Topic: Too low for comfort...

[macroint]

http://www.purevolume.com/macroint

The last track is titled "Peluso Horror"...I taped this afternoon and this is a snippet (about 1:30) of between set music. I was using the ck21 subcards and I was set at -10db (the hz setting was at 0). It sounds REALLY low (abnormally low) and at 0:57 I added +10db and it had MINIMAL effect on the volume. Was it the db setting that fucked up this recording? Can it be fixed with Soundforge? I'd like to salvage something, but everything sounds like this sample.

EDIT: Oh yeah, for some reason, I lost the signal on the mics during one band's set and the only way to get it back was to unplug everything and re-plug. I also unplugged the battery pack and inserted a 9v each in the AD-20 and PS-2, in case the pack was the problem. Could the Peluso mics be sucking more power out of the PS-2, resulting in the low recording?

I used the mics and same caps last week, same outside conditions, and last week's came out no problems...the only thing different is I had the -10db set (don't ask why)...but even if I add +10db back, the shit is still way low.

[Brian Skalinder]

My first suspicion:  low PS-2 battery.  Did you un- and re-plug everything at the same time you swapped batteries, or separately?  If separately, which seemed to solve the problem:  un- and re-plugging, or swapping in fresh batteries, or both?

[macroint]

My first suspicion:  low PS-2 battery.  Did you un- and re-plug everything at the same time you swapped batteries, or separately?  If separately, which seemed to solve the problem:  un- and re-plugging, or swapping in fresh batteries, or both?

Same time, batteries were last...but the problem wasn't solved. The recordings are equally low whether the PS-2 was powered by battery pack or 9v (all of which were completely charged). I recently (a month back) replaced the rechargeables I use, so it's not like the rechargeables are old.

[Brian Skalinder]

Same time, batteries were last...but the problem wasn't solved. The recordings are equally low whether the PS-2 was powered by battery pack or 9v (all of which were completely charged). I recently (a month back) replaced the rechargeables I use, so it's not like the rechargeables are old.

I've had exceedingly unreliable experiences with 9v rechargeables before, hence my first suspicion.  What external battery pack are you using?  With the external pack, did you insert the PS-2 (and AD-20) plug -before- connecting the battery?  Connecting battery and -then- inserting the PS-2 plug may short out the PS-2 (not sure, but maybe the AD-20, also), so I hope that's not what happened.

Are you able to duplicate at home using fresh alkalines or alternate power source?  Do you have the gear to isolate the AD-20 and PS-2 to test each individually at home?  Tried with and without the -10 dB pads (no idea why that would matter...but, I'm no tech-expert)?

[macroint]

Connecting battery and -then- inserting the PS-2 plug may short out the PS-2 (not sure, but maybe the AD-20, also), so I hope that's not what happened.

Ugh! I hope that's not it either...but you might have it. I'll check...thanks.

[macroint]

Are you able to duplicate at home using fresh alkalines or alternate power source? 

My playback's not THAT good...but I can't duplicate the problem I was having yesterday. Set up the mics, used both the sub and hypers, used regular 9v, rechargeable 9v, battery pack, even with/without the windscreens, and ALL the recordings sound completely normal on normal settings.

Did everything with setting at -10db and the sound is normal, no where near as low as yesterday.

I'm gonna tape tonight and hope yesterday was an isolated incident (though I'd prefer to know why in case I can prevent it from happening).

[George]

Wow, that is a very low recording.  I had to turn the volume up all the way on my pc speakers and I have never turned them up past half way. 

Good luck with tonight, let us know how it turns out!

[macroint]

Good luck with tonight, let us know how it turns out!

No problems Sunday night...taped three bands' sets and all had normal volume levels. Not sure why Saturday's attempts failed, but, hopefully, it won't occur again.

[stirinthesauce]

+t for your troubles.  fyi, I run my -10db pad almost exclusively and have never noticed a problem.  Hope your problem doesn't occur again.