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?

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

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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

Best regards,
Arnaldo