Can a mic cause distortion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guernica
  • Start date Start date
Guernica

Guernica

Active member
Hi folks,
I just purchased a Tascam 788 porta studio, and a DBX mini pre for vocals. I received a couple of cheap mics free w/ the tascam, and am having problems getting a clean, strong signal.
It seems that even though my recording levels arent up high enough, im getting a little distortion. And the higher i raise the level, the worse the distortion gets. I have read decent things about the mic pre, so i was wondering if the cheap mics (60 dollar audio technica jobbers) might be causing the problem. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
You can overload a mic and it will audibly distort. As far as your problem goes, anything in the recording chain could be the problem, the mic being overdriven, the gain settings on the mic preamp, overdriving the input of the tape deck, etc. What are you mic'ing that sounds distorted? A guiatr amp, vocal?
 
recording vocals?

Ive been trying to record vocals. Ive messed w/ the input gain and the output on the pre amp, as well as the trim and faderlevel on the 788. I just cant seem to get a strong enough signal w/out some distortion creeping in. ..help
 
Just one way to find out... Try another mic. Also, check your cable. (try another one?) If it still don't work it's further down the chain...
 
I use a 788 also but I don't think your problem is there. For starters though keep the trim below 10:00. It sounds more like the mic signal's too hot for the pre. Is there a pad to roll it off some?
 
Try your pad (this will probably fix it), try a different mic (are the mics you have dynamics?), try the mics direct (w/o the pre). If the distortion is still present w/o the pre, then it's not the pre. If the distortion is not present, there may be something wrong with the pre. If there is something wrong with the pre, return it. If the store does not help you, contact me for an RA# and we will take care of you. The factory warranty is for two years.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

"Jazz, pfffft...They just make it up as they go along."
-Homer Simpson-
 
Are you plugging the output of the preamp into a line level or mic level input on the Tascam? Is there a +4/-10 switch on the preamp? Try switching it to -10.

Good Luck
 
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