Hi,
Sounds like overloaded inputs to me...
It happened to me once with the JuicedLink RM222 when the recording of the support act turned out just fine (no bass player) and the recording of the main act was distorted (but not clipped).
In a nutshell: The JuicedLink preamps have a number of switches which can be used to attenuate the input signal.
Please see below for some quotations from my original conversation with JuicedLink's support from that time...
Hi gain is typically
for dialogue or fine audio detail. Low gain setting is typically for
higher signal level environments, like a rock concert or something.
Alternatively, you can put a pad in front of the preamp, and as long as
you have sufficient signal level coming from the source, it will not
effect the noise. Similarly, a MIC/LINE switch is a pad.
I'm not online right now to look at specs. With a typical sensitivity
condenser mic (~20mA/Pa), the LO gain setting of the preamp provides
plenty of headroom. If your mic is super sensitive, you could use the
HI gain and LINE settings. You could always use an external attenuator,
if that is best. In the field, you'll have to monitor with headphones
to verify you are not running into headroom.
I just got a RM222, probably just going to sell it and the RA333 now. I spent the last day or so scouring forums and came across one user who commented that if he had his gain anywhere on or over 75% on the dial, his recordings would overload. I don't have headphones for live taping and haven't really wanted to carry them. Sucks since the gain on these boxes are so clean! Too bad they can't be upgraded somehow.
Settings are set as described, on low, mic setting, ran 12V phantom to power the mics. Think I am going to look for an older Sound Devices rig and avoid the overload issue altogether. If anyone has something for sale, please let me know.
I taped a 2 set show the following night and thankfully gave the prior night a listen, learned from the mistake and set the gain at about 40% on the Juicedlink and boosted the gain on my A10 to 10 or 12. No overloading but just some gain noise to remove.
DavidPutty, the Juicedlinks have a led meter for both lines. Only the micro version if_then_else mentioned does not have one, which now seems risky to me. Just picked one up because they are incredibly small and very clean gain, might just keep the RA333 for nature recordings.