Z1 noisy audio at DVinfo.net

Greg Jacobson · February 12th, 2005, 12:40 AM

My audio is extremely noisy and there is a loud hiss. And yes, all this gets recorded to tape.

This is the case with 3 different microphoes: a lav, a cardioid condenser, and a Sure SM58.

I don't hear the hiss or the other noise when I switch to the onboard mic.

Ther "other noise" I am talking about besides the hiss sounds like "static".

I have went through all my settings and no matter if I drop the audio levels or use a pad I still get the same noise (just less of it of course).

Anyone else have this issue? This noise was not on the FX1 I used for several days last month.

I also noticed that I have to set the trim to +12 in oder to get a strong signal from all the mics I tested. Leaving the trim at 0 or even +6 is way too low. Is this normal?

Shannon Rawls · February 12th, 2005, 01:10 AM

Whooooaa nelly....

I hope nothing is wrong with your Z1U.

If I plug my AT897 mic directly into the Channel 1 with a short XLR cable, and turn Phantom power on and have the input set as "MIC", then my stuff sounds SWEET. (and I am a sound guy, so I know). If I set my trim any louder then 0db, then it becomes TOO loud, so I keep it at 0db.

When I plug my Live Level 10ch. Behringer mixer (or my mackie) into Channels 1 & 2, turn phantom power OFF, and switch inputs to "LINE", then it's not as crisp as the MIC level (odd ain't it) but still great levels, no white noise, no reverb, no delays, and sounds fine.

Someone else was having an issue on how to set his cameras controls, and this is what I told him:

OK,

1. do you have "Mic Phantom" power switched ON (located at the front of the camera?)
2. in the audio menu, did you select EXTERANL mic?
3. in the Audio menu under XLR setup, do you have Channel 1 & 2 "Input Level" set to MIC (not line)
4. in the Audio menu under XLR setup, do you have the "Input Trim" set at 0db (no -18db, -12db or -6db)
5. do you have the "Audio Level" wheels at "5" or higher? (on the back of the camera)
6. do you have your "Volume" turned up? (+ and - button under the LCD pad)

If this is all done, then you should get great audio AND hear it loud and crispy clear in your Headphones. I use Sony V6 (same as 7506), and it sounds great. If it's still not working, you may have a problem, and I suggest you take it to the store and check it on the demo with these exact settings as compared to yours.

I never heard back from him about it, but he continued to post on other topics, so I guess all ended up well for him.

I hope you end up well too.

- ShannonRawls.com

Greg Jacobson · February 12th, 2005, 02:09 AM

Well, now that I let my camera sit for a while most of the noise has left channel 1 and channel 2 is clean.

Problem is my headphones are TOO good I think.

But still, channel 1 has some static while channel 2 is very clean.

Is it possible for a mic to cause damage to your preamps?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 12th, 2005, 07:13 AM

Is it possible for a mic to cause damage to your preamps?

Not really. Potentially if you have a third Phantom power device, and it sends voltage down a line that already has voltage on it, yes. But it's unlikely.

Greg Jacobson · February 12th, 2005, 07:23 AM

DSE,

Your audio is clean and hiss free?

Sean M Lee · February 12th, 2005, 03:09 PM

Dumb question time...

Did you try a different XLR cable?

Greg Jacobson · February 12th, 2005, 03:49 PM

Yes, tried a fresh XLR and same problem. And of course my Channel 2 is clean. The only problem is Channel 1.

I also tried drinking a few beers and then checked back later to see if it would go away but that did not work either. :(

Filip Kovcin · February 12th, 2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

I also tried drinking a few beers and then checked back later to see if it would go away but that did not work either. :(

greg,

this above is my favourite part!

Eric Bilodeau · February 14th, 2005, 12:37 PM

I noticed the same problem on the Z1 I was testing...

BAAAAD...

Greg Jacobson · February 14th, 2005, 10:03 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Eric Bilodeau : I noticed the same problem on the Z1 I was testing...

BAAAAD... -->>>

I will have a fresh Z1 in 2 days so we will see if that one is ok. Your static noise is also only in channel 1 or is it in both channels?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 15th, 2005, 12:49 AM

My Z1 is hiss free. I'd never have kept it/stood for it if it wasn't. I'm using AT899's, AT 897, BK4011, 4001, AT 831, and that's about it, so far. No hiss/noise, nada. What are your level settings, AGC, etc?

Greg Jacobson · February 15th, 2005, 01:28 AM

DSE,

I have tried various settings and mics to see if the static noise would leave but no matter what I did it remained. It also records to tape. The audio on the FX1 I used last month was clean.

Greg Jacobson · February 16th, 2005, 11:30 PM

UPDATE: I got my new Z1 today and the audio is clean in both channels. B&H handled the exchange fast and without any hassle.

