hisssssss

[dobro]

I've been in a relatively quiet recording space for about two weeks now and so I've started noticing things I never heard before in my stuff, because all that damn jungle noise masked it before. For example, mic hiss using the C1000.

I've been putting the C1000 through Monster 500 through Joemeek VC6Q straight to hard disk - no mixer. I get hiss. At the same time, I put the NT1 through Monster 500 through ART Tube Pre straight to hard disk - dead quiet. Okay, so I switch the mics around. NT1 through the Meek - quiet. C1000 through the ART - hiss. Now, let's see, what conclusion could possibly be drawn from the data? Duh. I can't think it's anything other than mic self-noise. No?

Question: is it just my C1000, or have others here run into this as well?

 

[Track Rat]

I have a pair of them and they're quiet. I'll try to do some testing tonight against some other mics though, you got me wondering.

 

[sonusman]

The C 1000 has a relatively weak output. You are probably having to really crank the input of the preamp to get a decent recording level.

Preamp gain = noise!

C 1000's are great for loud stuff.

Ed

 

[dobro]

Ed, I think you nailed it - using the AKG on my nylon-string means I have to turn the gain way higher than I do with the NT1. Also, I know mic spec sheets are not the most reliable thing in the world, but here's the sensitivity ratings for the two mics I'm using:

NT1: 18 mV/Pa
C1000: 6 mV/Pa

So, I was wrong - it's probably nothing to do with self-noise at all. I'm going shopping. I need a more sensitive mic for what I'm doing. As well as listening to the mic, I'll take a look at the specs.

Thanks, Ed.

 

[Recording Engineer]

Hey dobro

Wasn't it you in the past that was for not so sensitive mics due to all those tropical forest noises?

Well glad to see you've found a place for hotter mics.

Now just make sure you don't overload those pre inputs.

 

[dobro]

Maybe, I don't remember that. What I *do* remember saying, and suggesting to other people, was that ambient noise was cool and people should consider including it in their recording. At one point, I even hung an NT1 out the window to pick up more of the night sound. But the ambient sound here comes through on recordings like a wall of white noise or something. So I've done a complete about-face on this one. I hate anything getting to hard disk except the music these days. So I've sealed myself up in the back room and made it approximately sound-proof. Do you have any idea what it's like being in a smallish room in the tropics with no ventilation or aircon? LOL It gets like a sauna in here. There's gotta be a better way, but for the time being, I'm getting quieter tracks and I'm happy. And with what I've picked up from this thread, it'll be quieter again, and I'll be happier again. Plus relations are cordial with you guys today. I don't know where it's all gonna end - it'll be the recording contract next. That, or enlightenment.

Anyway, what happens when you overload a pre input? I tend to run input hotter than output on the Joemeek, but I haven't noticed anything wrong with that up to now. Then again, I haven't noticed a lot of things.