Why Unwanted Audio Hiss When Recording?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Manji
  • Start date Start date
I bet the mic pres are high impedance, if so the the adaptor maestro_dmc suggested above will fix it a lot.

However to fix it better a mic pre with phantom and a line out will be better, don't forget the DP004 is a basic recorder for putting down idea's not a studio quality multitrack, it has been built to a price point.

Alan.
 
witzendoz said:
I bet the mic pres are high impedance, if so the the adaptor maestro_dmc suggested above will fix it a lot.

However to fix it better a mic pre with phantom and a line out will be better, don't forget the DP004 is a basic recorder for putting down idea's not a studio quality multitrack, it has been built to a price point.

Alan.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:






:D
 
I did a little testing on my own with plugging a balanced low impedance mic into a line level input first with, and then without an impedance matching transformer. Sure enough, with the transformer in line the mic was nice and clear (not as clear as it would be into a balanced mic pre, using a balanced cable).

With no transformer in line, I heard (drum roll) about 5/8 is microphone sound, 3/8 hiss.


That being said, I agree you WILL get a much cleaner sound with a mic pre-amp that has a line level output. But as this seems to be a fairly low budget recorder, I'm guessing you don't want to spend much more for a pre-amp.

An Art Tube MP will get you there though, if you want to go that route: Art Tube MP
 
:p
Feeling happy now. I will check out the Art Tube and let you know the results. As an aside, I fed the mic signal into my Boss floor effects unit and I was able to get a louder signal by boosting the compression and the noise reducer. Probably not the best idea, but then again I use duct tape on a regular basis.
 
Manji said:
:p
Feeling happy now. I will check out the Art Tube and let you know the results. As an aside, I fed the mic signal into my Boss floor effects unit and I was able to get a louder signal by boosting the compression and the noise reducer. Probably not the best idea, but then again I use duct tape on a regular basis.
Click to expand...


Duct Tape!
:eek:
 
Not in my signal chain. Didn't mean to alarm you. :)
So I am going to purchase this thing tomorrow. Any suggestions for cable out then? Can I use a 1/4 to 1/4 guitar cable out?
 
Well, added the ART preamp. Definitely boosts the signal and added a little warmth. However, The TASCAM is OL especially when I hit 440. This is with the gain input at the TASCAM at about 2 or 3. So, TASCAM is problem. I now have decided to go directly to laptop. Thinking about this:
GuitarCenter
I am a fan of Yamaha and I think I would favor Cubase over Protools. Right now I am using Audacity. If I go direct to computer, will I have greater headroom and do you think I should keep the ART in the signal?
 
I haven't gone back to read the whole thread.. But why wouldn't turning either the Art or the Tascam input down be the thing to do?
 
I have done that, but it still overloads the Tascam. The actual problem now is finding the sweet spot in terms of volume. Initially, the guitar signal was too soft in the mix, I was getting a lot of hiss. This is with just a 48v phantom power box. So I added the preamp, but now The TASCAM overloads even with the preamp turned down low. There isn't a "middle ground". It is either too quiet with hiss, or too loud and reaches red. I am just looking for a clear signal at half a bar to 3/4. When I turn the TASCAM up all the way with no signal at all I can hear the hiss loud and clear. Through much trial and error, I am now ready to toss the 4 track and just go straight to computer. :drunk:
 
I say again, read back through the thread: the the adaptor maestro_dmc suggested above will fix it a lot You will need one of these on the pre-amp out put as the pre-amp will be +4dB.

Alan.
 
+1 for Witzendoz.

The main reason for the hiss seems to be the impedance mis-match. The Tascam box is designed for high impedance "cheapie" mics and all "good" stuff is a much lower impedance. Even though a higher level, the output of a mic preamp will still be a relatively low impedance. The higher level may mask the hiss but it will still be there.

Bob
 
No, just another cable. They aren't expensive. The 1/4" from preamp to Tascam is okay.
 
Would I get a better signal if I just went to the computer directly with preamp versus into the TASCAM? Probably because of the impedence. The computer preamp should be able to convert low to high.
 
If anyone is still on this thread just wanted to give a heads up that I have found success. I am running the condenser mic through the ART tube preamp with input high and output low, then the quarter inch into the high impedence transformer to the TASCAM. I am getting a sound that I can live with, without clipping or hiss. Thanks for all the help!
 
Yeah, from what I understand, TASCAM has been having a lot of quality control issues, especially with the XLR inputs.
 
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