February 12th, 2005, 12:40 AM	#1
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	Z1 noisy audio My audio is extremely noisy and there is a loud hiss. And yes, all this gets recorded to tape. This is the case with 3 different microphoes: a lav, a cardioid condenser, and a Sure SM58. I don't hear the hiss or the other noise when I switch to the onboard mic. Ther "other noise" I am talking about besides the hiss sounds like "static". I have went through all my settings and no matter if I drop the audio levels or use a pad I still get the same noise (just less of it of course). Anyone else have this issue? This noise was not on the FX1 I used for several days last month. I also noticed that I have to set the trim to +12 in oder to get a strong signal from all the mics I tested. Leaving the trim at 0 or even +6 is way too low. Is this normal?

February 12th, 2005, 07:13 AM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Is it possible for a mic to cause damage to your preamps? Not really. Potentially if you have a third Phantom power device, and it sends voltage down a line that already has voltage on it, yes. But it's unlikely. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 14th, 2005, 12:37 PM	#9
Eric Bilodeau Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicoutimi, Canada Posts: 334	I noticed the same problem on the Z1 I was testing... BAAAAD... __________________ Eric Bilodeau video SFX,DOP ___________________ http://www.fictis.net info@fictis.net

February 15th, 2005, 12:49 AM	#11
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	My Z1 is hiss free. I'd never have kept it/stood for it if it wasn't. I'm using AT899's, AT 897, BK4011, 4001, AT 831, and that's about it, so far. No hiss/noise, nada. What are your level settings, AGC, etc? __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 12th, 2005, 01:10 AM	#2
Shannon Rawls Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 853	Whooooaa nelly.... I hope nothing is wrong with your Z1U. If I plug my AT897 mic directly into the Channel 1 with a short XLR cable, and turn Phantom power on and have the input set as "MIC", then my stuff sounds SWEET. (and I am a sound guy, so I know). If I set my trim any louder then 0db, then it becomes TOO loud, so I keep it at 0db. When I plug my Live Level 10ch. Behringer mixer (or my mackie) into Channels 1 & 2, turn phantom power OFF, and switch inputs to "LINE", then it's not as crisp as the MIC level (odd ain't it) but still great levels, no white noise, no reverb, no delays, and sounds fine. Someone else was having an issue on how to set his cameras controls, and this is what I told him: OK, 1. do you have "Mic Phantom" power switched ON (located at the front of the camera?) 2. in the audio menu, did you select EXTERANL mic? 3. in the Audio menu under XLR setup, do you have Channel 1 & 2 "Input Level" set to MIC (not line) 4. in the Audio menu under XLR setup, do you have the "Input Trim" set at 0db (no -18db, -12db or -6db) 5. do you have the "Audio Level" wheels at "5" or higher? (on the back of the camera) 6. do you have your "Volume" turned up? (+ and - button under the LCD pad) If this is all done, then you should get great audio AND hear it loud and crispy clear in your Headphones. I use Sony V6 (same as 7506), and it sounds great. If it's still not working, you may have a problem, and I suggest you take it to the store and check it on the demo with these exact settings as compared to yours. I never heard back from him about it, but he continued to post on other topics, so I guess all ended up well for him. I hope you end up well too. - ShannonRawls.com

February 12th, 2005, 02:09 AM	#3
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	Well, now that I let my camera sit for a while most of the noise has left channel 1 and channel 2 is clean. Problem is my headphones are TOO good I think. But still, channel 1 has some static while channel 2 is very clean. Is it possible for a mic to cause damage to your preamps?

February 12th, 2005, 07:23 AM	#5
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	DSE, Your audio is clean and hiss free?

February 12th, 2005, 03:09 PM	#6
Sean M Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indy Posts: 160	Dumb question time... Did you try a different XLR cable?

February 12th, 2005, 03:49 PM	#7
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	Yes, tried a fresh XLR and same problem. And of course my Channel 2 is clean. The only problem is Channel 1. I also tried drinking a few beers and then checked back later to see if it would go away but that did not work either. :(

February 14th, 2005, 10:03 PM	#10
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	<<<-- Originally posted by Eric Bilodeau : I noticed the same problem on the Z1 I was testing... BAAAAD... -->>> I will have a fresh Z1 in 2 days so we will see if that one is ok. Your static noise is also only in channel 1 or is it in both channels?

February 15th, 2005, 01:28 AM	#12
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	DSE, I have tried various settings and mics to see if the static noise would leave but no matter what I did it remained. It also records to tape. The audio on the FX1 I used last month was clean.

February 16th, 2005, 11:30 PM	#13
Greg Jacobson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 141	UPDATE: I got my new Z1 today and the audio is clean in both channels. B&H handled the exchange fast and without any hassle.