George Tarrant Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 So I've just set up my spanky new QRX200 receiver and both outputs seem very noisy. By that I mean there is a very high pitched whine and both outputs are quite hissy. This noise is there with or without the associated transmitters being on ( a new 742 plug on and a new TRXLA2.6 ) It's even there with antennas connected or disconnected. I'm pretty sure I've got the QRX set up correctly so I'm quite baffled. This whine can be heard with the transmitters on or off....and with a mic plugged in to the LA (Sanken COS 11 or B6 ) or into the 742 plug on with a Sanken CS3E or Schoeps . The signal chain is rx output to my Audio Developments AD 149 mixer and then direct out from mixer to Fusion 12 inputs 9 and 10 (digital in). Anyone have any ideas?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Try testing again without the AD in the path, so that isn't to blame? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 What you powering it with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Tarrant Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Powering it with my cart based power max distro. Eliminated the Ad 149 and went straight in to the Fusion...same thing exactly. I already tried powering the unit from a separate gell cell no difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I'd call zax in the morning, probably a QC thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Richter Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 You probably checked to have the 200 on line out not mic level? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Have you try a different cable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Theres only line or AES, unless theres some new options on the 200 series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim M Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 "The signal chain is rx output to my Audio Developments AD 149 mixer and then direct out from mixer to Fusion 12 inputs 9 and 10 (digital in)" To me that is a confusing statement. To my knowledge I don't see where you can go out digitally from the 149, but then you say digital in. Zaxcom products seem to be made with a total sound package idea. Adding a 149 just for kicks in there instead of going straight AES from your 200 to your Fusion is hard to understand. Using my Nomad and going in digitally I've had to kick myself to go to back to listening to the boom sometimes they sound soo good. Why not add one of Zaxcom desk mixers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Tuzo Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 "Adding a 149 just for kicks in there instead of going straight AES from your 200 to your Fusion is hard to understand... Why not add one of Zaxcom desk mixers? I would say that it's pretty safe to assume that many, if not most, narrative mixers prefer a more traditional signal flow (sources feed mixer, mixer feeds recorder). At present time, the only offerings by zaxcom are control surfaces for their recorders. Not everyone's cup of tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Tarrant Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 The Fusion 12 has inputs 9 thru 12 available as line inputs but routes them to digital input 1 thru 4. I've used plenty of other stuff into these inputs with no issues whatsoever. As for the control surface and going AES...like Wyatt said is not my cup of tea and it's not just there for "kicks Tim. I've had this desk for 15 years and it performs flawlessly....why would I spend to get something I don't want or need Matthias..the only option is line or AES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I find the output levels from zax receivers too low for the 9-12 input on my fusion. Try instead using inputs 1-8 and see what the results are (running line level of course) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 GT: " Anyone have any ideas?? " someone already mentioned it... as you couldn't figure it out ?? call Zaxcom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Tarrant Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I'll give that a try Greg. I have found those outputs are a bit colder but not usually a huge issue. I'm just about to try making up another power cable for the unit...the other one tested fine but it seems like that is the only thing left the hasn't been eliminated.. Once again Senator thanks for the obvious...you really have a knack for that. It seems that you need to see your avatar on as many topics as possible on the home page every day...perhaps you should start your own forum for useless comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 GT: " Once again Senator thanks for the obvious... " if it is so obvious, why do sooooo many folks either forget, or resist it..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I recently had my fusion 10 upgraded to a 12 and was pretty disappointed when I discovered this issue - so yeah, re routing the inputs/layout was my only solution. (I use a mix of lectro and zax wireless). Also for the record I'm using standard 900m Zaxcom receivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 It sounds like the cable is wired wrong so the signal is not balanced. Give use as call so we can help. Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Tarrant Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Finally got to the bottom of it. Made up a new power cable to the QRX which seemed to get rid of the high pitched whine. The receiver output still seemed a bit noisy...compared to my Venue but after much experimentation we upped the gain on the 742 and the LA and backed off the gain on the channel strip and voila...things seemed to match up nicely. My first gain level on the 742 was 20 with a Sanken CS3e...and when we upped it to 30 and backed off the channel gain it sounded great. Same with the LA body pack tx. The levels we started at...20 on each seemed ok...nice modulation etc. but my channel strip was at about noon position which has always been fine with other stuff. When we increased Tx gain levels to 30 the mixer strip is now at about 9 oclock,and everything sounds great. I guess the whole neverclip thing likes those tx gains a bit hotter. Soft dialogue sounded good and some really loud "barks" all seemed to hold and still sounded great with the gain set at 30. Had an issue with the 742 creating some RF interference with the CS3E when mounted by the mic instead of the bottom of the boompole but resolved that by changing from Mono US to Mono RX in the extended menu on the 742 Once we got to this point we recorded some tests and then dumped it into pro tools and were really impressed with both Tx units. We A/B'd the Sanken with the 742 and a hard line Sanken and could not tell the difference. Very impressive. Now I'm wondering what other folks are using as a ballpark gain setting on the 742 with a Sanken CS3e for "normal dialogue levels and for that matter on the TRXLA2 ?? Bottom line...all is well and thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Greg...on my Fusion 12 Inputs 9 - 12 appear to be about 3 1/2 db lower than mix track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I guess I will have to look into this. I had the cable (Hirose 10-pin to 4 x XLRs) made by one of the "Usual Suspects" - one that I strongly would assume got the wiring right. I have heard from a couple of other users that they also noticed the same issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Tarrant Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Greg, The first cable I had when I got my Fusion 12 was wired for the cam return option and was indeed very funky and caused me some brain strain. I guess it's still not ideal but I think post can live with 3 or 4 db drop from mix track. It certainly could become an issue on a whisper type scene but should be fine for most " normal dialogue. " I had a call from post last year on my series and they felt the 9-12 iso's were a bit low on a couple of scenes. When I played back at my end the mix tracks were okay because I was pushing the fader.(..which of course did nothing to the direct out iso's.) instead of upping my mixer trim pot. Lesson learned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Richter Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Use the -20dB tone from your RX900s to line up the receivers with your mixer and Fusion. And THEN see what gain you need at your TRXs. Worked for me (RX900s into Cooper into Fusion12). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Use the -20dB tone from your RX900s to line up the receivers with your mixer and Fusion. And THEN see what gain you need at your TRXs. Worked for me (RX900s into Cooper into Fusion12). This is how I set mine up, however my TRX LA1 gains are no where near 30... mostly around 19-24. Noise floor seems ok (no where as quiet as cabled, but I have to engage my 2k notch on all my Tx's to cut out a known noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Tarrant Posted May 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 After more messing around I've found the LA2 "normal" level is around 20 ish and the 742 around 30 ish and yes the tone line up is the way to go. Got the newest firmware installed today on QRX & 742 and LA2 and the range improved and the RF interference problem with the Sanken CS3E is completley gone...mounted at the mic end of the pole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RScottATL Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Have been playing with my QRX 235 for the past few days. I'm getting the same high pitched whine. I wired the power and audio cables myself, but it's certainly possible something is user error. Will report back when I've heard from Zaxcom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Try 2k notch on trx yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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