Distortion Problems.

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shoggoth80

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Hey all.
It seems no matter what I do, or what I record with, I end up with distortion issues.
The rub is I am even keeping my preamp levels low, both the gain, and the output knobs are only cranked 1/4 of their range (gain goes up to 75 on my pre, using my interface as strictly that), and that is with the pad on too. Mic makes no difference, EvCo9, Samson Co1, AT, Shure... they all buzz out on higher volume/pressure sections.
I am wondering if it could be my audio system itself, which is jack-shit to speak of... just an OLD set of Acer computer speakers from like 1995 or so. Sounds fine until I either punch it, or crank it.

Thoughts?
 
shoggoth80 said:
Sounds fine until I either punch it, or crank it.
Click to expand...
A guy goes to the doctors and says, "Doc, my arm hurts when I bend it like this". The doctor replies, "Then I suggest your don't bend it like that."

Don't punch/crank your mixes. ;)

Seriously, though, how can you expect to tell how something sounds when all you're listening to and working with it on is an old pair of computer speakers that you yourself describe as "jack-shit"?

G.
 
"Seriously, though, how can you expect to tell how something sounds when all you're listening to and working with it on is an old pair of computer speakers that you yourself describe as "jack-shit"?"
-Because for now it is literally all I have :P
An upgrade to the audio output is planned... it's a matter of scraping up the money for a better set of speakers. I'm probably going to actually go with Monitors, and run them off my interface for playback. Dollars to dimes says it won't even matter which brand I get... it's gonna sound worlds better than what I have right now :D
 
But when I say punch it, I meant vocally. When I get a little louder, it tends to fuzz out.
When I say crank it, I mean pushing the fader up. Lol.
Though I would bet that there is some serious fault with my speakers. LOL.
 
If you have a lousy monitoring system, then you'll never be sure where any problem with your mix is. Maybe the room, maybe the mix, maybe the level of the mix, maybe any loud source at all makes these lousy speaker distort...

You could burn a copy of your mix and listen to it anywhere else. Headphones, car, another stereo. Or you could post a mix on the mp3 mixing clinic and ask someone what they think the distortion is.
 
It's not so much a mix as it is just playing back vocal takes that I am doing as experimentation to try to find the best levels, etc.
 
What interface are you using, and exactly where are you connecting your preamp to it?
 
I am using an ART 2 channel USB interface/preamp, but only as an interface. It's USB 2.0 and all that (I'd be surprised if anything created these days wasn't up to current standards). The tube preamp out goes to the left channel. Using XLR cables. Should I be using balanced TRS or something?
It seems to distort at the top of the fader settings no matter what I do, so I am highly inclined to believe that it is my speakers. They distort a little just listening to music at the higher end of the volume settings. I am more willing to accept the idea that my speakers are junk (which they are in my opinion), than to think my interface, or preamp is problematic. Also, the speakers are the absolute cheapest thing in the chain, which is also indicative of issues. Lol.
 
I know your getting more questions than answers back. But, that's necessary if people are going to try and help you.

So, my question to you is: When you record a vocal, what level do you try to get it to peak at on your meter???
 
Actual level I am unsure about. I keep it out of the red. Been experimenting around. Try to keep it in the yellow to orange range in reaper. I keep the levels low enough to not clip the pre, as that will sound really, really nasty.
 
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