Recordings/Audio interface degrading when im nearby?

[babaischu]

This is gonna be a long one, so thanks for reading this if you do.

Over the past 3 years i've been dealing with audio interfaces sounding harsh, buzzy and lower quality when recording. I would plug in a new audio interface to my computer and it would sound fine for the first 30 ish minutes, then progressively sound more dull and fuzzy/buzzy.

> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V2SqlNvmmqCZhEJcKijRuvegWmH39P-j?usp=drive_link

In this sample, this is a Komplete Audio Interface that I used newly plugged in with a blue baby bottle. After a week, the recording loses alot of its quality/tonality, and with the exact same effects I put on the old recording. I don't leave these plugged in when im not using them, but it seems like regardless, it will start to sound worse the more I record.

> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N7W80XoesTJ7uxRUhMCjK3cC8947Snda?usp=drive_link

I gave my laptop, Audient ID4, interface and SM7B to my friend to test aswell, since they never had an issue with this kind of sound, but with my exact same equipment, they sounded much better with my same exact equipment. My raw recording sounds more thin, buzzy despite having more bass than treble.

>

^ this is another raw sample that makes the audio issue very clear. I'm not peaking in this clip but it feels like the microphone/interface is failing to even contain what is happening with my voice, and there is an extremely harsh harmonic tone. This is a characteristic of all my recordings with an interface that i've used for a while. Because of this issue, I cant really sing with any range or dynamic in my tracks.

Lastly, here is a final sample with how the issue sounds with a track: > This was recorded with the exact same microphone and interface (blue baby bottle + Scarlett Solo Gen 3, difference here is that my friend plugged my equipment into their computer at their place and it sounded fine. Please note that the effects used on me and my friend are the exact same chain also.

Now here is why I say its a "me" issue as in physically.

In light of this issue, ive been going to local recording studios near me as I figured that there must be something wrong or freaky with my setups, causing the interfaces I use to quickly degrade in sound. As I've went to two very reputable studios which their recording samples I loved, I found that the same issue would happen! I would step in the booth, record some vocals, they would sound great but then the vocals by the end of the recording session would be extremely fuzzy, lack clarity, and be harmonically harsh and unpleasant.

I truly am at a loss. This is a comprehensive list of things i've tried:

- Different interfaces: SSL2, Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3, Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Gen 2, Komplete Audio 1 & 2, Motu M2, Audient id4 mk1 & mk2, Volt 2, Art Voice Channel.

- Different XLR cables, Amazon cables up to Mogami have been purchased and used + Different USB cables to connect to the interface itself.

- Different Microphones: Blue Baby Bottle, Aston Spirit, AKG D5, AT2020, SM7B, TLM 103

- Different Computers, AMD and Intel processors, Desktops, Laptops and Macbooks, all computers which should be more than strong enough to run DAW's.

- Checked and eliminated possibility for ground loops, different ways of power sourcing (such as using power filters/IFI defender), and keeping cables neat and protected from any EMI

- Disabling Windows having the ability to shut down USB's to save power Updating All USB drivers/Chipset on computer/motherboard Trying all USB ports on my computer of all types.

- Working with different sample rates 44100 - 88000 (of course making sure they are same within the DAW and Windows) Reinstalling Interface Drivers + trying ASIO4ALL Driver Adjusting Buffer Sizes Of course...

- Properly gain staging and singing from varied distances from the mic Adjusting effects chain, but on a base level regardless of what effects and EQ to subvert the harshness, it's an unusable vocal. Recording in different DAWs (ableton, pro tools and reaper) and recording in Mono + Stereo.

- I'm far from a professional vocally but I know my voice, and I've long ruled out the potential that it's my voice. my friends who record on my setup/my computer in my vicinity also have the buzzy issue. Its only when they take my setup and record at their place they sound fine?

This problem has got me super bummed out, i've tried everything in my power to get clean vocal recordings, and it seems like i'm radioactive to interfaces/microphones or something :/. I've been making do with recording on new interfaces for 30 minutes or so, and returning them but its 100% unsustainable and a dick move to the stores I'm buying from. What i'm thinking of now is whether its something on my body specifically that causes microphones or interfaces to have this response. I can give old equipment to a friend and they'll sound perfectly fine. I'm thinking it might be my metal retainers, or earrings, or my phone, but I think thats a huge stretch and makes zero sense from a science point.

I greatly appreciate anyone chiming in on ideas, and im happy to answer any questions about my process.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

I read it all.
You can discount the computer, because that's all digital.
If something is wrong, it needs fixing rather than covering up with EQ.
You can remove your phone from the recording area to eliminate that.
Perhaps get rid of all the effects, so it is just you, a mic, and an interface.

my friends who record on my setup/my computer in my vicinity also have the buzzy issue. Its only when they take my setup and record at their place they sound fine?

This suggests it is your environment. There may be electromagnetic interference. What about if you sing at their place?

It may be that your singing actually degrades in time, but you say that you are confident that it does not.
These are just my thoughts. I don't claim to offer a fix though.

 

[TalismanRich]

It may be that your singing actually degrades in time, but you say that you are confident that it does not.
These are just my thoughts. I don't claim to offer a fix though.

