Audio Popping/ Cracking???

Don't wait to hear from Panasonic. Email them first thing Monday morning. Then get back on here and let us know what they said/did.

pbtscservice@us.panasonic.com

They are aware of this thread, as I linked it to them when I was inquiring about the issue. I didn't have my HMC150 then, so I couldn't continue the troubleshooting process.
 
=) just turn the audio down on the side of the camera. i shot a 2 hour stage production with the HMC as my wide camera and even though i am replacing the audio with the stuff they gave me on disc...i did not have a single hint of popping, even with loads of bass coming from their sound system.
 
crow: on my shoot this past weekend.. I had my level turned down very low as well.. I confirmed that the audio never peaked.. and yet there was pretty bad popping.
 
Yeah, If you read back several postd we already established that the "clipping" is present in the onboard mic regardless of the levels up/down, or ALC being used.

I haven't been able to experiment with outboard mics yet. I'm still using my digital Roland recorder for live band gigs. But, an audio engineer friend of mine suggested using dynamic mics to counter the live SPL's. The heads are less sensitive to distortion, than the electret condensor mic with phantom power on the camera.

The problem seems to be SPL (Sound Pressure Levels) distorting the mic head. And, also possibly the preamp quality in the 150.
 
I think we can establish that the onboard mic has a low SPL and will easily distort when filming loud sounds.

So, in this case, stop using the onboard mic and use external mics or use a mixer (analog mixer may be better or be sure to not saturate a digital mixer).

Onboard mic is probably the worst mic possible for anything other than ambiance sound. It is useless for any professional work.

But I agree that Panasonic should really investigate this issue.
 
Last edited:
well so far I havent had any trouble with audio, but I must add that most of my shoots have been indoor stage productions. when i took it outside and started getting little bits of wind, I started getting more snap, crackle, and pop than in my rice crispies that morning. So from my experience, the only problem has been excessive wind.
 
After my 1st theater shoot, It sounds like I had a huge bowl of snap crackly pop.

Seems like my rode xlr is super sensitive and has to be turned WAY down. I even ran a line in, and still had some problems with high levels and popping...

Anyone notice the headphone monitor out is pretty low even when turned all the way up? I could barely hear whats being recorded over the live event... I use the bose over the ear noice canceling headphones. :huh:
 
booggerg2 said:
How could Panasonic not have tested and caught this? They're becoming a real hack job over there..
Click to expand...

Well even though I ended up buying one, common sense always says to avoid the first product cycle, whether it be a camcorder or car. We're essentially the very last round of beta testers.
 
D.R. Gates said:
Well even though I ended up buying one, common sense always says to avoid the first product cycle, whether it be a camcorder or car. We're essentially the very last round of beta testers.
Click to expand...

Any other cameras plagued with this many problems as the HMC is?

My DVX (first production) was flawless.. They're on a slippery slope.
 
booggerg2 said:
Any other cameras plagued with this many problems as the HMC is?

My DVX (first production) was flawless.. They're on a slippery slope.
Click to expand...

I hate that you associate the HMC with a plague... Most issues are just a learning curve - being a new model its expected.
 
MadHMC150 said:
I hate that you associate the HMC with a plague... Most issues are just a learning curve - being a new model its expected.
Click to expand...

Audio popping while level is not peaked is not a new feature. It's not something we should have to learn to deal with. It shouldn't happen, period.
 
After closer review, I think its going to be the mixer I was using... Once the Rode was turned down I didn't get any popping. ::wheew::
 
MadHMC150 said:
After closer review, I think its going to be the mixer I was using... Once the Rode was turned down I didn't get any popping. ::wheew::
Click to expand...
Exactly what I said.

It's not only the camera that can be faulty, but the mixer, the external mic, etc. If you saturate at the input, or exceed the max SPL, you'll run into troubles!

And not every shotguns are made equals, and even with the same mic, the max SPL level will be lower using a battery instead of phantom power. And a shotgun is easy to saturate if you're close to a speaker.

But I agree that the onboard mic on the DVX was harder to saturate.
 
Last edited:
SPrimeau said:
Exactly what I said.

It's not only the camera that can be faulty, but the mixer, the external mic, etc. If you saturate at the input, or exceed the max SPL, you'll run into troubles!

And not every shotguns are made equals, and even with the same mic, the max SPL level will be lower using a battery instead of phantom power. And a shotgun is easy to saturate if you're close to a speaker.

But I agree that the onboard mic on the DVX was harder to saturate.
Click to expand...
Does the DVX have an electret condenser mic? I used an old Sony VX-3 and it sounds fantastic! It has a regular dynamic stereo mic mounted. I noticed the highs aren't as brilliant but it still sounds great, and with no clipping.

I'm still thinking a "condenser mic" isn't the way to go in a live, high db atmosphere.

IMO Panny went with a "more" sensitive mic for vox and "normal" situations. In-other words? CUT CORNERS... on their low, to mid range DV camera!

I'm also thinking Panasonic won't be giving us anything but a warning...Like: "Use a mic suited for [extreme conditions]." There is absolutely no way they will call back these cameras for "loud" music clipping!
 
I've also experienced this audio popping issue. I've used a Rode external mic, ALC on, indoors. I had the shotgun mic pointing down close to the talents mouth (voice over) and when I played it back it had cracklings throughout the clip.
 
softdrinks said:
I've also experienced this audio popping issue. I've used a Rode external mic, ALC on, indoors. I had the shotgun mic pointing down close to the talents mouth (voice over) and when I played it back it had cracklings throughout the clip.
Click to expand...

WOW you got audio pop from vocals!?!?! This is highly unacceptable.

Has anyone send their HMC into Panasonic yet for repair?
 
So for those that say the built in mic is cheap, and as such, is to blame, what's your excuse when people use high quality mics via XLR and STILL get the problem?

We don't need Panasonic apologists on here.

The first inkling of a problem and I'm taking it to Panny service in L.A., and they damn well better give me a loaner while mine's in the shop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top