Speaking of Buzz

[skaltpunk]

yeah im having buzz and crackling problems as well... but these sound as if they are computer generated. i am multitracking on CEP using a laptop computer... i record with an sm57 into a behringer eurorack mixer then to my computer.

 

[kristian]

make sure you aren't clipping your inputs on the soundcard. Use the line in not the mic in on your laptop's soundcard. clipping is when the signal is at 0dB digitally. It just kinda goes Eerwrwrwzzzrrr or some derivative of that.

 

[skaltpunk]

Ahhh

i am using a laptop and i beleive the only input is the mic... could that be the problem and what can i do to fix it? thanks so much!

 

[kristian]

well, is there only one input for the soundcard? if so, then in the volume control there must be a way to set the pre amp for the mic-in to only be at line level, basically meaning off... but i'm not sure. take a look at your volume control and see if there is only mic in, or if there is both.

 

[skaltpunk]

only line in

Yeah, there is only line-in... what would be the correct level to set it at?

 

[kristian]

ok, well, with line in there is no level to set, besides less then 0dB.... but what you should be doing is leaving the line in at max, and turning your mixer down.

Do you know they proper way of setting the level on a mic pre?

 

[skaltpunk]

ok....

i do not know the proper way of setting the level... i always just test record and if it maxes out i lower it... what should i be doing? so on my computer, put the volume at max on my line in?

 

[kristian]

Ok let me start. Assuming you are telling the truth about it being a line in, you will want to set it at max volume. This has a lot to do with the fact that your card is 16 bit and volume = bits for the most part. You can read up on this by searching for "dither" or reading 16 vs. 24 bit debates. But since you seem like this is your setup im not going to recommend you spend $400 getting a high quality soundcard for your laptop . You channel on your behringer, has 2 volume controls as it may seem. One a fader, and the other mic trim or gain. Your fader has a position called "unity" where it has the least amount of distortion to the signal. Be it very small distortions its just the way its done. But when the mixer is beign designed the mic trim button is designed to be used whenthe fader is at unity, they just work better that way. Now, with the fader set at unity raise your mic trim up until your signal is as hot (loud) as you can get it without clipping your input monitor off your soundcard. If this is distorted guitar, its easier to set a level. If its a drum or voice, its much harder.

hope that helped some.

 

[skaltpunk]

thanks

thank you. that helps a lot. one thing, how do i know where "unity" is? is it the default where the knob rests at medium volume?

 

[kristian]

Unity is usually marked wit a "U"... and pan, EQ, or fader will have a unity point. Usually pans will have it dead center with a little excess amount of force needed to move it left or right, the sme with an EQ if its parametric. If its just cut and boost, then 0 is unity which will usually be the middle again. Some small mixers dont have a "u" but instead have a bold line about 7/10ths the way up, usually around 7 on any mixer is unity. just stuff like that.

ALSO! your manual will probably tell you