-camera mic tends to pick up any kind of fumbling around one does on the camera while recording. Any solutions?! What have others done to isolate the mic from the camera? Any suggestions for alternative mic-mounts or mics?

Nathan Gifford · November 12th, 2003, 12:44 PM

Not an unusual problem. Try the Mini-Mount from Lightwave Systems.

Dan Gutwein · November 12th, 2003, 08:12 PM

Both of these Canon products cost about the same amount. I wonder if Lightwave's mic mount is better for isolating the mic than their system mount which isolates mic and viewfinder assembly. If the latter is just as good, then it provides you with a way to better balance the camera on your sholder, by moving the camera back almost 2 inches. Does anyone have experience with sound isolation and the Lightwave's "system isolator?"

Don Palomaki · November 13th, 2003, 06:02 AM

May not eliminate the issue for you, but might help. With the existing Canon EVF mic mount, be careful not to over tighten the mic clamp screw. If too tight it will compress the isolation/damping material too much and increase coupling of mechanical noises to the mic.

Andrew Petrie · November 13th, 2003, 11:02 AM

I use the mini-mount, it does not help with the zoom noise issue. I have not tried the system isolator though.

Personally I think it's an internal shielding issue, with all of those electronic parts so close together, it wouldn't surpise me.

Teague Chrystie · November 13th, 2003, 11:23 AM

It wouldn't be very tough to engineer a unit for the mic. Rather like a microphone stabilizer for tabletops...the mic suspended from all directions by cord of some kind.

I've also found (go figure) that using cotton balls or a thin sponge around the inside of mic grip will deaden the vibration sounds and the zoom sounds as well.

Arnaldo Paixao · November 20th, 2003, 05:56 AM

In my case, the mini-mount has indeed solved the problem.

Best regards,
Arnaldo

November 12th, 2003, 12:39 PM	#1
Dan Gutwein Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 35	XL1s On-camera mic Zoom noise I'm a newbie to the list and to the XL1s. I bought the XL1s starter kit and am using the standard stereo mic supplied. I just taped an all afternoon conference for a nearby community college and in order to get the lecturer's audio signal up to -12db on VU I had to turn up the mic volume to about 3:30. I wasn't using headphones, so I was unaware that when I used the Zoom the on-camera mic would pick up the Zoom noise. In fact, I've also found in general that this on-camera mic tends to pick up any kind of fumbling around one does on the camera while recording. Any solutions?! What have others done to isolate the mic from the camera? Any suggestions for alternative mic-mounts or mics?

November 12th, 2003, 12:44 PM	#2
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Not an unusual problem. Try the Mini-Mount from Lightwave Systems. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

November 12th, 2003, 08:12 PM	#3
Dan Gutwein Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 35	Mini-Mount of System Isolator? Both of these Canon products cost about the same amount. I wonder if Lightwave's mic mount is better for isolating the mic than their system mount which isolates mic and viewfinder assembly. If the latter is just as good, then it provides you with a way to better balance the camera on your sholder, by moving the camera back almost 2 inches. Does anyone have experience with sound isolation and the Lightwave's "system isolator?"

November 13th, 2003, 06:02 AM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	May not eliminate the issue for you, but might help. With the existing Canon EVF mic mount, be careful not to over tighten the mic clamp screw. If too tight it will compress the isolation/damping material too much and increase coupling of mechanical noises to the mic. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

November 13th, 2003, 11:02 AM	#5
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	I use the mini-mount, it does not help with the zoom noise issue. I have not tried the system isolator though. Personally I think it's an internal shielding issue, with all of those electronic parts so close together, it wouldn't surpise me. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

November 13th, 2003, 11:23 AM	#6
Teague Chrystie New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 22	It wouldn't be very tough to engineer a unit for the mic. Rather like a microphone stabilizer for tabletops...the mic suspended from all directions by cord of some kind. I've also found (go figure) that using cotton balls or a thin sponge around the inside of mic grip will deaden the vibration sounds and the zoom sounds as well. __________________ http://www.figrinfilm.com

November 20th, 2003, 05:56 AM	#7
Arnaldo Paixao Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vimeiro - Portugal Posts: 255	In my case, the mini-mount has indeed solved the problem. Best regards, Arnaldo