Samsung NX 300/500 Automatic Gain Control - EM10 Mic - please help me!!!

Hi,

I know this is a lost case anyway let me get this off my chest...

I bought a Samsung NX300M plus the stupid mic EM10. However the SOUNS QUALITY SUCKS. It is not because of the mic itself, it's because of the stupid Automatic Gain Control. I FEeL CHEATED. I feel ANGRY. I noticed that they disable this STUPID, STUPID feature from the NX1, thank god, but I don't have a NX1. And they only disable this in their last firmware. So they took YEARS to understand that their AGC is sucks... or was this deliberately just to anoy users?

Can someone explain me if there is any way of shut this off. It is ruining my áudio so bad. Is there any firmware update for it? How can you deceived people to buy this mic, and then give them a AGC? The áudio is unusable. We have the same experience with th 5D. Can someone please explain me what is in this people's minds? I'm sure this also happens with the nx 500, right?

I don't beleive this is possible. The same thing happens with the NX30. What is the real purpose of the AGC? To mess with one's life?

IS THERE ANYWAY TO SHUT IT OFF????? PLEASE!!!!

Thanks,

Filipe

To be honest, I'm surprised that the EM10 is still supported on the NX500. It isn't supported on either the NX1 or NX3000. I bought one for my NX100/NX1100 but was a bit p'd off when I found I couldn't use it on the NX3000.

Personally I haven't had much of an issue using it on my NX1100 (except it picks up the lens AF noises like the onboard mike - buts that primarily a proximity issue with these lenses) and didn't find a need to look for AGC, however I also have Pentax gear and my latest Pentax DSLR (K-30) only comes with a mono mike and no mike input.

So I was looking for something to be able to resolve this problem and after a bit of research I've come across the Zoom H2 - see this youtube demo:
OK it can't be controlled by the camera (or at least I don't think it can), but I've also ordered a Hotshoe to Tripod adapter so it can be mounted on the camera. And at £66 on Amazon (UK) + £4.99 for an adapter it seems like a good deal. It can also be mounted on a separate tripod so you wont get any camera AF noise even with non-Video lenses, and I can use it for both Pentax and my NX camera filming.

Obviously it can also be used without the camera!

I only ordered it yesterday so I don't know how it will workout and of course it will require some additional video editing skills to synch the sound to video but if I record on both the camera and Zoom recorder Im hoping to match the audio and it's only really critical for lip synch anyway

Thanks Neil

I know I would have to buy the zoom H2 mic eventually. But you have to syn it in post. Right?

What really p**** me off, is having a good mic like the EM10, which is distorted, by a faulty firmware software issue, which have been in all Samsung Nx cameras, DSLR cameras, ect, for to long. I think they are doing this on purpose, or they are really dumb. Why? I don't understand. Why my cheap vídeo camera has a mic input, and the sound quality is excelente?

Please watch this vídeo. The kind of noise/hiss prduced by the Auto Gain Mic control is the same seen here.


Thanks and tell me what you think from the vídeo,

Flip

I can hear the hiss you mention, and it clearly is irritating in a quiet voice scene. Most of the video I do is transport related (aircraft/trains) so I haven't picked up on the AGC issue.

My own issues have mainly been around the necessity to use a relatively expensive dedicated mic that then still picks up nasty AF and zoom noise from the lens (you can hear how it spoiled this video. . I've got a silent 18-200mm NX lens but it drains the batteries so quickly you can probably only get 10-15mins video before the battery drains from full.

My cheap Sound Gun that I mount on my older Pentax (K-01) works just as well as the EM10 and only cost me about £15, but it too picks up AF and when I'm filming aircraft in particular I need the AF to be on (I'm not good enough to track manually). It's a bit annoying that Samsung didn't allow a standard Mic input to be used

I'm hoping the Zoom H2 will be better option that I can either mount on camera or on a separate (mini) tripod. It's due to be delivered tomorrow and if the weather is kind this weekend I might get to try it out when I go flying at the weekend.

flip 21 said:

Thanks Neil

I know I would have to buy the zoom H2 mic eventually. But you have to syn it in post. Right?

What really p**** me off, is having a good mic like the EM10, which is distorted, by a faulty firmware software issue, which have been in all Samsung Nx cameras, DSLR cameras, ect, for to long. I think they are doing this on purpose, or they are really dumb. Why? I don't understand. Why my cheap vídeo camera has a mic input, and the sound quality is excelente?

