Micing piano, B-1 "crackle" when playing loud

[maul]

Hey, I have 2 B-1 mics connected to an AudioBuddy pre-amp and they are positioned behind my upright piano. When playing really loud chords or loud passages, there is a very audible "crackle" (I don't know the technical term) when recording. I've constantly been messing around with the pre-amp gain and the mic positions and nothing seems to help. If I set them further away, the crackle is less noticable (but still there in certain areas), but everything seems distant and it doesn't sound good. Obviously, when putting them closer, the crackle gets much worse. Any ideas why it's doing this? I've read posts on various messageboards about people micing uprights extremely close and having no problems. I've also tried to put the mics near the top with the lid open. Same problem. Help?

 

[jonnyc]

You're probably overloading the mic. Do you have pads on those pre's? You man really need a pad. Whenever I get a crackle its because the source was too loud.

 

[maul]

Yes, that seems to be my problem as I don't have any. Any idea where I can order some? Can't seem to find any on musiciansfriend. thanks a lot

 

[maul]

Nevermind I am pretty stupid. The mics have a "-10db" setting so it's working better now, but the sound quality seems to have decreased.

 

[thexflamesxburn]

Nevermind I am pretty stupid. The mics have a "-10db" setting so it's working better now, but the sound quality seems to have decreased.

well...thats the pad.

 

[mrface2112]

well...thats the pad.

yep....engage the pad and turn up the gain a little. overall you might need a net of -4dB instead of the -10dB that the pad gives you.

and yeah, sometimes engaging the pad on a mic changes the sound of the mic itself. you're running through a few more resistors and other circuitry than you were previously, and in a lot of cases, added circuitry equals a different sound. this might not be the case of the newer B1's (i've got an older one without the pad, etc)......but it is often the bane of a cheap mic.


cheers,
wade

 

[kid klash]

Nevermind I am pretty stupid. The mics have a "-10db" setting so it's working better now, but the sound quality seems to have decreased.

Using the pad will probably help, although I'm a bit surprised that your upright piano would overload the mics (unless they're near the strings/hammers, and you're really clobbering the keys!). Also, most pads shouldn't degrade the sound quality of the mic; it should only lower the signal getting through the mic. Maybe because the signal is lower and "quieter", it appears that the sound quality has "decreased".

As a side note, the AudioBuddy doesn't deliver a full 48v phantom voltage, which could also be part of the clipping/crackle you're experiencing.

I smack my SP B1's and B3's pretty hard (I use them in an M-S configuration for drum kits), and I'm not experiencing the clipping you're dealing with. My B1's don't have pads (they are the earlier version without pads), but the mic pres (M-Audio Octane) have a ton of headroom and deliver a true 48v phantom voltage to the mics.

If you can borrow a DMP3 or other mic pre, see if your crackling is reduced or eliminated completely due to the higher phantom voltage.

Also check the gainstage between the AudioBuddy outputs and the recorder/audio card inputs to be certain that the recorder front end isn't being overloaded, causing the crackling/distortion.

 

[boingoman]

Nevermind I am pretty stupid. The mics have a "-10db" setting so it's working better now, but the sound quality seems to have decreased.

Turn it up! It's probably just not as loud as it used to be.

 

[mrface2112]

I smack my SP B1's and B3's pretty hard

yeah, i've used my B1 as a snare mic on regular occasion and never had a problem with it being overdriven.

i bet the clipping is post-preamp, going into the recorder. check the gain staging.


cheers,
wade

 

[ggunn]

As a side note, the AudioBuddy doesn't deliver a full 48v phantom voltage, which could also be part of the clipping/crackle you're experiencing.

That could be it. I close mic'ed my amp on stage with a B1 and Audio Buddy once, and I got crackling distortion. I've used the B1 in a lot of other situations, some at high SPL with other phantom sources and lower SPL's with the Audio Buddy, and have never run into it again. High SPL/dynamic range with Audio Buddy may be the prob.

 

[maul]

Thanks for the info guys. The mics are about a foot away from the sound board, but when they are further away the crackle is still there. Even with the pad on there is a slight amount of crackle on really loud passages. Without the pad, a strong forte will blow it out. So I think it is the pre-amp. I checked out the DMP3 and I'm considering exchanging it for the AudioBuddy. Although I get decent results with the pad on, I get a vibe that the quality isn't as good as it should be. Do you think the DMP3 is the best choice in the $170 pricerange?

 

[kid klash]

Do you think the DMP3 is the best choice in the $170 pricerange?

There are lots of people here that give it high marks... some would say it's hard to beat for the money... two channels of good, clean preamps. Try one and see what you think.

 

[maul]

Yeah I think I'm going to go for it. Something else I forgot to mention is that I'm transferring from the pre-amp to my comp through TRS to AUX cables. That wouldn't be causing the problems right (sorry I really am newb at this)?