Mic Problem! need help!

ramsaur

ramsaur

Veteran
Okay so I got a shotgun mic a few weeks ago and i'm shooting a scene today this afternoon and i'm testing the mic out and it's not working. I replaced the batteries and nothing! It is turned on. I turned it on different levels and still will not work. Anyone can help me out??

Can you not use Energizer batteries? Does it have to be those super ones..the more expensive ones?
 
It is probably that, and as dumb as it may sound make sure your camera is selected to exterior mic and I highly doubt it, but maybe you need phantom power?
 
It's an external mic not connected to the camera. The mic connects to a small recording box which works fine, but the mic is just not working for some reason.
 
Regular batteries should be just fine. Have you tested the mic with some other device, like plugging it into a mixer and listening with phones to see if its working? Have you checked you cable? Have are you sure it's plugged into a mic level input or the input is set to mic level? Sure would be helpful to people trying to offer suggestions if you wouldn't be so secretive about what mic it is, exactly what "small recording box" you're referring to, etc. As it is, your post is sort of like calling up the doctor and saying "I don't feel very good, what should I do about it?" Not a lot of information to go on to help you figure out what to look for.
 
ramsaur said:
okay well sorry about that. The recording box is a Zoom H2 (which works fine)

The mic (not working) is an ATR55 or just go to this website:
http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/product.php?productid=16301&cat=274&page=1
Click to expand...

Mic with fresh battery?
Mic on and normal position?
Mic 1/8 mini plugged into Ext Mic jack (top right side)?
Mic Gain set to 'high'?
Nothing connected to Line In jack?
Press REC one time, check meters while talking into mic
Record level (rew and FF keys) not turned all the way down?

This mic is a mono mic with a TS connector. It will only record to the left channel unless you add a mono to stereo adapter
 
Steve House said:
Mic with fresh battery?
Mic on and normal position?
Mic 1/8 mini plugged into Ext Mic jack (top right side)?
Mic Gain set to 'high'?
Nothing connected to Line In jack?
Press REC one time, check meters while talking into mic
Record level (rew and FF keys) not turned all the way down?

This mic is a mono mic with a TS connector. It will only record to the left channel unless you add a mono to stereo adapter
Click to expand...
I tried everything and nothing. All I got was I hit record and nothing then I hit record again to just record something and I could hear audio again but then it just quickly cut off. Then i tried it a few more times and did the same thing then eventually went to wear it just will not work.
 
ramsaur said:
I tried everything and nothing. All I got was I hit record and nothing then I hit record again to just record something and I could hear audio again but then it just quickly cut off. Then i tried it a few more times and did the same thing then eventually went to wear it just will not work.
Click to expand...

The fault could be in a dead or backwards battery, the mic itself, the cable, the connector, or the Zoom recorder. Start at the start of the chain and eliminate things one step at a time. Plug your mic into the mic input of your computer soundcard or anything with a 1/8 mic level input like an old tape recorder and see if it works. Does your Zoom record using its internal mics? Does it record with a different mic plugged into it? Heck, go to Radio Shack and get a $10 'blister pack' mic, plug it into the zoom and see if it records.
 
Steve House said:
The fault could be in a dead or backwards battery, the mic itself, the cable, the connector, or the Zoom recorder. Start at the start of the chain and eliminate things one step at a time. Plug your mic into the mic input of your computer soundcard or anything with a 1/8 mic level input like an old tape recorder and see if it works. Does your Zoom record using its internal mics? Does it record with a different mic plugged into it? Heck, go to Radio Shack and get a $10 'blister pack' mic, plug it into the zoom and see if it records.
Click to expand...

Battery is not backwards. Tried different brands of new batteries and did not work. Plugged it into the computer and still nothing. I do have a 1/8 mic level input. But yes the Zoom H2 does work and I used that the day before yesterday at a shoot. So I guess it's the mic. I'll just have to contact the company and see if I can get another or refund.
 
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