C1 clipping problems

[Bergen]

Well I just got a C1 for xmas, and it sounds great, but it's been clipping with loud singing about six inches away. I thought at first it might be my audiobuddy preamp, but no clip light indicator goes on during singing, and this also happens with my behringer eurotrack i just use for line mixing. And it's not the soundcard, since it can happen at -12dB.

Now I can solve this problem by engaging the pad, but from what I've read, it doesn't seem the pad is usually required for vocals. And even with the pad, I'm only using 1/3 max gain on the preamp. The vocals aren't screaming, just full voiced loud singing. So should I use my pad when needed and leave good enough alone, or is there something wrong with my mic?

Also, some miscellaneous mic/preamp questions: should I turn my preamp with ldc plugged in with phantom power engaged, or power on first and then phantom power. Can I swith pad on with preamp on? should I switch the gain to zero when doing this? thanks

 

[H2oskiphil]

RE: clipping on your C1...drop a note to Alan@pmiaudio.com. They'll take good care of you...their customer service is excellent.

You shouldn't need the pad for vocals. Do you have a trim control on your preamp? If so, you might want to bring it down a notch or two-the C1 has a fairly hot output.

DON'T plug the mic in with the phantom power on. Make sure the phantom power is off for at least 30 seconds before you unplug the mic, as well. I don't think that switching th epad on or off while hot makes a difference.

 

[alanhyatt]

Bergen,

Try it on another preamp to be sure there is not a preamp issue. The Audio Buddy is a very good value, but like everything else, there could be an issue with it. So to make sure, I would like you to rule out some things. So, try a different cable on the Audio Buddy, if it still clips, then try the C1 on another micamp if you have one, or bring it to your friends or your local music store.

If it ends up to be the mic, you can be sure we will replace it for you. The C1 has been very reliable considering the amount of them that has been sold over the last three years, and many problems have not been the fault of the C1, so lets rule as much out as we can, and know that we will take care of it for you if there is a problem.

In the end if it is the C1, you can contact us toll free at 1-877-563-6335 and we will handle it, or have your dealer replace it. This is all up to you, but we will make sure your problem is taken care of.


Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group
alan@pmiaudio.com

 

[TexRoadkill]

If you are doing vocals 6" away I hope your using a pop filter.

 

[alanhyatt]

If you are doing vocals 6" away I hope your using a pop filter.

Another good idea I forgot to mention.. Good call Tex, I am afraid I am not totally myself just yet, but by all means Bergen, get a pop screen!

 

[Bergen]

Thanks for all the advice. I should have mentioned I am using a pop filter- one of those metal grid ones. I have tried the preamps on my behringer mixer and the same thing happens, but that thing is kind of on the fritz anyway. The other thing I should have mentioned is that I've sung with the same volume into my MXL 990 SDC and no clipping occurs. I'll try various cables, and then see if the dude's at grt ctr can help me test it out. I'll post again once I've tried the above.

 

[Scinx]

A behringer on the fritz? Launch the nukes!

 

[TexRoadkill]

LDC's will usually have a hotter output than SDC's but the C1 in general has a very hot output. I wouldn't think vocals would be enough to clip the preamp input but I guess it could happen. Different preamps will distort sooner than others.

If the pad fixes the problem then use it. That's what it's there for.

 

[ozraves]

I've recorded several good vocal takes through the C1 and Audio Buddy. Rule No. 1: Pay no attention to the clip light indicator on the Audio Buddy. It's worthless. Use your ears to adjust the gain.

 

[Bergen]

thanks ozraves. The problem is that I can't get the line level signal even near the red on my DAW without clipping. Still sounds great whether I have to have the pad engaged or not, but I'll send it to Alan if it clips during a GC mic shootout just in case it's a mic problem.

 

[alanhyatt]

I think you will find it is something else in your chain, and not the C1 Bergen, but if it is, we will handle it. I just have a suspicion that your mic amp is not interfacing with your DAW correctly.

 

[ozraves]

I think you will find it is something else in your chain, and not the C1 Bergen, but if it is, we will handle it. I just have a suspicion that your mic amp is not interfacing with your DAW correctly.

What he said.

 

[alanhyatt]

I think you will find it is something else in your chain, and not the C1 Bergen, but if it is, we will handle it. I just have a suspicion that your mic amp is not interfacing with your DAW correctly.

 

[Big Kenny]

is there a gain on your daw coming in, sounds like overdriving (and crap) if that is the case
In His Name
BK

 

[shackrock]

yeah, my C1 one clips in itself a lot. I either put a -20db imp pad in the chain, or a -10 - and switch the mic to -10 as well.

however, I am using it with the DMP2, which i suppose is "infamous" for clipping and being really really hot.

as well, most vocals I record are loud and switch back and forth to screaming.

 

[DJL]

Bergen, as Blue Bear Sound once said in another thread, and I think it apply's here also... if other mics work with the same signal path as you tried with the C1, then it does point to a mic failure. With that said... I never had any problems the C1 I once owned.

 

[Bergen]

is there a gain on your daw coming in, sounds like overdriving (and crap) if that is the case
In His Name
BK

I have the input sent to max for my echo mia soundcard. However, I thought all this switch does is attenuate incoming signals rather than boost them. I'll play with it and get back to you. It worked fine with the MXL 990 like that, but it's input is not as hot as the C1.