Topic: So this is really weird...

[pfife]

First off, here's my gear:

TL's -> UA-5 (W-Mod)->NJB3

Here's my situation:

Last Saturday, I took the above mentioned rig to a local place by my house to do some taping of some locals and touring bands.  I set up the rig.  I am watching the meters on the JB3, and the right channel keeps cutting out on the display.  So I get pissed, tear down the rig, and grab my stealth stuff, and record that way.

Yesterday, I was going to go tape again at another local bar, but I remembered that I had these issues, so I set the rig up again in my living room, and monitor the levels while playing my stereo really loud.  No problems - seemed to be acting normally on the meters.

Then, I take it to the bar, set it up, and same problem!!!  Even though I had set it up and tested it before I left, I tend to fall victim to Murphy's law quite often, so I brought a spare mic cable, thinking that was the issue.  I changed cords, and now there is no right channel whatsoever.  So, I was pissed, tore down the rig, and stealthed that mug.

So, WTF?  I am going to test out every component of my rig using my other home studio gear, but I have this cynical feeling that I could set up my rig to record my stereo at a loud volume again, and see no malfunctioning whatsoever.

Thanks for any suggestions you guys may have...

peace-
Andrew

[Chanher]

sometimes it's such a hassle to set up for all that testing, but I think it's worth it. also, try recording your stereo as loud as it can possibly go.

[Brian]

are you using your own power supplies? did you have all your gear situated(ie. in bag or on table)  the same way at home as you did at the bar? are you using all the same cables you did at home as you did in the bar?

lots of variables here we need to sort out before we can determine a problem.  i'm thinking a faulty xlr connection somewhere in the chain; either at the mic, the cable itself, or your right channel on the UA5.

did you digi mod the unit yourself? i think i remember somebody on the board complaining of a similar problem after they did the digi mod himself.

Brian

[pfife]

Thanks for the replies.  

I did use all of the exact same gear in the home test as I did at the bar, and I even set the mics up in the same config (hypthosizing that it was tension on the XLRs at the mics that might be causing the problem) ;  I switched the cable at the bar, and that made it even worse!

I did build a battery pack for the ua-5, and I used that in my home test as well, and used the same one at the bar.

That's the thing I don't understand though, is that I tested it trying to control for as many things as possible.  The only real difference was that at home I had the UA-5 on my coffee table, and at the bar it was on the mic case... I maybe that could change the tension on the inputs of the UA-5, but when I wiggle those, it does nothing...


I didn't mod it myself - I bought it w/ the digimod and w-mod from Oade in October or November, and I bought the TL's from Sonic Sense in December... so I would imagine its all under warranty still...

bummin...

thanks!
~AP

[BCostigan]

Sounds like maybe one of the xlr connectors on either the mic or ua-5 has a problem....did ya try swapping the mics/cables to see what happens??    

Try seeting it up and if the right channel is messed up.....swap the mics.  If there is still a problem with the right channel swap cables.....at this point if you still have a problem with the right channel (and the left is OK) then your problem is between the ua-5 and the deck.


Process of elimination....pain in the ass but essential!

[Lee]

check and make sure the impedance switch on the UA-5 is set for "LO-Z."  It only affects channel 2's input, so if it got bumped that would explain it.  Good luck.

[BCostigan]

check and make sure the impedance switch on the UA-5 is set for "LO-Z."  It only affects channel 2's input, so if it got bumped that would explain it.  Good luck.

I didn't  know that....nice Lee!

[pfife]

great suggestions!  I will be trying all of them!

+t's

[teajay]

check and make sure the impedance switch on the UA-5 is set for "LO-Z."  It only affects channel 2's input, so if it got bumped that would explain it.  Good luck.

I didn't  know that....nice Lee!

BCostigan,
Hi-Z is for high impedance inputs like a guitar or something... in case you really cared

[1st set only]

hmmmmm

how bout this...
is your stealth rigs recording device diffrent than the jb3?

could be yer optical cable not seating properly in the jb3.

try the problem set up in the bar or where ever you are having the problems and switch between the analog input and the opti cable input.


just a thought.

[caymanreview]

isnt the hi-z and lo-z switch and the 1/4" input disabled by oade when it is warm/presence modded?

[BCostigan]

check and make sure the impedance switch on the UA-5 is set for "LO-Z."  It only affects channel 2's input, so if it got bumped that would explain it.  Good luck.

I didn't  know that....nice Lee!

BCostigan,
Hi-Z is for high impedance inputs like a guitar or something... in case you really cared

Thanks but I did know that....just didn't know the switch only effected the right channel.

[teamakg]

isnt the hi-z and lo-z switch and the 1/4" input disabled by oade when it is warm/presence modded?

i believe so.  have had the switch in both positions and noticed no difference on my wmod

[pfife]

Once again everyone - thanks for the assistance.  I am pretty sure I have narrowed this little dilema down to one of my mics not working properly.

I took my TL's, and hooked them up to my mackie mixer, which is hooked to my digital multitracker.   I was getting a reading from one mic, and the other was not registering.  I unhooked the one that was not working, and plugged another crappy condenscer mic into the same cable (thus, controlling everything except the mic)  - and ZAM!  signal.  

