Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav at DVinfo.net

Peter Berger · March 30th, 2014, 08:44 AM

I rented a Sennheiser wirelless lav and I have this problem with it - when I touch the cord of the Sennheiser lav, I can hear crackling noise in the sound. Is there a way how to fix it? Its impossible to put the mic on somebody without touching the cord. If the person moves and the cord moves too, the noise appears. The cord cant be changed, because its part of the mic.

Rick Reineke · March 30th, 2014, 08:57 AM

The cable is likely broken. If the damage is down by the plug (the usual stress point), the connector can be replaced, but this requires some electronic/soldering skills. Even a non-locking 3.5mm TRS plug can be used in a pinch.
If the cable is broken close to, or at the mic element, that is usually not repairable and requires a new mic assembly. (mic/cable/plug)

Les Wilson · March 30th, 2014, 12:21 PM

As Rick said, you have a bum Lavalier. Hope you can get a refund on the rental.

For others who come along this thread searching with the same problem: if it's a Sennheiser Lav, they have a refurb program where you send them the bad one and they send one they've repaired. It's about half the price of a new one.

John Willett · March 31st, 2014, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

Even a non-locking 3.5mm TRS plug can be used in a pinch.

Not really, as it would be free to move and cause crackling.

ONLY to be used in a dire emergency and then changed for a locking one at the earliest opportunity.

Terry Wall · July 17th, 2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

For others who come along this thread searching with the same problem: if it's a Sennheiser Lav, they have a refurb program where you send them the bad one and they send one they've repaired. It's about half the price of a new one.

Hey, Les, I have a similar problem with the "scratchy sounding" Senni lavs and have 2 of them that I'd LOVE to send in for repair. Especially if I can save half the price of new ones! Is there a specific department within Senni's repair facility where they should be sent? Is there a specific contact (person)?

Many thanks!
~TRW

Les Wilson · July 18th, 2015, 05:53 AM

The website for Support has changed. THere use to be a form you could fill out and a schedule of flat rate repairs. Looks like there's a gatekeeper page now where you create a service request and go from there.... https://service.sennheiserusa.com

Let us know if the program is still there.

Rick Reineke · July 18th, 2015, 09:31 AM

If you're referring to an ME2 (or ME4) .. even half price (however they calculate that.. I know the street price is around $130), is it worth getting an awful sounding mic fixed? I'd get an OST for around $90 and be done with it

Terry Wall · July 18th, 2015, 01:43 PM

Thanks for the hint about the OST's, Rick...I just might go that route! Judging from your comment, is it safe to say that their connectors are built better than the Sennis? Nice price point, too!

~TW

Rick Reineke · July 18th, 2015, 02:06 PM

Yes, OST uses a (Tec-Nec I think) locking brass plug, soldered on by OST. The Sennheiser ME series mics use a cheapo molded-on plug which is far more prone to breakage. Not only is the OST plug much better quality, the locking ring retracts enough to use in a conventional (non-locking) 3.5mm jack. Can't do that with the Sennheiser, the locking ring prevents full insertion.
BTW, the lowest street price I've seen on the ME2 is currently $139 USD.. Sennheiser's list price is $189.. do the math.

Terry Wall · July 18th, 2015, 02:22 PM

Hi, Rick! Since you were responding to my question, is it safe to say you meant Senni, Not Sony? Incidentally, and a bit OT, you're not related to Steve Reineke (big time "Pops" orchestra conductor), are you? I noticed you're in NYC and I he's there too! He used to be the conductor for the Long Beach Pops out here in CA and we miss him!

~TW

Rick Reineke · July 18th, 2015, 02:55 PM

"is it safe to say you meant Senni, Not Sony?"
- Yes Terry, thanks for catching that, I will correct it so no one else is confused.

I have cousin Steve, but he's an attorney, though many in my family were/are musicians, including myself.

Paul R Johnson · July 19th, 2015, 05:10 AM

If he rented it, then buying a mic is not an option, is it. Getting at least a partial refund is! If the mic was faulty, then he also has the evidence in the recording.

I also wonder if perhaps the hire company just accidentally included a dodgy mic?

