Loud Pop on Sennheiser Wireless Mic

[Michael Carlisle]

We experienced the same issues when interference occurred following the 700MHz auction. After we migrated off the 700MHz mics, the problem went away. Now we have four of twelve mics in the 500MHz range and eight in the recently auctioned 600MHz range. Recently during a funeral, we had the interference occur again on a couple in the 600MHz range. I don’t know if we are going to purchase another round of mics, or simply return to more wired. Unfortunate the mics were not built programmable into another range or possible to have them flashed into another range without the necessity for total replacement.

[Ty Ford]

Hello MIchael,

Thanks so much for checking in with more anecdotes. There are so many ways that wireless technology can make noise. It would help if we could hear these pops. Is there any way to post them?

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Michael Mcneil]

Hi Everyone

I apologize very late to the game for this thread but just signed up hoping for a little guidance on this issue recently purchased a new Sennheiser 100G3 Microphone always have appreciated the quality of this Mic have both Hand Held and Lav versions for the relatively small investment but this one (Hand Held) I’m having on occasion what seems to be a Static discharge ;/ This is a microphone I primarily use during Wedding Ceremony’s which this issue couldn’t come at a worst moment when the officiate decides to hold the microphone to the Bride or Groom to hear there vows! this has happened on a few occasions now was hoping it was a one off maybe the location or maybe my set up was too far from the transmitter etc. even though I have all my receivers attached to Wideband Passive Directional UHF Antenna (Shark Fins) for the extra boost! but now I’m convinced it’s a static issue since I have a strong signal Really at a loss not sure how you could possibly alleviate this type of interference from happening? Funny thing never have this issue my Sure Microphones using SLX series primarily plastic as oppose to metal, also never have this issue with the Sennheiser Lav which I’ve used hundreds of times in similar set ups. Is the fact the the Sennheiser hand held is made of Steel the possible reason for static just a thought and if so can I use some application ☺

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice!

[Ty Ford]

Hello Michael and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

Please post an example of what you’re hearing and, if you don’t mind, start a new thread so comments don’t get lost.

Thanks,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Michael Mcneil]

Thanks Ty

So I’ll try to catch it next time but don’t currently have a recording of the incidents I think the best I can describe it as the crackle like a lighting strike snapping sound not typical RF loss white noise and then it’s fine although the last time it happened I quickly looked at the receiver signal and saw it was bouncing up and down but returned quickly to a full signal, really feel as if the microphone brushed against the brides dress I noticed the officiate was holding the microphone down before he reached up to hold near the Bride why I think it caused static, I also set my Squelch at Med to counter that ???? I do wonder though I believe this microphone is in the 600 range could be wrong might be 500 I’ll have to double check that. Another time this happened the officiate was wearing a Robe that seemed polyester material rather than cotton another reason I’m leaning hard with the theory of a static reaction!

[Ty Ford]

“So I’ll try to catch it next time but don’t currently have a recording of the incidents I think the best I can describe it as the crackle like a lighting strike snapping sound not typical RF loss white noise and then it’s fine although the last time it happened I quickly looked at the receiver signal and saw it was bouncing up and down but returned quickly to a full signal, really feel as if the microphone brushed against the brides dress I noticed the officiate was holding the microphone down before he reached up to hold near the Bride why I think it caused static, I also set my Squelch at Med

What level was changing, rf or audio? Squelch at medium is good.

to counter that ???? I do wonder though I believe this microphone is in the 600 range could be wrong might be 500 I’ll have to double check that. Another time this happened the officiate was wearing a Robe that seemed polyester material rather than cotton another reason I’m leaning hard with the theory of a static reaction!”

Yes, 600 MHz is a real problem. Polyester is not your friend.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Angelo Gianni]

<div>I see this is a very old issue. Has happened for me since I’ve owned this unit.
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Using Sennheiser ew G4 connected directly into the camera (a GH4 or GH5). This noise happens in multiple locations. Happens when all cell phones are off. I can’t find any pattern to it – it seems completely random.

Here is a sample of the pop I constantly get:

https://vimeo.com/493394152/7452f05163

[Ty Ford]

Do us a favor and post some files of these sounds.

Thanks,

Ty Ford

Cow Audio Forum Leader

[Skylar Duhe]

I work in in broadcasting and we record in a studio. We have at least 8 of these microphones on intermittently throughout the show and this issue seems to be happening on one of our anchors. She hooks the belt pack under her garments and we seem to think that its putting pressure on wires on the belt transmitter. The antenna becomes bent over time. We have been thinking that it happens when the antenna signal is getting interfered with or the antenna bends to a not friendly angle. I’ve also had to fix a few different mics at the connector due to the wires separating from the connector. I’m pretty new to this job so I haven’t had the time for all the troubleshooting necessary yet. Just posting what I have found so far. I’m subscribed to this thread for more ideas as well.

If it was hypothetically static electricity, wouldn’t it be happening on all my anchors since they all have the belt pack clipped under their jackets, or to their cloths and so on. I don’t see much difference in placement between them, it’s all similar conditions. Would the static electricity theory be happening at at the mic location or at the connector location? Thoughts? So far my issue seems to be isolated to a specific person, two different microphones we have used on her.

I am going to be reversing the direction of the antenna by reversing the belt clip direction to see if there is less antenna interference.

[Matthew Woollard Kingston]

we have a similar issue to everyone above, we put the noise initially down to a very old wireless system so we purchased a new Sennheiser Digital system

we continue having the same noise issues with the new mics (belt pack mic particularly)

I have tried over several weeks to eliminate issues turning off various items during the service but we get the same noise around about every 20 minutes

the best way I can describe the noise is a bit like a clowns horn – never heard anything like it on wireless mics

 

anybody got any clues as to what it could be ?