Studio Project C3 static and crackle noise?

[ElSilva]

Hi, folks. A couple days ago I was the proud new owner of a Studio Projects C3. Now I'm just an owner. I bought the C3 to complement my AKG4033 and other cheaper mikes by adding the versatility of figure 8 and omni.

I was recording a singer/songwriter this past Saturday. We spent several hours tracking, then took a break. When we went to start again, I began to notice a very faint popping and crackling sound. I traced it to the C3. It almost sounded like digital peaking. It was random, nothing we were doing seemed to be inducing it.

I began troubleshooting. I tried turning off the phantom power for a few minutes, but the sound came back when I turned it on. I plugged the cable into a different preamp on my Mackie board, but got the same sound. The only thing I didn't think to try at the time was changing the long-run XLR cable (100ft). I wish I had tried that.

On Sunday, I brought out the mic again, and used it the entire day without the same occurrence.

I'm wondering what might cause this. I was thinking perhaps just static in the environment. Though it is starting to get rather humid, I do have central air which might be taking moisture out of the air.

I'm nervous that the C3 might be faulty, but I don't want the hassle of sending it back until I'm sure. Any suggestions for further troubleshooting?

Thanks,

ElSilva

 

[TexRoadkill]

lol, this is too funny. Either SP had a bad batch recently or somebody is being naughty.

 

[dres]

I've used a few old dynamic mics for PA use and found they produce similar noises with Phantom power. They obviously don't need phantom but I had other condenser mics on the same mixer that did need it... unfortunately with this particular mixer it was all phantom or none.

As far as I understand it's not suppose to be a problem with dynamic mics but.... these were old (10+ years) mics and the connections were getting dodgy.... so

I would suggest you have a bad connection somewhere. Shake the cord a bit with it plugged in to see if you can make the fault re-appear. If it does, swap mic cords and try again... if it's still there you might have a dodgy mic.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

That's usually a sign of some condensation trapped in the capsule, usually due to high humidity. Next time it happens, try putting it in a warm oven (warm, not hot) for a little while and see if the problem goes away.

 

[ausrock]

Tex, I gotta agree...............if I was a cynical bastard, (well maybe I am), I'd almost think that this unprecedented run of strange occurences around SP mics was a "beat-up".

I have a mic lead, virtually brand new, good quality, etc., etc., that puts unexplained buzzing and noises through both our recording gear and our rehearsal gear...........it has been checked out and has absolutely no short across the XLRs or anything...........go figure.

 

[dres]

Harvey... thanks for the tip... I might try that. These mics are so old and cheap I've got nothing to lose !

Tex and ausrock:
I can't vouch for the other SP defects reported but my account was completely independant. That fact that Allan has now admitted defects are a possibility further validates these reports.

Be assured I think these SP mics offer brilliant value and sound great. As long as warranty claims are processed in a timely fashion I think people should buy with confidence.

In fact I see these faults as evidence that the price performance barrier is really being pushed. You see the effect over and over again in the car market, first Japanese cars, then Korean, Taiwan etc. They enter the market with dirt cheap prices (great value) and "only just" quality control and manufacturing techniques. As time passes they get better at quality control and the market gets more competative... the consumer wins.

 

[littledog]

I think Harvey nailed it (no surprise!).

I have the exact same problem with my Earthworks QTCs when the humidity in the room gets too high - random pops and crackles. I turn on the air conditioner for a while and, if I'm in a hurry, turn on a room fan pointed near (but not right into) the mics to speed the drying out. After that, they always work fine. I think those really tiny diaphragms on the QTC's are more susceptible to moisture, because I rarely have the same problem with other mics, although i think it may have happened a couple of times over the years with my Lawson L47.