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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Sennheiser MKE-400

J

jamesbridges

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Need some tech support.
I purchased the MKE-400 for my 7D the other day. It doesn't work on the Scarlet, but it works on the 7D.
My theory is that the mini jacks on the Scarlet are not stereo like the MKE400. I did look in the menu settings and I couldn't find and options if this is my issue.
Am I correct?
Thanks for the help.
 
James,

Just to clear terminology - the connector is not actually "stereo" although it may appear so.

It is a "balanced" connector (referred to as Tip-Ring-Sleeve).

Balanced audio cables and connectors carry the microphone signal - both positive & negative inside the cable surrounded by a ground shield.
Provides better, cleaner audio than an "unbalanced" cable or connector which shares the negative with the ground (think of RCA cables).

On a 3.5mm connector, the tip carries the positive signal, the ring carries the negative signal and the sleeve connects to ground.


To answer your question:

The Scarlet Mic inputs on the front are balanced connectors - just like the connectors on the Sennheiser mic.

Start by going to the "Settings menu"
Next, select Audio / Video
Make sure the box for channels 1 and or 2 displays "ON"
Bring up the volume slider - start between 20-30.


Actually, I should have asked the obvious: Did you try a different mic on the Scarlet?
Have you used audio at all on the Scarlet before?
 
Hey Brian,
Thanks for the quick reply. Great question. I di try a different mic.

Here is what I just tested ( after I posted):
hooked up the Wooden Camera dual audio adapter
ran a 15' xlr cable to a Shure RE50 (ch. 1) tried both channels btw.
went into the Scarlet menu
tried both unbalance and balanced and the RE50 worked great
 
Hmm - that certainly helps narrow down the rabbit hole. First thought that comes to mind is that the RE50 is a dynamic mic which requires no powering.

On the other hand, the Sennheiser is an Electret Condenser mic - which does require power - normally provided via AAA battery.

As far as I know, the 7D does not have phantom power - so the fact that the Sennheiser did work on that camera and not the Scarlet is a twist.

Chances are that I will be talking to someone from Sennheiser this evening - I'll ask if they have heard of anyone else experiencing this problem.
 
Thanks, much appreciated. When I listen through headphones I get a crackling noise. You are correct about the powering of the microphones.
 
James,

If you have not yet found the solution, here are two names at Sennheiser that should be able to help:

Scott Houston ext. 182
or Jason Kelly ext 107
860-434-9190


Before you do call, have you been able to test the 400 on any other unit?
When you turn the power on, does a small LED light flash?
 
Hello Brian,
I have, on my 7D, works great. When I plug the mic into the Scarlet 1/2 way I get a crackling sound- all the way in- nothing.
Thanks for going the extra mile, I really appreciate it.
I will call them.
Jim
 
The only way I've found to get decent scratch track sound to the Epic/Scarlet is by running a decent mic or line-in to a tascam 100, then running a line to the camera, fairly clean with little or no distortion. I usually don't record with the tascam if we have a sound guy recording externally, we just use it for throughput to camera.
 
I had issues too with running Shure UR5 receivers to my Scarlet. Shure lavs and receivers worked fine on my Sony FS100 but when I replaced the sony camera with the Scarlet, I too ran into issues. Like Shiblon, I had to send my Shure mics through a Zoom H4N and output it to the Scarlet. This does give me a backup but it also means one more piece of equipment and only 1 merged signal to the camera.

Red's 3.5mm mini plugs are not very desirable. Wish they'd build a xlr module (that is smaller and purely just sound...instead of the one with the other stuff like genlock and timecode etc.).
 
miguel.mesas said:
Hi James, did you solve the problem? I have the same problem.

TKS
Click to expand...

I did not. I did find out that the Sennheiser does have a stereo plug (read that in the manual). I believe that could be the issue. When put the plug in the camera halfway I get static, all the way...nothing. BTW, I purchased this for my 7D, for a scratch track, I just want to see if it would work.
 
True, the Sennheiser has a stereo plug. But - it is not wired the same as the Scarlet.

In the Scarlet Manual, Page 160;
The audio connector pins are listed as T-R = mic + (positive) & - (negative) with the sleeve = ground.

Since the mic was catering to the DSLR market, the Sennheiser has the Tip and Ring wired the same as mic L and mic L, with the sleeve = Ground.
So both Tip and Ring carry the same, left channel signal.

________________


Sent that info to the contacts at Sennheiser that I mentioned earlier (plus another) Jason just responded:
...............

The problem is likely because of the dual mono wiring of the MKE400. A stereo to mono 1/8" adapter may be the solution.

Let me know if this helps.

Regards,
Jason Kelly
Product Specialist,
Wireless Systems
Sennheiser Electronic Corporation

Phone: 860-434-9190 x107
Email: jkelly@sennheiserusa.com


__________________


After you try his suggestion, post your results. I personally do not own the 400 so cannot test it myself.
Hope this is an easy solution.

Cheers!
 
Had some further follow-up with Sennheiser (I'm in communication with them often)...

They asked that I post this for the time being:




Due to the unique connector and wiring scheme of the Scarlett camera, the MKE 400 with its standard cable will not operate. We are investigating an adapter cable and will keep users posted on developments. Thank you.


Joe Ciaudelli
Director, Advanced Projects & Engineering Services
Sennheiser
860-434-4547 office
 
Excellent idea. The older Sennheiser MKH-416's are extremely plentiful, and it was (and still is) a standard camera-mounted shotgun used by literally thousands of crews worldwide. They pop up used on eBay all the time. Great mike, a real workhorse.
 
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