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3. Re: noisy 8020 mics - update

Subject: 3. Re: noisy 8020 mics - update
From: "Mike Rooke" picnet2
Date: Mon Nov 7, 2011 4:08 am ((PST))
Glad this has been highlighted...

"Perhaps
the small recorders with add on electret mics are more robust than
the so-called professional mics, they certainly give almost
comparable results in my experience."

Reading the operating section of a microphone user guide and "improper use"=
 is a term that springs up a few times. The temperature range is also quite=
 limited.

My own PIPMICS survived been dunked in a river. Frozen down to -22C and pas=
t +30C in windy sandy beach, just a few examples but a few Euro per capsule=
 or under 100 for a complete mic is far easier to deal with than 7 to 8 tim=
es that price.

I'd also look into the latest dynamic mics if a very robust solution is nee=
ded, while they lack low end and higher noise (16-20 dBA depending on the p=
reamp) Ive had no problems with a pair outside this autumn, soaking wet wit=
h condensation.

-Mike.



--- In  vickipowys <> wrote:
>
> Lizzie and all,
>
> A few days ago I received my replacement stereo pair of 8020s, and
> have done a couple of hours of recording so far with no problems,
> other than each of the mics giving a single brief pop within seconds
> of one another, perhaps a change of temperature or something.  I
> think that is regarded as normal for the XLR type of mic?
>
> Syntec in Sydney (the distributors and service people) had this to
> say, on the diagnosis of the problem with 8020s (and presumable all
> of the 80XX series):
>
> <Hi Vicki, thank you for your patience.
>
> We have received our shipment, and have checked all microphones, all
> working fine.
>
> Just to fill you in, the issue was due to the microphone capsule not
> making correct earth contact, it has been adjusted and extra earth
> contact applied internally.
>
> I'll be shipping your replacement microphone back to you to-day. >
>
> So it does sound like they have slightly changed the internal design
> if an extra earth contact is now part of the scheme.
>
> As for your MKH40s Lizzie, I would say that it is a different problem =

> to the 80XX series problem, and may be a capacitor that needs
> replacing.  I had a similar noise with a new MKH20 and it was soon
> fixed under warranty.  But how annoying for you to miss out on
> recording opportunities when overseas, due to gear failure.  Perhaps
> the small recorders with add on  electret mics are more robust than
> the so-called professional mics, they certainly give almost
> comparable results in my experience.
>
>
> Vicki
>
>
>
> On 07/11/2011, at 8:40 AM,  wrote:
>
> > So Syntec is sending me a new pair of 8020's this week which is
> > great, but I just got back from overseas where one of my MKH40's
> > started to play up, and it's making the same noise that my 8020's
> > did when they weren't working properly. This time the noise doesn't =

> > seem to change when I press the sides of the body like the 8020's
> > did. The noise is also less frequent (but bad when it starts to
> > happen). Does anyone know if there's a similar component in the MKH =

> > range that are also in the 8020's? Grr..this is frustrating and
> > wasted so many of my recording opportunities.
> >
> > Lizzie
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In  "lizziepogson@"
> > <lizziepogson@> wrote:
> >>
> >> Syntec just contacted me and told me my mics are going to be
> >> replaced (not fixed) although they are holding them in Sydney
> >> until they are told what to do by Sennheiser Germany. It's just
> >> nice knowing it's not 'me' that's at fault. The new shipment into
> >> Sydney has been delayed apparently (you may know already Vicki),
> >> but unfortunately that means I can't take them with me on Thursday =

> >> when I go overseas. Bugga.
> >> Syntec also told me there were quite a few of these mics with the
> >> same body sensitivity, so looks like it's a bad batch for sure.
> >>
> >> Anyway, just thought I'd post an update for you all.
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> Lizzie
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --- In  "lizziepogson@"
> >> <lizziepogson@> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Hi All
> >>>
> >>> I'm a newbie to this group and have enjoyed reading all your
> >>> posts. But sadly, I also have this 8020 problem. (Btw Vicki,
> >>> download Antoine's mp3 files from the link that says 'T=C3=A9l=C3=A9c=
harger
> >>> ce fichier'.)
> >>> I have just sent my brand new stereo set back to Syntec in Sydney =

