Topic: Anyone experience any pops/crackles via S/PDIF input on a MircoTrack?

[naylor]

Hey, all.  I've only used my MicroTrack a few times, but I experienced a small problem last night.  I'm currently still testing the unit in the field, running S/PDIF out from my DA-P1 into the MT.  During the first five minutes of the tape, I experienced three "pops" on the recording in the MT.  These pops were not on the DAT, and they jumped between both channels.  Everything else I've recorded, including the remainder of last night's tape, seems to be clean.  Anyone else experience anything similar to this?  It just has me a little worried.  The only other thing it could be is possibly the coax cable I'm using, but I am somehow more prone to doubt the MT at this point (

Thanks for any insight you may have.

Eric

[Brian Skalinder]

Firmware version?
Any recollection of jostling the gear at all in the first 5min?
Tried duplicating at home?
Tried swapping out the cable?

[naylor]

Version 1.4.0.  I definitely didn't move anything much, but it's possible that I moved stuff slightly.  I do remember tucking the coax cable further into my bag to zip it up after the first song, but there was no noise at that point in the recording.  I haven't been able to experiment at home yet, as I've been on the road for several days. 

Eric

[balou2]

Could also be your digi-out on the P1.  Try a good cleaning on it.

[coloartist]

Never have had that problem.

At least 50 shows.

[Scooter]

happened to me a sat night, pretty sure it was my fault though.  i was a bit rough picking it up to check levels...  never had it happen before that.

[Brian Skalinder]

Eric - if you still have the file, open it up in a WAV editor and check the phase before and after the pops.  On an old firmware version (forget which one), I ran into a problem where the MT would invert phase while recording.  The immediately audible symptoms were little pops at the inversion point(s).  I wonder if M-Audio maybe un-fixed the problem with the firmware you're using.

[silentmark]

Never had any problem of that nature with the digi in ...

[JoeKiller]

The only time I have had pops is when I jiggled the cable by accident or turned it slightly.  (Re: bad idea)  Just try to make sure everything is totally set before hand.

[gmm6797]

What coax cable do most people use in the field?  I am looking to get a new one/better one for field use?

TIA

[silentmark]

Are you talking for the MT ? If so I have been using a HOSA as it fits the housing in the MT, other ones are too thick ...

[gmm6797]

Are you talking for the MT ? If so I have been using a HOSA as it fits the housing in the MT, other ones are too thick ...

Yes... I have a short 1m Hosa cable, but I notice that if you move it the wrong way it can cause troubles.... or may be my cable as been used too much in the field.

I checked eBay, and there are some nice cables out there for like no cash, but they are too big for the MT's small opening.

[KLowe]

You can easily pop off the covering around the SPDIF in on the microtrack and dremel to the appropriate size.  I'm using a canare 75ohm cable that is huge but fits nice and snug after the dremel.  The faceplate also pops right back into place after the dremel mod.  Yeah, it might affect resale of the device...but who is buying used MT's anyways???

[gmm6797]

Do you have any pictures?  I am always afraid to mess with the (cheap) plastic housings.

Thanks

[KLowe]

[ghibliss]

There is no reason to cut the MicroTrack recorder enclosure to attach a coaxial spdif cable to it.  I am presently using a Pasternak coaxial cable part number RG179B/U which has Switchcraft RCA connectors on each end.  I have mine fitted with a right angle RCA on one end to go into my A/D converter.  The Switchcraft connector part numbers are 35HD RABAU for the right angle connector and 3502 ABAU for the straight connector.  I typically get excellent results using this cable and have recorded at least a dozen shows at 24/96 with the Microtrack via the spdif input from my A/D converter without any pops ever!

Here are the links to get these items if you wish to do so:

http://www.pasternack.com/detail.aspx?ID=73100

http://www.switchcraft.com/index.html

Here is the specification for the Coaxial cable as well:

http://coaxial-cable.globalspec.com/datasheets/2286/PasternackEnterprises/RG179B_U/6BF2491B-E8EE-4FFF-AD2B-8E13678DFB58

[gmm6797]

...Pasternak coaxial cable part number RG179B/U ...
...Switchcraft connector part numbers are 35HD RABAU for the right angle connector and 3502 ABAU for the straight connector...

OK, who can make me a couple of these, and at what cost?

I can solder about as well as "old people fu*k"   

[ghibliss]

Call Pasternak and they will make the cable for you if you specify the connectors from thier wesbite.  If that doesn't work take a Cialis/Viagra and get out the soldering iron!

[gmm6797]

If that doesn't work take a Cialis/Viagra and get out the soldering iron!

Smoehow the hot solder and viagara dont seem to mix well