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March 11th, 2024, 10:58 AM | #1 |
Regular Crew
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Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
Hi, I'm using the Audio Technica ATR-35S Lavalier Microphone to record persons speaking. I've used this mic many times with Panasonic and Nikon cameras and it's been very good.
This most recent time, it was hooked up to a Samsung A21s cellphone via a USB soundcard plugged into a USB hub, which was then plugged into the cellphone. Meanwhile, the Panasonic HC-V180K was video recording the persons speaking; this was taking place indoors in a closed room. Several recordings were made and were clean and good. However, in one of the recordings there is a noise that starts off, increases in volume, then dies down. It's not buzzing, or humming, or crackling per se. The closest descriptive word could be crackling, although it's not as sharp as a crackle, and it isn't clothes rubbing on the mike. It steadily increases in volume then dies down after awhile and the noise is at a constant stream while it lasts. It happened twice in the recording, one lasting quite long, the other brief. This is the first time I've ever had a problem with the microphone. It's also the first time I've used it with a cellphone and I wonder if that's the problem, or if it's the cord itself (about 20 feet long) that's becoming faulty. Having forgotten to put the cell on airplane mode (it was on silent with no vibrate) the phone log has no record of calls coming into the cell at the time the recording was made. Thanks for any advice, so that the next time I'll know how to avoid it. Might Audacity clean this up? |
March 11th, 2024, 12:01 PM | #2 |
Inner Circle
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
Inexpensive lav mics are more susceptible RF interference or any type of electrical or radio waves. Better lav mics have shielding in the cable and capsule. Phones don't make great recorders because their not designed to that purpose.
One solution is run a lav directly into an audio recorder like the zoom H1. There are dedicated lav recorders like the Tascam DR-10L. And there are a multitude of wireless recorders. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search/BI/2855/KBID/3801 Depends how much you want to spend. |
March 11th, 2024, 12:26 PM | #3 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
I suspected it was the cellphone, as I've never had a problem with the lav when it connected directly to two camcorders. Was your link intended to go straight to a product? It goes to the B&H homepage. I'll search for the Zoom H1 and DR10-L. Thanks for the response.
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March 11th, 2024, 12:31 PM | #4 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
An audio sample would make it easier for the rest of us to identify the sound. Thought it might be worth mentioning.
Andrew |
March 11th, 2024, 06:11 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
Quote:
But I'd agree the phone most likely was the culprit. Even when you're not making a call the phone can put out strong radio signals next to it. DJI, Rode, and Hollyland wireless recorders. These also come with adapters to plug into your phone or camera. These type of devices are all the rage because you can clip on to your shirt and get good audio. I had my eye on the Hollyland Lark because it's so small, convenient and easy to use https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1809525-REG/hollyland_hl_lark_m2_combo_lark_m2_2_person_wireless.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801 But if you solved your problem no need to spend the money on a new device if not needed. |
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March 12th, 2024, 05:50 AM | #6 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
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March 12th, 2024, 05:51 AM | #7 | |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
Quote:
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March 13th, 2024, 01:30 AM | #8 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
You sure it didnt get damp? Lewve it somewhere warm for a few days and test again?
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March 13th, 2024, 07:47 AM | #9 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
I am not surprised there is noise with 20 foot unbalanced mic cable. A faulty cable can induce noise as well, especially when plug-in power (bias voltage) is present.
After the fact, you could try a vinyl click and crackle removal tool, which may or may not help. |
March 13th, 2024, 02:15 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
Quote:
Had your phone been in "airplane mode" it might well not have dumped "digital hash" on your analog mic cable. Had your mic been connected to your phone using an XLR balanced cable, it might not have been able to corrupt your mic signal. Also, had you been monitoring the signal on headphones you would likely have caught the problem before you made the recording, giving you time to correct the problem one way or another. If you insist on recording audio from an external mic using a smartphone (I recommend against, but you know what you need to do better than anyone else), you might want to buy something like a Saramonic SmartRig, or an iRig Pre 2. I've never used either one. I've only read enough to know they exist, so I can't vouch for either, or for any of the others like them on the market. If you can, consider instead an audio recorder designed for the task. Something like a Tascam DR60D MK 2 will give you much better sound, and it has the fittings to be used between a tripod head and a camera. Since you are using a lav mic, maybe something like a Tascam DR-10L recorder that records from a lav mic and you can just drop the recorder in a pocket. But you won't be able to monitor it, so... I hope this helps. Without hearing the audio I'm really just guessing, so clearly YMMV. |
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March 14th, 2024, 08:59 AM | #11 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
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March 14th, 2024, 09:00 AM | #12 | |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
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March 14th, 2024, 09:06 AM | #13 | |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
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Thanks again for all the responses. |
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March 14th, 2024, 12:23 PM | #14 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
I a not very familiar with Audacity. usually use the restoration tools included with Sound Forge Pro which are decent. If they cannot fix a problem, I resort to Steinberg's SpectraLayes Pro. iZotope's RX is very good to,especially RX Advanced, but it is costly.
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March 21st, 2024, 08:51 AM | #15 |
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Re: Audio Technica Lavalier Noise
Helen,
I certainly concur with others' suggestions that the phone should be in airplane mode. I also suggest getting all the USB junk out of the circuit if possible. If your phone has a 3.5mm headset jack, you should be able to get a Y/breakout cable that plugs into the phone, then provides two separate 3.5mm jacks: one for a mono mic (like the one you're using now), and the other for a stereo headset (so you can monitor while recording). |
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