Take your cell phone out of the studio

[Middleman]

Just discovered the source of an intermittent clicking in my monitors. After months of search and destroy missions, I noticed the clicking suddenly went away. I also remembered my cell phone was in the car.

After retreiving the phone into my home studio, I noticed the clicking started. Took the phone out of the room..clicking gone.

Turns out that some phones trickle email every x amount of minutes using GSM to synch with the server. That's what I was picking up. Turned off the automatic download and voila! Clicking problem solved.

Thought I would save others from tearing down the CPU, re routing interrupts while chasing soundcard clicks. Check that your cell phone is off or not set up for auto communications.

[Henri Devill]

No sh*t!Good info

[EdWonbass]

My Nextel makes clicking sounds all the time through my monitors, my car stereo, my computer speakers, you name it.
It's a pile of crap that nextel but it's free from work so what can I do.

I could leave it in my truck, or maybe under it.

[deepwater]

And to think the FAA approved using them in planes now.

If the screw up a recording studio what will they do to a 747?

[vestast]

I've noticed that with my ********** as well. Everytime I receive an email on it I can tell by the clicking that comes through my speakers. Happens when I'm talking on the phone also.

[ez_willis]

Take them out of restaurants, too. They create an interference with my ability to enjoy my meal!

[Dracon]

But, but, but, how will my dealer get a hold of me? Man I need to know when he got the stuff in, 'cause I need it nnnnnow.

I'd imagine that your cordless home telephone would do the same. Although, I don't have the tendency to be talking on the phone and playing music at the same time, so I wouldn't know. Although, I find my cell phone and cordless telephone very useful and productive when I'm in the bathroom.

[Richard Monroe]

But, have you found the ones my people have placed all around your studio? Just give me the Brauner and I'll turn them off...Richie

[Middleman]

The Brauner or my sanity? er....... let me think about that.

[Richard Monroe]

Don't Worry, Middleman, you really are hearing voices. -Richie

[Rock Star 87]

the funny thing is when ur high, and it rings in the studio, and u fuck the song up trying to mix it out. hehe

[xstatic]

You should hear what they do in a big live audio rig when too close to unshielded magnetic machines or clear com's you will have never heard your subs sound so big

[Track Rat]

Yeah, I found out when I first got my Nextel I sat it on the console and a few minutes later I get a REAL loud "chip-chip-chip-chip-chip" sound out of the monitors.
On a simular note, I put in a RECORDING sign above the door to the studio when I first built the place. It would flash off and on when active to get everyones attention. I started noticing a low level "tick" in everything I tracked and it took me weeks to figure out it was the flasher in the sign.

[xstatic]

Nextel certainly seems to be the worst offender as far as creating noise.

[Middleman]

Track rat, I'm glad you mentioned the sign. I was going to pick one up. Have to rethink that or pay attention to grounding.

[Track Rat]

I just removed the flasher circuit and put in a red light bulb. The sign is a must have.

[EdWonbass]

Originally Posted by xstatic

Nextel certainly seems to be the worst offender as far as creating noise.

Yeah it's pretty bad but for some reason when i'm playing a gig I can put it on top of my bass rig and it doesn't happen. We play a bit loud so I can't hear it ring but the interferece would have come through if it was going to.
Now when the lighting guy hooks the fog machine up on the same circuit as my amp I hear the pop when he turns it on. That sucks.

[Middleman]

Originally Posted by Track Rat

I just removed the flasher circuit and put in a red light bulb. The sign is a must have.

Another good tip. Thanks.

[noisedude]

I have a similar problem I just solved recently.

My guitar amp was clicking intermittently, and seemed to get worse when I damped the strings. I have literally been noticing this on and off for four or five years.

Yesterday I didn't know what time it was, so I put my watch on and, being lefthanded, put it on my right wrist. You know what happened next!!!!!

I didn't think such a thing would be possible, but from now on only digital watches allowed whilst recording!!!!!

[Track Rat]

A digital wrist watch was generating an audible interference?? No shit??

[noisedude]

No, an analogue one. My guitar amp was ticking in time with the seconds hand on my watch.

[reevolution]

I *always* have this problem.

I'll know that I'm getting a phonecall about 5 seconds before the phone even rings!