T2i/550D mic socket

F

flinty

Veteran
Does anyone have any idea why when using my azden SMX-10 or any cheap mic my 550D has recorded sound whether the mics are switched on or off,even if they have no batteries.
But with my Rode stereo mic it has to be switched on for recorded sound ie switching the mic off losses sound.:huh:
 
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flinty said:
Does anyone have any idea why when using my azden SMX-10 or any cheap mic my 550D has recorded sound whether the mics are switched on or off,even if they have no batteries.
But with my Rode stereo mic it has to be switched on for recorded sound ie switching the mic off losses sound.:huh:
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So no one knows if the T2i/550Ds mic socket powers certain mics and not others as mine does, i just need to know if mine is normal.
 
No, there is no phantom power coming from that socket. Some mics have a switch to turn them on and off if they are powered or not. It simply makes or breaks the wired connection. It doesn't have to be powered.
 
Its crazy the Azden works even without a battery, if i put a plain pug lead with no mic in there is no sound as it should be,but i can tell the sound is coming from the Azden when its plugged in and pulling the lead out the change to the onboard is noticable.Is this bloody 550D haunted or are you saying the mic does need to be powered to work in the DSLR Kit, but the fact it needs power and be switched on to give sound to my HV30 confuses it more.
 
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When the mic is not powered it is probably still generating a signal. Probably a very low one, but the T2I would AGC it up to audible. Mics still put out a tiny signal when not powered, shoot, sometimes you can even use your headphones as a microphone if you gain it up enough.
 
rallymatt said:
Mics still put out a tiny signal when not powered, shoot, sometimes you can even use your headphones as a microphone if you gain it up enough.
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Very true. You realy don't even need to gain it up much. Microphones and headphones work in a very similar way to each other (except opposite of course). That was an old DJ trick, if I ever forgot my microphone, I could use my Sonys to talk. Sounds not so great, but in a pinch it will work.
 
Kit Hannah said:
No, there is no phantom power coming from that socket. Some mics have a switch to turn them on and off if they are powered or not. It simply makes or breaks the wired connection. It doesn't have to be powered.
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I tested my Sony ECM 55 lav powered with a AA battery, against a cheap PC desk mic on the 60D. The Sony 55 records at a lower level with power than the desk mic with no power. The 55 also creates more hiss than the $3 desk mic at all recording levels I tested. I know the 60D has a noisy preamp to begin with, but any idea why the cheapo desk mic seems to sound less noisy than the Sony?
 
rallymatt said:
When the mic is not powered it is probably still generating a signal. Probably a very low one, but the T2I would AGC it up to audible. Mics still put out a tiny signal when not powered, shoot, sometimes you can even use your headphones as a microphone if you gain it up enough.
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But when used with my HV30 the Azden has to be swiitched on with a battery or it does not work at all, so the T2i or mic may not have a fault.
Amazon are offering me an exchange and i dont know what to do,contact canon and Azden may be best.
 
flinty said:
But when used with my HV30 the Azden has to be swiitched on with a battery or it does not work at all, so the T2i or mic may not have a fault.
Amazon are offering me an exchange and i dont know what to do,contact canon and Azden may be best.
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There is no problem with your gear. HV30 probably uses different AGC or none at all and you just don't hear the low signal.
 
rallymatt said:
There is no problem with your gear. HV30 probably uses different AGC or none at all and you just don't hear the low signal.
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Ok thanks rallymat and all who have helped but before i cancel amazons exchange i dont understand this low signal thing as the Azden mic gives identical volume whether it has power or not into my T2i/550D,so i realy dont have a problem ?,realy sorry to be a persistant pain on this but it is imortant.cheers
 
flinty said:
Ok thanks rallymat and all who have helped but before i cancel amazons exchange i dont understand this low signal thing as the Azden mic gives identical volume whether it has power or not into my T2i/550D,so i realy dont have a problem ?,realy sorry to be a persistant pain on this but it is imortant.cheers
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The signal is probably not identical. The t2i is probably auto gaining the mic off signal it so it is the same level. I bet if you listen real close to a recording with the mic on, and one with it off (or look at the waveform) you will notice more noise in the one with the mic off. Or perhaps not if your mic is possibly noisier than the T2i preamps. With Magic Lantern you could disable AGC and set a level manually. Then I bet you would see a different in the mic on/off.
 
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