Who here knows what this static sound is caused by?

[Reciever80]

Hey, thanks for reading. I've had my setup for a while and had this issue here and there where this static sound would appear in my recordings, no matter if it were drums or guitar or vocals. It would appear and disappear (seemingly) randomly, and I was hoping you guys could help me figure out where I'm going wrong, or if there's something that is screwed it. I'm positive it's not clipping, neither my sound board nor audacity register anything beyond a slight bump in the microphone levels when I play any music....drums being the exception at 1/5 the way up the bar. I had to get my soundboard replaced, and actually received a version of the soundboard which also gave the option of USB input, although I haven't tried that yet and don't have the correct cable to do so. Had the problem back on my other soundboard as well, as far as my memory serves me.

View attachment Guitar static issue, guitar picking starts at 2 22.mp3 Here is a clip I recorded, which you can immediately hear the static sound, and after the first little solo on the guitar it really kicks in. About 2/3 through the clip, I stop playing the rhythm background and just keep soloing (it's a two track song that I put together real quick, haha please ignore the fact the two tracks aren't completely in-sync )

Like I said, I've had some songs where I don't get it at all, although most of the time i get at least a fifth of the song, if not half, including that static sound. There are absolutely no effect added besides compression on the solo parts to help bring them out where you can hear them .

Thanks again for reading, hopefully you guys can help. Personally I'm thinking that there's some sort of electromagnetic interference, however when thinking that to myself it sounds a bit far-fetched

Sincerely,

~Brent

My setup:

• Standard, Dell computer. Windows 7, P4 3.0Ghz, 4GB Ram, Windows 7
• Shure SM58
• AT-2035 Condensor Microphone
• A bunch of XLR cables
• Two gold plated A/V cables for input/output to the computer and back
• ATH-M50 monitoring headphones
• Behringer 1622FX Audio mixer (8 channel soundboard)
• Drum set (cheap, generic set)
• Seagull SWS Maritime acoustic-electric guitar (my love)
• Delta 1010LT soundcard. Using the red/white inputs and outputs and pushing audio both ways through the sound board.

 

[mjbphotos]

As in any sporadic electric-related problem, you need to isolate the cause. Does it only happen with the guitar, or with a particular mics? Do you ear the static in the headphones when you are recording?
First try a different cable.
Second, try the signal chain (I suspect the Behr mixer is your problem)

 

[Reciever80]

Switching cables doesn't work, and it comes through crystal clear on my headphones when I have the control room output through them. I'll try mixing outputs, check if that changes anything. Thanks for the reply! I'll let you know if I find anything, and if anyone else sees this thread feel free to put in what you think.

~Brent

 

[dgatwood]

It kind of sounds like what happens if you artificially change the playback speed of a recording. Could there be a sample rate issue going on here?

It also sounds like the digital noise that results from either a stuck bit or having all zeroes (or any other constant value) in the lower-order bits, so it could also be a defective audio interface.

AFAIK, there's very little in the analog space that could cause that sort of sound unless your signal is running through some sort of guitar effects box on its way into the computer.

 

[Reciever80]

It kind of sounds like what happens if you artificially change the playback speed of a recording. Could there be a sample rate issue going on here?

It also sounds like the digital noise that results from either a stuck bit or having all zeroes (or any other constant value) in the lower-order bits, so it could also be a defective audio interface.

AFAIK, there's very little in the analog space that could cause that sort of sound unless your signal is running through some sort of guitar effects box on its way into the computer.

I'm gonna plug the sound mixer into my computer via USB, If i can get it to sound decent I'll post it up here and see what you guys think.

What's the drawback on using a USB input vs. my Delta 1010LT audio card? I spent almost 200 bucks on it back last may, if the USB fixes the problem, is it worth getting it replaced?

The inputs and outputs I used were the ones on the left of the image, the red and white ones. I used to use the XLR inputs, however one of them grew defective and produced a nasty clipping effect. I can't remember if switching to the red and white inputs fixed the static issue or if the static was an issue before as well (pretty sure it was an issue).

I digress, I'll let you know what happens when I switch between the red/white AV inputs, as well as switching between USB and the 1010LT.

 

[javierf55]

For me, sounds like the problem is on the Behringer mixer, I have one smaller (xenyx 502) and I had the same noise after a couple of months using it... Can not guarantee but looks the same. Bad news is that I could not solve the problem so I went directly to the audio interface.

 

[Reciever80]

My sister's asleep next to the room my studio's in...look's like I'll have to wait until later.

For me, sounds like the problem is on the Behringer mixer, I have one smaller (xenyx 502) and I had the same noise after a couple of months using it... Can not guarantee but looks the same. Bad news is that I could not solve the problem so I went directly to the audio interface.

Really? I just got this replacement part a week ago, and it has the same issues as before. Personally, I'm thinking that it's the delta 1010LT. When I get the chance tonight I'll let you know if anything works.

 

[Reciever80]

Damn, couldn't get the USB function to work. Damn audio mixer >.<....half the drivers don't work, and the usb lights refuse to turn on. /sigh

In the mean time, for whoever asked if it was guitar only, or vocals too, here's a link to a vocal track, it's the same song as the guitar above. The buzzing sound doesn't actually kick in until the chorus (Don't worry, it's only the first verse and chorus of the song). Hopefully that shows how weird it is. View attachment vocal track, static tradish.mp3

I switched the RCA inputs on the 1010LT, and it didn't work. switched cables, mics and inputs and that didn't work either, although it did seem to lighten up a bit on the SM58 (don't know it it was by luck or not....I don't really understand the meaning/source of the electric signal yet). Does it sound like it could be the AV cable I have running from the mixer to the computer? That was one of the cables I never actually got around to testing, although I don't know if that buzzing is a cable type of buzz. I have an infared-wireless audio headset for my xbox, and when it gets near/out of range it makes the same exact buzzing sound. Don't know if that means anything....

Thanks for the input so far guys. My gut feeling is the 1010LT, just because my 1622FX mixer is just way too new for it to happen again. I might try going to the card directly, however one of my mic's is a condensor so it'll literally kill over....500 bucks worth of microphone and soundboard if it turns out to be the soundboard's problem.

Any ideas on how I could fix it?

Also, it's not letting me edit the title of the original post (I hit 'Go advanced' and nothing happens...), if any of you have moderating powers, could you switch it to something like "How to fix sporadic buzzing/static noise?" or something else like that? Just so people who decide to look at the OP and share their knowledge might put down possible solutions as well....thanks.

~Brent