Noisy audio from camcorder

[tazman]

Hello - I have a Sony HDR-HC9 camcorder. I connected a mic to it using a stereo minijack to dual XLR adapter from Trewaudio. I noticed that when connecting the adapter I get a lot of noise and was wondering if it's normal (I get the noise with just the adapter plugged in).

Thanks,

[chris319]

Is your camcorder's audio input mic level or line level?

[huub]

most camcorders have an automatic gain control (agc), this cranks up the level (digitally) if a low level input is detected.. Thus lots of noise when the level is low, and excessive pumping (compression and/or limiting) if the level is high... Sadly on most consumer and some prosumer equipment, this agc circuit is not bypassable..

[tazman]

I can actually bypass letting the camcorder set the input gaijn, but even when I do it manually I get noise.
The input is mic level, unfortunately.

[chris319]

if you were plugging a mic into a line-level input, that would explain the noise (the AGC circuit bringing up the gain).

[sounddguy]

Originally Posted by tazman

Hello - I have a Sony HDR-HC9 camcorder. I connected a mic to it using a stereo minijack to dual XLR adapter from Trewaudio.

The mic input on this camera provides plug in power. I don't see any mention in the manual that this can be turned off. If the TREW adaptor does not provide a block for plug in power, this could be your problem.

[Roland]

You don't say what mic you are connecting. I think I am right in saying that the camcorder you are using is a domestic model, depending on what you are trying to record and the microphone connected this will have a major impact on the audio quality. It should also be noted that a domestic model costing a few hundred pounds is not going to have the same quality of circuitry that you would find in a more expensive one.

Regards



Roland