Whats wrong with my ME66/K6?!

NickMilo

NickMilo

Well-known member
Newbie Question:
I just bought a senn ME66/K6 and for some reason, I am recording at real low levels. My mic is properly setup (Went through the instruction manual like 100 times), but I think there's something wrong w/ the mic itself. The K6 module has a dim light but it has brand new batteries in it (I tried a bunch of new batt's but the light is still real faint.) Its brand new, what the hell is wrong w/ it? please help!
 
The light is faint on that mic--check the levels on your camera.
...also make sure you're set to "mic" and not "line" on the camera. look below the lens.
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
Stupid question but you did check the level control on the camera huh?
Click to expand...

take it easy guy ... like I said, the cam is properly set up. my levels are fine and the XLR is in input 2 set to line in (...button under lens) and channel 1 and 2 select are both set to input 2. I monitored under headphones even with the levels turned up all the way, but I still get faint levels of audio. I checked the K6 manual and it said that if the light is dim, then the battery level is low... but my batteries are brand new...
 
Since yours is brand new it would seem unlikely for the problem to be in the microphone, though certainly isn't impossible. What it sounds like to me is that your mic isn't getting power. I used an ME66 once with a fried K6. Worked great with phantom power--just not with the battery. So, if it were me, I would try next removing the battery and going phantom power from the DVX. Make sure the mic is still switched on even though you aren't using a battery. It still had to be on when I used it with phantom power. If that works, then it's probably an issue with the K6. If not, then you totally have me stumped. Call the dealer where you purchased it.
 
Is that sarcasm? ...I wasn't trying to sound like a smart ass or anything, just saying that I set it up according to page 59 in the manual. I not a pro or anything just; when in doubt, read the directions.

EDIT: Whoops... nevermind
 
No, total accident. I re-read your post after I said that it was a good idea to use input two. For a long time I used input one, not realising that by using input two I could record a single mic to both channels at the flip of a switch... then I re-read your post about using line-in.. srry to appear antonistic.. I was in the process of editing the first post when I realised you had responded already. I meant no malice, honestly. Did ya get it working?

-brian
 
A little "pro" tip someone showed me to set different levels for channel 1/2. Basically, set one of them to a level you would normally have in the circumstance you're using it in. Then, set the other channel to less, so that if something out of the ordinary happens like a shout, or a train rolling by, then you could use the second channel audio since it was recorded softer, it wouldn't distort like the first channel would to something "extreme" Hope this helps.. Have I redeemed myself?

-brian
 
Yes!
no worries, thanks for all the help!
As for the little bastard, I'll mess around w/ him some more tomorrow.
I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out...
 
just to be clear NickMilo, there are three switches to look after, the one is to make sure the correct input is selected. which you seem to have correct since you are hearing faint Audio.

Then the second is to make sure you send Phantom Power to your mic, or that the makes got a battery in and is on, if it can supply it's own phantom power.

Then there is a switch that is "Line Level" and "Mic Level", when this switch is set to Line Level, you won't get much if any signal from a microphone, since that cuts the dB's alot.

Thanks,
Derrick
 
I finnaly figured it out!
...not really sure what was wrong, I reset the cam and went through it all over again and it then worked! ...still not sure why the light is so faint, but it works fine none the less.
 
The light is ALWAYS faint on ALL me66's... it's supposed to be. You don't want that battery life being wasted on an LED. No worries.
 
Question

Question

Hey, I'm about to but a ME66/ K6 for my DVX100. You seem like a smart dude, so maybe you can help me. If I buy one brand new, does it come with the proper cable attachments so that it can hook into my camera, or do I have buy those seperate? Also, is this the best mic out there for someone with a $400 budget? I need this mic, or a better one, by Thursday. Please help.
 
The me66 doesn't come with an XLR cable... you gotta' buy one seperate. For a DVX I'd probably try an Audio Technica 897 first (under $300) or else the 4073a ($530 at B&H).
 
My ME66/K6 light is dim also. Works fine. Book says it should be bright. Haha. Oh well. It seems to be a hot mike depending on your settings. I am using mine wireless and had to turn down the transmitter to the lowest setting to get the camera settings into the middle range. Did a shoot yesterday and used my boom pole for the first time. Audio indoors came out great! I know I have read it doesn't work for indoors but it did a great job since it was close to the actors. Finaly good audio!!! Since it is no longer on the camera.
 
Ha, i was freaking out about levels at my last shoot and it turns out it was the mic/line switch on the front of the cam that i totall forgott about. I went through the menus 1000 times too. Ha! Thanks guys.
 
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