Problem with Headphones

J

Johnny Bueno

Active member
Hey all,

I have what i hope is a simple problem. I just got the senheiser G3 wireless lavalier kit and I am trying to figure out how to set it up. My problem is that I plugged in my headphones to my HVX and can only hear out of one speaker. The left speaker. I dont know if I setup the sennheiser microphone wrong or if there is a setting in the HVX that I have set incorrectly. Also i tried plugging a second pair of headphones but ended up with the same problem. Any ideas or suggestions as to what is wrong? Thanks you for any help.

Johnny
 
adjust the receiver output on the sennheiser mic? or on the camera? how do I do that? like i stated, I'm extremely new to audio.
 
Your camera has two inputs, and two record channels. Inputs are the paths into which audio enters the camera's audio circuits. Record channels are the paths that go to tape and/or P2. I've only used the HVX once or twice, but if memory serves me the signal routing is the same as a DVX.

On the side of the camera, there are two switches that assign recording sources to the two channels. You can select the built-in mic, or Ch.1 or Ch.2. If you are using only one mic, with no external mixer, and would like to send it to both record channels, connect the mic to Input 2 (make sure that Input 2 is set to MIC and not to LINE), and then you should be able to set both record channels to Input 2.

Since you are using only one mic and recording to two channels, set the second channel to record a few dB lower than the first. That second channel becomes your safety channel, and if there happens to be a sudden peak that overmodulates (distorts) Channel 1, you still have a little headroom on Channel 2 and can use that in post to replace the clipped (distorted) audio. You're only going to use one channel of audio when you edit, if you've only recorded with one mic.
 
WHY is it important to "get sound out of both speakers"? Perhaps we should pursue that question before trying to offer advice.

It is quite normal to record a monaural source (such as from a conventional microphone whether wired or wireless) on only one channel. Where sounds appear in the final edit, and indeed, whether the final release is even stereo or mono, are decisions made in "post production" i.e. during editing.
 
Richard Crowley said:
WHY is it important to "get sound out of both speakers"? Perhaps we should pursue that question before trying to offer advice.

It is quite normal to record a monaural source (such as from a conventional microphone whether wired or wireless) on only one channel. Where sounds appear in the final edit, and indeed, whether the final release is even stereo or mono, are decisions made in "post production" i.e. during editing.
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When he says speaker I think he may mean headphone side. Just wants to get that mono feed to both ears for monitoring.
 
Its not that its important to hear out of both speakers. I was just wondering at first if I was doing anything wrong. Then you Richard told me it was normal so I was at ease. But now C2V gave his input and Im just trying it out to add to my learning of audio. Cuz thats what I doing right now trying to figure out and learn audio. To at least learn the simple setup of it on my HVX lol which ive been having a rough time with. I cant seem to find a tutorial on how to set up the sennheiser g3 to put my mind at ease of wether or not im doing it right. Thanks again for all the help everyone. Any more info is always appreciated.

Johnny
 
Oh by the way C2V. Thanks for the info. It fixed the problem. I can hear out of both speakers now. And thanks to everyone else that has helped me. But now I was wondering if anyone who owns or has operated a sennheiser G3 could explain to me how to perfom an easy setup with it? I keep playing with it and sometimes I get clear sound from the one person im trying to hear and then other times I can liiterraly pickup eveyone in the room that are all spread out with tones of noise. I just need to know what im doing to cause the changes and what is the proper step by step process of setting it up for a shoot. Like I said, ive tried looking for tutorials but no luck. All there seems to be out right now is info about the G2 which by what i can tell have a slightly different menu setups which doesnt help me right now. Thanks.

Johnny
 
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Johnny Bueno said:
I keep playing with it and sometimes I get clear sound from the one person im trying to hear and then other times I can liiterraly pickup eveyone in the room that are all spread out with tones of noise.
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How are you hearing this? Are you listening to the headphone output from the wireless receiver, or through your camcorder? If you need to experiment with setting up the wireless mic, suggest listening ONLY to the wireless receiver. That way you aren't possibly confusing yourself with the different options on your camcorder.

