Other: FX6 mic handling noise

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
The handling noise on my FX6 with my AT875R using the stock mic holder is really terrible. Worse than when I had a FS5. I like to use the top handle wheel to change aperture and you can hear every click and just about every other sound is amplified as well. I have a Rycote mic holder https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/629485-REG/Rycote_042901_InVision_Video_Hot_Shoe.html ,but it's really a PITA to position on the camera body and I can't store my FX6 in its bag (fully assembled with the Rycote/mic attached). I'm sure the solution is to isolate the mic as far away from the camera, but does anyone have any ideas on how I can still use the stock mic holder or a better configuration for an aftermarket mic holder? Thanks
 
Maybe check out the Rycote CCA. Similar to what you have, but it has a slug that slips into your camera's stock mic holder (double-check for compatibility, but it probably is). About $80 US at the usual places. I'll attach a picture. More info here: https://rycote.com/microphone-windsh...-shock-mounts/
You'd probably have to remove the mic and holder to place the FX6 in its bag, but mounting is quick: slip the CCA into your camera's mic holder, tighten down, plug in the cable. Not the best thing in the world, but not the worst.

And maybe check to see if the mic cable touches the camera at any point (or if you have an old stiff jumper cable and noise is traveling up the cable to the mic). If it is, perhaps a new high-quality and/or low-profile jumper and/or a cable with a right-angle XLRM to keep the cable away from the camera could help. One widely-available source: https://remoteaudio.com/single-interconnects/
But this is just a guess. Try rubbing your fingers along your current jumper cable while your camera is on and you're wearing headphones. Do you hear way more noise that you'd expect?

Also: Cool that you were able to actually get a FX6!

cca.png
 
Last edited:
scorsesefan said:
The handling noise on my FX6 with my AT875R using the stock mic holder is really terrible.
Click to expand...

The AT875 mic is a true capacitor condenser mic and it does have a very high overall sensitivity, specs showing it to be 6db hotter than a Rode NTG-2 and 10db hotter than the AT897. Its sensitivity is fairly close to the good old industry standard of the Sennheiser 416. Which is still a great mic after all this time. But I found the 416 to be a terrible mic for camera mounting due to its high sensitivity to handling. To its advantage though it appears the AT875 does have a relatively high bass roll-off already built-in with its 12 dB/ octave troll off from 120 Hz and below.

As audio for video becomes broader in scope electret shotguns mics, not capacitor condenser mics are typically considered “ENG” grade devices for most videographers. including many professionals due to their lower handling sensitivity. Though top-grade electret mics are now approaching the standards achieved by true capacitor condenser mics.

That being said the AT875 being such a sensitive mic and like all really sensitive true capacitor shotgun mics is going to need really good isolation to minimise handling sounds. This is typically harder to achieve for cameras if hand-holding and moving around a lot. Locked off on a tripod of course is a different story. All the other tips about cables, loops etc are all going to help. A lot of what you are experiencing is common with true capacitor condenser mics. Additionally, I have found the acoustic properties of some camera bodies can affect the overall handling of sound by certain mics. This may be the case with the FX6. A case in point is I discovered years ago that I had lower handling noise on Sony ENG cameras when they had a PortaBrace cover on them than if they were 'naked' without their camera covers. The covers were damping the natural harmonics of the camera bodies so less transmitted mechanical and handling sound was affecting the onboard mics. Strange but true.

Chris Young
 
I have a custom low profile cable built by Gotham Sound
Click to expand...

Well considering I was going to suggest going to Gotham Sound... I'll guess that's not it. ;-)

Chris's comment is interesting, btw....

the FX6 finally came last month. So far I'm really digging it,
Click to expand...

Cool!
 
Weird. I've used the old Sony onboard mics for years with different cameras and I think they are the same as the AT875R . Never have had any handling noise problems. 416 by contrast was terrible. Don't know the FX6 though. I've always used the stock Sony Mic holder or now the small rig and all have worked fine.
 
LennyLevy said:
Weird. I've used the old Sony onboard mics for years with different cameras and I think they are the same as the AT875R . Never have had any handling noise problems. 416 by contrast was terrible. Don't know the FX6 though. I've always used the stock Sony Mic holder or now the small rig and all have worked fine.
Click to expand...

For some reason the handling noise on the FX6 is terrible. As far as I remember not so on the FS5...
 
Andy9 said:
I use this and it works well: https://www.xdcam-user.com/2021/01/rugged-lightweight-mic-mount-for-the-sony-fx6/

I also switched from an AT hyper to the Sanken CS-M1 which rolls of bass much more aggressively. Only problem is the mic is a little bit small for the mount, especially with a Rycote softie on it.
Click to expand...

I’ve been running the M1 on my F55 as a nat mic for a few years and it’s great, plus I love the small size. I have it in the old Sony CAC-12 holder/shock mount.

Run&Gun said:
Hey Jim. I do run the Rycote softie, but as far as the mount goes, I use the Sony CAC12, that was designed to hold shotguns on ENG and triax handheld bodies(mounted on the body instead of the VF). When you take the mounting plate off, the stud is actually 1/4-20.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49117-REG/Sony_CAC12_CAC_12_Camera_Microphone_Holder.html
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top