Blackmagic Forum

I've recently be experiencing a very frustrating audio issue with the Mini 4K. There's a low but noticeable "static" sound on all audio recorded through the main two inputs. I've tried a lot of setups and the issue seems to be with the camera regardless of the mic used. I've tried dynamic and condenser, both using the camera's phantom power and the mic battery, several different cables, wireless transmitters, etc. The problem only exists on the XLR inputs, not the internal mic. I've also tried them in several different rooms, swapped the power sources and everything else I could think of.

I have two of these cameras, one started doing this about 2 weeks ago, the other started just a few days ago. Both are less than 6 months old and are studio cameras so they have yet to even go outside. I haven't seen much in the way of people having a similar issue so any help would be greatly appreciated.

The link below is to the sound that I'm referring to. This comes through no matter what mic is plugged in or when there's no input at all.

https://soundcloud.com/garret-layman/bl ... 21-c0001-1

Yikes - that's nasty. How are you powering these cameras?

I don't think you'll get much help on the forums - so I would suggest contacting support:

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/contact/phone

Sadly, as you've basically tried everything, I think sending them in for repair might be the only option.

Keep us posted on how you go!

I have the same problem only on channel 1. Channel 2 is clean. I have Sennheiser EW 100 series and use it on one channel, so I don't want to send my URSA to service. I use it all the time, so I don't have any possibilities to send it.

Have you tried feeding the camera a line level signal from a mixer? If that works, it doesn't mean there's no problem with the mic ins, but it'd be a workaround. Mic ins are more susceptible to interference as they are much lower level signals than line ins.

Mariusz Nowak wrote:I have the same problem only on channel 1. Channel 2 is clean. I have Sennheiser EW 100 series and use it on one channel, so I don't want to send my URSA to service. I use it all the time, so I don't have any possibilities to send it.

That's fair enough - however, my suggestion would still be to contact Blackmagic so that at least they're aware of the issue. This might also help later down the line if you end up having other issues with the camera, as at least they'll have a paper record of the issue.

John Fishback wrote:Have you tried feeding the camera a line level signal from a mixer? If that works, it doesn't mean there's no problem with the mic ins, but it'd be a workaround. Mic ins are more susceptible to interference as they are much lower level signals than line ins.

Mic or Line - same problem.
Thanks John and Chris. If I get second Ursa (I'm waiting more than 3 months) then I send to service that one.

After some additional troubleshooting with no success (including the line source mentioned here) I went ahead and shipped one camera to Blackmagic for service. I'll post an update as soon as I get some info from them.

Any updates on your issue?
I have the same issue and I have no way to send it for a replacement because I'm in Brazil and they have no support here.

UPDATE
After sending the camera in for service Blackmagic told me it was an issue with the camera's hardware and sent a new replacement. They did the same with our second camera as well.

After several months one of the replacements started having the same issue so I sent it in for repair as well. This time they repaired the same camera and returned it. Unfortunately I didn't receive any sort of explanation as to what the problem was, only that it was a defect and not user related. Hopefully the two camera's we have now will continue to work correctly.

Thanks for the update! Fingers and toes crossed it now works fine!

Uh oh. I discovered that I'm getting a bit of static as well. I changed cables. I also changed the battery in my mic (Sennheiser MKE600). I was under pressure, since I had limited time to get the shot I needed.

I'll test more and see if I get it on XLR2.

I'm on UMP.

Adam

I just tested my camera at home, and the static is gone. Perhaps there was something in the environment I was in.

Yes, could have been, this is one of the issues of wireless mic setups, they are susceptible to external interference since they first came out in the 1060s. Today’s wiresless setups are better, but you can still get RF interference.
Cheers

Denny Smith wrote:Yes, could have been, this is one of the issues of wireless mic setups, they are susceptible to external interference since they first came out in the 1060s. Today’s wiresless setups are better, but you can still get RF interference.
Cheers

Actually mine was hooked up through an XLR cable. I tried a couple different cables and even changed the battery in the microphone. Still had the static. It wasn't too noticeable with talking.

OK, are your mic cables 109-percent shielded (foil with the woven ground layer? If not, these type of cables are better at reducing outside interference. Also mic cables close to pier cable runs can cause issues.
Cheers

Adam Silver wrote:

Denny Smith wrote:Yes, could have been, this is one of the issues of wireless mic setups, they are susceptible to external interference since they first came out in the 1060s. Today’s wiresless setups are better, but you can still get RF interference.
Cheers

Actually mine was hooked up through an XLR cable. I tried a couple different cables and even changed the battery in the microphone. Still had the static. It wasn't too noticeable with talking.

This is the cable I use for connecting the camera to the boom pole: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _5000.html

Adam

Adam, looks like a good cable, however it is, “Shielding 99% high-density TAC braid
Shield Material Tinned copper...”. So not a 100- percent foil/braid shielding. It is a quad conductor, which is good. I use Canare Star Quad cable which has both the braid and a foil inner shielding. More expensive, but very good at rejecting external signal interference. I get them made up at ProAudio in L.A.
Cheers

Denny Smith wrote:Adam, looks like a good cable, however it is, “Shielding 99% high-density TAC braid
Shield Material Tinned copper...”. So not a 100- percent foil/braid shielding. It is a quad conductor, which is good. I use Canare Star Quad cable which has both the braid and a foil inner shielding. More expensive, but very good at rejecting external signal interference. I get them made up at ProAudio in L.A.
Cheers

Thanks Denny for the info!

Adam

This is the same problem that I have with both of our cameras.

I have been told it is a bad main board and not repairable as the part isn't available. No other options were offered to me as it is out of warranty. This seems crazy that parts are not available to fix this especially for what seems to be a known issue.

Is Blackmagic offering any other solutions, upgrades etc.? I noticed B&H has a loyalty upgrade to the URSA mini pro, i'd just go this route but didn't originally purchase from B&H and that is a requirement
.

John, Adam’s issue appeared during a on location shoot, and was tested back at his home base, and is no longer there, so was due to some kind of interference at rye location, and is not the camera issue, that the original OP to this thread, and you had. But it is a good to keep this info available for someone else who might have a similar issue.
Cheers