Hiss quest.

[PCFour]

I was never sure but what exactly does hiss come from, the mic, the room ur in, the sound card...im just very curious i never really knew, and what is the best way to get rid of it. thanks

 

[DJL]

noise... may times from amplification.... use better gear.

 

[Phyl]

noise... may times from amplification.... use better gear.

I think it would be more instructive to examine the big picture before telling someone to go spend more money on gear.

The noise could be coming from an external source, an internal source, or more likely, a combination of the two. Here are some areas to look at:

- using excessive gain in the signal path
- overuse of compression
- damaged cables
- unbalanced signal runs
- flourescent lights
- nearby television or radio transmitters
- poor grounding schemes

Look at the obvious things first before deciding that you need to upgrade your setup. These is no magic dollar level above which noise disappears.

 

[DJL]

And many times cheap gear is noisier.

EDIT: Added... and remember, they were asking about "hiss" (white noise) not RFI and etc. PS... but thanks for trying to help... and your right "using excessive gain in the signal path" and "overuse of compression" and etc can cause noise.

 

[earworm]

most of the time when i got annoying Hissing sounds or noizes in my records it comes from OTHER equipment than my signal path !

i have to record in one room, and my condenser mic picks up the noize from the fans of my pc , the humming noize from a guitar amp,

AND what i noticed, when i'm wearing headphones i always hear alot MORE noize and hiss, i think the headphone outputs of my mixer and even preamp suck....nah, maybe just the HPs suck

i think if you have a decent soundcard, the hiss won't be coming from there,
i had two fucked up cables last week, cut 'em open and had to re-solder them;... they made a buzzy sound

but like the other ones say... hiss can come from anywhere... i think my old mixing desc causes the most hissing in my chain, but its still OK to go with;

 

[Big Kenny]

Where do you live, might want to check for snakes...................or critics

 

[billisa]

I was never sure but what exactly does hiss come from, the mic, the room ur in, the sound card...im just very curious i never really knew, and what is the best way to get rid of it. thanks

I hate hiss. I don't know what you own, or need, but if you want to make a dent in hiss, and not spend too much, here's some directions to consider.

For $99.00, the Studio Projects B1 condensor mic. Very quiet (12db self noise).

For $129.00, the Studio Projects VTB1 preamp. VERY quiet (-129db s/n).

For $199.00, the Rode NT1-A condensor mic. VERY, VERY quiet (5.5db self noise)

For under $900.00, the Neumann BCM 104 condensor mic. VERY, very quiet (7db self noise).

There are lots of great mics that generate anywhere from 14 to 20db in self noise, so when you're getting below those figures, you're doing alright. Obviously, a self noise spec alone does not a great mic make. But if you can't make a fine recording with any of the above, then hiss isn't such a big deal to worry about...

Also, CBI quad mic cables are a good buy too.

 

[earworm]

how much self noise does an Akg 414 have ?
you know it by heart ?

 

[DJL]

By-the-way... there is a difference between humming/buzzing and hiss.

 

[Phyl]

And many times cheap gear is noisier.

EDIT: Added... and remember, they were asking about "hiss" (white noise) not RFI and etc. PS... but thanks for trying to help... and your right "using excessive gain in the signal path" and "overuse of compression" and etc can cause noise.

RFI typically manifests itself as noise.

 

[DJL]

RFI typically manifests itself as noise.

But not typically as white noise (hiss).

For those of you who don't know what RFI is... it is Radio Frequency Interference. And RFI is typically cause by nearby television or radio transmitters. For example... if you've ever heard a radio station come through on your guitar amp... that is RFI and is typically cause by nearby television or radio transmitters. By-the-way, RF doesn't go through lead... or shall I say, RF has a hard time going through lead.

 

[Phyl]

But not typically as white noise (hiss)..

Incorrrect - do a google search and you'll come up with plenty of references which link RFI and white noise (hiss).

 

[DJL]

[/QUOTE]

Incorrrect - do a google search and you'll come up with plenty of references which link RFI and white noise (hiss).

Sure there is... but typically you hear the station rather than white noise... and many times cheaper gear is cheaper because they cut cost by cutting things like filter caps, shielding and etc which helps stop RFI.

 

[Big Kenny]

414 specs include 6db(weighted) self noise
C 414 B-XL II




Technical specifications



Type
1-inch large-diaphragm pressure gradient microphone


Polar pattern
Omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure eight


Frequency range
20 to 20,000 Hz (see frequency response traces)


Sensitivity
23 mV/Pa (-33 dBV) ± 0.5 dB


Max. SPL
200/400/800/1600 Pa = 140/146/152/158 dB SPL (0/-6/-12/-18 dB) (for 0.5% THD)


Equivalent noise level (CCIR 468-2)
20 dB (0 dB preattenuation)


Equivalent noise level
6 dB-A (0 dB preattenuation) (DIN 45 412, A-weighted)


Signal/noise ratio (A-weighted)
88 dB


Preattenuation pad
-6 dB, -12 dB, -18 dB, switchable


Bass cut filter slope
12 dB/octave at 40 Hz and 80 Hz; 6 dB/octave at 160 Hz


Impedance
<=200 ohms


Recommended load impedance
>= 2,200 ohms


Supply voltage
48 V phantom power to DIN/IEC


Current consumption
approximately 4.5 mA


Dynamic range
134 dB minimum


Environment
Temperature range: -10° C to +60° C (14° F to 140° F)
Relative humidity: 95% (+20° C/68° F), 85% (+60° C/140° F)


Connector
3-pin XLR to IEC


Dimensions
50 x 38 x 160 mm (2.0 x 1.5 x 6.3 in.)


Net weight
300 g (10.6 oz.)


Patent(s)
AT 395.225, DE 4.103.784, JP 2.815.488, AT 400.910


Standard accessories
PF 80, W 414 X, Sound Tool Case

 

[Phyl]

Sure there is... but typically you hear the station rather than white noise... and many times cheaper gear is cheaper because they cut cost by cutting things like filter caps, shielding and etc which helps stop RFI.[/QUOTE]

It would be much easier to respond to your posts if you quit editing the content ad nauseum.

First you reference CW and dead AM carrier signals, then you delete that text. When a transmitter is in close proximity to your studio, the modulation used is of less interest than the raw power level beating on the front door of your equipment. After all, that was the intent of my first post, that nearby transmitters could inject noise into the signal chain. Even the most expensive equipment will suffer in this environment.

Spend all the money you want, but dealing with obvious sources of noise (white, pink, or green) or the other things I mentioned in my first post is much more logical than running out and buying new gear.

 

[DJL]

Ok and thanks Phyl for the debate... keep up the good work, I enjoy and respect your input.