Topic: Can the preamp cause distortion to recordings?

[Lucidnight]

I just recorded the past two nights and noticed my recordings suffer every now and then a few slight clicks then 10 seconds or so of loud static/distortion over the recording.  I am trying to find the source so this is what I know so far and what I can rule out...

1. I recorded both nights with 2 different sets of microphones so I know it's not coming from the microphones.
2. I just replaced the battery prior to the show in my preamp (not sure how this would be a problem but explaining everything that happened).
3. The show was quiet so I turned the knob nearly all the way to capture the sound.
4. I had never had any problems like this with any of my prior recordings.
5. Not sure if cell phone interference could be a possibility as I'm unsure how that sounds but again I have not had this happen before.

So my thoughts are... did turning up the preamp fully cause a distortion?  Cell phone interference noticeable now that I turned everything up?  I am just wondering since the sound doesn't impact the entire show, only for a few loud seconds now and then.

By the way, I was using Edirol 09, CA 9100, and CA14 omni night 1 cards night 2

Any thoughts? 
Thanks! 

[Jhurlbs81]

I would start by ruling out a dirty input jack on the edirol.  Set up everything up the same way, then wiggle/twist on the input cable and see if it makes any noise o the recording.  I've had that happen to me and the fix is easy.  A few drops of rubbing alcohol on a denture brush and clean out the 3.5mm jack.  It could be cell phone noise, but I'd start with the jack and go from there.

Good luck,
Jesse

[Gutbucket]

I'm with Jesse, sounds like the typical and all too common intermittent connection problem to me. 

Clean all the jacks and plugs thoroughly with alcohol, or even better with something like Caig Deoxit, which also contains lubricant/protectants as well as deoxidizers/anti-finger-oil/anti-grime-components.

[F.O.Bean]

Is it possible to post a sample? If its not the line input jack, its probably cell phone noise! You can also try the MIC IN jack, with the 9100 gain all the way down, and record your TV/stereo! See if you can duplicate it!

But my guess would be cable issues or cell phone noise! Posting a sample could probably help us narrow it down even further!

[stevetoney]

Also check your cables at each interconnect interface by wiggling the cable to try to replicate the noise.  Youre looking for the possibility of a loose solder connection inside a connector.

[Lucidnight]

Very sorry for the late reply, had some work business to take care of this past week.


Thank you for all the help, I just did a little attempt to duplicate the sound and it seems it was MOST likely caused by a cell phone.  I didn't think about that I was sitting during these two shows with my phone very close to the recorder while almost every other show I have been standing with the phone a good distance away.

I just recorded with the tv on, wiggled the cables with not much effect.  I called my phone with the phone nearby the recorder and found some similar sounds.

I am still going to clean the input jacks just in case.

Thanks again