FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You can find information on the following topics below. Click a title to jump directly to that section.

  1. Why can't I use the mic built into my camera?
  2. Do I have to use headphones?
  3. Can I take the headphones off once I've checked the sound?
  4. Why can I only hear sound in one ear?
  5. Can I send two wireless signals to one receiver (on the camera)?
  6. I've plugged a mic in and I can't hear any sound.
  7. Do I need to use a windscreen? Can I use the foam one that came with the mic?
  8. Your cables seem expensive. Can I use cheaper ones?
  9. I hear a buzz. What's causing it?

1. Why can't I use the mic built into my camera?

Your camera's microphone is designed to pick up ambient sound (sound all around you). It does not do a very good job of focusing on the subject in front of the camera. It does not reduce the lateral sounds and emphasize the subject.

Your camera's microphone also picks up unwanted sounds like the hum from motors in your camera and handling noise.

The on camera microphone may have some usefulness in picking up ambient environments like in nature or for sound affects. It can also be good source of background sound to be mixed in later in editing.

2. Do I have to use headphones?

Whenever you use an external microphone you must monitor with headphones. Not doing so is analogous to shooting video without looking through the viewfinder! You must be able to judge the quality of the sound. Can you hear the subject clearly? Is there any distortion or unwanted noise (buzzes or hum)? Is there continuity (i.e. can you hear anything!)?

3. Can I take the headphones off once I've checked the sound?

Sure but what if a battery or cable fails?

4. Why can I only hear sound in one ear?

Most mics are mono. A mono mic you will hear on one side. Some mono mics feed both sides but this is not stereo. It's the same sound in both sides. Mono mics can be mixed in editing and placed where you like.

We do carry stereo mics, lavalieres and shotguns. They have specific applications. Please call us for more info.

5. Can I send two wireless signals to one receiver (on the camera)?

Not unless the receiver is a two channel unit. For every subject you need one transmitter and one receiver. An ENG kit comes with one plug in transmitter and one bodypack transmitter and one receiver but you can only use one transmitter at a time.

6. I've plugged a mic in and I can't hear any sound.

The key to troubleshooting any audio system is understanding signal flow. This is the route by which the signal starts at the source, follows an acoustic and electronic path and finally is recorded on your camera or recorder. This path will change depending on the constituent parts of the system. For example the signal flow is different for a shotgun mic on a boom pole than for a wireless system.

Here's the basic signal flow of a Shotgun mic to a camera:

First, the source: Is someone speaking or is there a sound source present?

Second: Does the mic have battery in it? Is the polarity correct? Is it turned on? If it's a phantom powered mic is the phantom power turned on in the mixer, board or camera?

Third: Is the cable connected from the mic to the camera or mixer? Does the mic have continuity (does it pass signal)?

Fourth: Is the mic plugged into the right jack on the camera or mixer? Is that input active, has it been selected so the mixer or camera is looking for that Jack for signal? Have you selected that jack to be mic or line level?

Fifth: Is the camera set for manual sound and has the camera or mixer's level been set?

Sixth: Are the headphones plugged in? Is the headphone volume turned up?

For a wireless system the signal flow is pretty similar. Additionally you will have to make sure that the sensitivity of the mic is set on the transmitter and the output level on the receiver is set to match the camera it's plugged into. Both transmitter and receiver must be set to the same frequency. Low batteries cause many problems that mimic range or interference issues, so when in doubt change the batteries.

7. Do I need to use a windscreen? Can I use the foam one that came with the mic?

Yes, you need to use a windscreen. The title "windscreen" for the foam screens that often come with the mic is a misnomer. They are in fact POP filters appropriate for applications when someone is speaking directly into the mic or for handling the small amount of air flowing over the mic as it is moved.

If you are shooting outdoors you will need to use a proper windscreen. They come in varieties to handle up to 12 mph, 30 mph and 50-60 mph.

8. Your cables seem expensive. Can I use cheaper ones?

Cables are one of the least expensive components in an audio system but are a common source of failure. Don't skimp on cables.

9. I hear a buzz. What's causing it?

If your camera or mixer is plugged into AC power unplug it and try running on batteries. Most house power is bad and ground faults are causing this problem. If the camera or mic or wireless receiver is located near a lighting power supply try moving it a way from this source. Make sure power and audio signal cables are not running together. It is OK to cross these cables but not to run along side. Make sure all audio connections are firmly seated. Try gently wiggling cable terminations to see if it's a bad cable.