Now here is why I say its a "me" issue as in physically.

In light of this issue, ive been going to local recording studios near me as I figured that there must be something wrong or freaky with my setups, causing the interfaces I use to quickly degrade in sound. As I've went to two very reputable studios which their recording samples I loved, I found that the same issue would happen! I would step in the booth, record some vocals, they would sound great but then the vocals by the end of the recording session would be extremely fuzzy, lack clarity, and be harmonically harsh and unpleasant.

If you've gone to a recording studio and the same thing happened with their equipment, then it's 100% NOT the equipment. It would be highly unlikely that there would be anything to degrade multiple pieces of equipment the exact same way, but only in your space or on your voice. You could get a keyboard that put out a clean waveform, and record a single note for 30 minutes to prove that the equipment isn't changing. Then just compare the 1st minute and last minute.

It does sound as if it's your voice that you feel is degrading. I guess it's possible that it's a characteristic of your voice, especially after you sing for an extended period of time. You seem to be hitting near the top of your vocal range. Any scratchiness will show up, especially in falsetto. Some singers have a natural grit in their voice.

You might want to talk to a vocal coach, and have them evaluate your technique. Simply singing, without worrying about equipment, a good coach would surely hear if your voice is tiring or just has a natural grit, which you hear as distortion.

FWIW, I wish I could get that gritty sound that many vocalists have. I remember reading that the Beatles always saved "Twist and Shout" for the end of their shows as Lennon would blow out his voice shouting that number.

 

[babaischu]

If you've gone to a recording studio and the same thing happened with their equipment, then it's 100% NOT the equipment. It would be highly unlikely that there would be anything to degrade multiple pieces of equipment the exact same way, but only in your space or on your voice. You could get a keyboard that put out a clean waveform, and record a single note for 30 minutes to prove that the equipment isn't changing. Then just compare the 1st minute and last minute.

It does sound as if it's your voice that you feel is degrading. I guess it's possible that it's a characteristic of your voice, especially after you sing for an extended period of time. You seem to be hitting near the top of your vocal range. Any scratchiness will show up, especially in falsetto. Some singers have a natural grit in their voice.

You might want to talk to a vocal coach, and have them evaluate your technique. Simply singing, without worrying about equipment, a good coach would surely hear if your voice is tiring or just has a natural grit, which you hear as distortion.

FWIW, I wish I could get that gritty sound that many vocalists have. I remember reading that the Beatles always saved "Twist and Shout" for the end of their shows as Lennon would blow out his voice shouting that number.

Thanks Tailsman,

It even occurs with my lower range and these are just one of many examples, what best outlines this is the second file I shared where me and my friend are singing in a super modest/low range, even the raw recordings have a very different sound signature barring the differences in voice between me and my friend. I know my own voice and have been vocally trained, It's really a matter of sound quality over voice, (my voice actually does not grit/rasp whatsoever unless i intentionally sing way more airy). I hope the difference in audio is apparent minus the different singing samples, like even the one with the new vs old interface, they are the same effects chain and about same singing :/, really the audio fuzz makes my voice sound like its giving out much more than it is.

 

[babaischu]

I read it all.
You can discount the computer, because that's all digital.
If something is wrong, it needs fixing rather than covering up with EQ.
You can remove your phone from the recording area to eliminate that.
Perhaps get rid of all the effects, so it is just you, a mic, and an interface.


This suggests it is your environment. There may be electromagnetic interference. What about if you sing at their place?

It may be that your singing actually degrades in time, but you say that you are confident that it does not.
These are just my thoughts. I don't claim to offer a fix though.

Hi Raymond,

Thanks for reading, I'll try and isolate for interference, I feel like its something on my body, perhaps my phone as you said. When I sing at my friends place, it also starts to sound fuzzy overtime, part of the reason why its driving me nuts that I can't go to a studio and get nice clean audio ?

 

[TimOD]

Might want to have your hearing checked out too.

 

[TalismanRich]

The possibility of a cellphone causing your voice to go out is virtually nonexistent. We are surrounded by EMR every day. People carry their phones with them for 10-12 hours a day. It wouldn't suddenly start to affect your vocal cords just because you're singing.

The only other thing that I can think of is if you are getting so close to the mic and have a VERY loud voice, you could be distorting the mic. For a genuine SM7B, that's about 180dB so there's no possibility of that. There are a lot of counterfeit mics out there, and they may not be at the same spec. If you bought from an authorized dealer, you should be fine.

When you recorded at the studio, what mic did you use there? If it was the studio's mic, then you can discount that. In that case, it's got to be entirely in your voice.

 

[rob aylestone]

I listened to all those tracks, and cannot hear any 'electronic' artefacts - the usual noises, interference and digital errors. I too suspect that it must be something in your voice that sounds a little like recording artefacts. I remember an old Joe Cocker story where a new engineer tried in vain to get rid of distortion, that turned out just to be his voice.
You could rule this out by trying a quiet, low breath ballad type song. See if this still exhibits the slightly rough edge you seem to hate.

I have to say though, that nothing in the clips you posted sounded to me like any kind of recording problem.