R50 external microphone gives radio frequencies

[riverhalsey]

I recently purchased a Rode VideoMic Go II and recorded some footage with it on the Canon R50. I used the included 3.5mm cable and a third-party one as well, but both gave me radio frequencies instead of the actual audio recorded. It isn't just the VideoMic, as I've used other external microphones as well and they all provide the same results. I happen to live next to a radio tower; however, I'm still unsure as to how the camera is picking up on audio from the there?

I have tested it with both airplane mode on and off, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi disabled, the firmware is up-to-date, brand-new camera, no faulty cables, and audio recording is set to MANUAL.

[AtticusLake · Accepted solution]

Thanks for providing the video; that certainly makes the problem a lot clearer.  You've certainly got some serious interference there.

It sounds to me like the signals from the radio tower are simply so powerful that they're overpowering all the shielding and pushing interference into the signal path; so much so that some audio components are squeezing in there.  Almost certainly this is because you're so close -- signal strength falls off with the square of the distance, so even moving a short distance away would probably yield a huge improvement.

Part of the problem is that you're using a 3.5mm-based system.  3.5mm uses unbalanced connections, which have basically no protection against interference.  Shielded cables help, but can't provide complete protection, as you're hearing.  A balanced system -- which generally uses XLR connectors -- would help a lot; but your camera doesn't have XLR inputs, so that doesn't help much.

(BTW if you want to know about connections, I made a video about that: https://moonblink.info/FieldRecording/content/course#Connections  It says "field recording", but the same connection types apply.)

Unfortunately I don't have much to offer you, and in your situation, I can't think of a way out that doesn't involve spending money.  For example, an XLR mic going via XLR cable into an external sound recorder might get you clean sound.  But I wouldn't know, except to try it and see.

A camera with XLR inputs might help, but that would be really expensive.  C70 for example.

Just shortening the signal path as much as you can would help -- at least a bit.  Use shorter cables, and maybe if you have any kind of audio recorder, just put it really close to the mic with a really short cable.  Good screened cables would help a bit too, but maybe not as much as you'd like.

Hopefully you can experiment a bit and get past this, 'cos your video looks pretty good.  Best of luck.

[YFNPhilip]

I'm having the same issue with my R6 mk ii. I sent it in to Canon for repair, but they can't find anything wrong with it. 
I have a 5D mk iv, and when I plug the same mic system into that camera, at the same location, I get clean audio. I ended up buying a small Zoom H1e and that too will provide a clean recording (well, no radio, the noise floor is higher than I prefer, but at least no radio noise.)

It doesn't matter what cable I use, I've tried 3 or 4 different ones. And honestly, the problem is worse if the cable isn't even attached to the receiver. As long as one end is plugged into the Mic Input, I can get radio signals. If I wrap the cable in aluminum foil, it helps. If I ground the cable against. the camera hot shoe, it helps. Looks quite professional, having foil gaffe tapped around all your cables.

That said... location is also a big factor. The main 2-3 spots I film have lots of radio interference. When I'm at home, only a mile or two away, but in the valley, the interference is gone. Hope this helps someone as they troubleshoot. 

[Ron888]

I'd be tempted to tell everyone the foil stops (insert whacko conspiracy theory of your choice)😁