Finally posting out of the 'newbie' section...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Fallen
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Chris Fallen

Chris Fallen

New member
Okay, I finally got enough equipment to start trying out recording. Here's what I'm using:

Tascam Portastudio 414
Audix Model OM-2 Mic
Roland MA-8 Speakers

What a GRAND setup, no? I thought so.

Anyway, my first question for actual recording. When I record (I'm recording my guitar amp with the mic) I get a really loud buzz in the background. I have everything (EQ +PAN) right in the middle and the track volume, master volume, and trim at the grey areas. First off, actually, I can hardly get any reading on the LEDs. Is there a way of getting more volume, or do I just need to scoot the mic closer to my amp (or turn my amp up)?

But yeah, question:

1. Loud buzz, souce of problem?

2. Hardly any reading. How to maximize volume.

Thanks!

Christopher
 
easy fix chris, turn the trim up, up and away!!! this will increase your input signal....and thats some good gear for a start....as far as the buzz goes, i dunno maybe a dodgy lead? or you may have the volumes on empty tracks turned up, or you may be recording several empty inputs onto the same track number.... hope this helps
 
Hrm. The more I turn up the volumes (which are almost all the way up, all of them), the louder the buzz gets. When I hit record there's an initial jump from all of the tracks. I don't know why, I have all but the one I'm recording on turned off.. Hm.

Christopher
 
Chris:
I've worked with this model before ( I know it looks like I'm a newbie, cause I just joined...been home recording since '88), if you're recording the guitar on say..track 1. Is the PAN all the way left? Is the trim low and the fader high? That's bad. Is there a grounding problem with any of the equipment? Do you have an old house with old wiring? Do you get the same buzz just singing into the mic? What kind of amp are we talking about? I'm trying to rule some stuff out. I've heard some nasty buzzes over the years. Give me some more info.

Frank
 
Okay, here goes:

The pan is all the way to the left. When I start out, I sometimes notice the LEDs lighting up for the other tracks for no reason, because nothing is plugged in and the faders and inputs are all off/in the safe position. I have the faders on about 8.2 (both), and the trim is around 75% up, to get in the 0 region of the LEDs. I don't think there's a grounding problem. I live in a newer apartment. I don't think I get the same buzz singing, but I could be wrong. I haven't sung into it yet (I'm not a singer ;)). There's a loud hiss that is coming from my speakers during playback, and occasional bumps on all of the tracks with distortion, which I hav eno idea about since I have all of the tracks except one off. I use a peavey (haha) two speaker classic. Not the best of amps, but it works.

Well, anything else?

Christopher
 
Chris:
I'm thinking the way you're powering your speakers could be the issue. From what you describe all other input switches are safe, and faders down right? The only thing I think you should do different is drop that fader to 7.5 or 7 and turn up the trim a hair. You need more input signal to reduce background noise and your trim is how you should increase the level.
Anyway, back to the buzz. If the other inputs have faders down and switches in off position, and the only record function you have on is track 1, the action on the other tracks is either on the tape (is it old or is their something on the other side?) or the powering of your speakers is causing problems I can't put my finger on. The MIC is not bad, it should work. The amp is not great, but shouldn't be the problem.
How are you powering the speakers? That's key. The crazy hiss you get at playback tells me something's wrong. HEY!! Do you have the speakers playing while you are trying to record? They could be causing a limited feedback loop causing your buzz. You should be tracking using headphones. I'm running off at the fingers. HOW ARE YOU POWERING THESE SPEAKERS AND ARE YOUR USING THEM AS MONITORS WHILE MICING AND PERFORMING THE TRACK? THIS COULD BE IT.

Frank
 
The only thing i can think of that might be the problem would be the tapes your using. I had this problem also when i first started recording. I bought about 10 type 1 tapes and thought it was all good but when i went for the playback it had sort of a hiss like pink noise. So I asked about it and found out that you should only use Type2 Chrome Tapes(Co2) Look at your tapes make sure that there that and if not get new tapes and try again if you still hear the hiss i dont know what to tell you.
 
Yeah, I'm using type 1 tapes right now. I noticed the other day in the manual that I'm supposed to use type 2. What's the difference between the two? Where can I find type 2?

Christopher
 
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