I am concluding that one of my TL's is the issue...  ;(

So, now I am going to have to try to get them exchanged... purchased them in December from Sonic Sense, so hopefully it won't be a problem.  Maybe this is a blessing in disguise... I have been thinking about going solely stealth lately, so I might exchange them for some really nice stealth mics or something...

Wish me luck!

[zhianosatch]

STEALTH, BABY! STEALTH OR DIE!

[mirth]

isnt the hi-z and lo-z switch and the 1/4" input disabled by oade when it is warm/presence modded?

Yes, and for us stock UA-5 folks - the switch only comes into play if you're using the 1/4" inputs.

[JAH]

Grimlins like these can kick our asses for a long time.  Mark one set of everything (from mic to recorder)w/ a red (or color of choice) and make that the right channel (or left..just be consistant). Then when it happens  start eliminating parts by switch ing them to the other channel and see if it tracks.....fisrt off, just switch input to the recorder or ADC (whatever is the last of the analog path)...did the falid channel switch to the other channel? yes then most likely problem w/ the last analog box.  NO, then reswap cables to orig config and move up the line and switch L&R cable.....and so on.....
This may have to be done when you exhibit the problem....like at a show but you need to do it when it rears its ugly head.

hope you figure it out.

peace
jah

[HydroPANIC]

Hey JAH,

Sounds like you've had a lot of practice with the old cable swapping.... hehehe

[JAH]

ya on got that shit down and fixed (I hope)

[Tim]

So, now I am going to have to try to get them exchanged... purchased them in December from Sonic Sense, so hopefully it won't be a problem.  Maybe this is a blessing in disguise... I have been thinking about going solely stealth lately, so I might exchange them for some really nice stealth mics or something...

please let us know how this transaction works out for you!

[pfife]

So, now I am going to have to try to get them exchanged... purchased them in December from Sonic Sense, so hopefully it won't be a problem.  Maybe this is a blessing in disguise... I have been thinking about going solely stealth lately, so I might exchange them for some really nice stealth mics or something...

please let us know how this transaction works out for you!

So far, I called Sonic Sense, and they gave me the contact for 'Larry' (who is at ADK, I believe).  I have yet to call him, but I have read on TS that he is a pretty good dude to have to work with, so I am not too pessimistic about it.  Besides... I bought the mugs like 3 monts ago!  gotta be under warranty.

[teajay]

yah, Larry's a great guy to deal with. He'll keep you well informed w/ phone calls and emails throughout the whole process. He's actually the CEO of ADK too, isn't he? Co-founder as well..

Good luck, but since you have to go through ADK instead of sonic sense for your warranty work, i guess you won't be able to trade them for a pair of stealths will you? Which is too bad if that's what you wanted....

Travis

[pfife]

yah, Larry's a great guy to deal with. He'll keep you well informed w/ phone calls and emails throughout the whole process. He's actually the CEO of ADK too, isn't he? Co-founder as well..

Good luck, but since you have to go through ADK instead of sonic sense for your warranty work, i guess you won't be able to trade them for a pair of stealths will you? Which is too bad if that's what you wanted....

Travis

Yeah.  If they fix them, then I might either keep them, or try to sell them.  If I get a new set out of the deal, I can prolly sell them for close to the same price that Sonic Sense does (maybe a little less... ) and get some stealths.

I have been wavering on getting rid of them, partly because they really smoke in the home studio setting as well.  They are, by far, the best mics I have in my small, but growing, collection...

Also, I do have a stealth setup right now, and I am about to get an AD-20.  Before the AD-20, I was using the A/D on the JB3, w/o a preamp, so I have a feeling that the AD-20 is really going to improve my stealth recordings, so I might have less motivation to move the TL's.

But this is prolly wishful thinking, cause my stealth mics are crap.  Usable, and enjoyable, but crap.

[pfife]

Now I need some opinions.

I spoke with Larry, and yes, he is a great guy.  He said I really have two options:

1) I could just have them ship one out, and I would ship the one that I have back.  This would, of course, mean that I don't have a stereo matched set - but from him, and several other sources, the QC is really good, and they would be really damn close... or...

2) I can send the one in and get repaired.  This would take longer, but I would have the matched set.

What do you guys think?  Maybe relevant - I almost exclusively record loud music in venues that are really crappy acoustically.

[Brian Skalinder]

Now I need some opinions.

I spoke with Larry, and yes, he is a great guy.  He said I really have two options:

1) I could just have them ship one out, and I would ship the one that I have back.  This would, of course, mean that I don't have a stereo matched set - but from him, and several other sources, the QC is really good, and they would be really damn close... or...

2) I can send the one in and get repaired.  This would take longer, but I would have the matched set.

What do you guys think?  Maybe relevant - I almost exclusively record loud music in venues that are really crappy acoustically.

I would propose a third solution:

ADK ships you a new one.  You ship the busted one to ADK.  ADK repairs the busted one.  ADK ships the busted one back.  You ship the temporary replacement back to ADK.

That way, there's no downtime for you, and you still maintain your matched set.  Doesn't hurt to ask - if he says no, you're no worse off.

[pfife]

Now I see this tread, and I think I might not actually have a matched set...  I got them from Sonic Sense, for $695... I was under the impression that they were matched, but apparently they arent?

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=16007

[Tim]

so Sonic Sense has been selling "matched" sets of ADK's that aren't actually matched?

sounds about right

[pfife]

resolution??

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=16102