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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: poorlyconditioned on December 31, 2005, 02:27:08 PM

Title: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: poorlyconditioned on December 31, 2005, 02:27:08 PM

I've been listening to some of my AKG 391/393 tapes and I've noticed some unpleasant distortion on the high frequencies.  It is somehow "scratchy", or like simbelence (sp?).  I notice this most when I turn the bass way down and the treble way up on playback.

I can't tell if it is the mics, the PA, or my preamp (edirol UA5 stock).

Is this the "harsh" sound some people complain about., eg., on the AKG C1000?  Hmm.  Maybe I need to go to higher cost mics to fix this.  Maybe I'm growing a more expensive ear :)

Comments?

  Richard

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: bdasilva on December 31, 2005, 05:54:31 PM

Only if you try to use them with a battery box.... They do sound fine with the preamps though.

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: poorlyconditioned on December 31, 2005, 06:47:25 PM

Quote from: bdasilva on December 31, 2005, 05:54:31 PM

Only if you try to use them with a battery box.... They do sound fine with the preamps though.

Hey, you dissing my home-made battery boxes :) :)

Actually, I only notice the scratchiness on certain shows, so I'm thinking it could be the PA.  Or it could be that I'm very close to the speaker (less than six feet), and it is very loud.

I'm very happy with my setup, but I did notice quite a bit on a particular recording.  In fact, it was accentuated when I converted my WAV file to ATRAC to playback on my portable MD.

  Richard

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: bdasilva on December 31, 2005, 07:30:04 PM

Mic builders rule.... Just givin' yo shit.  I need a set of 91 caps... keep ypur eyes open.   Bought the Mackie (12 + 2 for 14 channesl) Some shows just sound likr that.  Happy Ney Year. Be Happy     Brian

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: aberg on December 31, 2005, 07:42:25 PM

Yeah man, those homemade active AKG's are impressive. If you're going to any cool shows in TO soon, let me know. I might make a little trip.

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: treydaman on January 12, 2006, 03:35:12 PM

I  think you need a pair of mic pads or audio attenuators as they are called..

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: poorlyconditioned on January 12, 2006, 03:46:05 PM

Quote from: treydaman on January 12, 2006, 03:35:12 PM

I  think you need a pair of mic pads or audio attenuators as they are called..

Yeah, thanks for the tip.  I might try that.  Some of these condensers have very hight outputs. The other option I'm considering is going line in.

 Richard

Title: Re: AKG 391/393 sound: high freq. "scratchy"/"harsh" distortion?
Post by: grider on January 12, 2006, 04:05:23 PM

Quote from: poorlyconditioned on January 12, 2006, 03:46:05 PM

Quote from: treydaman on January 12, 2006, 03:35:12 PM

I  think you need a pair of mic pads or audio attenuators as they are called..

Yeah, thanks for the tip.  I might try that.  Some of these condensers have very hight outputs. The other option I'm considering is going line in.

 Richard

no  I never noticed that problem when I ran 393's, not once; as for attenuators, I believe the AKG mics have an attenuator switch on the body of the mic, I know the 480's do, to use when super close to the amps/stacks/monitors