Problem with MM1

D

David Evans

Well-known member
Hi guys

I have a Sound Devices MM1 which I love and I use it to mic my Audix SCX1 into my Canon XH A1. Lately, I've been noticing a very disturbing problem which I don't know if it can be associated with a recent situation I had with the MM1. I didn't use it for about 1/2 a year, but in my last project I needed to capture good quality sound, so I got my MM1 out of the closet but, to my surprise, the batteries leaked their internal oils into my MM1. I took it to the store and they were able to remove the batteries and cleaned the MM1 thoroughly.

I was happy, but when I tried to use it, I started getting some very annoying distortion in the high pitch sounds, like a very radiophonic irritating sound. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong but would it be possible that the batteries liquids might have something to do with it? Do you think it's worth to fix it or is this one of those situations that I might as well get a new one (assuming I'm not doing something wrong...). If I plug the mic directly to the Canon XH A1, I get no distortion.

Thanks
 
It seems very possible that battery chemicals (more likely acid or alkali than "oil") has damaged components or the PC board inside your MM1. It would not surprise me to find exactly symptoms like that after battery chemical damage.

It may be repairable, but it may cost more to repair than to replace. I would offer to buy the damaged unit just on speculation that it might be fixable, but also possible that it isn't good for much more than a good "teardown" video. But certainly you should take it back to whomever cleaned out the battery damage and ask them if they might be able to identify and replace any damaged internal components.
 
Thanks Richard. Strangest thing though, I went to the store today with my MM1, and we tried it there and it worked flawlessly... So, the problem now must be on the other components: cables, microphone or camera. Microphone is out of the question because I use it all the time and have no issues. And if I connect it directly to the camera it works flawlessly. So maybe cables or maybe the camera isn't handling the gain on the MM1 as it should?

I'm going to the store tomorrow with all my gear and isolate the problem...
 
Looks like it is not the MM1 but as a rule you should never leave batteries in devices. Lithium batteries are the only ones that won't leak and that fluid can destroy the working parts of the device. I have lost a number of flashlights that way, a device you would leave the batteries in.

So you shouldn't be surprised. If you did need to repair the MM1 I would talk to Sound Devices. They, like most high end manufacturers, actually do repair work.
 
Thanks Scott. Tomorrow I'm going to the store again but right now I'm completely lost trying to figure out what could be wrong. The MM1 worked with no issues at the store today. But as I came back home and plug my mic into the MM1 and the MM1 to the Canon XH A1 XLR input, the sound gets distorted / radiophonic (I'm listening to the audio output of the camera). I tried two different mics and the same issue happens. I don't have anymore XLR cables at my place to try and no headphone set with the adequate jack plug to monitor directly from the MM1... Any ideas?

Tomorrow, maybe I can get an answer at the store regarding this strange issue...
 
Couple of things. First get yourself a 1/8 to 1/4 headphone adapter. It's 10X harder to trouble shoot if all you can hear is the end of the chain.

What you are describing sounds like a bad connection or a broken wire. That will 99% of the time be in the cables, but...

I would bring the whole set up with you so they can duplicate the problem and figure out where it is coming from. Could just be dirty contacts some place.
 
I have a regular client with constant cable issues, most of his cables are low cost, and many have the 'molded on' XLR connectors, which can't even be temporarily repaired on location w/o parts. I always bring a few my Canares for subs if needed.
Batteries: I've seen and read of many batteries leaking (particularly Procells..) I always remove batt.s from devices when I don't expect to use them again in a week or so. Of coarse sometimes I forget, but I've been lucky lately.
 
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