> >>> and am waiting to hear what they have to say. Hopefully I will
> >>> also get a new set from this 'new' batch of mics that you spoke
> >>> of Vicki. Fingers crossed!
> >>>
> >>> Lizzie
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --- In  vickipowys <vickipowys@> =

> >>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Antoine,
> >>>>
> >>>> I am very interested to hear your sounds but I could not access
> >>>> them
> >>>> via the link you gave.  Maybe try on SoundCloud?  Or via your blog?
> >>>>
> >>>> Vicki
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On 06/10/2011, at 5:21 AM, agriboval wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Hello
> >>>>>  Without including any of your interesting exchange, I wanted you
> >>>>> to share my problems with 8020 also bought here in France. Two
> >>>>> examples of sounds:
> >>>>>  http://dl.free.fr/geJJkKIwT and http://dl.free.fr/nxC6THrBm
> >>>>>  Again forgive me but a solution has finally found it been?
> >>>>>  Sincerely, Antoine.
> >>>>>  http://braconnages.unblog.fr/
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --- In  vickipowys
> >>>>> <vickipowys@> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> All,
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> An update for the Sennheiser 8000 series problems:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> After further testing I found that my 8020s also gave periodic =

> >>>>>> noise
> >>>>>> when used with Denecke PS-2 phantom power unit running to Olympus
> >>>>>> LS10 recorder, as well as to a Sound Devices 702 recorder.  So =

> >>>>>> it is
> >>>>>> definitely not the recorder and not the leads.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Syntec in Sydney have also now confirmed that the problem is
> >>>>>> with the
> >>>>>> MICS.  They were able to recreate the faulty fizzing noise by
> >>>>>> squeezing the sides of the microphone.  In addition I found
> >>>>>> that I
> >>>>>> was more likely to have problems if the mics were cold.  Syntec
> >>>>>> service manager says:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> The noise (crackling) is coming from the capsule earthing
> >>>>>>> internally, the tolerance is very small from "good" earthing to
> >>>>>>> "poor" earthing.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> It is NOT a faulty component, it's an issue "tolerance"
> >>>>>>> adjustment
> >>>>>>> from the factory.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> The faulty units will be returned to Sennheiser Germany for
> >>>>>>> investigation.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Replacement mics will be sent out from Germany in a week or so.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> As to the problems that some people have had with 8060s and
> >>>>>> 8070s,
> >>>>>> worldwide, I am told that Sennheiser will soon issue a technical
> >>>>>> bulletin on this problem.  Syntec did not know if the 8020
> >>>>>> problem is
> >>>>>> related (although the fizzing sound is the same).
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> To my mind perhaps Sennheiser have over-miniaturized the 8000
> >>>>>> series
> >>>>>> of mics, the components are therefore very sensitive to tiny
> >>>>>> variations in spacing during construction.  Just my theory
> >>>>>> though.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> However I LOVE the sound of the 8020s and will stick with them =

> >>>>>> rather
> >>>>>> than demand my money back, and hope that the replacement mics
> >>>>>> work to
> >>>>>> specification.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Vicki Powys
> >>>>>> Australia
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On 26/09/2011, at 6:46 PM, vickipowys wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Klas,
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> 8020s are connected to Sound Devices 702 which supplies the
> >>>>>>> phantom
> >>>>>>> power - same system works fine for MKH20s
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I'm currently testing a different phantom power source with the
> >>>>>>> 8020s.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> cheers,
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Vicki
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> On 26/09/2011, at 10:31 AM, Klas Strandberg wrote:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> This is very surprising, Vicky!
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> I really look forward to find out the reason.
> >>>>>>>> What do you connect it to? Where does the phantom power come =

> >>>>>>>> from?
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> Klas
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
>
>
>
>








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