Rice Krispies, Crackling, Static while recording...

  • Thread starter Thread starter grantw
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grantw

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Trying to set up a system for some people to record their table discussion sessions. I'm having a big problem with random crackling and static issues.

When they do start crackling I'll unplug the mic and it will still do it for another 5 - 10 seconds then slowly fade away. What does this mean?

The mic's arn't the best and sometimes I have to crank them up to get decent audio, but they still will crackle when at a lower level. Other times at random static will just come on at full volume and there's nothing I can really do about it.

I've tried using other mics/cords and it seems to still happen. I've tried unplugging my computer (MacbookPro) and the issue is still there.

Will grounding the mixer (Alesis Multimixer 12USB) help all that much? It is also on a long line of outlets. Would different circuts result in anything?

I really don't know what to do so am looking for help. Again its random. Some times the audio is clean and then sometimes the static just starts up and gets better or worse by it self.
 
Turn your cell phone off..;)


Not sure thats you prob but I had similar issues and finally realized it did not happen when I left my cell out off the studio. :D
 
I find that milk usually works best to quiet Rice Krispies....just let 'em soak for a few minutes. ;)
 
Are you sure your cables are no giving you some problems? What about the post or sliders on the mixer itself. Sounds like the problem might be with the mixer since you mentioned that you have to crank up the mics sometimes and not other times. Ok, forget the cable thing. I just reread your post and you tried that already.
 
I was using Ableton but then I switched in Garage Band and it was doing the same thing. My ram has been giving me problems lately but I dont think this is the issue.

Its hard because I'm dealing with low end equipment and don't really have alot of other mics/cords/mixers to test with.

Is the fact that when it starts to crackle and stuff that when I unplug the mic or mute the channel it will still crackle for 5+ seconds then slowly fade out?

I'm gonna try a different interface to see if its the mixer I'm working with. Thanks for the advice so far tho.
 
UPDATE>>>still problems

Update

Part two of my static, crackling noise adventure:

Here are a few sound bits of when the static appears (each of the times it happens are usually 10 minutes or more apart, I just edited them all back to back):
http://traviswilber.com/static.wav

It's nothing that I've ever really encountered. I've pretty much replaced all the equipment with other stuff and I'm still having problems. I'm using an AT2020 condenser mic and shure58, going to a Presonus Firebox that goes into my Macbook Pro.

The static sound is completely random and happens maybe a dozen times within an hour of recording. When I turn the level down it will go away, but not immediately which makes me think it doesn't have much to do with the levels or gain and I don't even think that turning it down effects it. Usually it last for a few seconds. It also effects both inputs at the same time.

So could it be my computer? I'm using Ableton Live 6, but have used garageband and still gotten the same sound. My mac has been having some problems that I think are related to the ram. But I only got Ableton running and the CPU is running around 10% and peaks sometimes no more than 25% for a second.

The other thing is that I have everything plugged into a strip of four outlets that run along the counter that everything is set up on (there are four more on the other side of the wall and may all be on the same circut). Could this have anything to do with it?

Any ideas or suggestions would be great. If you need additional info ask. I'm pulling my hair out here. Thanks.
 
For what it's worth, I had to crank my volume all the way to the top to hear your sound bite. When I lowered my volume to a normal level, the crackle was gone - but so were the voices.

I'm guessing that with a louder input, you could reduce your playback volume and not hear the crackling anymore.
 
danhughes said:
For what it's worth, I had to crank my volume all the way to the top to hear your sound bite. When I lowered my volume to a normal level, the crackle was gone - but so were the voices.

I'm guessing that with a louder input, you could reduce your playback volume and not hear the crackling anymore.
Click to expand...

Don't live in Mac-land, but when I have issues like this, it's generally a driver conflict....I'm still battling this a bit with my new lappy. For me, it's the generic drivers my interface uses (Yamah MW10 USB). There are no updated drivers available for Vista. When I disconnect devices from the USB hub, it seems to behave a little better. Disable anything running in the background...anti-virus, etc.
 
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