ME66 problem

Transmission2

Transmission2

Active member
I have been using the ME66 as my shotgun mic for this music documentary Im currently shooting, and over the last few days I've been having some issues with the microphone. Im shooting in an environment that's jammed full of electronics and studio equipment and I have shot in the same location for over a month and never had a problem. The microphone is picking up a lot of buzz that makes the audio totally unusable. It's more sensitive in certain areas of the room, but what troubles me most is when I put my finger over top of the red switch on the power module it seems to go away and the buzzing sound is replaced with a slight high pitched squeal. The microphone is extremely sensitive to any touch of my hand, especially on the power module section.

If any of you sound pros have any advice for me, I would really appreciate it. I still have a month to shoot on this project and Im concerned that my audio is going to suffer. Please help!!!
 
Odd... the only buzzing I've ever experienced through my 66 was the result of flourescent lighting in the location. Lights out, buzz gone.

Are you running phantom? Is anything plugged into AC? Tried new XLR?
 
Is the noise accoustic, or electronic (ie. can you hear it through the air). If its electronic, try running from an internal battery rather than phantom power. Some electret condensor mics will be less susceptible to RF noise when running on a battery.

Also, try running the camera or recorder from battery power rather than mains.

Other than that, switch off everything that doesn't have to be on, and keep the mic out of those areas where you experience the worst buzz. EQ, noise removal plugins, notch and comb filtering are all useful for keeping buzz and hum under control in post, but the best strategy is always to minimize noise before the signal hits the recorder.
 
thank you for your replies.

it seems that the dimmer switches in the house are causing the buzzing noises, and Im little nervous because Im just dealing with this now. Im not sure if this same buzzing occurred before, and I pray that it's not in the audio and i missed it somehow. I find that really hard to believe because it's so obvious to hear. How could I just be hearing this now?... the same dimmer lights have been on the whole time.

Is there anyway to avoid this hum besides turning the lights off? Is there any reason why the mic is more sensitive to the hum now?

cheers.
 
Some mics are more suceptible to hums than others. I've found the Sennheiser MKH416t to be one of the most hum-proof mics on the market, which more than makes up for the minor inconvenience of T-powering.

Dimmer switches tend to be great sources of hums and whines. I don't know why, but they can really be a problem. Keep your audio cables as far away from power cables and conduits as possible, and try to avoid running parralel to power cables (crossing at right angles). Induction noise on mic cables is something we always have to listen out for. More rhobust insulation and shielding on cables will help, as will keeping your cables in top shape (propperly coiling them, keeping the rubber clean and conditioned). In really difficult situations, try to keep the power supply as close to the mic as possible, since long lines carrying phantom power will be more susceptible to noise. There are a number of compact battery-powered mic power supplies that are handy to have on hand for that very reason.

If you can kill the hum by switching off the lights, consider yourself fortunate. I've recorded in a few old buildings where the ground wiring acted as a giant radio antenna, causing unballanced instrument cables to pick up a creepy low-level whisperring.

Sometimes all you can do is try to minimize the damage and filter it in post.
 
Dimmers give out an actual audible buzz. RF will only be heard through your mic. I had a similar run in when shooting in a punk rock band's home studio. They had all sorts of junk throwing off RF interference that effected the 416 (non-t) I was using. We were in and out of there too quick to ever isolate the problem.

I have recorded in a million other studios with no problem so it was something specific to their equipment (a lot of cheap amps, DIY gizmos, and even neon beer signs) that was causing it.

If you have the time go through and find out what is causing the issue and try to work around it. If it's just the dimmer, lose it and try some lower watt light bulbs.

Good luck
 
I have had my k-6 power module make noise when the screw on it's main body was loose. Som kind of grounding problem I would guess. Try making sure all of the screws are secure!
 
Generally, I would look for things that changed during the shoot - are you closer to power sources? Have you swapped out your cables? Are your cables crossing power lines? Is the gaffer crew using cheap dimmers? Another one I discovered recently - is there power running under the floor (this was solved by lifting the cables off the floor - PA's do have a use. ;-)

Phil
 
This just happened to me...thanks for this post...it was driving me nuts trying to figure out what was wrong!! :) I found the screw on the back of the power module was loose...once I tightened it...buzz is gone!
 
Connecting pin one on the female XLR connector to the shell lug on the connector may resolve the RFI issue but........
if you are surround by cheaps buzzy dimmers your microphone is doing it's job. It is picking the sound around you. I don't know another solution that shutting down all the noise sources or cover them with thick sound blankets.
 
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