Help: Z5 audio issues? at DVinfo.net

Sam Renkin · September 19th, 2012, 12:45 PM

I'm attempting to troubleshoot some audio problems that have affected the last three shoots with my Z5. This problem has to do with phantom power, and low mic levels/background hiss.

I have three different mics that require phantom power - an Audio Technical AT-897 shotgun, an AT-899 wired lav, and a CAD Audio large diaphram side address mic that I use for stage productions. The two AT mics accept a AA battery for internal power.

Here's the problem: any powered mic (either battery or using the camera's +48v phantom power) exhibits weak output, lots of background noise, and a very thin audio signal - tinny with no dynamics. I've tried boosting the channel gain (+6db), and I've tried using the mics with and without phantom power turned on.

However, after the camera has been running for about 30 minutes, there is a slowly building static crackle that lasts for about 10 seconds, then the noise goes away and the mic functions properly.

Does anyone have a clue what might be causing this? I've ruled out a bad mic (it happens with three). Any help is appreciated - thanks!

Sam

Warren Kawamoto · September 20th, 2012, 10:44 AM

Does this problem happen on both channels? Was the audio ok before the last 3 shoots?

Sam Renkin · September 20th, 2012, 01:08 PM

Yes, both channels are affected although the static I described was in channel 1 only. Honestly, I still need to break out the kit and recreate the same setup to do further troubleshooting.

Warren Kawamoto · September 20th, 2012, 03:58 PM

From the symptoms you described so far, it sounds like your phantom power circuit went bad. I hope I'm wrong, and that you can narrow the problem through more troubleshooting! If I am right though, you need to send in the camera to Sony.

Sam Renkin · September 24th, 2012, 04:09 PM

Good news, I set up the camera with the mics again and was able to isolate an XLR cable as the faulty component. I kinda thought they either worked or they didn't - but in this case, it was faulty and working at the same time. Problem solved!

Warren Kawamoto · September 25th, 2012, 07:07 PM

I'm glad it wasn't your camera, it could have been costly! If you open up that faulty cable connector, you'll probably find the wire ends frayed. It can be fixed with solder and shrink wrap tubing.

Stelios Christofides · October 6th, 2012, 07:04 AM

I had a similar problem, only to find out that the cables were faulty. what a relief

Leslie Wand · October 6th, 2012, 07:58 AM

it's worth taking acre of your cables:

Video: How to Roll Audio Cables to Prevent Tangles | eHow.com

Warren Kawamoto · October 6th, 2012, 08:32 AM

Another way for super long cable runs is to can coil them in a figure 8 on the ground.

Stelios Christofides · October 6th, 2012, 01:23 PM

what is the maximum length for audio cables.

stelios

Don Bloom · October 6th, 2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

what is the maximum length for audio cables.

stelios

I've run over 300 feet without issues. HOWEVER, it is not something I like doing but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

Warren Kawamoto · October 7th, 2012, 08:08 AM

I don't know what the maximum is, but I've seen audio cables running from the front of a theater stage all the way to the mixing booth which is in back of the house, which is several hundred feet.

September 19th, 2012, 12:45 PM	#1
Sam Renkin Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 211	Help: Z5 audio issues? I'm attempting to troubleshoot some audio problems that have affected the last three shoots with my Z5. This problem has to do with phantom power, and low mic levels/background hiss. I have three different mics that require phantom power - an Audio Technical AT-897 shotgun, an AT-899 wired lav, and a CAD Audio large diaphram side address mic that I use for stage productions. The two AT mics accept a AA battery for internal power. Here's the problem: any powered mic (either battery or using the camera's +48v phantom power) exhibits weak output, lots of background noise, and a very thin audio signal - tinny with no dynamics. I've tried boosting the channel gain (+6db), and I've tried using the mics with and without phantom power turned on. However, after the camera has been running for about 30 minutes, there is a slowly building static crackle that lasts for about 10 seconds, then the noise goes away and the mic functions properly. Does anyone have a clue what might be causing this? I've ruled out a bad mic (it happens with three). Any help is appreciated - thanks! Sam

September 20th, 2012, 10:44 AM	#2
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? Does this problem happen on both channels? Was the audio ok before the last 3 shoots?

September 20th, 2012, 01:08 PM	#3
Sam Renkin Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 211	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? Yes, both channels are affected although the static I described was in channel 1 only. Honestly, I still need to break out the kit and recreate the same setup to do further troubleshooting.

September 20th, 2012, 03:58 PM	#4
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? From the symptoms you described so far, it sounds like your phantom power circuit went bad. I hope I'm wrong, and that you can narrow the problem through more troubleshooting! If I am right though, you need to send in the camera to Sony.

September 24th, 2012, 04:09 PM	#5
Sam Renkin Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 211	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? Good news, I set up the camera with the mics again and was able to isolate an XLR cable as the faulty component. I kinda thought they either worked or they didn't - but in this case, it was faulty and working at the same time. Problem solved!

September 25th, 2012, 07:07 PM	#6
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? I'm glad it wasn't your camera, it could have been costly! If you open up that faulty cable connector, you'll probably find the wire ends frayed. It can be fixed with solder and shrink wrap tubing.

October 6th, 2012, 07:04 AM	#7
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? I had a similar problem, only to find out that the cables were faulty. what a relief __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

October 6th, 2012, 07:58 AM	#8
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? it's worth taking acre of your cables: Video: How to Roll Audio Cables to Prevent Tangles \| eHow.com __________________ www.lesliewand.com.au

October 6th, 2012, 08:32 AM	#9
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? Another way for super long cable runs is to can coil them in a figure 8 on the ground.

October 6th, 2012, 01:23 PM	#10
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? what is the maximum length for audio cables. stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

October 7th, 2012, 08:08 AM	#12
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Help: Z5 audio issues? I don't know what the maximum is, but I've seen audio cables running from the front of a theater stage all the way to the mixing booth which is in back of the house, which is several hundred feet.