Trouble wkth Audio-Technica Pro88. Help Please

seanothon

seanothon

Active member
I had an interview yesterday that could have really went wrong if I didn't have a backup lav. I know the Audio-Technica isn't that good of a wireless but a wedding business I work for purchased it for my use and I have not invested in a higher quality unit yet. It sounds like it was peaking really bad, which doesn't make much sense because the levels were all fine except for the "pops" and I can easily monitor them on my AF 100. I used this in several interviews a few weeks ago, without this issue. The first wedding I shot on this did the same thing though, and so I am wondering if you all could help me trouble shoot the issue. I tested it out today without any issue like this. Could it be a bad cable or etc?

Here is an example from the interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt_YejvbcXE
 
It sounds like it was peaking really bad, which doesn't make much sense because the levels were all fine except for the "pops" and I can easily monitor them on my AF 100.
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Were you monitoring on headphones, or just looking at the meters? If it was a bad cable, you should have been able to hear it from the headphone output on the AF 100.

What cable were you using to connect it to the XLR input? I know Audio-Technica makes a special XLR output cable for that system called the CP8306, which has a transformer that corrects the impedance for the Pro 88W to properly connect to an XLR input.
 
Yes, I would definitely monitor on headphones; meters can't always be trusted.
You checked it out today with the same approximate input levels and sound source? And it has been a recurring, but intermittent problem? It does sound like it could be a bad cable or connection. But it also sounds a little like the nasty distortion that can occur when some mikes are too close to a speaker's mouth and they are overwhelmed with moisture. Was there a windscreen on the lav?

I'm not familiar with your microphone, but AT is known for a wide range of quality; some _awesome_ stuff, and some real dogs...

GJ
 
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I'm not familiar with the Pro88 or what camera your using, but it definitely sounds like an input stage is being over-loaded to me. Could be anyone of the following:
1- Pro88 transmitter's input gain level set to high.
2- Pro88 receiver's output level set to high. Causing the camera's input stage to clip. ( related to #3)
3- Camera's internal sensitivity gain setting to high.
4- Pro88 battery(s) next to dead.
 
Sam Mallery said:
Were you monitoring on headphones, or just looking at the meters? If it was a bad cable, you should have been able to hear it from the headphone output on the AF 100.

What cable were you using to connect it to the XLR input? I know Audio-Technica makes a special XLR output cable for that system called the CP8306, which has a transformer that corrects the impedance for the Pro 88W to properly connect to an XLR input.
Click to expand...

I was monitoring on headphones. I switched up the micing after that take. I connect it with a similar adapter to the CP8306 I got from guitar center. I was considering buying the CP8306 to see if it mends the issue but I wanted to ask here first.
 
Gregg Juke said:
Yes, I would definitely monitor on headphones; meters can't always be trusted.
You checked it out today with the same approximate input levels and sound source? And it has been a recurring, but intermittent problem? It does sound like it could be a bad cable or connection. But it also sounds a little like the nasty distortion that can occur when some mikes are too close to a speaker's mouth and they are overwhelmed with moisture. Was there a windscreen on the lav?

I'm not familiar with your microphone, but AT is known for a wide range of quality; some _awesome_ stuff, and some real dogs...

GJ
Click to expand...
It does seem to be reoccuring but intermittent. The first occasion was from a far distance so range and interference could be more to blame. The mic was about halfway down the guys shirt and you can also hear it from the guy next to him so I wouldn't think it would be too close. I did not have a windscreen on it but it was an indoor shoot and I wanted to keep the mic low key.
 
Rick R said:
I'm not familiar with the Pro88 or what camera your using, but it definitely sounds like an input stage is being over-loaded to me. Could be anyone of the following:
1- Pro88 transmitter's input gain level set to high.
2- Pro88 receiver's output level set to high. Causing the camera's input stage to clip. ( related to #3)
3- Camera's internal sensitivity gain setting to high.
4- Pro88 battery(s) next to dead.
Click to expand...

The pro88 doesn't have adjustable input or output levels, unfortunately. I was monitoring the cameras gain constantly and it reoccurred even with it super low. I had just traded the batteries for fresh ones. Hmmm..
 
So you couldn't hear the problem as you monitored on headphones, it didn't show up on the meters, but it does get recorded? But only once in awhile? That doesn't sound promising...

GJ
 
seanothon said:
I was monitoring the cameras gain constantly and it reoccurred even with it super low.
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"it reoccurred even with it super low."
It would... If the camera's input stage was being 'hit' to hard, the external record volume setting (or meter reading) would not make any difference, except in overall level. The camera's mic pre-amp gain settings are normally found in the cam's software audio menu.
BTW, What camera where you using?
 
Gregg Juke said:
So you couldn't hear the problem as you monitored on headphones, it didn't show up on the meters, but it does get recorded? But only once in awhile? That doesn't sound promising...

GJ
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Sorry. I can hear it on the headphones and it does show up on the meters. I am just trying to figure out what the issue is.
 
Rick R said:
"it reoccurred even with it super low."
It would... If the camera's input stage was being 'hit' to hard, the external record volume setting (or meter reading) would not make any difference, except in overall level. The camera's mic pre-amp gain settings are normally found in the cam's software audio menu.
BTW, What camera where you using?
Click to expand...

I'm using a Panasonic AF 100. I'll check the internal settings.
 
If changing the camera's gain setting does not rectify the problem, a different (or modified) 1/8" to XLR cable may be needed. Looking at the AT Pro88 manual, the output jack is a 1/8" TRS. (assuming this is meant to feed both the L-R of a consumer camera's ext. mic input.)
So in that case, your 1/8" to XLR cable configuration would be:
1/8" Sleeve/Ground to XLR pin-1
1/8" Tip to XLR pin-2
1/8" Ring also connected to XLR pin-2 or floated (disconnected)
XLR pin-3 jumped to pin-1
(Typically, going from unbalanced to a balanced XLR, Pin-1 (Shield/Ground and Pin-3 are tied together.)
 
Rick R said:
If changing the camera's gain setting does not rectify the problem, a different (or modified) 1/8" to XLR cable may be needed. Looking at the AT Pro88 manual, the output jack is a 1/8" TRS. (assuming this is meant to feed both the L-R of a consumer camera's ext. mic input.)
So in that case, your 1/8" to XLR cable configuration would be:
1/8" Sleeve/Ground to XLR pin-1
1/8" Tip to XLR pin-2
1/8" Ring also connected to XLR pin-2 or floated (disconnected)
XLR pin-3 jumped to pin-1
(Typically, going from unbalanced to a balanced XLR, Pin-1 (Shield/Ground and Pin-3 are tied together.)
Click to expand...

Do you think the previously mentioned adapter made by audio-technica would meet these specifications?
 
Have you tried changing the camera's gain setting first?
The CP8306 would likely be wired correctly.
Have you inspected the cable you have, check it with a continuity tester, it may be correctly wired already and the problem lies elsewhere.
 
Rick R said:
Have you tried changing the camera's gain setting first?
The CP8306 would likely be wired correctly.
Have you inspected the cable you have, check it with a continuity tester, it may be correctly wired already and the problem lies elsewhere.
Click to expand...

I checked my gain. It is set at -50db and the only other option is -60db. I have not inspected it yet. I went ahead and ordered the CP8306 because its only $15 and the other cord was inconvenient anyway
 
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