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Author Topic: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem  (Read 9030 times)

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Offline OG

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"Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« on: October 24, 2011, 05:44:56 AM »
I recently bought a Giant Squid mic to use with my iRiver iFP-899 recorder, and it works flawlessly when I use it with the iRiver itself, but when I try to record with it though my computer (using Audition), it clips the sound at the 0.5 mark (as per the Audition recording track). So far, the only way I have found to get around the clipping problem is to bring the mic level way down, but then, of course, I don't get enough volume on the recording. I am able to record with other mics on the computer with no problem at all. I would very much appreciate any ideas and suggestions...

Offline darktrain

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2011, 01:10:11 PM »
Giant Squid Mics blow ass....That is all you need to know

Offline Church-Audio

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2011, 01:25:14 PM »
Unfortunately eBay and other sites are full of guys that hack mics together with heat shrink and bubble gum. Very few of them have the ability to measure distortion. So they end up selling a product that does not perform under "real world conditions" Unfortunately for you there is no real way to tell who is and who is not performing. This place if where people come come for real answers in this hobby. You cant fix your mics in post. They are just poorly designed for the task advertised. Use search Google the mics you have. You will see this is based in fact. Before you buy next time come here ask questions and do research.



Chris
for warranty returns email me at
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Offline Brian E.

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2011, 01:37:44 PM »
Giant Squid Mics blow ass....That is all you need to know

agreed.  they're good for super low pro if you have to, just size-wise.  But if you can afford it just get some CA-11's
my tapes:  The Archive | Dime | Etree

Recorder - Sony PCM A-10 | Cans - Shure SE535 | Mics - CA-14 Cards | Canon EOS 5D Mark II 17-40L f4 50 f1.4 70-200L f2.8 IS II 430EX II

Offline acidjack

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2011, 03:16:17 PM »
I can't say I disagree with the negative opinion on GS's products generally, but I don't think your question was answered.  Do your GS mics have a battery box?  If so, you probably run to the iRiver line-in.  If you are running into a powered mic input on your computer, your input is probably too hot (almost certainly is) and you should switch to line-in on your computer's sound card. 

If you are powering the mic directly from the computer, it is probably the case that the computer isn't powering it enough. 

What other mics have you used successfully with the computer?

Those are my best guesses.  Those mics aren't the best, but depending what you are using them for, they may suffice.  However, there is better stuff available at similar price points.
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
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Offline Brian E.

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2011, 03:37:42 PM »
yeah, get an SPSB-6, which is a small battery box that will power the mics.  It's basically a 9V battery in a snap-in case.  Then run Line In, not Mic In.
my tapes:  The Archive | Dime | Etree

Recorder - Sony PCM A-10 | Cans - Shure SE535 | Mics - CA-14 Cards | Canon EOS 5D Mark II 17-40L f4 50 f1.4 70-200L f2.8 IS II 430EX II

Offline Church-Audio

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2011, 03:51:32 PM »
I recently bought a Giant Squid mic to use with my iRiver iFP-899 recorder, and it works flawlessly when I use it with the iRiver itself, but when I try to record with it though my computer (using Audition), it clips the sound at the 0.5 mark (as per the Audition recording track). So far, the only way I have found to get around the clipping problem is to bring the mic level way down, but then, of course, I don't get enough volume on the recording. I am able to record with other mics on the computer with no problem at all. I would very much appreciate any ideas and suggestions...
I dont understand your question.. When you get to 0.5 mark what does that mean? What are you trying to record? How are you connecting the mics to your computer? External sound card ?
for warranty returns email me at
EMAIL Sales@church-audio.com

Offline Fried Chicken Boy

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2011, 07:13:05 PM »
If you are powering the mic directly from the computer, it is probably the case that the computer isn't powering it enough.

That could be the source of the issue as no computer I'm aware of provides "plug-in power" through the built-in microphone input.  Those things aren't exactly the height of fidelity.

Offline Church-Audio

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2011, 08:03:13 PM »
If you are powering the mic directly from the computer, it is probably the case that the computer isn't powering it enough.

That could be the source of the issue as no computer I'm aware of provides "plug-in power" through the built-in microphone input.  Those things aren't exactly the height of fidelity.

Actually most if not all computers with a 3.5 mm mic input do provide plug in power of 1 volt or so.
for warranty returns email me at
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Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2011, 09:31:15 PM »
You just need to run GS Mics>9volt Battery Box>Line-IN of computer ;)
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
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Offline fmaderjr

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2011, 04:10:16 PM »
Giant Squid Mics blow ass....That is all you need to know

I love it. Nobody can post about the Squiddly Diddlies without getting a response like this.

I wonder how much taperssection has hurt that guy's business...
AT853's (all caps)/CM-300 Franken Naks (CP-1,2,3)/JBMod Nak 700's (CP-701,702) > Tascam DR-680
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Offline darktrain

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2011, 04:39:19 PM »
Giant Squid Mics blow ass....That is all you need to know

I love it. Nobody can post about the Squiddly Diddlies without getting a response like this.

I wonder how much taperssection has hurt that guy's business...

Hopefully a lot ;D

Offline danlynch

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2011, 04:53:37 PM »
Whatever TS has done to hurt his business, Dime has helped build it.   Lots of Giant Squid crap there with the usual "great sound" nonsense from the comments.

Founder and Host of NYCTaper:  http://www.nyctaper.com

Microphones:  Schoeps CCM4Us, Sennheiser MKH-8040s, Neumann KM-150s, Neumann TLM-102s, DPA 4061s
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adrianf74

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2011, 05:35:39 PM »
Whatever TS has done to hurt his business, Dime has helped build it.   Lots of Giant Squid crap there with the usual "great sound" nonsense from the comments.
In all fairness, I used his mics back in the early 2000's and recorded many shows with them on MiniDisc (including a couple of shows by a certain "artist" who doesn't like tapers that ended up being pressed on CD without my permission).  Many of his fans, to this day, comment on how good the sound quality of that recording is. 

Fast forward nearly 10 years and there are certainly better choices available today but back then, they weren't horrible.  I "upgraded" to SP-CMC-8's (AT-933/c) and I preferred the sound of the Squids.

As far as DIME goes - the majority of CRAP posted on their is exactly that... CRAP.  I look for select posters who throw their shows up their and generally avoid the unknown stuff).

Offline acidjack

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Re: "Giant Squid" Mic clipping problem
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2011, 07:05:46 PM »
Not to pile on, but even the samples on Squid's site sound like ass... distorted, etc.  Coresounds (admittedly, more expensive) are far superior.  My man hi and lo's Dynamic Audio line are infinitely superior too and were closer to that price point....

Folks on DIME love posting garb from internal mics, too.   I am on the fence as to those are worse than Squids, but generally I think the answer must be yes.
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

 

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