I can't imagine what kind of "settings" on the G3 could cause such dramatic shifts in sound. Seems more likely that you are hearing the wireless mic vs. the onboard mic on the camcorder (or something like that). Suggest spending a few hours with just the mic, the transmitter, the receiver, and a pair of headphones.

Leave the camcorder in its case while you familiarize yourself with the wireless system. That way you have one equation and one unknown. Good idea to experiment with your different pieces of equipment BEFORE you really need them.

Of course, when you are actually shooting you always monitor audio out of the camcorder, NOT from the receiver. That way you can hear exactly what the camcorder is actually recording, not just what the receiver is hearing (and you HOPE you are recording).
 
C2V's advice about using both HVX channels set to different levels is good. It'll result in the headphone sound leaning to one side, but you'll get a nice 'level insurance policy' in exchange for it.
 
Thanks guys. And Richard i will try that. I didnt think to just use the wireless mics alone with my headphones and not the camera. I will play with a bit now. Hopefully it will help me understand. Thanks again everyone.
 
Johnny Bueno said:
Oh by the way C2V. Thanks for the info. It fixed the problem. I can hear out of both speakers now.
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You're welcome. It's a pretty common issue for folks just starting to learn audio. Monitoring your audio in only one ear can be annoying, especially for those who are not used to split monitoring. And again, using only a single mic, it my not be necessary to record to both channels but it sure helps both with listening and with the safety channel.

Just remember, when you go to edit, you'll want to split those channels out and use only one of them. Placement of your monaural (aka "mono") audio is accomplished using the PAN function of the audio controls in your video or audio editing software.

Johnny Bueno said:
But now I was wondering if anyone who owns or has operated a sennheiser G3 could explain to me how to perfom an easy setup with it? I keep playing with it and sometimes I get clear sound from the one person im trying to hear and then other times I can liiterraly pickup eveyone in the room that are all spread out with tones of noise. I just need to know what im doing to cause the changes and what is the proper step by step process of setting it up for a shoot. Like I said, ive tried looking for tutorials but no luck. All there seems to be out right now is info about the G2 which by what i can tell have a slightly different menu setups which doesnt help me right now.
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Whenever you have any audio equipment running with your camera, you have several places to adjust both the level of the audio and the routing of the audio (as we discussed before).

With just the wireless mic and your camera, it's a fairly simple setup. First, make sure that your routing on the camera is correct (mic into Input 2, Input 2 set to both record channels).

Also, make sure that Input 2 is set for the correct signal level using the switch on the front of the camera. In the case of the Sennheiser wireless receiver, you should be set to MIC.

As for the system itself, I have the G2 and am not certain of the differences with the G3, but the principles should be the same.

The menu setting to watch on the transmitter is "SENSITIVITY," which adjusts the gain of the lavaliere mic coming into the transmitter. On the G2, it moves in 10dB steps. The meter on the transmitter's LCD screen isn't numbered, so you have to go with a "best guess" for level safety. The goal is to have a signal level, at normal peaking levels and with the lav properly placed, that leaves a little bit of headroom without peaking and thus distorting in the transmitter. I try to peak with at least two meter segments left untouched, sometimes three.

The setting to watch on the receiver is "AF OUT." This adjusts the level of the audio signal leaving the receiver. It moves in 6dB steps.

The ideal audio setting coming into the camera from the receiver gives you a strong signal with a decent amount of headroom. The AF out level should not cause distortion in the camera's preamp, but should be strong enough that the input level adjustment does not need to be all the way up in order to achieve the proper recording level.

This whole process is called gain staging. Every point the signal hits between mic and recording where the gain (level/amplitude/volume) can be adjusted is a gain stage. If improperly set from one stage to the next, the signal may be too weak and have added noise or may be too strong and end up distorting. Once the signal has noise or distortion, it cannot be cleaned up downstream.

