Clipping Rode NT1-A and Phonic Firefly 302

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redleo85

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Hi,
I've got myself a new Rode NT1-A microphone and a Phonic Firefly 302 firewire interface for home recording. For software I use Cubase 5. I record mostly speech and singing. Somehow my recordings start clipping though, when I sing a big louder. Obviously I have tried to lower the gain, but that makes the clipping not go away, but simply lowers the overall volume of the recording. The Interface has got a signal which shows when the mic is clipping, but that doesn't show any clipping, although the clipping shows up on the recording (It does show though when I turn the gain up). The only way to stop it from clipping seems to be to stand more than 1m away from the mic, which is no use to me really.
Anybody have any ideas what could be the cause of that? I've heard that maybe a 10dB mic pad could help, but even here in London I don't seem to be able to buy one. Would it make a difference though?
Thank you for any reply,
Leo
 
Unfortunately the Firefly 302 does not have a pad. I've tried backing off the mic, but I have to back of A LOT for it to work (about a meter) which is too much, because I get a lot of the room then and on some passages I want quite an intimate sound so I need to get quite close.
 
What about the interface software mixer volume? Your lowering the gain on the preamp, but the interface should have an input into cubase, its probably too hot!
 
Thank you for the reply. Lowering the input into Cubase has the same effect as lowering the gain on the interface - the whole track becomes softer, but it is still clipping. Even when I put the input and the gain at the interface really low it is clipping (at -24 dB on the track). Is it possible that something may be wrong with the windows preferences? I also have a dynamic microphone. I don't have the problem with that one.
 
Not sure, I had the NT1a and it is a hot mic, but not that hot, I wonder if there's something wrong with the mic? Are you sure its clipping and not a mic malfunction/distortion? Can you borrow another condensor mic (preferably an NT1). See what happens.
 
redleo85 said:
Thank you for the reply. Lowering the input into Cubase has the same effect as lowering the gain on the interface - the whole track becomes softer, but it is still clipping. Even when I put the input and the gain at the interface really low it is clipping (at -24 dB on the track). Is it possible that something may be wrong with the windows preferences? I also have a dynamic microphone. I don't have the problem with that one.
Click to expand...

Are you saying with the fader in Cubase at -24dB you are still getting clipping? Or are you saying it sounds like it's clipping with the input down and fader at -24dB?

I don't know about the Phonic or Cubase, but some interfaces allow you to select -10dBv or +4dBv for your output/input metering. If the Phonic is outputting +4dBv but somewhere in software you have selected -10dBv that would cause clipping.

Check out page 14 of the Phonic manual. You may be able to adjust the input volume slider to control the clipping issue.

https://phonic.box.net/shared/9j1gsa7y10
 
Last edited:
c7sus said:
Are you saying with the fader in Cubase at -24dB you are still getting clipping?
Click to expand...

It is clipping with the fader at -24dB. If I zoom into the track I can see it clipping.

c7sus said:
I don't know about the Phonic or Cubase, but some interfaces allow you to select -10dBv or +4dBv for your output/input metering. ...
Check out page 14 of the Phonic manual. You may be able to adjust the input volume slider to control the clipping issue.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I am using Windows and there does not seem to be a software option to lower the input. I have tried the usual Audio Settings in Windows, but that doesn't have any effect. I can't seem to find a way to lower the input Volume of the interface on an Operating System level.
It is not only clipping in Cubase though. When I make a very simple audio-recording with a different programm (audio-recorder in windows or audacity) I still have the same problem. Therefore it might either be a software problem in Windows or the hardware (either the interface or the microphone) - although both are new.

PDP said:
Are you sure its clipping and not a mic malfunction/distortion?
Click to expand...

I am trying to have the mic checked out, but since it is brand new I don't expect it to be the problem.
 
just a guess, but i'd say you're probably dealing with plosives.

does the clipping coincide with words that start with hard Ps and Bs and stuff?


are you using a pop filter? if not,,try one :)

if you don't have one to hand, try singing past the mic rather than at it just to test the theory.
 
How about posting a screenshot of what you are seeing in Cubase.
 
No, the clipping occurs in the middle of the sound and plosives are not involved. I'm using a popshield.

Here is a screenshot.
 

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not a very technical answer, but i honestly think you're too loud or too close....whichever way you wana look at it.

NT1a is a very sensitive mic, and you say you don't have this problem with your dynamic mic.

The main differences between these two mics are most likely pop/wind screen on dynamic, and higher spl tolerance on the dynamic.

since you say your using a pop shield with the rode, i reckon you tone it down, move back, or look for a mic that's better suited to your style. (big dynamic?)

Hope that's helpful.
 
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