Hiss white noise using mkh416

J

j8jweb

Active member
Hi,

I thought this might have been simply a mic/monitoring issue after reading some threads here. But I've just imported the footage into Final Cut, and there is a lot of background hiss. Is there a series of steps or settings I can follow to minimise hiss as much as possible?

I've been using my MKH416 which arrived today. I'm pretty new to recording audio so maybe I am missing something obvious. Not sure if it would make any difference, but I recorded the audio indoors, maybe there is some static or interference? (I hope!)

I want really clean sound. Am I being unrealistic, or does it sound like I am doing something wrong? I am setting the input volume to various levels to see if that was causing it, but the hissing remains on all played back footage (in Final Cut).

Really appreciate any help.

Cheers
James
 
is it normal to hear hiss when adjusting the audio levels (the dials on the back of the HVX)? I was under the impression that no hiss should be heard really, but the hiss increases the higher I adjust the input volume.
 
Your first post says the hiss is noticable in FCP.

Even though you didn't specifically mention it, I assume you are also monitoring the audio through headphones from the camera as well?

If you can hear it through the camera/headphones, it will be recorded. Just to make sure, in the camera menu set the HP MODE to "RECORDING" (in the AV IN/OUT menu) and try LIVE, also.

That mic is sensitive. Have you isolated the hiss to that?


For a test, set up your subject to read a book out loud while you adjust your sound. Get no more than 3 or 4 feet away max. For richer vocals get within 2 feet. Keep the peak volume indicator between the 2 lines. Use an external monitor if you have one.

On shotguns with such a small pattern, it is easy to turn it up too loud to pick up ambiant sound.
 
Last edited:
actually, I get tons of hiss through my headphones by merely plugging them into the HVX (even without a mic attached), but I believe this is due to the fact I am using prosumer headphones which ironically pick up the preamped headphone socket static way more than standard headphones.

I just tried the mic outside and it sounds a lot better, I guess it must be something inside my flat causing the static.
 
You really should not hear any hiss what so ever. If you are hearing any at all there is certainly something wrong. The problem could be an internal adjustment in the camera or it could be your new mic. Does it come with adjustments/settings on it? I have not used it before so I don't know that mic inparticular. Try another microphone and listen for hiss. If you don't hear it... than it's your mic that is the issue. Also, swap out your cables and headphones. Try to narrow things down to the specific problem.
Jim
 
From what I have read, hearing static through the headphones (with no mic plugged in) is just a common issue with some prosumer headphones and both the DVX and HVX.

I think that's a separate issue.

The issue with actual recorded hiss, I will look into some more.

Indoors it seems to be more noticeable, but I think that may be due to interference with lights, computers, wifi etc. Is this possible?

Could poor cables produce hiss?

Could low battery power result in recorded hiss?
 
Be sure your mic line switches on the front of the camera are set for mic.
If accidentallty set at line position you would have to crank the levels higher to get anything. Also, be sure the phantom power switch is at 48v, which it should be if your phantom powered mic is working. Finally, remember that the mic is very sensitive and could be picking up something in the flat that you are interpreting as hiss, such as a ceiling fan or running water.
 
I think it's the hum of electricity in the flat... something I can't hear myself, but the mic is picking up I think. Problem seems pretty much non existent outdoors.
 
Test your setup in a few different locations to see if it is indeed the electricity passing through your apartment.


As far as can cables cause hiss- if they are not properly shielded or the shielding inside the cable is split or broken... then yes it can cause noise problems. Look for cuts or gouges in the cable. Also un-screw the xlr connectors and make sure all the connections inside the connector are in their proper place and well soldered.

Jim
 
Did you say you get the same level of "recorded" hiss without the external mic...using just the built-ins? Not just through the headphones but actually recorded?

There will be a little hiss in the headphones, even with MDR-7506's. There is a potential for even more when I use a sensitive external. When you go outside, it will be masked by the ambient sound.

Basically, any thing over the midway mark on the camera potentiomters will potentially accentuate the hiss in a quiet room.

I have not had a reason to change the Mic Gain in the Recording Setup menu. The factory setting at -50db is a pretty good basis...and then fine tune with the pots.

The 416 is very sensitive, and may just need to be turned down on the pots and positioned closer to the subject.
 
Actually I didn't test for recorded hiss in the same room with the HVX's own built-in mic. I will do that in a moment.

I'm using MDR 7506's as it goes. Inside I would not describe the hiss as minor, I actually find it quite distracting. I have not increased the gain in the camera menus.

Even with the pots turned down to almost zero, and setting the camera to use the external mic, I still hear a base level of hiss with the headphones, which is the same even with no mic attached. This does not increase unless I pass the halfway point on the pots (but I don't want to do that anyway). Clearly, the camera itself is preamping the audio for headphones which is feeding into the jack/socket during monitoring (but this static is not what is being recorded. In fact if it were, all the audio would be totally unusable). Wonder why Panasonic couldn't make a better headphone connector.

To clarify, I turn on the HVX, plug in some MDR 7506 headphones (and NOTHING else) with gain and pots set normally, and I can hear pretty loud hiss, but I do not believe this is a related problem to the recorded hiss.
 
Last edited:
I Have that mic and love it. But with all mics/cables, there is a sensitivity to AC electrical interferance. When I'm running boom on a shoot, I always check the room for AC "hotspots". Much like a dude with a coin-detector on the beach, I plug in the mic (on boom pole) and headphones into the HVX and move the mic around the room and listen for problem areas. Whenever we shoot in an older building with "un-grounded" AC (2 prong instead of 3prong), I find some horrible "hummm"...not "hisss". Usually if it's AC hum it's in the low frequencies. If you're hearing a "hiss", it can be a variety of consumer items in the house...even if they're turned off "but" plugged in.

It's gonna take some experimentation for you to find the source of the problem (providing it still exisits after you've done the things that others have already mentioned) but it's worth it.

I did a shoot recently at an old hotel....and every time the mic got near a wall plug or a hanging light fixture, I heard "hummm". It was a non-grounded building (Probably 1945 with electrical upgrades).

One of my pet-peeves is bad sound (I'm sure it bugs everyone). But I am always surprised when a DP spends hours doing shoot tests and checking the entire image for issues prior to a shoot....and then the sound guy walks in, plugs in, and says, "Ok, let's shoot!"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top