On a recent recording I found a major digital buzzing sound throughout a set. A track is linked below, see at around 20 and 45 seconds in for what I have on my recording. Any idea what this is?
I was running AT-853 cards > STC-9200 > Tascam DR-2D. STC-9200 with a brand new Energizer 9V and set at +15db, line input on the DR-2D set to low gain. I recorded several times later in the week with the same 9V and noticed a little bit of digital noise during quiet parts of a show, but nothing like the buzzing sound here. I don't think the rig was overloaded, as the waveform maxed out around-7db. I don't think any plug was pulled accidentally because the waveform usually looks different for that. I do believe the cable connecting the STC-9200 to the Tascam is unshielded if that matters, and I've been using it for taping for a very long time. Perhaps it's time to upgrade that, but I'm worried there is something wrong with my STC-9200. Anyone have any insight or a suggestion on how to go about troubleshooting which piece of gear might be the culprit? Thanks in advance.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/swqcsxcj3avo2j4/DF%201603.flac?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/swqcsxcj3avo2j4/DF%201603.flac?dl=0)
That´s typical and intense cell phone buzz.
Avoid any active mobile phone devices close to your recording equipment. Better turn them off.
Agree - cell phone interference.
Thanks for the quick reply. I've noticed from time to time less intense interference or small digital noises but never anything quite like this. Why would this start happening after I never noticed it as much or as intense as before? Here's another recent recording, is the sound around 2:00 - 2:40 the same thing? Would a better cable or using a battery box instead of a preamp result in less noise? I'm just a little concerned after using the same gear over and over and never having the issue.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/woufacetcr4zok2/trivium2018-07-15t02.at853s.cards.16bit.flac?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/woufacetcr4zok2/trivium2018-07-15t02.at853s.cards.16bit.flac?dl=0)
Here's another example, about 8 seconds in...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dko5kbjmh0vf7fx/jennylewis2018-08-13t15.at853s.omnis.16bit.flac?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/dko5kbjmh0vf7fx/jennylewis2018-08-13t15.at853s.omnis.16bit.flac?dl=0)
Where were phones in your vicinity? I see them all around me at shows, 2' away or so and have yet to have any issues (knock wood) I use dpa omnis, SP battery box and d50 or m10..hope it isn't something I run into
Better shielding in the cables and equipment will help, but it is unlikely that a cell phone 2 ft. away is causing the issue. In my experience, the offending cell phone has to be closer.
Can't say if a BB will do better than a preamp - depends on the shielding, I think. The best thing is to keep your own cell phone away from your gear, or off. From what Chris Church conveyed, a lot of the small interconnects are where the shielding is weak. But, I wouldn't count on his gear being particularly well shielded either.
Definitely the same cell phone interference on that Jenny Lewis sample. That Trivium sample, well, not sure I want to turn it up loud enough to here the noise in the music. I assume it is the same.
I used to have 2 Church preamps at some point, the STC-9000 and the CA-Ugly.
While I never had any issue regarding cellphone noise with the STC-9000, the CA-Ugly
was highly susceptible to cellphone noise. In other words, it's got to have something
to do with the internal shielding / wiring. And, yes, cellphone noise within a distance of 1.5
to 2m was possible. Of course, switching off your own phone or putting it in airplane
mode would be a smart move.
I wonder if using "Faraday" fabric such as this one (or larger) or adapting the fabric to line the inside of a gear bag would help. Seems like a harmless and relatively inexpensive intervention:
https://www.amazon.com/FM1-Signal-Shielding-Fabric-Protection/dp/B01M01SXEY/ref=asc_df_B01M01SXEY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198064086842&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7849711395465873879&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018827&hvtargid=pla-351300477055&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/RFID-Shielding-Silver-Fabric-Roll/dp/B01JBHY7D8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1535868576&sr=1-3&keywords=Faraday+fabric&dpID=51BifaGcRqL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
(Ah, Michael Faraday, we hardly knew ye)
I've charged my cell at festivals basically resting on Tascam P2, and haven't noticed interference problems? Maybe better shielded cables?