Peak with condenser mics

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lolloscan

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Hi to all from Italy,
i'd need some help, if you please can give me some ideas to solve this problem:

i've a Yamaha MG10/2 mixer and a kit of condenser mics (Samson C01-C02 and JTS CX505); i use them on four XLR channels with phantom power but there is always the red peak light on channels 3 and 4, even with gain all down, even with all the levels down, same with the volume, even if i just breath to the mic!

I thought it was a mic problem, but i've used all my condenser mics on a 8-channel Mackie and all was ok; i've tried also condensers of better quality than mine (AKG 418) on my MG10/2 and the result was the same, red peak light on 3 and 4 channels (even when 1 and 2 channels are not plug in the 3 and 4 have that problem).
Using dynamic mics all is fine, no problems at all, even with XLR and line.

So i think it could be a problem of my mixer (a friend said to me that maybe it could be a "gain structure" problem, but i didn't understand what he means)

Have you ever heard or seen a situation like mine? Is there a solution? Before changing my mixer (i'm looking for a Samson MDR10, for the price i can pay it seems to be ok for my uses) i'd like to be sure that it's a problem of my MG10/2, thank you!!!!
 
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lolloscan said:
Hi to all from Italy,
i'd need some help, if you please can give me some ideas to solve this problem:

i've a Yamaha MG10/2 mixer and a kit of condenser mics (Samson C01-C02 and JTS CX505); i use them on four XLR channels with phantom power but there is always the red peak light on channels 3 and 4, even with gain all down, even with all the levels down, same with the volume, even if i just breath to the mic!

I thought it was a mic problem, but i've used all my condenser mics on a 8-channel Mackie and all was ok; i've tried also condensers of better quality than mine (AKG 418) on my MG10/2 and the result was the same, red peak light on 3 and 4 channels (even when 1 and 2 channels are not plug in the 3 and 4 have that problem).
Using dynamic mics all is fine, no problems at all, even with XLR and line.

So i think it could be a problem of my mixer (a friend said to me that maybe it could be a "gain structure" problem, but i didn't understand what he means)

Have you ever heard or seen a situation like mine? Is there a solution? Before changing my mixer (i'm looking for a Samson MDR10, for the price i can pay it seems to be ok for my uses) i'd like to be sure that it's a problem of my MG10/2, thank you!!!!
Click to expand...

Do channels 3 and 4 sound OK, or do they seem to be peaking/distorting? Maybe just the light is the problem. You can remedy this the same way I fix my car when the engine light comes on - place a little piece of black electrical tape over the light. :cool:
 
andyhix said:
Do channels 3 and 4 sound OK, or do they seem to be peaking/distorting? Maybe just the light is the problem.
Click to expand...
And if the channel lights are not indicating the same the next step would be how does each one indicate on the master meter?
 
no, also the sound has distorsion; tomorrow i'll go to a music shop with my microphones to test them in another mixer (Samson MDR10...by the way, is it quite good for the money?)

this evening i've done other tests with my mics, CX505 and C02 have those peaks, but not the C01 (that has a larger capsule), maybe condensers with small capsule are worst to use with drums? I don't think it's the problem (well...i hope...), i've test also AKG C418 with the same bad results

Thank you very much for the help!
 
Hey, I think I got it. Even though mic input 'spec ranges' are the same on 1/2 and 3/4, they are not routed the same and have different max input before clipping- At minimum gain 1/2 clip +4, 3/4 clip at -10.
Check out pages 24 and 26.

http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/english/mixers/MG10_2E.pdf

The up shot is that at max' gain they clip the same on soft sources, but 3/4 won't take a hot signal at min gain.

We have the 8/2 set up as a little utility mixer on the mains here so it was easy to confirm- Just close micing some 'Spin Doctors :rolleyes::D on the monitors (even just a hot dynamic) clipped easy at moderately loud volume.
So up-shot #2- Forget hot mics, loud sources. You're gona need a pad.

Wayne Smith
___________
Monitoring just fine at CathouseSound :) SP Tech Continuum AD
 
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ah i've understand now, thank you a lot!
A pad is a sort of gain reducer? Please can you give me some names of them so i search for it? Would i need a pad even if i'll change mixer? I'd need more inputs (min. 8 xlr with phantom) because i've all condeser mics except the ones fro snaredrum and bassdrum
Maybe it's better if i go to the music shop with all my mics to try all them? I still have the doubt they are too sensitive for drums and i'm a little worried, i've bought them recently, new, and online!
 
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