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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: save on November 24, 2003, 12:12:45 AM

Title: what caused this dropout?
Post by: save on November 24, 2003, 12:12:45 AM

i have a few dropouts during a recording i recently made...any idea what caused it?

http://216.194.80.241/mp3/dropout.mp3

Title: Re:what caused this dropout?
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on November 24, 2003, 12:44:43 AM

Tell us ALL of the equipment you were using at the time.

MIKE B

Title: Re:what caused this dropout?
Post by: save on November 24, 2003, 07:04:44 AM

audix scx-one > BLUE xlr cables > ua-5 (pmod) > hosa coax cable > oade 7-pin > sony d100

Title: Re:what caused this dropout?
Post by: dklein on November 24, 2003, 12:53:22 PM

My guess is some sort of interruption on the digital cable.  Perhaps a weak connection that got jiggled?

Why?

The timing is still good (the beat flows smoothly) so it wasn't likely a DAT recording/playback problem - that tends to mess up the timing.  Sounds like the DAT recorded without a hitch.

Both channels were affected equally - not likely a mic or mic cable problem as left and right run independently.

There is a slight timing gap in the signal start between left and right - I've seen this when digital signals are 'getting started'

Hook up your UA-5 to a line signal and monitor through headphone on the dat.  Play with your coax and 7 pin to see if you can recreate it.

Title: Re:what caused this dropout?
Post by: plucks on November 24, 2003, 01:20:17 PM

Usually dropouts are hard to exactly target.
They can usually be associated with the DAT in this case after listening to your sample.  Often times dropouts from the DATs can be caused from a few variables:
the DAT heads can be dirty, there could be a misalignment, the tape could have an error in it.
Dropouts do happen when the recorder cannot process the information correctly.  Same for diginoise.  
It is possible, however, to have a dropout occur on one deck, but on another deck the tape can be "clean"

Phil

Title: Re:what caused this dropout?
Post by: save on November 24, 2003, 06:28:11 PM

i think it may be the digital cable.  i was having problems figuring out my ua-5 (don't ask) since this was my first time using it.  so i plugged and unplugged it quite a few times before getting everything figured out.  then when i went to unplug it and the digital cable connector broke.  

i dont think it is the dat b/c it has low hrs on it....under 100....so my guess is it's the cable.  i'll do some more test to see if i can pinpoint the problem when i get some more time.

thanks for all the comments!

peace,
justin

Title: Re:what caused this dropout?
Post by: blu666z on November 25, 2003, 02:12:04 AM

Quote from: stoopidstp on November 24, 2003, 06:28:11 PM

i went to unplug it and the digital cable connector broke.  

Sounds like you found your culprit!

-Kevin