Topic: computer beeps in recordings......no computer in rig.....

[phrazelle]

ok, im running dual mxl 993's -> (monster cable xlrs) wmod ua-5 -> (s\pdif cable right angle adapters on both sides) marantz pmd-670.  i just got the wmod and thought id road test it at the local tuesday night blues jam.  everything looked ok, slight peak flashes on the ua-5, and the meter on the marantz never pushed over 0db.  but when i got home, there is two spots that make this weird computer garggle for a sec or 2.  it doesnt sound like a clip to me, but i dont know my ua-5 yet either.  could the mod have problems?  is it the digi-in selection on the pmd-670?  or do i just have the levels too high on the mics and thats what the clip sounds like?  help a brother out 

[Brian Skalinder]

Can you post an MP3 sample of the "computer gargle"?

[phrazelle]

this is from the first 11 secs of recording, so the dbs are low, but you get the picture.  it only does it one other place, and the dbs are a lot cloaser to 0 which is what originally made me think it was a clip, but with the dbs so low at the start, it makes me wonder...

[Brian Skalinder]

Thanks for the sample.  I've never heard anything quite like it!

I believe it is NOT:

• clipping
• brickwalling
• the UA5 mod

Which leaves...the PMD-670 as the likely culprit.  Perhaps it was having trouble writing to its media for some reason.

Are you able to reproduce the problem at home while testing?
Are you running analog or digital into the PMD-670?

[phrazelle]

it hasnt happened before it.  im taping yonder on sunday, so well see if it happens again.  im running a s/pdif cable from the ua-5 to the pmd-670.  this is the first session that i ran digi though.

[BobW]

Any chance that it was RF-related.  Anyone using a cellphone, or particualrly, a Nextel nearby ?
The pattern of pulses reminds me of a Nextel "handshake", but I usually hear it as a speaker thump.

[pfife]

It sounds to me like it isn't just computer beeps - sounds like there is skipping in there too...  me thinks its a problem with writing to the media...

[phrazelle]

i would have to agree that it just sounds like computerized problems.  like i first said, "computer garggle".  i just hope the pmd-670 doesnt demonstrate this characteristic more frequently........ill let you guys know after yonder on sunday    +T's all around, thanks for the input

[Tall Adam]

id be interested to hear those mics. they look like theyd sound similar to luxes or maybe c4s as theyre also chinese in manufacture i would guess...hope your diginoise goes away, i listend but had no clue so didnt pipe up.

[creekfreak]

I have had a few sounds like using my lappie and a firewire audiophille, happen when the lappie loses sync with the firewire audiophile, sounds very similar, maybe dropping samples or lost sync with the ua5?

[phrazelle]

i ran a patch at yonder, so i didnt get to try everything together again, but, the signal was sbd -> w-mod ua-5 -> pmd-670, and there are no problems.  lets just hope this was an isolated incident 

[cleantone]

Well, I've never heard anything exactly like that before. Likely the PMD, but there is a chance it was cellphone interference! That can happen though when I have heard it, it's not quite like that. Very strange.

[Tall Adam]

cell phone interference has a very distinct sound to it. its got its own rythm. thats not it. (or at least all the cell phone interference ive heard)

[cleantone]

(or at least all the cell phone interference ive heard)

Yeah, like I said it could be, It's not like I've heard either but I wouldn't rule it out. I've heard lots of different flaws but this one is new to me.

By the way, I've been done with that recording. I have been trying to figure out details of setlist etc... I was in Burlington all weekend and have been a little busy. I will FTP that to you this week though. I'll be seeing Brad and Andrew tonight. Maybe I can get some song info. I recognize a lot of it but no titles come to mind. I was thinking bout calling the files "loft2005-01-22" No other name really works.

[Tall Adam]

awesome! PM me when your set to send. loft2005-01-22 sounds good