Please watch this vídeo. The kind of noise/hiss prduced by the Auto Gain Mic control is the same seen here.

Thanks and tell me what you think from the vídeo,

Flip

Click to expand...

It's easy to sync in post. Several software does it automatically.


Your first post on this same issue was two months ago. Why not sell the camera and mic and get one that works for you? Automatic Gain Control (AGC) has always been on consumer equipment, since it makes it easy to adjust audio automatically. Pro-level equipment will have option to turn it off. Your camera is consumer level.

I just purchased PluralEyes and Zoom H1 to use with my NX500, since built-in microphones are terrible anyway.

Thanks Visual FX

I'm looking to buy a new camera. I'm a youtuber, so I'm interested in a good and cheap camera, mainly for for vídeo. I am looking for a camera that:

1- has a mic input;

2- has a good low light performance, to shot indoors;

3 - A 180 flip/out screen;

4- At least an APSC sensor;

5 - 4k vídeo;

6 - cheap.

Number 1, 3 and 6, you can get it in a vídeo camera. So I got it for granted. I never thought DSLR or mirroless cameras didn't have them, until I understand, that it is a luxery to have it.

I thought about buying a Sony A7, or a A7s, for low light, but there is no flip out screen. On the other hand, cameras with a flip-out screen have no mic input. The NX1 for instances has a mic input, but don't have a180 flip out screen, like the NX30. The NX30, on the otther hand, doesn't have 4K, and has the AGC that screws audio. So I cannot find a good camera, that has all the features I want. This is crazy. Is it realy so expensive to have a flip out screen or a mic input? The Sony A6000 doesn't have 4 k, doesnt have a flip out screen, and a mic input. Why? The A5100 does, but doesn't have a mic input. Brands are anoying users with this changes. Soemtimes they adda it, other times they remove it. My canon HV30 has a mic input, and a flip out screen, and it is 10 years old.

Unfortunatelly the manufactos of DSLR/Mirrorless cameras are completely ignoring youtubers. We want something fast. I don't have time to sync áudio, and I want to have a camera with a large sensor.

So I'm still waiting for the long awated A7000. I thought about buying the A7s II but an expensive camera such as this, doen't have a simple flip out screen. Why?

So what camera do you advise me to buy? The truth is, there isn't any camera that fullfils a youtuber needs. The only one is the Canon 650D, but it doesn'yt ave 4k, nor a good low light performance. The NX500 coul be the perfect camera but Samsung choose not to incorporate a mic input, just to anoy users.

Thanks

Given my own investment in Samsung and Pentax gear I had a look through cameras in those ranges and agree that nothing would meet your requirements.

I'm not sure if you are aware but there is a very good Search by Feature option on the dpreview site and I ran this query:


Many of the results are definitely not "cheap", but the Canon EOS 760D (Rebel T6s) may satisfy your requirements. It pains me to recommend a Canon (I just have an aversion to the big camera companies) but it does seem to have the key features you are looking for.

Thanks neil

D you think the T6i, in terms of low light is better than the 5D MArk II? Is it better yhan the A6000? I0m k«looking for a camera to shot indoors.Is it better than the Nx300?

Thanks

To ease your pain, T6s has no 4k video. If OP wants affordable but decent 4k video, why not go with one of panasonic m43 cameras? IMHO they are the only ones that qualify, aside from sensor size.

Wich one?

I alwayas love Panasonic cameras. They are the best vídeo cameras that Money can buy.

My dream camera woul be a FZ1000 with a APSC sensor, and movable lenses, and a better low light performance of course. Or a Panasonix VX870, with a APSC sensor, and better low light.

What I don't understand is this adding, and removing of features. Sometimes they add mic inputs, others they remove, other times the screen flips out, others they don't. Ina world of selfies, and cameras, that shot both vídeo, and photos, what possible justify what is happening? How can good vídeo quality comes with a crap sound quality?

I once thought about buying the LX100, but strangely it hasn't mic input. Why? So I was back to square one. I'm still wating for the Sony A7000, do you think it will come? Or a Samsung NX1 LX, with a 180 flip out screen, and better low light.

The truth is, actually, even if I spenda lot of Money, there isn't any camera that trully fullfield my needs. The Sony 7S II, doesn't have a flip out screen, but it is perfect for vídeo/audio. Nobody cares about Youtubers? There are millions of youtubers ou there, that are facing the same problema. Finding a cheap vídeo camera that match their needs. Video cameras have a poor low light performance. And you cannot add depth of field.