Most mixers and recorders (and most high-end cameras) have numbers on the audio meters that indicate levels in dB (deciBels). They also usually have reference marks on the rotary or sliding potentiometers (sliders or knobs that adjust the levels). These numbered meters and pots have reference points marked to show you where your signal or level adjustments should be when you calibrate your gain staging.

Because the HVX doesn't have numbers, they've added a cross-hatch to one of the meter segments (the last white segment before red). This indicates, roughly, -12dB which is your reference level. Your dialog recording should average around that point, with occasional peaks a little above. They have also given a reference mark on the rotary level control, which is at 12:00 (the halfway mark). The lack of numbers makes gain staging a little more challenging, but Panasonic has given you enough info to get close.

So, assuming enough similarity between the G2 and G3 systems, calibrate your mic level like this:

- Set your camera's input to MIC and connect the receiver.
- On the side of the camera, set both Channels to Input 2.
- Make sure that +48v Phantom is OFF. The wireless receiver doesn't need it.
- Set your transmitter's sensitivity for the dialog level of the person wearing the lav.
- Set your input levels on the camera to the "12:00" reference point.
- Set the receiver's AF Out so that the dialog is riding right around -12dB on the camera's meters.
- Drop the camera's Ch. 2 level control down so that it's meter reads 2 or 3 segments lower than Ch. 1.

As for info on the G3, do you not have a manual? Read that through as it will tell you what each menu setting does.

Hope this helps. I'd also suggest investing in the Sound for Film and Television DVD available on this site. It's well worth the purchase.
 
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Sorry for the late response CV2. Thanks a lot for the info and tutorial. Im gonna get started on testing with my HVX asap. I just need to clarify a couple of things before I do. First, when you say to set the +48v phantom off, do you mean on the HVX or on the sennheiser? Im assuming you mean the 2 switches on the side of HVX that say Input 1 and Input 2 (mic power +48v on or off) but just want to make sure. Next, when you say to set the input levels on the camera to 12:00, are you talking about the two audio dials on the back of the HVX that say Audio Ch 1 and Ch 2 that have the white dots on them? lastly, for now at least lol, when you say to drop the camera's Ch 2 level control down two or three segments lower than channel 1 are you talking again about the to white doted dials on the back of the camera? Im so sorry if these are ridiculous questions but I do appreciate the help. Thanks again.

Johnny
 
Johny, I am using the g3 HVX Combo.. I can tell you the the g3s signal runs way "hot"... My settings are -21db on the mic transmitter and -24 db on the wireless Receiver. This allows me to set my camera pots to 12 'oclock..ish. Here is the g2 tutorial.. very similar to g3..good luck!
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I AGREE
 
Johnny Bueno said:
First, when you say to set the +48v phantom off, do you mean on the HVX or on the sennheiser? Im assuming you mean the 2 switches on the side of HVX that say Input 1 and Input 2 (mic power +48v on or off) but just want to make sure.
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Correct. The phantom power controls on the HVX should be off.

Johnny Bueno said:
Next, when you say to set the input levels on the camera to 12:00, are you talking about the two audio dials on the back of the HVX that say Audio Ch 1 and Ch 2 that have the white dots on them?
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Correct... those two "dials" are rotary potentiometers, or rotary pots, that control the levels on the camera. The 12:00 position, with the arrow pointing straight up, should have a slightly larger marking above it, which indicates a reference point.

Johnny Bueno said:
lastly, for now at least lol, when you say to drop the camera's Ch 2 level control down two or three segments lower than channel 1 are you talking again about the to white doted dials on the back of the camera?
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Correct. Use the rotary pot for Ch. 2 to lower the record level. On the on-screen audio meter on your HVX's flip-out LCD, the Ch. 2 meter should read slightly lower than the Ch. 1 meter (about 2 or 3 meter segments).
 
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