topic Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?) in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R6 Mark II Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

OxbowFilm — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:38:12 GMT

I was on a shoot with the r6 and r6mkii and had radio interference being recorded into the audio with the mkii. I've tested it multiple places and it always seems to happen with the mkii, but never with the original r6. My mkii is brand new, so Im thinking of returning it as their is no way to professionally capture audio without this happening. Wondering if anyone has had this happen before? Audio isn't from a lav, rather a boom mic and also a shotgun mic, fyi. Tested both, and both methods pick up radio interference, but the R6 doesn't at all in any of these same set ups...

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

JoeySnaps — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 21:02:47 GMT

What form does the radio interference take? Are you hearing taxi drivers talking to each other? Or broadcast radio? Or is this a 'buzz'?

Radio interference is usually a combination of a poor electrical connection somewhere acting like a diode, and a wire of a length that resonates with the interfering radio signal wavelength, acting as an aerial to inject the interference. Therefore I would double-check the mating surfaces of your audio connectors, and try a different length of mic cable.

I have an R6mkII myself and haven't experienced this problem, nor have I heard of others having such trouble. I hope you get it solved!

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

OxbowFilm — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 21:07:27 GMT

Thanks yea it mostly seems to be radio, as its music playing and general static stuff. Happens in every location I've been to in multiple states, but yea only with the R6mkii. Im using balance cables too fyi, so I don't think this should be an issue.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

JoeySnaps — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:33:02 GMT

Balanced cables? The audio input on the camera is not a balanced input. The only way I know of to make a balanced circuit to a microphone is using a third party audio interface such as the Tascam CA-XLR2D-C professional audio interface which connects to the multi-function shoe on the camera.

The 3.5mm jack audio input of the camera is unbalanced stereo TRS (tip-ring-sleeve). A proper balanced mic circuit should be immune to radio interference but you can't achieve that just by using a 'balanced' cable - which won't be balanced if not part of a balanced input circuit. A balanced cable is one where the audio signal is carried on a twisted pair of conductors which are surrounded by a braided or lapped shield conductor which is earthed at one end and not itself part of the signal circuit. The connectors are usually but not necessarily XLR.

An unbalanced cable has just one central conductor per channel, and the outer braid forms the return half of the audio circuit. It is therefore capable of picking up and injecting radio interference into the audio. The connectors are usually but not necessarily jack, either 1/4" or miniature 3.5 or 2.5mm.

The three connections of the camera 3.5mm jack audio input are Left live, Right live, and common return. There is no connection for an earthed external braid. If you're using a conventional 'balanced' cable, you need to connect the twisted pair of signal wires to Tip and Sleeve (for the left mic channel) or Ring and Sleeve (for the right mic channel). Leave the outer braid unconnected. This won't result in a real balanced circuit but might work, depending on the circuitry in the mic itself. If it doesn't work like that, try connecting the outer braid together with the signal return to the Sleeve.

I can't explain why you have this problem with the R6mkII but not with the R6. I have used both and not had the problem, but audio circuit differences might explain the mkII being less forgiving of inappropriate interconnection of microphones, perhaps?

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

JoeySnaps — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:18:31 GMT

I found this statement in the manual:

Sounds from Wi-Fi operations may be captured with built-in or external microphones. During sound recording, using the wireless communication function is not recommended.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

OxbowFilm — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:41:16 GMT

Cool thanks. I have both, balanced and unbalanced, tried both, just though balanced ones would be helpful in this case. Either way its the same set up I've used to capture audio for interviews my whole career, 15 years +. Works great on everything except the mkii. If anyone else has input, I'd appreciate it.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

JoeySnaps — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:48:29 GMT

It's always possible your camera has a faulty mic input socket.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

OxbowFilm — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:51:53 GMT

Yea I think its something like this maybe. Something faulty.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

Dboze092 — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 01:09:26 GMT

Did you ever find a cause or solution? I'm experiencing the same thing. Nothing in my setup changed except upgrade to the camera. Ran audio through a Zoom H4N Pro, recorded and passed through to the camera. Baked in audio clips while the recorded audio sounds great. Did I get a bad copy of the R6ii?

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

John_Q — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:40:44 GMT

Hello Dboze092,

The update to the camera should not change the audio quality. I would suggest taking a look at JoeySnaps posts in this thread and checking things he's mentioned for starters. You may also want to check the sound recording level on the camera, as if this is set too high, it could produce unwanted interference.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

alex_starbuck — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:02:38 GMT

I am having the same issues! No matter if I use my Rode Wireless Pro or a shotgun condenser, whenever I record audio into the camera, I have tis very faint FM radio which is heard when I don’t talk or ambient is silent.

This is ridiculous, I’ve never had this issue with any camera.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

Meerkat — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 23:01:24 GMT

I have exactly the same problem. My R6 Mark II is brand new - only bought it a few days ago. I am not using external microphones - only internal microphones, but the sound is distorted on videos. I thought it was due to high volume but never thought it could be wi-fi interference. I will try turning wi-fi off and see if that fixes it. I rang Canon and they had no idea what was causing it. I never had the same problem with R8

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

Pabugs — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:30:15 GMT

Same issue on a brand new 6MK2 anyone figure out a solve? Rode external mic on 3.5 micro input. Returning camera is not an option.

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

OxbowFilm — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:12:45 GMT

Hi all, I just thought I'd update y'all since people are asking. I never quite figured out a fix for this. For professional interviews when I'm running 2 cams I just run audio into my R6mk1 instead of the mk2 unfortunately and just sync them in post and dump the MK2 audio. Recently since a lot of wireless lavs support internal recording now, I've been doing that now as well.

I did have luck with the MK2 using a very old 10+ year rhode shotgun mic with an XLR out, rather the new Rhodes with the mini outs. I haven't tried newer mics with XLR outs, there seems to be something especially with the Rhodes newer mics with the mini cables that really don't work well with the mk2.

I did talk to Canon support about this and they had said I could ship it for inspection, however I didn't do it, since I need my camera so often for work. I've just been doing weird work arounds until I update cameras again.

I should mention, my Sony's don't have this problem at all. Which is quite frustrating, since I've been trying to slowly switch back to Canon fully. But not sure its gonna happen at this point. Good luck on your shoots!

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

Pabugs — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:29:38 GMT

Did you ever solve this?

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

Pabugs — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:41:06 GMT

Well that's not promising....lol

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

OxbowFilm — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:50:40 GMT

lolll. I'm sorry

Re: Canon R6 ii Audio Interference (but not on original R6?)

Pabugs — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 22:19:40 GMT

I found a "pro" shotgun mic with XLR connector to 3.5 jack - Might this not act as a ground and/or shield? any thoughts?

VidPro XM-88 Professional Video & Broadcast Shotgun Microphone

I have looked around for a couple of hours and have not found any solutions, but many ppl talking about this exact problem.....