c1 sometimes makes boxlike picture on waveform

  • Thread starter Thread starter shackrock
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shackrock

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wellll, it seems like after all this time i've noticed something a little sketchy.

C1, -10 (sometimes -20) db pad, DMP2, delta44, vegas 4.0

i've just started noticing that sometimes, the waveform created when people sing/rap has like a box at the top/bottom of it. aka, it WONT go past a certain line in the picture. Kina like something is clipping BEFORE it is actually clipping (before 0). I don't think I hear any problems there though (audible)...however i may be wrong.

2nd, I noticed that when a girl sings, and pours out her heart close to the mic - loud and high for example, the waveform gets HUGE either on the bottom OR the top. Not both, only one side will get bigger. might I remind you this is a mono recorded source.....anyway what is this telling me? I guess I never really stopped to think that the picture could be telling me more than just "this is louder here" - is it charting freaq. or something as well??? or does this just mean, again, that the mic may be overloaded?
 
It does sound like the mic is clipping. But she would have to have serious pipes to clip it if you were using the -20bp pad, surely ?

Nathan
 
1st..............if it sounds OK then it probably is OK:)

2nd.............I've noticed lopsided waveforms before (not just with vocals), but can't remember what the reason is. Again refer to answer #1.

:cool:
 
Ah. I think I may have misunderstood. Could you post a screenshot ? I thought you were describing 'square' waves, but maybe its bias your talking about ? (the wave doesn't have equal amplitude on each side of the 0 line)
 
The squared off wave form is indeed either the internal mic op amps overloading or the dmp-2 overloading. Engaging the pad on the offending piece of equipment is all that is needed.

The funny looking wavform (looks kinda like a marlin or swordfish about to break water) is something I have seen quite often when recording Bass guitar. Don't know exactly what it represents, but it has never seemed to be a problem.


Tom
 
The lopsided ones kinda sound like CD offset, which is bad.

I have seen those box topped waves on occasion too, with my U195 of vocals. I'll keep my eyes open for them and if any pop up I'll backtrack and see if I can find a reason/cure/solution.
 
squarish

here is one that is kinda squarish. This is the best example I could find at the moment - but i didnt look to hard.

anyway, it prooves my point. Just like the sound wont go past a certain level...hmmmmm
 

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the other ones, defiantely seem to look like a fish sometimes.
the perfect way to say it mathmatically is that the amplitude isn't equal on both sides of the "0" - as somebody already stated.

it's also kinda curvy on one side, ...I can't find any of those as an example right now. but next time i see one, for sure I'll take a screenshot. haha.
 
Is it actually squared off there or really dense.... open the waveform up, spead it out some more, a lot more, and repost it. I see it look like that all the time, what I'm talking about is when I spread it way out they go up and sqaure off, almost like a limiter was on it.

DOnt forget to check into DC offset like I mentioned earlier. Ususally caused by a piece of bad gear in the chain somewhere I think.
 
I had this issue a LONG time ago. I am searching for that thread, but i am having a hard time to find it. It is back from sometime in 2001 with a Delta 1010. I can't remember the answer right now.
 
hmmm...well all my inputs are set to +4, so i guess that is not the problem.

I am guessing it is mic. But I will zoom in - I know what you're talking about with that sqaured off thing. I gotta wait until I get home to check it out though.

I have no limiter in my chain. I compress the vocal track of course, but it is nondestructively, so it wont be showing that change in the waveforms that vegas makes.

DC offset, I don't even know what that is. haha. Why is it a problem - and WHAT is it? maybe if anyone has a quick definition or some links on hand, I'll take a look.
 
<<I compress the vocal track of course>>

on the way in? if so, that's what that certainly looks like......that the peaks have been compressed or limited.

that also looks like it could be clipping, FWIW, but you'd be hearing that in the way of distortion.

my recommendation would be to pull back on the gain at the pre and see if it continues.


wade
 
all software, I own no outboard effects gear.

peep this zoomed picture.
 

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Those flat peaks look like clips to my amateur eyes. And it's hard to believe they don't sound bad.
 
I find it hard to imagine that a mic would induce limiting, and if it is the mic that is clipping then by the look of those pics it would sound god-damned awful, in which case I imagine you would have made that clear.

If everything is sounding OK, then another alternative is that it is just a problem in the visual display of the waveforms.

:cool:
 
doesn't sound bad to me. no effects, tested with headphones on as well - turns out I do notice MINIMAL distortion. like, it really just sounds like rhaspy voice...but I think it probably is distortion. Anyway, it's SO minimal, it really just sounds good if it is. anyway, it's a pretty crunkt rap song so all the better..

Still, if it's a problem with my mic, that sucks ass because what if it starts getting worse, and happens when I have a clean female vocalist singing? hahaha.

hmmm...

well onto the next topic - those unequal amplitudes on either side of the "0"...who knows what that is?
 
Shack,

If you are sure the problem lies with the mic then contact Alan Hyatt and Co ASAP............no doubt that SP will sort the issue out for you.

The other issue.......well someone else said it looks like DC offset, which I don't fully understand. You may find an answer in the "Help" files with the software you are using.

:cool:
 
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