Canon has yet to address the R5c's issue with its internal microphone. The internal mic appears to be always 'on', and cannot be defeated. Plugging an external mic into the camera's 3.5mm port brings the audio menus to life, but they only effect the external mic. The only workaround that I have found is to delete the internal mic recorded tracks in post, but that is a very unprofessional approach for a CINE camera. Canon should be able to add some code that allows for the internal mic to be turned off, either manually, or when the camera senses an external mic is connected. I have discussed this issue with Canon Cine support on several occasions, but have never received any feedback.
The Canon R5C Owners Club
- Thread starter Liam Hall
- Start date
NorBro
Major Contributor
Did Canon ever mention what the issue was when they delayed or recalled (or whatever it was) a batch of cameras a month or so ago?
Wonder if that was part of it. (Cameras have had bad 3.5mm inputs or crackling in the audio, but not being able to disable the input is a first for me.)
Wonder if that was part of it. (Cameras have had bad 3.5mm inputs or crackling in the audio, but not being able to disable the input is a first for me.)
I cannot address the recall issue, but I've had multiple conversations with Canon Cine Support about the internal mic issue, and they are aware that it cannot be defeated. I have a suspicion that it might be by design, since their other cine cameras allow—in menu—for the mic to essentially be turned off. And since the R5c's video OS is an alleged modification of the C70's, one should be able to assign or unassign the internal mic to a track. Perhaps it's an attempt to make the R5c more consumerish rather than professional, so as not to compete with their higher end cine line of cameras, but it's just a guess, because I cannot think of any other logical explanation.
The only way—according to those who have investigated—to make the audio menus functional is to plug something into the camera's own 3.5mm jack, but even so, the internal mic's gain is not adjustable, and the menus appear to apply only to the mic plugged into that jack/input. I do not have a dynamic mic at the present time to confirm the above.
I'm not sure that I accept the cost issue raised, since we are likely only talking about firmware code, not hardware. But perhaps it was a design oversight that can or will be addressed in future firmware updates. However, at the present time it is an annoyance that can be overcome in post by the deletion of tracks 3&4 which are assigned, by default, to the internal mic.
Hi NorBro,
2 years is a long time to wait for a fix for a problem that should not have been existent in the first place. But a lengthy back and forth with support has revealed that the only way to defeat the internal mic is to attach the Tascam adapter with an XLR microphone, while at the same time attaching a consumer mic to the camera's own 3.5mm jack. A very unprofessional approach for a camera marketed to professionals.
2 years is a long time to wait for a fix for a problem that should not have been existent in the first place. But a lengthy back and forth with support has revealed that the only way to defeat the internal mic is to attach the Tascam adapter with an XLR microphone, while at the same time attaching a consumer mic to the camera's own 3.5mm jack. A very unprofessional approach for a camera marketed to professionals.
NorBro
Major Contributor
It's just crazy to me. I've owned between 15-20 different Canon DSLRs and mirrorless' since 2009/2010 and you were able to lower the levels of the internal microphone to 0 (or as far left as you could go) and there would be no sound. And if a microphone was plugged into the 3.5mm input (the ones that had one), the levels would then control that source.
And all of those cameras were less money than the R5 C besides the 1DX Mark II.
And all of those cameras were less money than the R5 C besides the 1DX Mark II.
cpreston
Veteran
It looks like a design over sight to me. I thought the audio menu system for the most recent generation of cinema cameras was pretty nice with being able to view and assign all four channels on a single menu screen. It is odd that is missing. I'm guessing they were trying to make it so that the Tascam module automatically was assigned to channels 1 and 2 when it was attached so they removed the menu. Hopefully they fix it.
Does anybody have the Tascam module and does it provide useable audio that is comparable to a professional recorder?
Also, I remember when Canon added a line input option to the 1DC. You had to send it in to Canon to have it installed. It still managed to distort the preamp at about 10 dB below digital clipping. It was a mess so I am not sure if Canon's photo team can be trusted with anything related to audio.
Does anybody have the Tascam module and does it provide useable audio that is comparable to a professional recorder?
Also, I remember when Canon added a line input option to the 1DC. You had to send it in to Canon to have it installed. It still managed to distort the preamp at about 10 dB below digital clipping. It was a mess so I am not sure if Canon's photo team can be trusted with anything related to audio.
Helo Cpreston,
I have the Tascam adapter that I use with a Rode NTG-5 on the R5c. The combination works very well and audio is as clean and natural as that obtained from one of my several Sound Devices recorders. It records to either channel 1, or channels 1&2, depending upon how the Tascam adapter is set. That said, the camera's internal mic sends its signal to channels 3&4 at the same time since there is no way to alter its gain, I assume that there is an AVC circuit in play.
