Clicking noise when recording with external mic on Canon VIXIA HF 11

[NewChannelMedia]

When using an external mic (plugged in directly, or via a Beachtek, or via a wireless setup), my Canon VIXIA HF11 records an annoying and regular clicking noise which, curiously, is in synch with the Access/Charge (power light) flashing on and off.

What can I do to remove this noise, apart from recording audio to an external device and synching in post?

Thanks in advance.

[minidv2dvd]

that's a little weird. with the canons i've used; if the charging cable is plugged in/the battery light flashing/the camera put in record mode/the light stops flashing and it runs off ac power. they haven't charged and recorded at the same time.

you might check another hf11. it's not one of the ones i've used.

[Soopafresh]

It could be the automatic audio gain control setting. That's a setting you can turn off in the menu.

[mtnmarty]

I am having the same experience with my HF11. Just plugging in the external mic plug, even without the mic plugged into it causes the clicking noise you mentioned. It makes using an external mic impossible. The internal mic circuit is noise free but part of my decision to buy it was based on the external mic capability. I record my daughters piano recitals and the internal mics don't cut it. Has anyone found a fix or had a different experience? . pianosisters.com

[mtnmarty]

FYI, it has nothing to do with the agc setting.

[edDV]

Does it do this in simple battery drain mode?

Does it do this with the battery removed and only AC adapter power?

If so, buy a larger battery and don't record with the AC adapter connected.

[mtnmarty]

>>Does it do this in simple battery drain mode? Freshly charged or not it doesn't matter.

>>Does it do this with the battery removed and only AC adapter power? Yes

>>If so, buy a larger battery and don't record with the AC adapter connected.

Thank you for your reply but I don't understand how you came to that conclusion from an affirmative answer to those questions?

A better guess is an apparent voltage fluctuation that is being caused by the external mic jack's proximity to the LED either in the circuit, physically or both. A cap in circuit internally would probably be the beginning of a fix but this would be Canon's responsibility to research and offer repair not HF11 owners. I have read other posts regarding the same issue. I am anxious to see if anyone has found a solution.

[edDV]

I was thinking the battery charge circuit might have been pulsing. Apparently that's not the problem.

[rdastrup]

Harry, wow that is EXACTLY the problem. When the camera touches the Beachtek it makes the intermittent sound. When it is not connected there is no buzzing sound. The second the camera comes in contact with the attachment screw the buzzing begins. Being connected to the Beachtek mic connection alone does not cause the buzzing sound. Just when the camera body and Beachtek screw touch.

>>> "Harry Kaufmann" <beachtek@shawbiz.ca> 2/4/2010 12:55 PM >>>

Hi Russ,
Thanks for writing!
Many of our customers use our adapters with the popular Canon Vixia HF S10 and have had no problems – although perhaps not with the DXA-6vu which is now a discontinued product – most people use the DXA-2s. I would avoid getting information on the forums as they full of very unreliable information.
You can do some simple tests to narrow down the problem. Remove the DXA-6vu from the camera so that it is not touching the chassis. Do not connect any microphones to the adapter and run the camera on battery power and test for noise in both the G1 and G2 settings. You should get only some hiss from the camera preamplifiers which is normal. Then plug in a mic and test again.
Let me know the results.
Regards,
Harry Kaufmann
Product Support
250-868-8234
BeachTek Inc.
The Audio Adapter Specialists
www.beachtek.com