Audio Popping/ Cracking???
- Thread starter keentave
- Start date
mcsmooth
Well-known member
I still have yet to sit down and do any tests myself, but have noticed it at least twice now at loud events. First time, popping happened only on a phantom powered mic. The average level was much lower than the internal mic, but it would peak higher.
Last time I used only the internal mics and both were getting popping. I don't think it should matter (but something to keep in mind while testing), but I believe the phantom power switches were accidentally left on.
In both cases, the levels are never making it over -12db. They are averaging around -18 and the pops jump up above -15. I have to think this might not have anything to do with levels because in normal conditions, it goes past -6 without any problems.
The SPL theory makes sense... small room and way too loud of speakers. I'm thinking most owners probably wouldn't dare bring their cam into these types of environments and may never notice it. Still, we have to wonder why it only happens with this camera. If that is the case, wouldn't be easy to replicate at home without pissing off all the neighbors! In regards to testing I would take into consideration, mics, phantom power, ALC, channel levels, meter levels. Maybe a db meter might help find a magic number. Am curious if the pops show up in headphones or just the recording.
I did many really loud events with the DVX and never had this problem... even when my levels were set wrong and was letting the ALC distort to high hell. The only good thing about the pops is that if short enough, can be rounded out in post, its just a PITA.
Last time I used only the internal mics and both were getting popping. I don't think it should matter (but something to keep in mind while testing), but I believe the phantom power switches were accidentally left on.
In both cases, the levels are never making it over -12db. They are averaging around -18 and the pops jump up above -15. I have to think this might not have anything to do with levels because in normal conditions, it goes past -6 without any problems.
The SPL theory makes sense... small room and way too loud of speakers. I'm thinking most owners probably wouldn't dare bring their cam into these types of environments and may never notice it. Still, we have to wonder why it only happens with this camera. If that is the case, wouldn't be easy to replicate at home without pissing off all the neighbors! In regards to testing I would take into consideration, mics, phantom power, ALC, channel levels, meter levels. Maybe a db meter might help find a magic number. Am curious if the pops show up in headphones or just the recording.
I did many really loud events with the DVX and never had this problem... even when my levels were set wrong and was letting the ALC distort to high hell. The only good thing about the pops is that if short enough, can be rounded out in post, its just a PITA.
D.R. Gates
Well-known member
This is the ONLY problem keeping me from getting this cam. I'm just too concerned that I'm going to have a whole wedding ruined by crappy audio.
Has anybody heard back from Panasonic in regards to the situation?
I suppose it's a good sign that this thread sort of petered out a little. That indicates to me that it's not a totally widespread issue. Maybe just a bad manufacturing batch.
I would say 9 times out of 10 this problem will not occur for most any type of video production. Even weddings and things like that it still might not occur. I have only had this problem on extremely loud audio. I did a test and cranked up my stereo as loud as it could go where it was way to loud to listen to comfortably and the problem did not occur. It has only occurred (for me) when i was recording live concerts where the audio is way above any stereo. With an external mic this problem has not occurred.
This should not stop anyone from buying this camera unless you are going to be doing a great deal of live concert recording with the on camera mic. This issue does need to be addressed but it is not a deal breaker. I do a lot of concert filming and have found suitable work arounds.
This should not stop anyone from buying this camera unless you are going to be doing a great deal of live concert recording with the on camera mic. This issue does need to be addressed but it is not a deal breaker. I do a lot of concert filming and have found suitable work arounds.
agree
agree
I would agree with keentave. I have shoot more than 10 weddings with this cam and audio is never my problem. I have shoot 2 recitals and it is where I noticed that in extreme loud condition, it is where you will experience the popping of audio but for me its still acceptable.
agree
I would agree with keentave. I have shoot more than 10 weddings with this cam and audio is never my problem. I have shoot 2 recitals and it is where I noticed that in extreme loud condition, it is where you will experience the popping of audio but for me its still acceptable.
So to be clear, this is only an issue related to using the built-in mic in very loud circumstances, and that use of a good external mic takes care of it? Is that a fair summation?
Myself, I bought my HMC in November and have never had an issue with the audio abilities--no cracking or popping, but I have not been shooting in truly loud environments.
Myself, I bought my HMC in November and have never had an issue with the audio abilities--no cracking or popping, but I have not been shooting in truly loud environments.
Someone list camera settings for me to try, I will set up my camera on a tripod near my drumset (I set them up in a small room, so it should be pretty hectic for the mic).
List some setttings and I'll record sections for each one, if I notice anything I'll make note on here as well as post a video so we can hear it.
List some setttings and I'll record sections for each one, if I notice anything I'll make note on here as well as post a video so we can hear it.
Green Hornet
Veteran
I have had the problem with a board feed (not the built in mic).
