Loud Pops on Microphone DSLR/H4N direct recording setup

[James402]

Hi Guys

Always used these forums but never posted. Always helped me before though.

So I am current rigging my Canon 6D DSLR for audio recording. My set up consists of a Zoom H4Nsp plugged into the DSLR via a standard line out cable. A Sennheiser K6/ME66 plugged into the H4N via XLR.

Now here comes the issue. This setup as it stands is getting clear audio APART from occasional huge POPs down the signal. I've checked all the cables and its doesn't seem to be a connection issue. When the POPs occur the DSLR through Magic Lantern reads Microphone Connected. Almost as if the connection keep dropping out.

The strange part is that if I use the build in H4N microphone these POPs don't occur.

If anybody could shed some light on this issue I would be eternally gratefully.

Cheers

James

 

[Alex H.]

Hi, James.

A few things come to mind, as it's impossible to figure it out with so little information.

First, can you post a sample of the sound? Without hearing what you are trying to describe, it's hard to make a guess. "Pop" and "click" and "static" can mean different things to different people. For example, I made a service call to a church for a sound system I'd installed as they had experienced "really bad static" during the most recent service. The more I talked to folks, the more different explanations I got, many describing a low rumble and some saying they thought the organ was having issues. I turned the system on to find that someone had recalled the "board reset" scene, which zeroed out the system EQ and made all the wireless systems susceptible to a nasty, low-end feedback.

Second, are you recording with the H4n as well, and if so, are the same problems showing up in those recordings? Or is it just with the audio recorded in-camera?

Third, when you say the problem doesn't happen when using the built-in mics on the Zoom, is this also a difference of the shotgun being close to the subject and the Zoom being further away? Where is the audio metering on the shotgun vs. on the built-in mics (dB level average/peak)?

Last, posting black text on a grey background is strenuous to read. That's irrelevant to your question, but it'll help the rest of us read your posts without straining.