Tape Hiss Help?

[runonce]

Okay,

There is no option for me to run optical in on my iRiver... are we sure I can do this?

If I can't what else can I do about this?  My levels are entirely too low. 



I am working on a sample, if any of you would like to take a whack at it and let me know what you did, I would be forever grateful.  Both of the other tapers there last night had rig issues, so I might be the only complete tape.

Samples coming, I will post the original (no gain at all) and the one that I added gain.

Thanks so much again.

Almost certain the 120 has toslink I/O Edit; on re-read, I see you dont mention what model of iriver you are using...that would be helpful info

Pretty sure you just need a toslink cable with a mini-1/8 shaped jeck on one end (the UA5 end is square)

[DMBprez]

Samples:

Clip (no gain)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RS1IQI1B

Clip (w/ 30db of gain)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QH3TNN03



Thanks again, everyone.

[DMBprez]

Sorry, I'm running the h320.

[runonce]

Sorry, I'm running the h320.

Ok - forget the advice about the optical cable...no dig in on the 320.

When you had you levels on the UA5 cranked...were you getting the peak lights to come on at all...?

You sort of want to get the UA5 levels set a certain way - regardless of what you connect to it...you surely dont want to use it to drive the gain stage on a downstream device...

Are you certain your batteries on the UA5 were up to snuff for the new mics? Starting to wonder about power at this point...

Using digital out, the UA5  (when getting low on power) will just conk out on the optical jack....but running analog might result in a slow decay in sound...and a high noise floor as your phantom faded to nothing...(and no peak lights)

[anonymous_user]

I think DAW software has improved -a TINY bit- since the 90s...

No, not necessarily. Late 90's, and most software that's out now has already been around for at least 3 years or more. What I said still applies to the same tools found in Audition 3.0 etc and similar software. They haven't changed much in 5, 7, 10 years, especially with something basic like that. If they could change it that easily then I think it wouldn't have been that way in the first place. You can use minimal settings to try to reduce it, but the slight side effects are still there. And if you catch it, then it becomes obvious and hard to avoid hearing it. I'm sure it can be useful in some situations for some people, however I'm just speaking from personal experience and also from what I've picked up from others over the years.

[runonce]

I think DAW software has improved -a TINY bit- since the 90s...

No, not necessarily. Late 90's, and most software that's out now has already been around for at least 3 years or more. What I said still applies to the same tools found in Audition 3.0 etc and similar software. They haven't changed much in 5, 7, 10 years, especially with something basic like that. If they could change it that easily then I think it wouldn't have been that way in the first place. You can use minimal settings to try to reduce it, but the slight side effects are still there. And if you catch it, then it becomes obvious and hard to avoid hearing it. I'm sure it can be useful in some situations for some people, however I'm just speaking from personal experience and also from what I've picked up from others over the years.

Im familiar with the effect you mentioned earlier...And the Audacity tool will also sound "tinkley" if used too aggressively. Use the "least" setting and work from there.

[DMBprez]

Sorry, I'm running the h320.

Ok - forget the advice about the optical cable...no dig in on the 320.

When you had you levels on the UA5 cranked...were you getting the peak lights to come on at all...?

You sort of want to get the UA5 levels set a certain way - regardless of what you connect to it...you surely dont want to use it to drive the gain stage on a downstream device...

Are you certain your batteries on the UA5 were up to snuff for the new mics? Starting to wonder about power at this point...

Using digital out, the UA5  (when getting low on power) will just conk out on the optical jack....but running analog might result in a slow decay in sound...and a high noise floor as your phantom faded to nothing...(and no peak lights)

I am running the wally batteries for the UA5 and using the 48V phantom power button.  Is that wrong?  My buddy also had a problem with low levels, too and he ran C4's>UA5>iRiver.  I honestly think it might the iRiver, because I have never had any problems running the c4's with the UA5.  His tape, there were low levels, but he put gain on them and it seemed to be okay.  I'll double check. 

[DMBprez]

I was just playing around with a guitar and the mics, and I turned a bunch of gain on the recorder (I had 0 gain on the recorder last night, because I thought that is what I wanted) and turned the UA5 down.  I am going to see if the hiss still exists....

[DMBprez]

Yes,

Still a bunch of hiss.  So this is what I think, I have ruled out the UA5, right?  I turned the levels down, and added gain on the recorder, still a bunch of hiss.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

What exact knob settings are you running on the ua5?

[DMBprez]

What exact knob settings are you running on the ua5?

I only mess with the Sens ones.   The output know was way down, but I don't think that.. would make a difference, right?  That's for headphones, isn't it? Sample rate is 44.8. Rec source is pressed in (digital). Lo-z.
Sens knobs are at ~3/4

[it-goes-to-eleven]

What exact knob settings are you running on the ua5?

I only mess with the Sens ones.   The output know was way down, but I don't think that.. would make a difference, right?  That's for headphones, isn't it? Sample rate is 44.8. Rec source is pressed in (digital). Lo-z.
Sens knobs are at ~3/4

The output was too low, but you didn't think turning the output knob up would help?

1. read the owner's manual for your gear.
2. understand the proper operation of your gear.
3. verify correct operation of all devices by testing at home.

[DMBprez]

What exact knob settings are you running on the ua5?

I only mess with the Sens ones.   The output know was way down, but I don't think that.. would make a difference, right?  That's for headphones, isn't it? Sample rate is 44.8. Rec source is pressed in (digital). Lo-z.
Sens knobs are at ~3/4

The output was too low, but you didn't think turning the output knob up would help?

1. read the owner's manual for your gear.
2. understand the proper operation of your gear.
3. verify correct operation of all devices by testing at home.

OMG, Kanye!

Thanks for the help.  Sorry you had to make me look like a dumbass.  In all fairness though, I didn't get a user manual =)  And have never had problems with my UA5.



Now, anyone willing to take a wack at the hissing?  Or have any idea of what I can do? =(

[kirk97132]

What exact knob settings are you running on the ua5?

I only mess with the Sens ones.   The output know was way down, but I don't think that.. would make a difference, right?  That's for headphones, isn't it? Sample rate is 44.8. Rec source is pressed in (digital). Lo-z.
Sens knobs are at ~3/4

The output was too low, but you didn't think turning the output knob up would help?

1. read the owner's manual for your gear.
2. understand the proper operation of your gear.
3. verify correct operation of all devices by testing at home.

X2

Come on did you even try to find the manual to read it?
Search function is your friend and try reading the stickies like this one:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=14389.0

[Cheesecadet]

Do you have an iriver h120?  If so, the line in doubles as an optical in jack.  That would be the way to go.