Problems with ME66/K6 at DVinfo.net

Ed Reed · September 15th, 2006, 09:54 AM

I recently got a Sennheiser ME66/K6 to use as a camera mounted mic on my XL1s with a MA200. I’m very unhappy with the performance though and I hope it’s because I have something setup wrong.

I have the mic connected to Audio 1 L of the MA200. The MA200 is connected to Audio 1 at the back of the camera. The Input Select switch under Audio 1/Mic is set to Audio 1. My actor is less than 4 four feet from the mic. If I leave Rec Level switch set to A then I can barely hear any audio through connected headphones when the actor is speaking normally. There’s virtually no response on the camera’s audio meter. Headphone level is cranked all the way up. If I change the Rec Level to M and crank the Level pot to Max then I can hear a little through the headphones. The camera’s audio meter peaks at about 30. Afterward I have to increase the level in post by about 25db. I’ve checked all the obvious stuff; i.e. cables plugged, switches switched, pots turned up, new battery, etc. Nothing seems to fix it

Can someone tell me what I can do to fix this?

Ed Reed · September 15th, 2006, 10:07 AM

Sorry to waste your time folks, I found the problem. In the VCR Set Up options in the menu I had Audio 1 IN set to Line instead of Mic

Chris Barcellos · September 15th, 2006, 10:42 AM

Was just going to indicated that might be the problem...

So how is it working now. Mic sound okay ?

Don Palomaki · September 15th, 2006, 04:18 PM

The most common single problem and solution.
Do not feel alone in the world.

Ed Reed · September 18th, 2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

Was just going to indicated that might be the problem...

So how is it working now. Mic sound okay ?

It sounds good. I like the quality of it. I wish it didn't pickup as much ambient noise from the sides though. I thought it would be more directional and get the majority of its sound from directly in front. Did I choose the wrong mic for that? Does Sennheiser make another mic that is tighter and still uses the K6 module?

Don Palomaki · September 18th, 2006, 05:20 PM

Check the polar pattern at the various mfgrs web sites or the spec sheets for differnt mics. Side and back rejection are compromises, and all shot guns will pick up some side sound. It alsodepends on frequency. You can find some that reject side sound a bit better but you may get more back sound pick-up. Look for one that mets your needs. Try before you buy if you can.

September 15th, 2006, 09:54 AM	#1
Ed Reed Tourist Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	Problems with ME66/K6 I recently got a Sennheiser ME66/K6 to use as a camera mounted mic on my XL1s with a MA200. I’m very unhappy with the performance though and I hope it’s because I have something setup wrong. I have the mic connected to Audio 1 L of the MA200. The MA200 is connected to Audio 1 at the back of the camera. The Input Select switch under Audio 1/Mic is set to Audio 1. My actor is less than 4 four feet from the mic. If I leave Rec Level switch set to A then I can barely hear any audio through connected headphones when the actor is speaking normally. There’s virtually no response on the camera’s audio meter. Headphone level is cranked all the way up. If I change the Rec Level to M and crank the Level pot to Max then I can hear a little through the headphones. The camera’s audio meter peaks at about 30. Afterward I have to increase the level in post by about 25db. I’ve checked all the obvious stuff; i.e. cables plugged, switches switched, pots turned up, new battery, etc. Nothing seems to fix it Can someone tell me what I can do to fix this?

September 15th, 2006, 10:42 AM	#3
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Was just going to indicated that might be the problem... So how is it working now. Mic sound okay ? __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

September 15th, 2006, 04:18 PM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	The most common single problem and solution. Do not feel alone in the world. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

September 18th, 2006, 05:20 PM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Check the polar pattern at the various mfgrs web sites or the spec sheets for differnt mics. Side and back rejection are compromises, and all shot guns will pick up some side sound. It alsodepends on frequency. You can find some that reject side sound a bit better but you may get more back sound pick-up. Look for one that mets your needs. Try before you buy if you can. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

September 15th, 2006, 10:07 AM	#2
Ed Reed Tourist Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	Sorry to waste your time folks, I found the problem. In the VCR Set Up options in the menu I had Audio 1 IN set to Line instead of Mic