getting distortion at low volume...

[chad2ss]

when I originally hooked my stuff up, I was getting a great sound... now I'm getting all kinds of distortion from my speakers, even at a low volume... something isn't quite right any solutions? troubleshooting?

here's the setup:

nady vocal mic
&
takamine or ovation

INTO: Behringer Eurorack UB 1202

w/FX send from my DOD VGS50 guitar processor (for reverb, chorus, etc.)

INTO: my pc

------------------------

btw... I'm using CEP to record.... it doesnt seem to matter though because I am getting it whether I am recording or not

Speakers: Jensen 8" powered sub with 2 Aiwa home stereo speakers

and

Creative home Cpu set w/ 4 1/2"? sub and desktop speakers...


never had a problem until I got a new hard drive and set it up... I assume my levels are too high somewhere, but I can't track it down.... any ideas?

 

[Rokket]

It sounds like digital clipping.

What software are you recording into? Look at your wave forms in your software, and make sure your levels are around -6dB, or you will get that distortion.

 

[corban]

I would want to hook a cd player up to your mixer, just to make sure your speakers aren't blown.

 

[chad2ss]

I would want to hook a cd player up to your mixer, just to make sure your speakers aren't blown.

I can blare the speakers with mp3's or what have you, no problems.... and as for the software I'm using Cool Edit Pro, but like I said, even without the software, it's clipping out.... it's pissing me off because I hadn't had this problem before....

is there a certain level I should have my channels on the mixer, or on the Line In section of my computer's volume set at? or even my guitars' electronics? I just can't pinpoint this noise!

 

[Robert D]

Troubleshoot logically. Work from the speakers backwards. Illiminate variables and isolate stages.

-RD

 

[chad2ss]

okay.... I hear the whole troubleshoot backwards... here is what I have done:

~~~turned one set of speakers off, then the other.

result: they both have the same clipping.

~~~adjusted the main mix on the mixer up and down to determine the effect on the clipping.

result: no change

~~~adjusted (lowered) my computers Line In volume, and raised the Main Mix of the mixer.

result: no change

~~~lowered both the gain and level on the mixer (thinking I was giving it a little too much ooomph)

result: no change

~~~adjusted the levels all according to the volume on the electronics on my guitars (both do it)

result: no change.

AHHH this shit is driving me nuts when I had what I consider to be a decent sound from a "rookie" at this type of thing, and iut has turned to this....

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

On my old PC a few years ago I had a similar problem with my stock Soundblaster soundcard. If you're using a standard PCI soundcard you might want/need to re-seat the card in it's PCI slot (and make sure your mini jack connections are solid after that movement.) For some reason about once a month or so I had to re-seat my soundcard to get it to input correctly, because I got almost nothing but digital static when I booted up. Probably a heat/expansion thing.

G.

 

[chad2ss]

On my old PC a few years ago I had a similar problem with my stock Soundblaster soundcard. If you're using a standard PCI soundcard you might want/need to re-seat the card in it's PCI slot (and make sure your mini jack connections are solid after that movement.) For some reason about once a month or so I had to re-seat my soundcard to get it to input correctly, because I got almost nothing but digital static when I booted up. Probably a heat/expansion thing.

G.

damn... good thought... but have onboard sound....

 

[thane1200]

Troubleshoot logically. Work from the speakers backwards. Illiminate variables and isolate stages.

-RD

Good advice, and good luck!

 

[Robert D]

okay.... I hear the whole troubleshoot backwards... here is what I have done:

~~~turned one set of speakers off, then the other.

result: they both have the same clipping.

~~~adjusted the main mix on the mixer up and down to determine the effect on the clipping.

result: no change

~~~adjusted (lowered) my computers Line In volume, and raised the Main Mix of the mixer.

result: no change

~~~lowered both the gain and level on the mixer (thinking I was giving it a little too much ooomph)

result: no change

~~~adjusted the levels all according to the volume on the electronics on my guitars (both do it)

result: no change.

AHHH this shit is driving me nuts when I had what I consider to be a decent sound from a "rookie" at this type of thing, and iut has turned to this....

Hey Chad,
It doesn't sound like your isolating anything. Ok, let's seperate the front end from the computer. Disconnect the mixer from the soundcard. Got Headphones? Check to see if the sound coming out of the board is ok. If it's not, the issue is with your mixer or guitars. Got batteries in those guitars? When they get low the guitar output will be distorted.

If the front end is ok then play something already recorded and known to be good through the sound card. Keep the mixer disconnected, soundcard going straight out to amp and speakers. Sound ok? If not, listen to soundcard with headphones. If ok in phones, test amp/speaker with seperate source. Still not ok in phones......soundcard D/A problem.

If all these tests are ok, then you've got a souncard A/D problem.


By the way....tell me you're not plugged into the mic input on the soundcard from your mixer. (it happens).

good luck, I'm going home.

-RD