Behringer b-1 revisited

[SimonW]

Hello, all!

I'm a bit concerned about my large diaphraghm condenser mic which I bought recently. Some strange rustling noise occurs when I set the level higher on the preamp.(I 've got it connected to an Audio Buddy preamp, and further to a Tascam 788 digital recorder listening through headphones from the phone output on the 788.) Can it be a bad compoment?Because it's not like ground loop hum or anything like that. It sounds somewhat like leaves rustling in the wind. It seems to be stronger when I switch the low-cut filter on. Very strange.. It's really annoying not to know where the problem is.. Hope somebody's got more experience than me and could give comment or two on this thread..

With regards,

Simon

 

[wilkee]

I answered you last time . I think it is probably faulty.

 

[SimonW]

Yes, and I salute you for that one! Just giving it another try, in case someone happens to know what the problem might be..

 

[SimonW]

I sure have all the windows closed. I don't think the noise is
of purely acoustic nature, in that case the low-cut filter should do it's work. I have a bad feeling that it may be a faulty component.
I think the audio-buddy is decent for it's price, at least with other mics I've tried. I considered the DMP-3 also, but I got the advice that it's not so much better than ther audio-buddy that you want to pay twice as much for it. I think there's oways a chance to optimize the gear you have. I've seen much of so called "professional" gear that has turned out to be real crap for the price.

 

[Flatpicker]

Well, the B-1 is a “run-of-the-mill”, ok sounding Chinese LDC, and the Audio Buddy’s an inexpensive but decent pre, so all you should hear at high gain is a little noise (kind of a hissing sound). If it sounds like rustling leaves, there’s probably a faulty component in one of them (capacitor, diode, transistor, etc…).

First, you have to isolate the problem. Try the B-1 with a different mixer/preamp or the Audio Buddy with a different mic. If you don’t have another mic or pre, take them to a local music store and try it there. This is the only way you are going to know. One quick test - turn up the Audio Buddy without the mic plugged in. If it makes the noise now, it’s the Audio Buddy.

 

[Flatpicker]

I considered the DMP-3 also, but I got the advice that it's not so much better than ther audio-buddy that you want to pay twice as much for it. I think there's oways a chance to optimize the gear you have. I've seen much of so called "professional" gear that has turned out to be real crap for the price.

Like I said, the Audio Buddy’s a decent pre, but the DMP-3 is significantly better and well worth the extra cost. Now that I think of it, the Audio Buddy doesn’t do a full 48V of phantom power. Could be that the B-1’s extra picky about that. You’re still going to have to test it out, though.

 

[SimonW]

Thank you very much indeed, Flatpicker!

I'll do some research..

 

[wilkee]

Like I said, the Audio Buddy’s a decent pre, but the DMP-3 is significantly better and well worth the extra cost. Now that I think of it, the Audio Buddy doesn’t do a full 48V of phantom power. Could be that the B-1’s extra picky about that. You’re still going to have to test it out, though.

But he said the noise only occurs when he engages the low cut filter.

This should rule out all of the equipment down-stream from the mic, hence my opinion that it probably is the mic?

 

[Flatpicker]

But he said the noise only occurs when he engages the low cut filter...

He said "It seems to be stronger" when switching the low-cut filter on. I'm betting it's the mic as well, but I wouldn't rule out the pre until I knew for sure. Also, if it is a phantom power issue, it would appear to be the mic when in fact, it would be the preamp. You got to check it all. Try the mic with another pre.

 

[SimonW]

I checked the preamp with another mic (a dynamic one, so that leaves the phantom power issue out) and without a mic connected, no rustling/crackling noise.. I contacted behringer support yesterday and explained the behaviour of the mic. Haven't received an answer yet. Fotunately, the warranty is still valid for about 1 year and 350 days..

 

[Chris Tondreau]

A lot of people gripe about Behringer's customer service and support. I have a few Behringer items, and they have not been faulty so I've not had to worry about it.

What I don't understand, though, is the number of people who complain about that very thing. Do all those people buy stuff on-line? Any music retailer worth even half of their salt will take the product back (under warranty.... especially if it is new-ish) and volunteer to replace it. Both stores I have asked this specific question to (one is the store I deal with all the time here in Hamilton, and the other was perhaps the biggest music store in all of Canada) have said that they don't get any more Behringer stuff returned than products of any other manufacturer, and they as retailers, have no problems at their end dealing with Behringer.

Chris

 

[wilkee]

A lot of people gripe about Behringer's customer service and support. I have a few Behringer items, and they have not been faulty so I've not had to worry about it.

What I don't understand, though, is the number of people who complain about that very thing. Do all those people buy stuff on-line? Any music retailer worth even half of their salt will take the product back (under warranty.... especially if it is new-ish) and volunteer to replace it. dealing with Behringer.

Chris

In the UK the Warranty is with the supplier not the manufacturer . And I have found all those that I deal with will usually replace the item once they have checked that it is reasonable claim.

 

[SimonW]

The sad thing is that I really trusted Behringer before I got this one, It's my first Behringer item, don't know if there will be any more of them..

 

[DJL]

Take you mic down to your local music store and ask them if you can test your mic through their systems.