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Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix

What you need

  1. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, The Mic: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • This is the rattly beast.

  2. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Getting in…: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • You access the internals by removing the grill in the front, which is held in place by a small amount of adhesive.

    • Use a set of tweezers (or a pointy metallic object, I used a tiny screwdriver) and gently pull in a circular fashion not to destroy the metal girder.

  3. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, The culprit: step 3, image 1 of 2 Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, The culprit: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Canon has used an elastic band for vibration reduction of the directional "sound pipe" (seen as a circle behind the elastic band).

    • The pipe visible behind the elastic is supposed to be mounted toe the inner wall with the two marked circular joints.

    • These incredibly weak joints are bound to break as the rubber loses its elasticity.

  4. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Remove rubber band: step 4, image 1 of 2 Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Remove rubber band: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Rubber band is irreparable and needs to go. I scratched it out using a small, sharp screwdriver.

  5. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Clean slate: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • The culprit of the rattling noise is now apparent. A plastic cylinder stretches through the whole of the microphone, enabling the microphones forward focused / directional sound.

    • When the rubber band breaks because of the bad joints, this thing hits the inner side of the cylinder.

  6. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Find stuffing: step 6, image 1 of 3 Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Find stuffing: step 6, image 2 of 3 Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Find stuffing: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • I measured the internal diameter, and found that there in total was a void of about 2mm in between the tube and the mic cylinder.

    • After some searching, I found a 2mm thick foam sheet for about 50 cents at a hobbyist shop.

    • Use this to cut a small sheet of depth of about 2 cm and length matching the inner circumference.

  7. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Stuff it: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • After some scissoring, you should have something that looks a bit like this.

  8. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Make it stick.: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Add a dab of glue around the foam to make sure it stays in place.

  9. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Glue and replace the grill and wind stopper: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Add a thin layer of glue to the yellow circle and reattach the grill and windstopper.

  10. Canon DM-100 microphone rattle noise fix, Done: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • There! 190$ microphone fixed for less than a dollar.

    • The audio quality isn't affected at all.

Conclusion

The DM-100 is a good, but expensive microphone for all Canon camcorders. The internal suspension is broken by design, and will render the microphone unusable after 2-3 years of use.

This fix is a permanent fix to Canons poor design. Since the pipe is solid, and the foam is only reaching about 2cm into the pipe, audio quality is not affected at all.

One other person completed this guide.

Bonka

Member since: 05/15/15

353 Reputation

2 Guides authored

2 Comments

Good work, good tutorial! Can you help me? I have DM-50. How to connect it to Mini Advanced Hot Shoe? Do you have an electric circuit DM-50?

raoul.luigend@gmail.com

raoul.luigend - Reply

Hi, Raoul. I’m not sure what you’re trying to accomplish on what sort of equipment. I don’t know the DM-50, but if you have a camera with the mini hot shoe like the Legria / Vixia, you just need to slide open the compartment on the top of the camera and insert the mic firmly into the hot shoe.

Bonka - Reply

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