Audio troubleshooting - webcast

[Mikerowaved]

I need to go through the above process to identify/isolate a hum that's been in our stake webcasts for quite a while. I know it's not the Teradek because most of the time I use Wirecast and it has the same hum.

[studerje]

We had this same problem in our satellite rack. We could not isolate or remove it. We have all old analog gear, nothing new or HDMI in that rack other than the scaler for the camera feed to convert video to HDMI.
We ended up moving the Teradek to the Chapel and using the audio out from the chapel and the humming noise disappeared.

The next problem we had was the the audio output jack was a Mic level, not line level. I know the Teradek can take either if you change the settings, but the audio level to the Teradek was not consistent.
We put a mixer in between the wall jack and the Teradek and used line level out to the Teradek.

This resolved our audio issues.

Due to the locations of the Ethernet jack, and the microphone jack, we now have some cables taped to the floor with gaffer tape.
We picked up a pair of Blackmagic Design Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI boxes and are using Coax to extend the video from the back of the chapel to the front of the chapel.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C2H1K9R

These little boxes are amazing and gets you past the length limits of HDMI. They are USB powered and since the church recommended Sony - HDRCX405 camera is also USB powered, a surge protector with USB ports gets you past the need for wall warts. We went with this surge protector. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X9XNWR
We also bought some hook&loop(velcro) cable ties and just strap everything up to the tripod.

[jsorens6]

We had this same problem in our satellite rack. We could not isolate or remove it. We have all old analog gear, nothing new or HDMI in that rack other than the scaler for the camera feed to convert video to HDMI.
We ended up moving the Teradek to the Chapel and using the audio out from the chapel and the humming noise disappeared.

The next problem we had was the the audio output jack was a Mic level, not line level. I know the Teradek can take either if you change the settings, but the audio level to the Teradek was not consistent.
We put a mixer in between the wall jack and the Teradek and used line level out to the Teradek.

This resolved our audio issues.

Due to the locations of the Ethernet jack, and the microphone jack, we now have some cables taped to the floor with gaffer tape.
We picked up a pair of Blackmagic Design Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI boxes and are using Coax to extend the video from the back of the chapel to the front of the chapel.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C2H1K9R

These little boxes are amazing and gets you past the length limits of HDMI. They are USB powered and since the church recommended Sony - HDRCX405 camera is also USB powered, a surge protector with USB ports gets you past the need for wall warts. We went with this surge protector. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X9XNWR
We also bought some hook&loop(velcro) cable ties and just strap everything up to the tripod.

Thanks for this information. As of today we still haven't been able to resolve it. FM group has dispatched the EMCOR audio tech to meet with me tomorrow morning. I'll have this piece of information handy.

[CalS201]

We had this same problem in our satellite rack. We could not isolate or remove it.............
We ended up moving the Teradek to the Chapel.......................... The next problem we had was the the audio output jack was a Mic level, not line level.......................We put a mixer in between the wall jack and the Teradek and used line level out to the Teradek.

I need to go through the above process to identify/isolate a hum that's been in our stake webcasts for quite a while. I know it's not the Teradek because most of the time I use Wirecast and it has the same hum.

Don't live with these audio problems. Talk to your Stake PFR and have him put in a work request to your FM group to get the problems corrected. It will make your job easier and it doesn't cost you anything!

[studerje]

We had this same problem in our satellite rack. We could not isolate or remove it.............
We ended up moving the Teradek to the Chapel.......................... The next problem we had was the the audio output jack was a Mic level, not line level.......................We put a mixer in between the wall jack and the Teradek and used line level out to the Teradek.

I need to go through the above process to identify/isolate a hum that's been in our stake webcasts for quite a while. I know it's not the Teradek because most of the time I use Wirecast and it has the same hum.

Don't live with these audio problems. Talk to your Stake PFR and have him put in a work request to your FM group to get the problems corrected. It will make your job easier and it doesn't cost you anything!

yeah, we plan to. the problem is that we had them out once. they just showed up, no call no notice, said they fixed the problem and closed the ticket. Just need to get around to opening another ticket.

[jsorens6]

Update.... FM group is replacing our Teradek unit this week. They haven't been able to figure out what has been causing the problem yet. Fingers crossed!

[CalS201]

Update.... FM group is replacing our Teradek unit this week. They haven't been able to figure out what has been causing the problem yet. Fingers crossed!

Your previous post mentioned you moved the Teradek to the chapel and you no longer had any "hum" issues. So it can't be a bad Teradek.

Sounds like you need to request a technician with knowledge and experience specific to troubleshooting audio issues. FM technicians are usually what I call "generalists" --- jack of all trades, master of some--- so you may need to specifically request the FM to bring in an audio specialist. In my previous area the FM group would fly in a specialist a few times a years to visit several bldgs over a few days and fix all the more difficult audio issues.

[CalS201]

Update.... FM group is replacing our Teradek unit this week. They haven't been able to figure out what has been causing the problem yet. Fingers crossed!

Your previous post mentioned you moved the Teradek to the chapel and you no longer had any "hum" issues. So it can't be a bad Teradek.

Sounds like you need to request a technician with knowledge and experience specific to troubleshooting audio issues. FM technicians are usually what I call "generalists" --- jack of all trades, master of some--- so you may need to specifically request the FM to bring in an audio specialist. In my previous area the FM group would fly in a specialist a few times a years to visit several bldgs over a few days and fix all the more difficult audio issues.

Hum is a known issue when trying to connect the chapel sound system to the EmTech AVDH-1 in the AV room. The Installation guide for the AVDH-1 even suggests the solution - which is add an audio isolation transformer at the back of the AVDH-1. I have attached the installation guide that shows which cable & connector on the rear of the unit - look for the notes labeled #2.

To definitively determine the hum source just disconnect cable #2 and run a short webcast to check for hum. If the hum is now gone, you can first try disconnecting the shield wire from the 3 pin connector, second try removing any jumper between pin2 & 3 . If neither eliminates the hum, then call FM and tell them to install the RDL audio isolation transformer mentioned in note#2.

[jsorens6]

Update.... FM group is replacing our Teradek unit this week. They haven't been able to figure out what has been causing the problem yet. Fingers crossed!

Your previous post mentioned you moved the Teradek to the chapel and you no longer had any "hum" issues. So it can't be a bad Teradek.

Sounds like you need to request a technician with knowledge and experience specific to troubleshooting audio issues. FM technicians are usually what I call "generalists" --- jack of all trades, master of some--- so you may need to specifically request the FM to bring in an audio specialist. In my previous area the FM group would fly in a specialist a few times a years to visit several bldgs over a few days and fix all the more difficult audio issues.

That was someone else responding in the thread that moved their Teradek and it went away.

Replacing the Teradek did reduce the hum about 50% but it's still an issue. As an added bonus, the auto configuration now works for us as well!

Thanks for the additional tip in this comment and the next one. I'll definitely pass it along. Thanks!

[jsorens6]

Follow up if anyone is following this thread...........we never did resolve the issue. The hum has been consistent through multiple configurations and Vidiu units.

I finally figured out a workaround yesterday though! I pulled out one of the hearing assist devices and used the the audio off that to plug straight into the Vidiu unit and the sound is 10,000% better with no hum.

I hope that helps someone else as well.