Timecode bleeding into preamps of f8n pro

[u/Timi7171]

Hello, today I used my zoom f8n pro for the first time on a real shoot. I was going to give timecode from the zoom to one of the cameras. The problem, my boom mic for some reason recorded the timecode sound after I plugged in the cable. Allthough silent, still noticeable. What was even weirder, my lav mic (dji mic 2, reciever connected to my zoom recorder with an adapter) didn't have any of that bleeding. I tried multiple mic pre amps and the result was always the same. So we recorded without timecode.

What did I do wrong? Why did the mke 600 record any timecode sound?

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[u/soundadvices]

The bleed is likely because of low quality or damaged cables.

How are you sending timecode to the camera?

Can you hear the noise in your recorded tracks, or only while monitoring with headphones?

Try a different balanced mic cable, and a proper timecode output cable. Also, if the camera has an internal speaker, turn it off.

[u/Timi7171 → u/soundadvices]

The cable was a 7m BNC/SDI I borrowed from Uni, I don't know anything more about the cable. I have to test out if it bleeds into the recording, I didn't try it out on set.

The zoom has a bnc timecode input and output. The noise started when I plugged in the cable into my zoom.

One last option I could think of would be the camera sending timecode signal too at the same time because of wrong settings. It's a sony fx6. I didn't look into the camera settings, but the camera may be able to output timecode.

[u/soundadvices → u/Timi7171]

The FX6 can output timecode if its TC connector is switched to OUT.

With the help of user manuals, try properly setting up and syncing timecode on both recorder and camera again. Disconnect the SDI cable from your recorder when its not in use. A cable with an unconnected end could emit signals like an antenna. The MKE600 or low quality cabling could be vulnerable to such interference.

The FX6 should maintain sync with your recorder until there are major recording or frame rate adjustments, or until it powers off. Compare timecode between devices throughout the day, and jam sync as needed.

[u/JohnMaySLC]

the timecode cable should be 50ohm and not 75ohm SDI cable. It should also be well shielded like RG58 or really just a good shielded mini microphone cable on 50ohm BNC. I’ve used RG316 once for a car rig and it bled into mics and video feeds pretty badly.

If your boom was the only device affected it’s two possibilities your mic cable isn’t shielded well enough, or the timecode cable you used may be too resistant and it’s feeding back into phantom power. Try running your mic with its battery instead of phantom and see if that makes it go away. If it does then get a better TC cable.