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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Sean Gallemore on December 31, 2003, 05:17:17 AM

Title: what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on December 31, 2003, 05:17:17 AM
I'm posting these pics because I am curious about the top channel.  It appears that the peaks are "louder" on the down swing of each cycle and I can't figure out why.  Any and all insight is appreciated

(http://img5.photobucket.com/albums/v15/Schwilly/oddchannel02.jpg)

(http://img5.photobucket.com/albums/v15/Schwilly/oddchannel01.jpg)
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on December 31, 2003, 07:15:45 AM
wtf, im totallly clueless schwill........one thing oi can think of is try resetting the dc offset.....thats about all i can think of!!!
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Simp-Dawg on December 31, 2003, 10:07:43 AM
i would agree with bean about the dc offset hear but it still appears that the middle of the waveform is centered on the inf line...that's weird, don't know what to tell ya!
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on December 31, 2003, 10:35:26 AM
is it audible??? maybe a card issue???

or maybe your mics suck!! ;D
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on December 31, 2003, 04:57:58 PM
got to be the mics ;)
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 02, 2004, 07:21:19 AM
did this ever work out brotha???
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 02, 2004, 07:29:23 AM
I'm not too worried about it.  The show still sounds great, and I'm not sure how this would affect the show sonically so I don't really know what to listen for!

I've taped stuff after this show and don't have this problem o.O
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 02, 2004, 08:24:31 AM
Have you tried swapping things around one at a time and observing the results to see if the problem follows a particular piece of gear in the chain?  It may help you narrow down the problem.  For example:

[01] switch L/R caps (if possible)
[02] switch L/R mic cables
[03] replace mic cables outright
[04] switch L/R inputs into pre
[05] switch L/R cables into ADC
[06] replace cables into ADC outright
[07] replace cable out of ADC to recording device
[08] replace cable from playback deck to soundcard
[09] replace recording software
[10] replace the recording device (maybe use your PC directly instead of DAT)
[11] transfer through a different soundcard

Edit: Oh!  One more thing - if it were me, I would be worried about it b/c it may be indicative of an impending device failure.  Maybe not...but I'd still wanna nail down at least what piece of gear is causing the problem and then contact the manufacturer about it (if it's something not easily replaceable, like mics, pre, ADC, etc. as opposed to cables, soundcard, etc.).

Edit 2: Must...wake up...before posting.  As an example, my modSBM-1 was truncating WAVs at about -6dB, ruler flat, for some reason.  I didn't find this out until I viewed the WAV in an editor b/c it basically sounded fine, but turns out my op amps were fried for some reason and would've continued to get worse.  Fortunately, the Oade Bros replaced them for me free of charge.
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 02, 2004, 06:57:22 PM
thanx for the advice.  It happened when I used armen's AT831s and his AD-20 as well.  I'm not using either anymore so I can't do much about testing!
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Arglebargle on January 02, 2004, 07:05:27 PM
What mics are you using? I've had that problem with my DPA 4060s when I tape on the stage. I think perhaps the sound pressure was too much for the mics to handle. Either that or it's the AD20. I use that too. It's never happened before. After I transfer the set from NYE using my AKGs from the TS I'll know if it's a mic issue or AD20 issue. Mine looks a lot more distorted than that, but still sounds pretty good.
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 02, 2004, 07:13:34 PM
yeah, I have a feeling it may be the AD-20 or the optical cable.
I'm still not sure what would cause the waveform to only lose poistive peaking ???
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Arglebargle on January 02, 2004, 07:30:04 PM
I'd be pretty excited if it was my AD20 because I've been waiting for an excuse to upgrade!!!!!
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 02, 2004, 07:36:58 PM
;D
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 02, 2004, 10:11:53 PM
thanx for the advice.  It happened when I used armen's AT831s and his AD-20 as well.  I'm not using either anymore so I can't do much about testing!

So it's not happening anymore?  Hey Argle - if you have his old AD20 (???), you may want to test to see if you're experiencing the same problem.
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Arglebargle on January 02, 2004, 10:21:38 PM
I bought my AD20 new, and never had this problem until I started using my DPA 4060s on stage, and the distortion affects both channels equally, unlike only one channel affected in Schwillis's case.
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 02, 2004, 10:30:00 PM
thanx for the advice.  It happened when I used armen's AT831s and his AD-20 as well.  I'm not using either anymore so I can't do much about testing!