Are you guys aware of the sticky focus ring issue in moderately cold temperatures? It's afflicting 150 and 170.. widely reported in this forum. I just experienced my first sticky focus ring on the 150.. in a measly 32deg temp.. I'm pissed.. http://blip.tv/file/1527481?filename=Horner218-stickyFocusRing435.mov
Green Hornet
Veteran
Why did you post this in the thread of the audio issue?
This should have been a different thread. It is most likely caused because everyone said the lens had too much slack, so Panasonic tightened it up, and now it sticks in cold weather.
I don't see that as so much of a problem, just a cold issue.
Because several posters indicated in the thread that the audio cracking was the only issue holding them back from an HMC purchase.. I just wanted to alert them to another potentially significant issue. Sorry for the OT.
I am going to be shooting a farewell concert for a local school music teacher in 2 weeks. I did one similar event with the 150, not a problem. Just used the on-board due to time restrictions--it was a last minute deal--but now I am wondering if there are any special precautions that you guys are taking to minimize the occurance of this crackling issue?
When it happens, is it something that can be handled by Sony Sound Forge or similar?
When it happens, is it something that can be handled by Sony Sound Forge or similar?
D.R. Gates
Well-known member
I did a wedding last weekend where my mic to my MP3 audio recorder wasn't connected as snugly as it should've been. It sounded exactly like what some of the 150 clips were experiencing. Maybe the XLR jack is somehow faulty, not allowing for a completely snug fit?
I just bought my HMC151E, havent tried it in a loud environment yet but will be doing so soon.
Is there any locality factor here? Is it just 150s or are there some 151, 152s etc affected?
To my ears it sounds very much like static the cracking \ popping etc.
Surely if the problem (assuming its the same problem for all) has occured with Int \ ext mics and a board feed, the problem lies deeper than at least the internal mic and that can be ruled out as a sole cause?
Is there any locality factor here? Is it just 150s or are there some 151, 152s etc affected?
To my ears it sounds very much like static the cracking \ popping etc.
Surely if the problem (assuming its the same problem for all) has occured with Int \ ext mics and a board feed, the problem lies deeper than at least the internal mic and that can be ruled out as a sole cause?
matt s.
Veteran
I havent heard any of these issues with my 150 all though I have only recorded 1 loud event with a hyper with phantom in channel 2 and the left internal mic at the same time. i always uses ALC i see some of the people were not using it. I can see overloads happening this way. Those that heard it connecto o a board/mixer it could be the mixer pres were overloaded or the mic on stage couldnt handle the SPL's.
ullanta
Veteran
I haven't done the testing yet, but I'm starting to suspect that the limiter is NOT working at all on one of the HMC's I work with frequently.
If it does work, it certainly doesn't seem to work nearly as well as the one on my DVX or HVX.... but I suspect it just doesn't.
Has anyone specifically tested the limiter functionality?
-Barry
If it does work, it certainly doesn't seem to work nearly as well as the one on my DVX or HVX.... but I suspect it just doesn't.
Has anyone specifically tested the limiter functionality?
-Barry
SPrimeau
Well-known member
After having filmed a show connected directly to the mixer, Line Level and ALC on without any issue, I did an other show last week end.
This time, I had audio cracking at some occasions. But not during all the show. Just on some songs. I can live with it because I can remove them with the Audio Popping filter in Audition.
But I cannot confirm that it's an HMC issue. Yes, sometimes it's the HMC because the VU peaked! So, this is my fault!
But other times, it was not peaking at all on the camera, but I suspect that it may be the mixer because they add a cracking issue with the bass drum during the rehearsal.
The mixer was a digital mixer and the sound of the concert was so strong. So, his digital mixer is prone to digital clipping much more than an analog mixer with analog clipping.
This time, I had audio cracking at some occasions. But not during all the show. Just on some songs. I can live with it because I can remove them with the Audio Popping filter in Audition.
But I cannot confirm that it's an HMC issue. Yes, sometimes it's the HMC because the VU peaked! So, this is my fault!
But other times, it was not peaking at all on the camera, but I suspect that it may be the mixer because they add a cracking issue with the bass drum during the rehearsal.
The mixer was a digital mixer and the sound of the concert was so strong. So, his digital mixer is prone to digital clipping much more than an analog mixer with analog clipping.
Just shot a couple of drummers outdoors... audio was turned down way low and the meter did not peak.. I noticed many pops, with some instances two pops occurring in a row.. Shot with the on-board mic (BTW - Contrary to what some are saying, there is no reason to expect/assume failure of the audio to this magnitude when the on-board mics are used. That's the dumbest I've ever heard.)
When is Panasonic going to officially address this issue?
I would be pretty pissed off if I was shooting for live audio, but I wasn't in this case, and I'm still pissed..
When is Panasonic going to officially address this issue?
I would be pretty pissed off if I was shooting for live audio, but I wasn't in this case, and I'm still pissed..
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