Topic: Annoying Ticking on Recording: Cellphone interference, CF problems, or...?

[danlynch]

Well, I took out the new rig tonight (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=67061.0), and recorded with permission a fine jazz band at Tonic.
Unfortunately, I've now listened to an otherwise outstanding sonic recording and find that it is unlistenable due to a series of loud "ticks" during the music.  Interestingly, when the band is totally quiet, the ticking sound stops. 
Searching through the many topics here, I find that there is potential that this is cellphone interference, or a problem with CF card (I'm using SanDisk 2.0GB Compact Flash) and possibly shielding or cable interference (bogan cables, apogee mini-me preamp).
It seems that this problem needs a topic that pulls together all the potential causes of this serious and frustrating problem.
I have attached a brief 12 second mp3 sample of this recording, where you can hear the annoying ticking and how it disappears when the band is quiet.
Any ideas, input, suggestions, etc, woudl be quite helpful.

[danlynch]

After re-charging all the batteries (for the MT and the M-me), I've tested the whole rig at home with no clicking/ticking.  Its a big of a relief to have it not be anything in the rig, but I'm still puzzled about how this recording-destroying ticking is appearing.

[Nick Graham]

That's similar to cell phone interference, but not quite loud or annoying enough.

One thing I've never really seen anyone comment on, what would the chances be that wireless equipment could cause this? It would explain why it stops once the band does, and also why it's not quite as bad as cell phone noise. Any ideas?

[danlynch]

Well, this was about a 10 piece horn section with various other instruments.  There may have been some of those wireless 'bell" mics used for horns, but certainly not all of them.  Or is it possible that just one of those wireless mics might cause the interference.  This was also a small venue, which sits on top of a downstairs dance venue.
One of the tests I used today was to have both my cell and my wife's cell powered and near the recording equipment, but again, did not have any clicking or ticking whatsoever.
I have recorded two prior shows at Tonic, but each time was just core sound cardiods > 1/8" in > MT.  No Neumann's or Mini-me, etc.  Both of those recordings are spotless. 
I will be recording CSNY at Jones Beach on Wednesday, so we'll see how it works in a bigger venue.

[Nick Graham]

One of the tests I used today was to have both my cell and my wife's cell powered and near the recording equipment, but again, did not have any clicking or ticking whatsoever.

Call the cell phones from a land line and see what happens...

[blindman]

Nextel Click Sample

This is what a Nextel phone sounds like when it is too close to the recorder... I dropped my phone in my bag, I thought I had turned it off... but guess I did not... I had headphones on, so as soon as I heard this I grabbed the phone and turned it off.

Dumb.

I had never heard of Corn Mo, I went to see the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, but Corn Mo opened up... fantastic show... very funny... I will have to check the Microtrack I ran as backup to see if it got clicks too.

This sample is from the R-4 source.

I have never heard any phone interrupt electronics like the Nextel phones. I can be driving in the car and know a few seconds early the phone is going to ring... my radio clicks just like you hear on the sample.

Your clicks sound different than the Nextel, I would be curious to know what phone could have made your clicks.

It is totally possible that something being used by the performers at your show caused the clicks, but it would seem unlikely... if there was enough power to disrupt your recorder, then it would probably mess something else up... and would become audible in the PA or the monitors. If it is a peice of gear made for audio use, it would also be designed NOT to make interference... like I said it is possible, but not as likely.

I don't think it is interference at all... sounds like an encoding problem... something in the digitizing... check the drive... something isn't going fast enough to keep up... my guess.

Anyway... hope you figure it out.

good luck.
michael

[danlynch]

I had my first successful (no ticks/clicks) outing with my new rig this past week.  I operated the rig exactly the same as the Tonic gig with the clicks (first post in this topic).  I'm left with the conclusion that I had some unknown interference at that gig.

It was an outdoor show (CSNY at Jones Beach)
I've put the show up on the Dime:
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=110526

[pgoelz]

This probably doesn't help a lot but your ticks sound a lot like an issue I had with my R1.  I had finished a recording and left it powered.  The next time I looked at it, the display was blank so I pressed some buttons and it came back.  I made another couple recordings without power cycling it and the first was OK for about 3 minutes and then began clicking like yours.  The subsequent recordings were all similarly corrupted.  Power cycling it cured it and it never happened again.  The clicks were very similar in sound to yours..... regular clicks followed by a very brief silence or reduction in level.  I think they became near inaudible in silences. 

Paul

[danlynch]

I've now managed to make three successful recordings with my new rig without any clicks/ticks whatsoever.  These were three recordings in different venues, with different settings in the rig. 
At this point, I'm still stumped about the Tonic recording, but left now to thankfully conclude that it was no problem with my rig, and most likely some interference at the venue.

I guess the lesson here is that if you're going to record at Tonic in NYC (they have some outstanding jazz and avante-jazz acts), just be prepared for the possibility that some interference may corrupt your recording.

[ghibliss]

Sounds like an RF shielding issue causing the clicking if it is in fact from a cellphone or other wireless device.  you might be able to eliminate this from happening by utting the recorder in a small lead lined film bag like you would use in to prevent airport X-Rays from damaging the film.