cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

EOS 70D AC line noise on mic

Mandi
Contributor

This isn't a Canon-specific issue but does affect my video recording setup using my 70D.

 

I have an external lavalier, wired mic.  On both my phone and my camera I have the same issue:

 

Running on battery - all good works and sounds great.

Running on AC power - very loud buzz (AC line noise I assume)

 

Any ideas or reccomendations on how to filter that out?  A setting or a separate device like an in-line filter?

 

I sure can't be the only one using AC power and a mic.

 

Thanks!

18 REPLIES 18

Waddizzle
Legend
Legend

You have a problem with both your phone and your camera using the microphone.  I suggest that you consult the manufacturer of your lavalier microphone.  It seems that you may not have the proper microphone, or the wiring connections are not being properly executed.

--------------------------------------------------------
"Enjoying photography since 1972."

Not exactly.  Works fine on both using DC power.  Only happens using AC. 


@Mandi wrote:

Not exactly.  Works fine on both using DC power.  Only happens using AC. 


My friend, you have a microphone problem.  Contact the microphone manufacturer.  You may not be connecting it properly.  

--------------------------------------------------------
"Enjoying photography since 1972."

Are you not familiar with the common issue of AC line noise interfering with sound systems?  Lucky

Wadizzle is right, this is a microphone problem either relating to a poorly designed mic or a connection problem most likely causing a ground loop. There is a slight chance it could be faulty power supply but this very unlikely.

wq9nsc
Elite
Elite

I am not clear whether you are referring to an AC adapter for the mic or if you are using the Canon coupler with your Canon and an AC adapter with your phone?

 

If the problem occurs with the microphone using an AC adapter, it is likely an issue with the adapter.  Wired microphones require very little power for the built in impedance converter, preamp, or bias source for a condenser type element but it must be exceptionally clean because of the low signal level involved.  Very few aftermarket adapters provide sufficiently pure DC for this purpose but if it was supplied by the manufacturer it should be.

 

DSLR cameras and smartphones typically have a fairly high impedance audio input making it far more likely to pick up electrical noise in the environment, this is why professional audio is done using XLR connections with balanced low impedance lines to reduce this sort of issue.  There is a slight chance that your adapter cord itself is picking up noise and coupling it to the microphone.  Most, but not all, modern devices sense when voltage is present rather than a mechanical switch to go between battery and line supplied power when an adapter is plugged in.  If your microphone works this way, plug the adapter into the DC input socket of the microphone but not into the AC outlet and see if  the interference still shows up.

 

If you mean there is an issue when the camera or phone is powered by its AC adapter, then the problem is more complex because it may be from the adapter for these devices not being clean enough for good audio coupled with a microphone that has lower than typical output requiring higher gain.  Very few camera or phone power adapters provide any sort of ground to the house ground system and with these any noise appearing on the line is imposed on the device being powered by the adapter.  Depending upon the noise sources, plugging the adapter into an isolation transformer will help because the shielding between the primary and secondary in these devices greatly reduces the transfer of "garbage" on the line from primary to secondary.  Unlike the fairly clean AC of 20 years ago, the AC delivered within a house is very dirty due to all of the very cheap and poorly designed switching type supplies used with almost all current consumer garbage which creates all sorts of interference and transfers that to the line.  You may be able to turn off the offenders in your own home when using a video setup but you can't do this if recording elsewhere.  IF you have to have something other than the internal battery power when using the system remotely, you may need to investigate a good quality sine wave inverter with its own internal battery to power your AC adapter thus avoiding AC line noise via direct connection to the line.

 

Rodger

EOS 1DX M3, 1DX M2, 1DX, 5DS R, M6 Mark II, 1D M2, EOS 650 (film), many lenses, XF400 video

If the "reverse the AC plug" trick does not work, than the answer is don't use AC, keep to the batteries.


@Mandi wrote:

Are you not familiar with the common issue of AC line noise interfering with sound systems?  Lucky


Most of us don't do much video.

Of those that do, most use the internal microphone.

Of those that use external microphones, they keep with battery power.

 

So, yes, you are one of the very few who use AC power with an external microphone with a DSLR.

Same unpowered, wired mic into either the phone or the camera.

 

Phone or camera running on internal battery power - sound is good.

Phone or camera running on ac power adapters - strong hum/buzz

 

I agree it's from the dirty AC, but it's been years since I've had to fix any of this and 'back in those days' there were stores where you could walk in and get line filters, caps, etc needed to clean it up.

I am working in my home, not remote at this time. 

 

You idea is, just to make sure I get this:
DC battery---> inverter to AC ---> AC adapter for camera

So, dc to ac to dc. 

but since the invertver is running on it's own isolated source, no noise interference from the normal house line.  yes?

 

I was hoping there was a simple in-line filter option. 😕

Announcements