Audio Popping/ Cracking???

Here is a clip of the HMC150 pop noise.

Password to view is: test


http://vimeo.com/3776054

From brand new xlr cable from camera to mixer board, actually 2 cables connected together, a 25 foot and a 50 foot.
Audio level set at -12 on meters to one channel, and second channel recording ambient through on board mic, had second audio source, plus first camera audio, so the hmc150 audio was not used.
 
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Bummer about the audio... I've never had that happen before on my 150... really sounds like clipping - but so brief... and why does that song make me think of Warren Zevon and the ol' Werewolves of London?
 
Wow guys that does sound bad. To me it almost sounds like a bad audio cable or connection. Are you guys using an external mike? Onboard? Phantom powered external? I've heard this kind of stuff a lot off a boom mike when the cable is bad or the connection isn't secure.


i personally haven't heard any audio pops like this on my 150.
 
Spec-Comm said:
Before we panic, let's hear a clip or two and see if they are similar issues. Then we can start a process to get it fixed IF there is really an issue. Can someone post a clip that actually has the issue?

Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
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--------------------

"IF" there is "really" an issue?

I think we've established that. If you have an in w/ Panasonic maybe it's time to seek that solution.

At this point, I now have another thing to worry about! I have to lug around, and setup a digital recorder to these "paying" band gigs, because I'm not trusting the 150 to get the sound right.
 
Justyn said:
Wow guys that does sound bad. To me it almost sounds like a bad audio cable or connection. Are you guys using an external mike? Onboard? Phantom powered external? I've heard this kind of stuff a lot off a boom mike when the cable is bad or the connection isn't secure.
Click to expand...


I was using the on camera mic on my video.
 
Justyn said:
Are you guys using an external mike? Onboard? Phantom powered external?
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- External mike: Audio Technicha AT825
- I never use the onboard mike
- Phantom or battery for the AT825 with the same results

This is a long shot, but i wonder what batteries every one with this issue use:
1. The original battery, VW-VBG260
2. The "monster" battery, VW-VBG6
3. The power supply connected via the dummy battery to the camera

So far i have only used alternative #1, the original battery, and wonder if it is the battery that cannot feed the camera with enough power. However, i dont think the power source matters. I had very similar issues with my Panasonic DVC30, with fully charged battery or direct from the charger.

I strongly think that all camera manufacturers must focus on to put some decent audio circuits in the new cameras since the images they produce are fantastic. For me it is certainly not enough with a camera that gives me fantastic images while the audio is still at the same level it was 10 years ago. I would gladly without any doubts pay extra for a camera with high quality low noise mic preamps, high quality AGC and a high quality limiter.

Panasonic, wake up! Give us cameras with high quality audio as well. :)

/Roger
 
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Why didn't I read this thread before I purchased my HMC-150 (today)?

I've been reading these threads every day for the last month or so... and yet I missed this!

I hope this is resolved.... audio is very important.
 
In January, I recorded a whole 2h40 show without any pop.

I used two XLR cables from the mixer, Line level set, phantom power off, ALC on.
 
cracking

cracking

just received my HMC 150 and used it a while a go for a recital. I really noticed the cracking sound while recording. Im sure I checked that I was not overmodulated. After recording I immediately checked and its really there. I hook the cam into the mixer using xlr cable. You can really noticed that there is really cracking sound.

I then checked with sm58 mic alone and tried to record and still the cracking sound is there
 
...So the only time it has NOT been there with loud source is when the ALC is ON, so far.

It is there on on camera mic,
Recording through a board.
Recording through line level
 
Damn. This is not good. I was thinking of getting an HMC and using it for live concerts & other loud events, but now I'm not sure it's the best choice. I love everything I've read about the SD card workflow, and the 3 hour continuous takes are awesome, but this audio issue clearly needs to be resolved soon.

Has there been any word from a Panasonic rep about this?
 
I've had no such instance of this since I've had the HMC and I've shot 80 hours of footage with it... but I'll keep my ears open for next time I shoot and I do feel everyone's pain.


Jan doesn't handle this line but maybe Barry can direct this thread to the powers that be. Having unexceptable audio is really.. well quite, unacceptable.
 
Dammit why didn't I read this thread before buying an HMC.. the moderators should put this thread up as a sticky and in big yellow font so that it doesn't get bumped down.

EVeryone needs to keep bumping this thread so it remains at the top.
 
I filmed a very loud punk show last night. Had MIC ALC turned ON and audio levels adjusted accordingly. The audio cracked when I was using the on camera mic; however it did NOT crack when I attached a condensor mic xlr with phantom power.

I wasn't moving around very much so the popping was not very often with the on camera mic. Several times per song but not constantly. From the tests I've done it seems to crack more when I move more. However, this could just be coincidence.

I bought my camera several weeks ago and even this cracking is still not a deal breaker as i've found some work arounds. Using the on camera mic is not ideal for recording live music anyway. As of yet I have not had any cracking when using an external mic. Also, I've recorded some acoustic music with no cracking from the on camera. So, from my experiences, it seems only with really loud music.

I would recommend to use an external mic whenever possible with Mic ALC ON of course. If I start to get a cracking with external mic and I think some others might have reported this happening than that's somehting Pansonic SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO.
 
Howdy,

I've compiled a list of users who are having problems with their HMC-150's audio:

Keentave, Ullanta, trez, Green Hornet, Averdahl, ronedee, jakobim, MTS

People who have reported the same audio problem while using an external audio source:

fieldreportermf, green hornet, trez, mcsmooth, MTS,

People who have never had an audio problem: voxwerx, Justyn, SPrimeau

Examples of audio problems:

Example #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSPmCOXuJ4M

Example #2: http://vimeo.com/3776054 (Password: test)

I'd like to hear Barry's thoughts on this!
 
keentave said:
If I start to get a cracking with external mic and I think some others might have reported this happening than that's somehting Pansonic SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO.
Click to expand...

Panasonic needs to be looking into it now because it's affecting the mic that comes with the camera. It's silly to say it's no big deal just because you can always attach another mic to it.

If the audio is popping and craking with movement, it sounds like it's a build issue, with a messed up weld or lose wiring. So it will might take a trip to Panny service instead of firmware to fix it.
 
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