Topic: CA-11's & BB questions (plug/static crackle noise)

[marsev]

1st off, thanks for answering redundant questions.

(i typically don't learn by studious research, i have to have someone hit me in the face.)

based on good info here, i got the PCM-M10, no prob there.

but, i have the tiny CA 9v Battery box.
my recordings have some occasional horrible crackle,
seemingly from when i felt for the BB/Mic plugs, to make sure
it didn't come disconnected.

is this common? how do i fix that (besides avoiding touching it during recording)

also, why the need for pre-amps and more power?
does more power help with recording LOUDER sounds,
or does it help with capturing quiet sounds? both?

and, about the CA-11's....are they "binaural" or "cardioid" or "omni"?
i just got them because they are stealthy and highly recommended!

what are they technically?

[aaronji]

1st off, thanks for answering redundant questions.

(i typically don't learn by studious research, i have to have someone hit me in the face.)

based on good info here, i got the PCM-M10, no prob there.

but, i have the tiny CA 9v Battery box.
my recordings have some occasional horrible crackle,
seemingly from when i felt for the BB/Mic plugs, to make sure
it didn't come disconnected.

is this common? how do i fix that (besides avoiding touching it during recording)

Try cleaning the jacks and plugs...That might do the trick.

also, why the need for pre-amps and more power?
does more power help with recording LOUDER sounds,
or does it help with capturing quiet sounds? both?

Supplying the mics with sufficient power will make them more resistant to overload when your source is loud, but won't help in terms of capturing quiet sounds.  Either a pre or a battery box will work for this.

A pre can also increase the level of the incoming signal, which helps with recording quiet stuff...

and, about the CA-11's....are they "binaural" or "cardioid" or "omni"?
i just got them because they are stealthy and highly recommended!

what are they technically?

CA-11s can be either omni or cardioid, depending on which set of capsules you have.  The cardioids have a series of vent holes just above the point where the capsules thread onto the bodies.  "Binaural" is a recording technique using omnis.

[marsev]

thanks aaronji.

looks like i have cards.
now i know what to tell people i have.

about the crackling noise...if anyone has used the Church 9v BB:
my 9v BB is an older version than what he shows on his website.

http://www.church-audio.ca/viewitem.php?groupid=0&productid=6

the new version description says
"we also shield this battery box with copper foil tape to eliminate external inducted noise"

am i getting "external inducted" noise?

or is it just dirty plugs & jacks?

[Church-Audio]

thanks aaronji.

looks like i have cards.
now i know what to tell people i have.

about the crackling noise...if anyone has used the Church 9v BB:
my 9v BB is an older version than what he shows on his website.

http://www.church-audio.ca/viewitem.php?groupid=0&productid=6

the new version description says
"we also shield this battery box with copper foil tape to eliminate external inducted noise"

am i getting "external inducted" noise?

or is it just dirty plugs & jacks?

I would check the following.

The battery connection between the 9v and the 9v It self make sure the tabs are bent so that the battery does make good contact. They can become enlarged due to removing and insurting new batteries over time.

Check the capsules on the ca-11 make sure the metal tabs are bent up and making good contact with the center pin on the capsule.

Check the cables connectors to see if the problem is there. if it is send them back and I will fix this.

Its not inducted noise. Its a physical connection issue.

Let me know how you make out if you are still having problems send it all back to me for evaluation.

Chris

[hoppedup]

Is it on both channels or one?

Check the cable as well. I had the same intermittent crackle on the left channel of a couple of recordings from set of CA-11s. Upon further inspection I had pinched the cable on the left mic, probably at a show when I packed up in a hurry in the rain and shut the lid of a Pelican box on it. They still sounded fine, but if there was even a slight movement of the cable it would get the crackling sound.

[marsev]

thanks for the tips.
i will check my stuff as per this info.

Chris, thanks also. not a complaint at all.
i manhandle my stuff with clumsy hands.

plus, these were originally bought a couple years ago.