static/distortion problem

[osion]

I use the studio projects C1-studio projects VTB1 combination to record into my computer. I've been using them since the start of September and record only acoustic guitar and vocals.

Everything has been working fine until recently. After recording, I play back the recording and hear static/distortion along with the recording. I have always followed word for word the instructions supplied with the VTB1 manual. I do not know why I am having this static/distortion. It has only been happening in the past week.

Also, the VTB1 manual says that when connecting the VTB1 to the microphone, I should adjust the gain control until i get a meter reading in the 0 to +8 range. I have never gotten a reading in that range and when I move the gain control all the way to 60, the meter reading only goes up to -8.
I was not sure why this happened or if this was a problem but when i recorded with the input gain at about 25 and output level at about +3, the recordings came out good, and at the volume level i wanted, so i continued recording that way. what does it mean that i can't achieve a meter reading between 0 and +8 as the manual says I should?

If anyone knows anyway for me to rectify my static/distortion problem, I would be very grateful. Thank you.

 

[DJL]

Humm, if your not under driving or over loading the mic, pre and computer, and don't have the VTB-1 tube blend turned on... check all the cables and the sockets there plugged into... plus check the AC outlets... are you using a different AC power outlet than before... or have you added anything new on the same breaker as the studio, like lights, coolers, heaters, or etc? What have you tested and checked so far?

 

[billisa]

I use the studio projects C1-studio projects VTB1 combination to record into my computer. I've been using them since the start of September and record only acoustic guitar and vocals.

Everything has been working fine until recently. After recording, I play back the recording and hear static/distortion along with the recording. I have always followed word for word the instructions supplied with the VTB1 manual. I do not know why I am having this static/distortion. It has only been happening in the past week.

Also, the VTB1 manual says that when connecting the VTB1 to the microphone, I should adjust the gain control until i get a meter reading in the 0 to +8 range. I have never gotten a reading in that range and when I move the gain control all the way to 60, the meter reading only goes up to -8.
I was not sure why this happened or if this was a problem but when i recorded with the input gain at about 25 and output level at about +3, the recordings came out good, and at the volume level i wanted, so i continued recording that way. what does it mean that i can't achieve a meter reading between 0 and +8 as the manual says I should?

If anyone knows anyway for me to rectify my static/distortion problem, I would be very grateful. Thank you.

If you can't get an input reading way past +8 then I believe something is wrong. Do you have the impedence switch set properly on the back of the VTB1? Make sure it's on the 200ohm setting... Then, if you've had to switch it to that, then crank all your knobs all the way back to the minimum position before switching anything on.

 

[osion]

i checked the impedence switch and it is set on 200 ohms. I use the same AC outlet i have always used. I think all the conditions are the same as they were when everything was working fine.
I have not tested anything because I have only one preamp, one microphone, one microphone cable, etc.
I will try using a different outlet and see if that changes something. Thanks for the replies.

 

[billisa]

Unless your voltage level is way off, I doubt it if the A/C outlet is to blame. I might consider changing the cable, but in general the stuff you're describing is way out of character for the VTB1. Also, does the C1 have a -10db pad switch that's been turned on? If not, this could all be due to a bad cable... Hope so.

Certainly a contact with Studio Projects couldn't hurt. Don't email -- just call them. They have great customer service.

 

[DJL]

Don't email -- just call them.

Why no email?

 

[billisa]

Why no email?

Because I've found they're easily accessible by phone which gives an opportunity for dialogue to better explain/answer the question. Some questions have answers that may lead to more questions, and I've found the folks at PMI/Studio Projects don't mind that kind of thing. Unlike so many in business nowadays, they seem genuinely intersted in helping their customers get the most out of their products...

 

[osion]

by the way, when you say it might be because of a bad cable, do you mean the microphone cable? it can't be the cable connecting the VTB1 to the soundcard right?

 

[billisa]

by the way, when you say it might be because of a bad cable, do you mean the microphone cable? it can't be the cable connecting the VTB1 to the soundcard right?

I had the impression you weren't getting a strong input into the VTB1 itself -- so I'd get a new mic cable to rule out any problem there.

While I may have missed something, everything you describe could be caused by a bad mic cable. That would be a good thing.

Just to be sure, the meter on the VTB1 shows both input and output. You are clicking in the meter button for input and clicking out for output?