Topic: XLR digi noise problem - please help!

[yates7592]

I taped a show last weekend using a pair of Nevaton MCE400's into a brand new recorder. There is some digi noise intermittently in one channel, it occurs at quiet parts in the musc as well as loud, so it's not clipping. It was the first time the mics had been used in a long time. It could possibly be a wiring problem, or does the XLR connector just need cleaning (can they be cleaned?). I always use isopropanol to clean my 1/8" mini plug inputs but wonder whether anything can be used on XLR's?? Any help gratefully received.

[DigiGal]

could be cell phone noise.

[yates7592]

No, I've picked up cell phone noise before using mini plug mics and this sounds nothing like that. It's a fairly noticeable crackling noise, producing large peaks on the waveform, like clipping, but it's not because it occurs in quiet parts as well.

[ScoobieKW]

Cleaning contacts is one step. Swapping channels is another. See if the problem follows the cable. I suspect a break in the cable shielding.

[yates7592]

Thanks for that. Yes I cleaned the contacts with alcohol and has made not a blind bit of difference. I swapped the mics over from one channel to the other and the problem followed that cable/mic, so you may well be right with your cable shield break. Any idea on how to fix this?

[DigiGal]

Thanks for that. Yes I cleaned the contacts with alcohol and has made not a blind bit of difference. I swapped the mics over from one channel to the other and the problem followed that cable/mic, so you may well be right with your cable shield break. Any idea on how to fix this?

Well you have to locate the break in the shield and then cut the cable and reconnect the connector.  Not a big deal if the shield break is near one end or the other.   If the break is in the middle of the cable or there are multiple shied breaks your repaired cable will probably be too short and you'd be better off making or buying a completely new cable. 

A comment on cleaning: alcohol contains water so if using any product containing alcohol be sure the connections dry completely.  Products better than alcohol to clean the connector contacts is stabilant 22 or deoxit gold. 

[yates7592]

Thanks for that. Yes I cleaned the contacts with alcohol and has made not a blind bit of difference. I swapped the mics over from one channel to the other and the problem followed that cable/mic, so you may well be right with your cable shield break. Any idea on how to fix this?

Well you have to locate the break in the shield and then cut the cable and reconnect the connector.  Not a big deal if the shield break is near one end or the other.   If the break is in the middle of the cable or there are multiple shied breaks your repaired cable will probably be too short and you'd be better off making or buying a completely new cable. 

I think I will get someone else to provide a completely new cable. What do I need to specify - just a 'shielded cable', or something more / higher spec than that?

[DigiGal]

I think I will get someone else to provide a completely new cable. What do I need to specify - just a 'shielded cable', or something more / higher spec than that?

If replacing then I'd recommend replacing both cables. 

There are several good cable options, here's a recent cable discussion tread in case you missed it...  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=154728.0