Michael Paul
Forum Replies Created
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Is the RF LED lit on the receiver. If it is, and you’re getting RF, then it might be an audio issue. since you’re hearing static, then the receiver output squelch and pilot tone (if used) is working.
I would try to plug something else into the transmitter input and see if that works before sending it in for service
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
Not with the lav mic you have. Your mic need +5V “Plug-In” power, and the XLR’s only provide +48V, which is too much. If you had a lav mic with a barrel power supply on the end (with an XLR connector), then you could do it, but yours is terminated to plug directly into a wireless transmitter or a mini-jack
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
If your lav mic has a 3.5mm connector on the end, then connect it to the “Ext Mic” jack on the back of the H4n right above the speaker. Go into the Menu, select “Input” and find “Plug-in”. Set that to “On”.
Select the “Mic” input button on the front panel and it should workMichael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
Yeah, I don’t think Zoom actually services anything. It’s probably cheaper for them just to exchange it.
The XLR part is only about $23.00 but there’s always the chance that the problem is on the motherboard.
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
Input levels on the H4n’s external ports can be set independently. Make sure that when testing, both external inputs are set to the same gain level by pressing the Input button (1 or 2) on the left hand side while adjusting the Record level up or down.
If all gain settings are the same, you’re not set to Mono Record mode,your input source is the same, and you’re still having the problem, then there is most likely something wrong internally.
The XLR inputs are a seperate PCB assembly from the H4n’s motherboard, and often times replacing that part will fix problems like you are describing.
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
Any new Sanken COS-11 that you buy will be the “D” version, which is the latest model designed to suppress RF interference from Digital transmitters like those made by Zaxcom or Sony. Lectrosonics transmitters, while “Digital Hybrid”, use analog transmission with digital processing.
Basically, the only thing you need to worry about is getting the right connector and wiring for the brand of transmitter that you are going to use it for.
If you are using a Lectrosonics SM series, or a UM400″a”, then you will want the COS-11 with a Switchcraft TA5F connector wired for “Servo Bias”.
If you are using an older Lectrosonics transmitter, then you want the same connector, but wired for “Universal” operation.
If you have a Zaxcom transmitter, then you want it with the Lemo-3P connector.
I wouldn’t recommend the reduced sensitivity, or “Red Dot” version unless you plan on recording high SPL audio. Normal sensitivity is fine for standard dialog.
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That’s an MKH415-T, so it will require 12V T-Power, not 48V Phantom. You will need either a 12-T power supply or a 48V Phantom to 12V-T converter for it to work.
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
Well, there’s the Sound Devices 702T. It records two tracks and has all the timecode capabilities of the 744t.
Prices for anything with timecode (and I mean full-featured, accurate timecode)are not going to be inexpensive.
You can look at things like the Edirol R44Pro or the Tascam HD-P1, but they will be a little larger, made of plastic, and would benefit greatly by being fed the timecode from your Alexa as the master (because the Alexa has a pretty good clock).
There are also products made by Zaxcom, like the Maxx, Nomad or some of their small, pocket-sized recorders with timecode but I don’t really know much about them other than the prices will be similar to the Sound Devices products.
From there, it drops off into Zoom territory, and if you show up on a shoot with an H4n strapped to your Alexa, you should feel shame.
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
While the Zoom H4n will record 4 tracks, two of those tracks can only be fed by the built-in microphones so unless you want to record stereo ambience along with two standard mics, this won’t work for you. Plus, the H4n does not have timecode capability or the ability to trigger from the Alexa.
The Sound Devices 744t will record four tracks, has full timecode capability, has two mic/line and two line only inputs and can be triggered to record when it sees rolling timecode on it’s TC input. You would have to put the Alexa into RecRun timecode, which isn’t always optimal, but it will work.
Also from Sound Devices, the PIX240i will record up to 8 tracks, but only has 2 mic/line inputs (the rest of the tracks can be fed from audio embedded over SDI/HDMI). The PIX240i will trigger from the Alexa’s SDI video feed by recognizing the start/stop flags contained in the video stream.
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp -
10db is a pretty big difference. Tram does not offer TR50’s in different sensitivities like some other manufacturers, so a gap like that would seem to indicate that one of them is defective.
The only main difference between Trams is whether they are positive or negative bias. This difference will mainly present itself as a phase issue between the two, but should have no effect on mic sensitivity.
Try this:
Remove the batteries from both of the power supplies and plug them both into a preamp with +48V power. If one of them doesn’t work, then that one is a negative bias (neg bias needs the battery inserted to operate, even with phantom power).
If you are testing the mics right next to one another, and one of them is out of phase (neg bias) from the other, then you will get artifacts in the sound, and the levels may differ.
If both mics work on +48V, and the levels are still 10db off, try switching the mic channels on your mixer to see if there is an issue with that particular preamp channel or +48V supply.
If the problem still follows a particular Tram, and the difference in signal is that great, then I would contact the dealer you got them from and see if they can swap out one or both of them so you have a pair that is closer in frequency response.
There will be slight variances in response in just about anything, but usually those differences are only noticeable when analyzed on a bench. If they’re audibly that far off, I would ask for a new one.
Michael Paul
Location Sound Corp