Thanks,

Panasonic G7 has everything you asked for short of aps-c sensor. Two reasons why I don't like it is its size (smallish DSLR) and unreliable AF in video (to be honest, only cameras that do properly AF in video are NX1 and NX500). It's around 800 usd. Our if you can stretch a bit NX1 has absolutely everything you might need (but is ~1200+ usd depending on seller and your luck at that exact moment).

Here is the cheapest and most effective way to generate professional looking videos without high ISO noise, etc :

Add

... wait for it...

Light.

Seriously. Unless you are doing very niche type of videos that completely need ISO 6400 at 1/50s, you're doing it wrong.

I see people complain all the time about bad low light performance of cameras for videos they produce. That's completely wrong. Instead of buying 3200 usd body that does not even have internal recording of 4k for low light, just buy decent lighting for a fraction of that. Really. Were you ever in a TV studio? Or a stage? Lights are blinding and hot. Now you at least have the luxury of using cold lights.

It's like studio stills shooter complaining about high ISO performance. What high ISO? 400 is high ISO in studio...

You don't need studio quality nor an expensive camera for "Youtuber" or Vlogging videos. A webcam works just as good. I laugh at people using expensive $500+ cameras just for an online youtube video of themselves.

Regardless of what you or I think, some people take pride in what they do and try to do it as well as they can. There's nothing wrong with that IMHO.

What is unfortunate is the constant push by manufacturers, sellers and reviewers for people to solve issues by buying ever more expensive equipment in place of learning, for example, proper lighting (not expensive studio lighting, but affordable and portable one, even DIY).

Let's face it, anyone with five grands in pocket can buy A7R2 with decent lens, but if one is trying to set himself or herself apart, best way is by actually learning how to properly script, light, film and edit - to actually produce the video.

But, we're taking this way off topic, so apologies to the OP.

My 2c

Thanks. But shoul I wait for the Sony A7000? Or a new version of the Nx1? I'm hopping to get the 180 flip out screen, and the better low light of one step. Samsung NX1 is almost like the perfect camera for me. Th120fps, the imag quality, the price. It has almost everything.

Are you in a hurry? Do you have projects that cannot wait? If yes, don't wait.

If you can afford to wait a bit, wait until januar / february and buy what suits you best. By that time, most of the things should be clear.

Thank you all

By the way, another thing I took for granted, was the hability for a camera to do auto focus atomaticaly, in vídeo mode, so I could film my self in focus, with no cameraman.

However I found out, suprisingly, that the canon 5D, doesn't do this. You have to press the AF button all the time, so it is impossible to shoot a scene without a camera man.

I also noticed that the NX300 is really slow doing this autofócus, with its regular cheap lens, and of course the lens do a lot of noise, and it is not smoth. I wonder does the 30 mm, F2.0, lens, for the Samsung nx, is fast enough for the camera to behave has a normal videocamera, doing this auto focus? Is it smooth?

And also, since I intend to buy a new camera, does all the new generation mirrorless cameras do the this camcorder alike autofócus, in real time, in vídeo mode, automatically?

Thanks,

Nx 30mm is not a good choice as it's quite slow and noisy during AF in video. NX 16-50 PZ (kit lens of NX500) is quiet and fast to focus, as are 45mm (no OIS), 50-200mm and 18-200mm. IIRC 16mm as well.

Only affordable "large" sensor camera that actually will track and focus on you in video is nx500. Even panasonic g7 is nearly useless for af in video.

I would love to buy the NX500, but I need a mic input- That was the main reason I didn't buy it. The NX1 was a good choise for me, but I also need a flip flip 180 LCD, like the NX30, and better low light, I guess. So I will wait, for the NX600/NX5000, or the NX1 LX. Do you think, Samsung will have this in consideration (add a mic input, and a flip-flip screen)? Do you think that Samsung might close is camera production?

flip 21 said:

I would love to buy the NX500, but I need a mic input- That was the main reason I didn't buy it. The NX1 was a good choise for me, but I also need a flip flip 180 LCD, like the NX30, and better low light, I guess. So I will wait, for the NX600/NX5000, or the NX1 LX. Do you think, Samsung will have this in consideration (add a mic input, and a flip-flip screen)? Do you think that Samsung might close is camera production?

Click to expand...

Usually flip out screens are made for selfies. Cameras with the price tag of NX1 aren't made for people who do a lot of selfies... Mic input usually is not present in consumer cameras, like NXx00 and NXx000. Pray for a NX50 with all that stuff.