EX1 audio clicks

[Craig Seeman]

I’ve used the internal camera mic, mounted shotgun mic, wireless handheld, wireless lav, wired handheld and have not had any clicking. I would think if such clicking were being recorded I’d see it in the waveform display in my NLE and audio editing program.

Check the waveforms in a good audio editing program. If you’re seeing clicking maybe there’s a problem your camera’s preamp.

[Noah Kadner]

Sounds like a reason to send in for warranty repair.

Noah

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[Jeremy Loftus-hills]

I hear that sound too. To date I have been trimming back the mic until it is inaudible, but then audio always needs to be boosted in post which is a bloody nuisance.

[Don Greening]

Bob and Jeremy,

You’re not alone. I had the problem on my original EX1 and still have it, though not as obvious, on my replacement. So far there has been no joy with getting an answer from my particular Sony repair facility. The tech I deal with there knows about my audio issues but has yet to hear about a fix from the head office here in Canada.

There’s an “electronic chirping” sound present if the levels are set to anything approaching normal volume for recording purposes with 3rd party mics and no amount of fiddling with the sensitivity levels gets rid of it entirely. I’ve taken my EX to other local camera stores I deal with and they have no idea what’s wrong. One day we tried about 7 or 8 different mics with the same result. Even this particular store’s rental EX had the same issue, much to their surprise.

– Don

[Jeremy Loftus-hills]

The odd thing is now when I set the camera up in my (post production) studio the audio is as clean as. I haven’t tested it for months, I just have the trim set permanently below the threshold – about minus 32 DB. So maybe it’s dependent upon a variable of some kind. I usually use cabled Sennheiser K6 mics (ME66 & 64), with AGC separated, tone on and wind filters off.

If I have to I use the Sony UHF radio system – WRT-805, with XLR adapted to the old style mini jack.

I have heard the ticking on all. I don’t know if it records to the card, I’ve assumed it does (in other words it could be in the monitoring amplifier I suppose).

Or could it be external – phone towers or something?

Anyway if someone finds out the cause I would love to know.

In the meantime I’ll try to isolate when and where it occurs, and try recording it.

Jeremy

[Denis O’keefe]

This may be a long shot, but are you wearing a blackberry while shooting? We’ve been battling the clicks that come with them for years, trying to get producers to stop using them during interviews, etc.
I use an iphone now, and either turn it off or get it pretty far away from the camera while working.
The betacams were metal and had professional shielding; even then the clicks and chirps came through. I suspect the plastic cases on the smaller cameras make it all the more susceptable to outside interference.

[Craig Seeman]

When I produce or otherwise shoot, I tell everyone on site that cell phones must be OFF. Not on silent or vibrate but completely off.

For those who hear this issue, look at the waveform of the captured video. If it’s recorded then you should see the clicks as well as hear it.

[Denis O’keefe]

Hi Craig, I tell them too – along with “ten hours is portal to portal”, “even if we did eat yesterday, we still need a meal break today”, “a bathroom break isn’t really optional”, etc etc etc.

[Bob Pierce]

Thanks to all for the input. I do always have everyone turn off their cell phones. This problem reappears every time I shoot with external mics (interviews), so I’m pretty sure it’s not some kind of environmental thing. I guess I could exchange the camera, but I’m very hesitant – this in my second EX1, the first one had to be exchanged for a serious focus problem, and I’m starting to think I should stick with the devil I know.

The clicking is only audible wearing headphones. Perhaps it’s a more widespread problem than people realize.

Bob

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[Craig Seeman]

But do you SEE it in the waveform of good audio editing software?