Mic problems ??

[cjacek]

Hello all,

I've been recording with a simple "analogue" set up for a couple of years (TASCAM 414, Alesis Nanoverb, ART Tube MP, SHURE BETA 58A). I mixdown to the Philips CDR770. I don't use a compressor/limiter cause I feel I don't need it. I used a "limiter" initially but then sold it cause my mic technique improved and I wasn't "clipping" the recorder no more. Anyway, recently I rented the APEX 420 condenser microphone. The sound, as compared to my BETA, is so much better ! Very high quality to my ears. When I did some louder vocals, with the 420 however, I noticed very high frequency "clipping" but more like "cracking". This only happened on louder passages and it was not the usual "clipping" I got from my BETA mic. I knew I was overloading "something". The meter on my 414 was entirely lit on the louder parts and so I thought for sure I was overloading the 414. However, just to make sure, I reduced the fader, for that track, down and when I did those same louder parts, the meters only went half way, at most, BUT still the "cracking" noise was heard. It's like there is no warning that this will happen, just an irritating "crack" on the louder parts and it seems from this experiment that the 414 was NOT the cause of the "overload". I also noticed that right after this "crack" the mic levels go rapidly down like the mic shuts down for a second or two. I also tried to reduce input volume of the nanoverb and tube mp but same thing happens. Could the circuitry IN the 420 condenser be the cause of the overload ? Do I have a faulty 420 ?? What could be the problem ? Thanks for your replies.

Daniel

 

[tyler657recpro]

it sounds like you had already recorded and were playing back when you lowered the fader?

if this is true, then all you did was lower the volume of the clipping track. the TRACK itself is still clipping, but when you are playing back, the adjustments are just to the mix itself. do you get what im saying?

try recording it again, with it so it doesn't clip on the meter. Then if it still crackles, its either you're singing to close to the mic, or the mic is broken.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Do you have it running through the nanoverb? Take that out of the chain for one. You might be popping it with 'plosives'. Back off the mic about 6-12" and see if that helps. A pop screen is also recomended.

 

[cjacek]

it sounds like you had already recorded and were playing back when you lowered the fader?

if this is true, then all you did was lower the volume of the clipping track. the TRACK itself is still clipping, but when you are playing back, the adjustments are just to the mix itself. do you get what im saying?

try recording it again, with it so it doesn't clip on the meter. Then if it still crackles, its either you're singing to close to the mic, or the mic is broken.

Hi,

Nope. I never recorded a single track. I was just trying it out. I was singing the softer parts about 4 - 6 inches from the mic, which lit up 50 - 75 % of the meters, and the louder parts I sung at least twice the distance (at least 10 - 12 inches) and that made it crack. No matter if I lowered the fader or not and even when the meters lit up half way or all the way up, it still cracked on the louder or "high parts". The mic might be broken I guess Thanks for the reply. I'll just have to get a new one and see how it goes.

Daniel

 

[cjacek]

Do you have it running through the nanoverb? Take that out of the chain for one. You might be popping it with 'plosives'. Back off the mic about 6-12" and see if that helps. A pop screen is also recomended.

Hi,

I have the nanoverb running on the back of the unit through the "EFFECT 1 SEND" as I always did. I go: mic - preamp - 414 tascam. Even if I back up more than 12" I still make it crack. But what's perplexing is that there is no prior warning. All it does is "CRACK" ! Damn annoying. I remember I used to push the meters of my 414 with my SHURE BETA 58A and it always gave me a warning with that "overload" sound. It went from slight to severe but I always had warning but now with this mic it just comes out of nowhere. I know I'm severely overloading something but I'm not sure what.

Thanks,

Daniel

PS I do use a pop screen by the way.

 

[Richard Monroe]

CJacek- Are you going into the Tascam at a compatible line level?
I'm not familiar with analog decks. Could it be looking for -10dbu, 'cause your pre's/FX are definitely +4. I agree with removing the FX from the signal chain and do it as a send/return after tracking. Good luck-Richie

 

[cjacek]

CJacek- Are you going into the Tascam at a compatible line level?
I'm not familiar with analog decks. Could it be looking for -10dbu, 'cause your pre's/FX are definitely +4. I agree with removing the FX from the signal chain and do it as a send/return after tracking. Good luck-Richie

Hi Richie,

I took my unit to the place I bought it from and the guys initially did not know what was going on but later they came to the conclusion that I should have been plugging in my mic to the back of the TASCAM (to XLR connector and NOT "MIC/LINE IN" as I did with my dynamic mic). Amazingly the problem is no more. Everything works perfectly now The mic isn't broken after all

Daniel

 

[SLuiCe]

Another happy ending at HR dot com.