Help finding source of buzz (new microphone)

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daringnovelist

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I am so frustrated.

I bought a new mic, a Rode NT1a. I also bought an inexpensive (okay, cheap) phantom power for it from Innogear, and an XLR to mini-plug cable to attach it to my Sony PCM-M10 digital recorder. (The XLR cable from the mic to the power supply came with the mic.) My computer is in a noisy environment, so I use the recorder to get away from the noise.

Except, apparently I can't.

I've tried recording in multiple locations in the house, including inside a closet with the power source and it's power brick outside the door, and I have the exact same low level buzz on the recording. It sounds like the buzz/hum of the electrical box.

I don't get this with my old electret condenser mic, unless I'm actually near the electrical box. But that old mic is also less sensitive.

So I suspect that the hum is coming from an actual flaw in the system somewhere, and I'll just have to return the components one at a time until I find the source of the trouble.

But I am so depressed. I wanted to use my new mic tonight, and it will take time to return and replace things, which may not even solve the problem. I'm thinking of buying a Blue Icicle and checking out the mic with a direct connection to the computer -- but I blew my budget on the mic itself, and because the computer is in a noisy environment, I don't know if I'd get a conclusive answer.

Have any of you had a similar problem? How did you isolate the source?

Camille
 
Looks like at least one Amazon reviewer had the same complaint about that phantom power unit. I'd put my suspicions there to begin with. See if the company will RMA it so you can keep it while they ship you a replacement.
 
Thanks. I'm calming down from my frustration a little bit.

That power supply is my first suspect too. I ordered a replacement on the XLR to mini-plug so I could at least rule that out. (And I got this one locally, so I can more easily return it.) I guess I'll replace the power supply and if it still doesn't work, return it and maybe try another product.

Sigh.

That mic is SO pretty standing there in my recording corner.

Camille
 
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