However - noise from the cable is a bit more complex. Two kinds, electrical and mechanical. Some cables seem to age badly, and some brand new ones of cheaper makes (it could have been a non-sennheiser mic on a genuine Sennheiser radio pack) have microphonic cables. The friction noises go up the cable sheath and are mechanically linked to the capsule, which produces a quite distinct sound. Broken conductors either cut the audio, intermittently or totally, or crackle and bang. Again, an electrical fault is a very specific noise. If we could hear it, we could tell - but it's too late now.

March 30th, 2014, 08:44 AM	#1
Peter Berger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 136	Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav I rented a Sennheiser wirelless lav and I have this problem with it - when I touch the cord of the Sennheiser lav, I can hear crackling noise in the sound. Is there a way how to fix it? Its impossible to put the mic on somebody without touching the cord. If the person moves and the cord moves too, the noise appears. The cord cant be changed, because its part of the mic.

March 30th, 2014, 08:57 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav The cable is likely broken. If the damage is down by the plug (the usual stress point), the connector can be replaced, but this requires some electronic/soldering skills. Even a non-locking 3.5mm TRS plug can be used in a pinch. If the cable is broken close to, or at the mic element, that is usually not repairable and requires a new mic assembly. (mic/cable/plug)

March 30th, 2014, 12:21 PM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav As Rick said, you have a bum Lavalier. Hope you can get a refund on the rental. For others who come along this thread searching with the same problem: if it's a Sennheiser Lav, they have a refurb program where you send them the bad one and they send one they've repaired. It's about half the price of a new one. Last edited by Les Wilson; March 30th, 2014 at 02:43 PM.

July 18th, 2015, 05:53 AM	#6
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav The website for Support has changed. THere use to be a form you could fill out and a schedule of flat rate repairs. Looks like there's a gatekeeper page now where you create a service request and go from there.... https://service.sennheiserusa.com Let us know if the program is still there.

July 18th, 2015, 09:31 AM	#7
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav If you're referring to an ME2 (or ME4) .. even half price (however they calculate that.. I know the street price is around $130), is it worth getting an awful sounding mic fixed? I'd get an OST for around $90 and be done with it

July 18th, 2015, 01:43 PM	#8
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav Thanks for the hint about the OST's, Rick...I just might go that route! Judging from your comment, is it safe to say that their connectors are built better than the Sennis? Nice price point, too! ~TW __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!

July 18th, 2015, 02:06 PM	#9
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav Yes, OST uses a (Tec-Nec I think) locking brass plug, soldered on by OST. The Sennheiser ME series mics use a cheapo molded-on plug which is far more prone to breakage. Not only is the OST plug much better quality, the locking ring retracts enough to use in a conventional (non-locking) 3.5mm jack. Can't do that with the Sennheiser, the locking ring prevents full insertion. BTW, the lowest street price I've seen on the ME2 is currently $139 USD.. Sennheiser's list price is $189.. do the math. Last edited by Rick Reineke; July 19th, 2015 at 01:07 PM. Reason: typos

July 18th, 2015, 02:22 PM	#10
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav Hi, Rick! Since you were responding to my question, is it safe to say you meant Senni, Not Sony? Incidentally, and a bit OT, you're not related to Steve Reineke (big time "Pops" orchestra conductor), are you? I noticed you're in NYC and I he's there too! He used to be the conductor for the Long Beach Pops out here in CA and we miss him! ~TW __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff! Last edited by Terry Wall; July 18th, 2015 at 02:23 PM. Reason: typo

July 18th, 2015, 02:55 PM	#11
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav "is it safe to say you meant Senni, Not Sony?" - Yes Terry, thanks for catching that, I will correct it so no one else is confused. I have cousin Steve, but he's an attorney, though many in my family were/are musicians, including myself.

July 19th, 2015, 05:10 AM	#12
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,016	Re: Problem with Sennheiser G2 lav If he rented it, then buying a mic is not an option, is it. Getting at least a partial refund is! If the mic was faulty, then he also has the evidence in the recording. I also wonder if perhaps the hire company just accidentally included a dodgy mic? However - noise from the cable is a bit more complex. Two kinds, electrical and mechanical. Some cables seem to age badly, and some brand new ones of cheaper makes (it could have been a non-sennheiser mic on a genuine Sennheiser radio pack) have microphonic cables. The friction noises go up the cable sheath and are mechanically linked to the capsule, which produces a quite distinct sound. Broken conductors either cut the audio, intermittently or totally, or crackle and bang. Again, an electrical fault is a very specific noise. If we could hear it, we could tell - but it's too late now.