Sennheiser G2 cable shielding problem

A

agentdss

New member
I have a receiver and lav transmitter I've used for about a year. About 3 times during the past year out of a handful of shoots, I've had this weird interference issue. Changing banks and channels (that scan shows should be clear) doesn't help. It's like a snowy kind of interference sound that comes slowly, then strong, then goes away, over a few seconds, but sometimes its always present. It's a different kind of noise from typical RF interference.

I disconnect the miniplug end from the transmitter (the mini-to-XLR cable that Sennheiser supplies for the transmitter) but I leave the XLR plugged into the HVX200 and continue monitoring the unplugged cable and I still hear that interference.

I am guessing it could be the cable, but I don't have another to compare. Another thought is that the shielding inside the receiver could be to blame. I noticed when I touched any part of the receiver, sometimes that changed the interference noise for a moment.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, thanks
 
agentdss,

Tell us about your location. If it is intermitant, that is a good place to start. Fresh batteries can help the G2 also.

Grant
 
I shoot all around Los Angeles and deal with a lot of RF interference. I can usually find a free channel though. The problem I am talking about in this thread is not related to the RF interference as far as I can tell. I use fresh batteries every time I do a shoot (rechargables).
 
I get that sometimes. I'm out in Northern California where hardly anyone is sharing frequencies. In some buildings I get it a lot. I think the structure, or maybe metal running through the walls could cause it. I have sometimes defeated it by putting a long XLR cable on the receiver and moving it around to a better position. Also sometimes metal jewelry on the subject will give me interference. Also if your receiver antennae is pointing straight forward (The natural way to put it when using the cold show attachment), you aren't optimizing it's ability to receive. Try straight up, or pointing left/right.

I'm hoping there is less of this with the new G3 units.
 
Keep in mind that I was still getting this issue when the receiver was turned OFF and also when the miniplug was DISCONNECTED from the the receiver (ie. the XLR cable is still attached to camera, the other end is connected to NOTHING). I believe this is a receiver and/or cable shielding issue, I don't think the transmitter has to do with any of this.

Chadfish, I've had this happen in both exteriors and interiors. Metal in the walls could have something to do with it. I did have the antenna pointing forward in the hot shoe mount, but I did try pointing it upwards and it still had the issue.

Here is a sample of the sound issue (though this was the more tamer effects, there were moments that I can't find right now where the snowy sound was like 3 times as loud)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MIOAS9OM
You hear the issue from the start, but mysteriously it goes away as soon as someone starts talking.
 
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How are you getting any sound if the receiver is turned off?

Also I didn't hear any RF on your file. It just sounded like regular noise - possibly from having the camera levels up too high. Turn your Sennheiser up and your camera down maybe?
 
The recording I posted earlier is from when the receiver is on and everything is plugged in,

I still heard this interference when receiver is off and XLR cable is plugged in on one end to camera. The cable (disconnected from receiver) was still picking up the interference and I could monitor it in my headphones.
 
I noticed you are using rechargeable batteries. Nicads are 1.25 volt while alkaline and other conventional batteries are 1.5 volt. That means a fully charged nicad is equivalent to an alkaline you have used for a couple of hours! Try a new set of conventional batteries and see if it helps.
 
I've used rechargables all this past year with my G2 kit. Out of 40
shoots, this issue I mentioned occured 3 times. Also, Sennhesier sells a
rechargeble battery pack with specs of 1.2 volts per side.

Just to be totally clear. I got a similar and comparable interference
noise in two situations:

when everything is powered on and plugged in

one end of the XLR to mini cable is attached to my camera (everything G2
related is turned off and unplugged, expect for that xlr to mini with the
mini part connected to NOTHING).
 
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