Author Topic: What causes this distortion in my recording? (Read 5341 times)

TheBang · « **on:** June 16, 2009, 06:30:53 AM »

I recently taped Jane's Addiction at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. I noticed that at certain points, I would get periods of distortion. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify what is causing it and how I can avoid it in the future?

Here are a couple samples, unaltered. The distortion in these samples is bracketed by normal sounding sections.

http://www.aloha.com/~tabanger/misc/distortion1.flac
http://www.aloha.com/~tabanger/misc/distortion2.flac

My equipment is CA-14 cardioids > CA-9100 pre-amp > R-09HR (line-in)

I had my R-09HR set to 50/100 gain, which I'm told is unity. I had my CA-9100's knob set to about 10:30-11:00-ish, which had my levels on the R-09 peaking at about -12 dB. The mics were clipped to the top of my hat brim.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dede2002 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2009, 02:06:38 PM »

Quote from: TheBang on June 16, 2009, 06:30:53 AM

I recently taped Jane's Addiction at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. I noticed that at certain points, I would get periods of distortion. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify what is causing it and how I can avoid it in the future?

Here are a couple samples, unaltered. The distortion in these samples is bracketed by normal sounding sections.

http://www.aloha.com/~tabanger/misc/distortion1.flac
http://www.aloha.com/~tabanger/misc/distortion2.flac

My equipment is CA-14 cardioids > CA-9100 pre-amp > R-09HR (line-in)

I had my R-09HR set to 50/100 gain, which I'm told is unity. I had my CA-9100's knob set to about 10:30-11:00-ish, which had my levels on the R-09 peaking at about -12 dB. The mics were clipped to the top of my hat brim.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

At 11:00 position, your CA-9100 was acting like a regular BB. The so called unity:no gain, no attenuation, which makes me ask why were you using a preamp for such loud volume music. Make no mistake: I own and love the CA-9100. But I only use mine for quiet/acoustic stuff.
Anyway, I'd check the battery on your CA-9100. My 0.000002 cents.

nameloc01 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2009, 02:21:34 PM »

^ the pre powers the mics I would guess.

kfrinkle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2009, 02:49:01 PM »

Yeah, I know with my CA setup (CA-14s > CA preamp > MT) I really need the preamp to power the mics, even in loud settings. Need voltage!!!!!!

Dede2002 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:07:49 PM »

Quote from: nameloc01 on June 16, 2009, 02:21:34 PM

^ the pre powers the mics I would guess.

Of course the pre powers the mics. That's not what was curious about.

My question was: why run a preamp at unity gain to tape really loud music and not a regular ( and much smaller) BB. By the mics on the hat I assume a low profile situation.
But that's another issue.
About the distortion, the only thing I can think about is a weak battery.

Dede2002 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:10:50 PM »

Quote from: kfrinkle on June 16, 2009, 02:49:01 PM

Yeah, I know with my CA setup (CA-14s > CA preamp > MT) I really need the preamp to power the mics, even in loud settings. Need voltage!!!!!!

You need voltage indeed.

The same voltage a regular ( and smaller) BB would provide for low profile recording.
I do have a preamp.
But I just can't see the point of taking a bigger peace of gear with me
when I really don't need extra gain.

kfrinkle · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:17:22 PM »

Quote from: Dede2002 on June 16, 2009, 03:10:50 PM

Quote from: kfrinkle on June 16, 2009, 02:49:01 PM
Yeah, I know with my CA setup (CA-14s > CA preamp > MT) I really need the preamp to power the mics, even in loud settings. Need voltage!!!!!!

You need voltage indeed.
The same voltage a regular ( and smaller) BB would provide for low profile recording.
I do have a preamp.
But I just can't see the point of taking a bigger peace of gear with me
when I really don't need extra gain.

Oh I agree completely... I really do wish I had a smaller version for stealthing, but you gotta go with what you got. I actually prefer having the wonderful volume knob on it. For quite some time, I had a cheap-o attenuator between my CMC-8+BB and MT, since even with the MT on L and the volume all the way down, it would overload the MT.

nameloc01 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:33:21 PM »

Why would you have a BB and a pre if the pre can supply power? Makes no sense. I'm guessing he bought the package from Chris Church.

The battery was probably weak or you just happen to get to that point where the mics clipped,or its possible you overloaded your deck.

Belexes · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:49:51 PM »

I am going to go with the majority and say the 9v in the 9100 was dying. What kind of battery in the 9100? Rechargeables are not recommend for it.

Dede2002 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2009, 04:17:43 PM »

Quote from: nameloc01 on June 16, 2009, 03:33:21 PM

Why would you have a BB and a pre if the pre can supply power? Makes no sense. I'm guessing he bought the package from Chris Church.

Why?
For the very same reason you, my friend, have ATu853 (cards/omnis), AT8532s, Denecke PS-2, Denecke AD-20, Sony MZ-RH910 and Sony MZ-M100 (x's 2) : it's always nice to have options

.

Belexes · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2009, 04:54:46 PM »

Gear slut alert!

nameloc01 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2009, 05:39:10 PM »

My point was even if he had a simple BB ..why use that over a pre that will power the mics the same way?

