Topic: What could cause weird digital noise on my R09HR recordings? (with sample)

[tapersaregeeks]

I recorded a Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks show the other night and there are some strange, annoying sounds that pop up occasionally.

I was using CA-14 omni mics with CA-UGLY battery box, Church cable to Edirol R09HR.

I am new to using battery boxes and I never heard these noises on my recordings before so I assumed maybe it had something to do with the CA-UGLY or the cable.

Last night I recorded another show with the same setup except this time I used the CA 9100 battery box and I had the same noises.

The night before though when I used the CA 9100 there was no noise in my recordings which leads me to believe that it's the R09-HR which is causing the problem.

Here's a 3mb sample: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UV4XOIIS

Has anyone else had this problem or know what might be causing it?

[tapersaregeeks]

Ok I figured out it's cell phones that cause that noise cuz of this thread:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138084.0

and this one:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=136039.0

I have an iphone.

So I'm gonna turn my phone off at shows from now on but what about the people next to me?!

I wonder if this happens with analog?

I might have to go back to recording with tapes!

[adrianf74]

Ok I figured out it's cell phones [edited to save pixels].  I have an iphone.

So I'm gonna turn my phone off at shows from now on but what about the people next to me?!

I might have to go back to recording with tapes!

Phone OFF or in AIRPLANE mode if you must keep it on.  Has to do with the shielding on either the mics or the battery box but sometimes there's nothing you can do because somebody else nearby has a phone up and running.  It will happen with ANALOG if you're using this gear as well.

[newplanet7]

It also happens right at the deck portion of the gear chain.
I do believe that;s where I was burned. It's really simple to test out at home and I suggest everyone does.
Just set up your gear as you would at said dhow, be it open on a stand or SLEATH**   
Hit record make a call out and slowly and methodically bring it from the mics to the deck covering every part of the chain.

**So stealth it needs to be misspelled just in case someone is reading.

[F.O.Bean]

Hmmmm, I just acquired a 9100 preamp, and I really hope I dont have this unfortunate problem Never had a problem w/ my SP BB tho, so I doubt its the Preamp/BB. Must be poorly shielded cables or the recorder!

[achalsey]

I've only been called a few times while recording but so far haven't had any interference with the CA-14 > 9100 > h120.  Though, granted I don't stealth so the phone was always at least a foot away from the gear.

[F.O.Bean]

the phone was always at least a foot away from the gear.

Same here! Who knows then!?!?

[newplanet7]

Not sure why it happens when it does Bean.
It's happened to me once. Which is not really that big of a deal considering
the amount of times one records. Surely there has been cell phone activity around the rig many times.
WHY IT GETS THROUGH ONE TIME IS A MYSTERY.

But seriously, try what I suggest tomorrow. Hold it right up to the mics then cables and pre and deck. Each section,
dial up a new call. It seems to happen to most people when sending or receiving not after connection.
I found it came through the deck when I tried it. Record and play it back with headphones.

[TimeBandit]

My church gear hasn't any problems with cell phones (9100 pre, ca14) and tascam dr-07 recorder. Even now in venues lots people use their cell phones for taking photos or videoing so lots of them are not in flight mode i guess.

Maybe it's your edirol which doesnt like that, set up year gear with a different recorder at home and do the test like above suggested again. if it's still present exchange every single part of your gear chain (cables does also count!) and do the test again until the interferences doens't appear to find out the faulty part.

be sure you keep your phone in a different bag and in a different place on your body then anything of your gear and important: use only shielded wires in your chain.

[adrianf74]

My church gear hasn't any problems with cell phones (9100 pre, ca14) and tascam dr-07 recorder. Even now in venues lots people use their cell phones for taking photos or videoing so lots of them are not in flight mode i guess.

Maybe it's your edirol which doesnt like that, set up year gear with a different recorder at home and do the test like above suggested again. if it's still present exchange every single part of your gear chain (cables does also count!) and do the test again until the interferences doens't appear to find out the faulty part.

be sure you keep your phone in a different bag and in a different place on your body then anything of your gear and important: use only shielded wires in your chain.

I had some hits with my older R09 back in 2010 when I first got my CA-14 cards and the 9100.  I also had hits this past summer using the CA-14 omnis and the 9100 with an M10 so it's NOT the deck.

When I originaly inquired about this, Chris told me it's the mics (and how they are built) than can pick up the interference.  Having properly shielded cables is a must but with any small mic, you're bound to get noise the way people text, chat and use their phones these days at concerts.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

http://www.zdnet.com/news/faq-the-411-on-radio-frequency-interference/157867

The cell phone interference issue seems to be a bigger problem for people using certain carrier networks. Why?


It's true, customers on AT&T/Cingular, T-Mobile and the old Nextel networks experience this problem more frequently than those on Verizon Wireless and Sprint networks. The reason is that AT&T/Cingular, T-Mobile and Nextel use cell phone technologies that use a radio channel access method known as TDMA (time division multiple access).

Verizon and Sprint's network use a technology called CDMA (code division multiple access). It does not use TDMA for sharing channels. CDMA transmitters are transmitting signals almost constantly, so they don't cause the interference buzz.

[adrianf74]

http://www.zdnet.com/news/faq-the-411-on-radio-frequency-interference/157867

That was a very insightful/helpful article (and well stated).  Thanks for sharing.

[tapersaregeeks]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback!

[dorrcoq]

Or - and I know this is close to blasphemy - you could just leave your fucking cell phones at home.

[Ziggz]

Or - and I know this is close to blasphemy - you could just leave your fucking cell phones at home.

Yep! I travelled with a friend to a gig (a several hour journey), and he spent half the friggen show texting some chick. Waste of time and money. Turn it off!!