I don't know if this had been a design oversight, but I have a C300 Mk III that allows me to defeat the internal mic with a simple menu tick, and the overall menu layout on the R5c is almost a clone of the C300.
I have the Tascam adapter that I use with a Rode NTG-5 on the R5c. The combination works very well and audio is as clean and natural as that obtained from one of my several Sound Devices recorders. It records to either channel 1, or channels 1&2, depending upon how the Tascam adapter is set. That said, the camera's internal mic sends its signal to channels 3&4 at the same time since there is no way to alter its gain, I assume that there is an AVC circuit in play.
I don't know if this had been a design oversight, but I have a C300 Mk III that allows me to defeat the internal mic with a simple menu tick, and the overall menu layout on the R5c is almost a clone of the C300.
With the somewhat misguided hope that Canon's new DM-E1D stereo microphone would activate all of the R5c's audio page menus and defeat the internal microphone, I quickly placed an order for one when I saw that it was in stock on the Canon Store site, while no one else had it in stock. It arrived this morning and here is my take:
It is very small and light and does not require external power. Sound quality for dialog is good, although I have not tested its 'stereo' capability for separation or sound stage, which is probably irrelevant.
Now, the disappointment:
1. The R5c's internal mic remains stubbornly active, and there is no way to control its gain, as in lowering it to "0".
2. The first 2 pages of the audio menus remain mostly grayed out and I have no idea what would be required to activate them.
3. It does not come with a case of any kind, and one is clearly needed for storage.
That is it for now. However, I was about to pack it up for return when I realized that a stereo mic might come in handy for events and ambient recording/video. So, for dialog, I will continue to use my Rode NTG5 atop the Tascam XLR adapter, and for walk-around, non-specific video, the Canon stereo mic.
I hope that this tiny, non-scientific review will prove helpful to others in a similar predicament.
It is very small and light and does not require external power. Sound quality for dialog is good, although I have not tested its 'stereo' capability for separation or sound stage, which is probably irrelevant.
Now, the disappointment:
1. The R5c's internal mic remains stubbornly active, and there is no way to control its gain, as in lowering it to "0".
2. The first 2 pages of the audio menus remain mostly grayed out and I have no idea what would be required to activate them.
3. It does not come with a case of any kind, and one is clearly needed for storage.
That is it for now. However, I was about to pack it up for return when I realized that a stereo mic might come in handy for events and ambient recording/video. So, for dialog, I will continue to use my Rode NTG5 atop the Tascam XLR adapter, and for walk-around, non-specific video, the Canon stereo mic.
I hope that this tiny, non-scientific review will prove helpful to others in a similar predicament.
This is just a brief followup to the prior post in re Canon's DM-E1D stereo microphone:
For recording ambient sounds it works OK, although the dead cat that comes with the mike does not do a very good job of rejecting the noise of even slightest breeze. The shotgun pattern does not appear to be very effective, as there is very little apparent rejection of sound coming from behind or the sides of the mic. The window for a return has since passed, so I will be keeping it for ambient recording, but for anything else the Tascam adapter plus the Rode NTG5 will be the choice.
For recording ambient sounds it works OK, although the dead cat that comes with the mike does not do a very good job of rejecting the noise of even slightest breeze. The shotgun pattern does not appear to be very effective, as there is very little apparent rejection of sound coming from behind or the sides of the mic. The window for a return has since passed, so I will be keeping it for ambient recording, but for anything else the Tascam adapter plus the Rode NTG5 will be the choice.
This thread appears to be DOA, but I feel compelled to mention that there has been no response from Canon regarding the internal microphone and the fact that it cannot be defeated when an external mic is attached. All of my many cameras, including a Panasonic S1h, provide for the muting of their internal microphones. C'mon
Canon, wake up and fix this obvious oversight!
Canon, wake up and fix this obvious oversight!
Hello Cpreston, I am aware of the bizarre workaround for the defeat of the internal mic, but it is highly impractical and unprofessional. Pro mics do not use 3.5mm connectors, and having to connect a consumer mic for the simple purpose of muting the internal mic is, IMO, unacceptable. I have a Panasonic S1h sitting on my desk at the moment and it has a menu choice to turn off the internal mic, and so should the video centric R5c.
And I agree, the dead cat that comes with the mic is mostly useless. I have only used that mic for ambient sounds, otherwise, I use the Tascam adapter and a Rode NTG 5.
And I agree, the dead cat that comes with the mic is mostly useless. I have only used that mic for ambient sounds, otherwise, I use the Tascam adapter and a Rode NTG 5.
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ahalpert
Major Contributor
seems like a typical mis-prioritization to me
Is this a brand new firmware update? If so, do you have a link to it bcuz I couldn't seem to find it on the Canon USA site. Thanks in advance!