Problems with Scarlet headphone jack, or something else?...

[Dave Draper]

Got a shoot tomorrow that requires audio, and have only just tested this Scarlet's audio capabilities today (I know, I should have done this sooner) to find that there is a crackling / popping sound in Channel 2, whenever the 3.5mm headphone jack is moved. We have the microphone plugged into Channel 1, which doesn't exhibit any issues, but would still like to know what's going on, and why anything would be picked up on Channel 2 at all, when we're not even using it. Is there a problem with this Scarlet, or the headphones we're using? We've tried several types.

DD.

 

[Justin McAleece]

i think my headphone jack is bad too. I hate to have to send it in for something so small and insignificant, but it is annoying. Especially on jobs without a sound guy.

 

[Evan Munro-Smith]

My audio jack is playing up, sound cuts in and out when it moves. It's a shame since the rest of the camera is so well built, and like Justin I'm not going to send it back to RED for something so small.

 

[David Franjic]

It seems like a poor build and design. I've already had my headphone jack fixed once by RED but now experiencing problems again.

 

[Marc Wielage]

For a variety of reasons, this is why recording sound separately from the camera is a very wise idea.

 

[ericyoung]

Even if you don't send the camera in for these annoying faults - make sure you Bomb Squad representative puts in down as a fault report on your camera, especially if it's in warranty, so that it can be repaired at the same time as a bigger fault should that occur in the future.

 

[Randall Weatherington]

Contacts for both jacks and plugs are notorious for oxidizing, especially when they have not been used for even a short while.
Quite often, when something like this happens to me, I just use the old trick of twisting the plug in the jack a few times, and it burnishes the contacts clean.
Yes, even gold plated contacts can occasionally have this problem.
If this does not solve the problem, and you have access to the insides of either the jacks or plugs, check the wiring connections.
If you still have problems, then the construction of the jack could very well be an issue.
I have seen some really high end audio gear with some really cheap, and poorly constructed jacks.

 

[Larry Kelly]

This product will help the situation unless there is an internal problem. Just brush a little on all plugs and contacts for your camera and audio gear. It's not a cleaner but a contact enhancer. It works. I've saved projectors, cameras, trim pots, etc. on many occasions. You can find it here.

http://stabilant.com/

I would be surprised if Red is not using it in the assembly of their cameras. I mentioned it in the thread that Jim was commenting on a while back.

Larry

PS, I know their website is crap but just get past that and order a small bottle. It will last a long time. I ususally buy the pure stabilant, then cut it with Isopropyl myself when wicking is required.

 

[Dave Draper]

We've left the Scarlet with RED to be evaluated. Better safe than sorry.

We weren't able to replicate the same issue at RED, of course, even with the exact same setup; cables, mics, headphones, etc, but something is definitely not right, so I guess we'll watch this space.

DD.