The exact purpose of my gear.. The boxes to power the mics,the 8532s have XLR outs,the PS2 has the miniplug mod..
The PS2 doesn't run through the AD20 well because of the XLR ins,it makes the signal all fucked up..
The 8532s XLR out work great with the AD20s XLR ins..
The reason for the AD20 is to bring a digital signal via the optical cable..
The cards and omnis have obvious applications.

So,its more than just to have options or whatever..everything has a very specific purpose.

Back to topic..meter that battery..and always use new ones.

nameloc01 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2009, 05:42:23 PM »

And I just have 3 decks so I can cut "disc swap" down to a "deck swap" which is at about 4 or 5 seconds.

Dede2002 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2009, 07:04:07 PM »

Quote from: nameloc01 on June 16, 2009, 05:39:10 PM

My point was even if he had a simple BB ..why use that over a pre that will power the mics the same way?

The exact purpose of my gear.. The boxes to power the mics,the 8532s have XLR outs,the PS2 has the miniplug mod..
The PS2 doesn't run through the AD20 well because of the XLR ins,it makes the signal all fucked up..
The 8532s XLR out work great with the AD20s XLR ins..
The reason for the AD20 is to bring a digital signal via the optical cable..
The cards and omnis have obvious applications.

So,its more than just to have options or whatever..everything has a very specific purpose.

Back to topic..meter that battery..and always use new ones.

Nameloc,

Size. If I have to tape under restricted conditions, gear search on the entrance and stuff,
I would run a tinny BB, not a preamp, even the not so big CA-9100.
Most important: if my source is loud already, what's the point of running a preamp at unity gain?
That's all.
And, please, don't take me wrong:I've only mentioned your gear because I think it's a good thing to have the right tools for the right job.
BTW, I wish I have all the stuff you have. Maybe some day.

Take care, friend

nameloc01 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2009, 08:23:43 PM »

I know..I just explained my gear because there's a reason for all of that shit. I was just saying that there's really no reason for him to use a BB in place of his pre..other than size I guess,but I personally don't feel that is really a valid concern 95% of the time..even with the most anti-taping bands. Have a good one.

Dede2002 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2009, 09:37:03 PM »

Quote from: nameloc01 on June 16, 2009, 08:23:43 PM

I know..I just explained my gear because there's a reason for all of that shit. I was just saying that there's really no reason for him to use a BB in place of his pre..other than size I guess,but I personally don't feel that is really a valid concern 95% of the time..even with the most anti-taping bands. Have a good one.

No problem. Take care

TheBang · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2009, 08:19:34 PM »

OK, thanks for the replies.

Yes, I bought the pre in a package from Chris. I don't have a BB. The pre-amp size is not really a concern for me, so I'm fine carrying around the CA-9100 for whatever purpose it needs to serve.

As for the battery, the 9100 takes a 9V. I had an alkaline in there that only had a couple hours use on it. I just metered it, and it's holding steady at 8.7V.

Any other suggestions?

Dede2002 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 18, 2009, 11:10:33 AM »

Quote from: TheBang on June 17, 2009, 08:19:34 PM

OK, thanks for the replies.

Yes, I bought the pre in a package from Chris. I don't have a BB. The pre-amp size is not really a concern for me, so I'm fine carrying around the CA-9100 for whatever purpose it needs to serve.

As for the battery, the 9100 takes a 9V. I had an alkaline in there that only had a couple hours use on it. I just metered it, and it's holding steady at 8.7V.

Any other suggestions?

Call Mr. Church.

Church-Audio · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2009, 11:55:12 AM »

Quote from: TheBang on June 17, 2009, 08:19:34 PM

OK, thanks for the replies.

Yes, I bought the pre in a package from Chris. I don't have a BB. The pre-amp size is not really a concern for me, so I'm fine carrying around the CA-9100 for whatever purpose it needs to serve.

As for the battery, the 9100 takes a 9V. I had an alkaline in there that only had a couple hours use on it. I just metered it, and it's holding steady at 8.7V.

Any other suggestions?

Its really hard to say for sure.... I dont have a dime account so I cant listen to the sample can you host it on a server I can access. Then I can give you my opinion.

Chris

TheBang · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2009, 01:09:39 PM »

Hi Chris,

There are no Dime links for my samples. Here are the links again:

http://www.aloha.com/~tabanger/misc/distortion1.flac
http://www.aloha.com/~tabanger/misc/distortion2.flac

I appreciate your opinion on this.

Thanks

Church-Audio · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2009, 03:02:37 PM »

I suspect a bad cable. It sounds like something is lose somewhere. You can always send the mics for me to look at as well as the 9100.. That's all I can think of it looks like the noise is coming from one side more then the other. That makes me think its not distortion but a bad cable or lose connector I would play with the gear at home with a set of headphones and see by moving the cables if you can duplicate any noises that should not be there.

Chris

TheBang · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2009, 02:20:43 AM »

OK, I'll play with it, and drop you an e-mail if I need to send it to you. Thanks.