So it's not happening anymore?  Hey Argle - if you have his old AD20 (???), you may want to test to see if you're experiencing the same problem.

well, I taped one show after and it was fine regarding this issue.  The rig with the issue was SP-CMC-2(AT831c) > SP-SPSB-1 > AD-20 > MD-MT770.  The last show I taped was with a different set of AT831c > battery box > mp-2 > MD-MT770
Armen still owns his AD-20.  I will probably borrow it and the mics to test them later.
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: mattb on January 03, 2004, 12:20:22 AM
I get it with my AT933s when the SPL is high. It sounds good, but both channels end up taller on top. I've seen it running them into MD, my M1, and my JB3 if it was loud (like stage lip) Funny, I was looking to buy an AD-20 in hopes it may help :D.

Matt
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 03, 2004, 02:29:17 AM
schwill, one werd: audix!!
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Arglebargle on January 03, 2004, 04:40:10 PM
Grrrr!!!! I just transferred a show from DAT that had this problem and it sounded so bad I deleted it, then I listened to something else and it also sounded terrible, so it turns out there's something wrong with my soundcard or computer because it sounds perfect on my stereo!!!!!  I deleted a great show for no reason!!!!   >:(
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 04, 2004, 02:25:50 AM
I get it with my AT933s when the SPL is high. It sounds good, but both channels end up taller on top. I've seen it running them into MD, my M1, and my JB3 if it was loud (like stage lip) Funny, I was looking to buy an AD-20 in hopes it may help :D.

Matt


thanx for that info matt!
weird phenomenon

bean - i know, man.  few more months. *crosses fingers*

argle - i hope you get that worked out,  good soundcards make a big difference
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 04, 2004, 04:08:01 AM
I get it with my AT933s when the SPL is high. It sounds good, but both channels end up taller on top. I've seen it running them into MD, my M1, and my JB3 if it was loud (like stage lip) Funny, I was looking to buy an AD-20 in hopes it may help :D.

Matt


thanx for that info matt!
weird phenomenon

bean - i know, man.  few more months. *crosses fingers*

argle - i hope you get that worked out,  good soundcards make a big difference

youll have them soon enuf!!! ;D

i might have to get a pair of the hypers for those stealthy situations!!!

which caps are you gonna get??
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 04, 2004, 04:34:53 AM
I'm not sure! thinkin about hypers more and more
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 04, 2004, 04:51:04 AM
I'm not sure! thinkin about hypers more and more

tough decision for sure.......in one hand, nice, full sound if your fob, but maybe lots of chatter.....

and in the other hand, maybe not as full in-your-face sound, but alot less chatter and whatnot........

lets buy a pair of each and trade em whenever we need....those things are so small and lightweight, we could ship em in an envelope!! ;D
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 04, 2004, 05:32:20 AM
I think since I am FOB and fairly close for most theater shows, I will probably go with cards.  But it would be nice to have the hypers for the arenas....Still thinking!
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 04, 2004, 06:07:08 AM
I think since I am FOB and fairly close for most theater shows, I will probably go with cards.  But it would be nice to have the hypers for the arenas....Still thinking!

i remember phil saying something to the effect of that its not good to change caps w/ those tho  :P
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 04, 2004, 06:17:47 AM
I think since I am FOB and fairly close for most theater shows, I will probably go with cards.  But it would be nice to have the hypers for the arenas....Still thinking!

i remember phil saying something to the effect of that its not good to change caps w/ those tho  :P

I remember that too but what does he know (j/k phil!)
Title: Re:what's going on here? wave form content inside
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 04, 2004, 06:19:56 AM
I think since I am FOB and fairly close for most theater shows, I will probably go with cards.  But it would be nice to have the hypers for the arenas....Still thinking!

i remember phil saying something to the effect of that its not good to change caps w/ those tho  :P

I remember that too but what does he know (j/k phil!)

phils gonna  :gun: you for that one!! ;D