Topic: Static problem help?

[oscoastierob]

During the last show I recorded http://www.archive.org/details/um2007-03-22.flac16 I started picking up random static clicks during the second set. The entire first set is fine but about 20 minutes into the second set I started picking up the static which became more frequent as the show progressed. Any thoughts on what might be causing the problem? I'm running AKG C1000S-> Hydra Silver XLRs-> Denecke AD20 -> Optical -> JB3. I had fresh 9V batteries in the AKGs at the beginning of the show, and even turned them off at set break to reserve power. I'm running the ad20 off of a power runner 2300 battery and the jb3 off of it's two internals. And I have a brand new monster cable optical cable. Any thoughts as to what is happening?

[T.J.]

sample?

[oscoastierob]

well that link above has the entire show. but here's a song http://www.archive.org/download/um2007-03-22.flac16/um2007-03-22d3t04.flac for a sample

[T.J.]

oops...didn't notice the link. i'll take a listen now.

[T.J.]

after listening to most of the second set, i would guess it's a faulty optical cable. i had problems when i used to patch with a monster cable optical cable. the drop-out may also be an effect of a bad opti-cable. if it were me i would try and recreate the problem at home with full rig set up. wiggle the opti-cable while recording and see if you can recreate the problem. good luck!

btw: otherwise the source is great! thanks for taping this exceptional performance. +T

[JoeKiller]

I agree with T.J.  Most static that I encounter is from the digital input being jostled around.  Make sure that junks is in there tight and don't move it.

[T.J.]

although i never experienced this with my JB3's this could be another solution if you find the optical cable you are using is working properly. taken from the JB3 FAQ:

[265] My stereo mini or optical mini connector doesn't quite fit properly in the female mini jack, what can I do?

Some users report poor results from stereo mini or optical mini connectors that don't quite fit properly in the female mini jack.  Low levels, mono signal, drop-outs, etc., may all be symptoms of this problem.  To ensure you don't have this problem, make sure your mini connector clicks firmly into the female mini jack.  Unless the mini connector clicks firmly into the female mini jack, you may encounter this problem in the field.  There are at least two solutions:

    * Buy a different stereo or optical mini plug and see if it fits better
    * Use a Dremel or similar tool to sand down the plastic casing which prevents some mini connectors from seating properly in the female jack.  Thanks to David Klein for the directions paraphrased here (for David's complete set of directions with pictures, see http://ca.geocities.com/dkleined@rogers.com/audio/:
          o place a piece of masking tape over the female mini jack
          o put a tapered grinding tip on your Dremel
          o hold the NJB3 firmly and start to grind down the plastic
          o be careful not to grind the white input jack itself!
          o stop and use your finger to feel the ridge to tell when you're close to grinding the plastic flush with the face of the jack
          o clean off the NJB3
          o remove the masking tape

[oscoastierob]

Thanks for the help guys! That was actually a brand spanking new optical cable, but I'm going to set up my rig and tinker with it and see if I can figure out what the issue is. The reason for the drop out was because I powered the mics down because I thought maybe it was them. Trying to trouble shoot in the middle of a jam like that one was frustrating because I didn't want to miss anything.

[sml42]

    * Use a Dremel or similar tool to sand down the plastic casing which prevents some mini connectors from seating properly in the female jack.  Thanks to David Klein for the directions paraphrased here (for David's complete set of directions with pictures, see http://ca.geocities.com/dkleined@rogers.com/audio/:

I second this. Managed to lose a recording to this exact problem (although I was running line-in and not optical-in). It only takes a minute or two to make the mod. Highly recommended.

[oscoastierob]

i'm not grinding down my jb3, the plug fits into it perfectly..

[Kevin]

did the cable solve the problem? 

I know ive had static with the SPDIF cable connection on the mini-me and had to get an AES>SPDIF connector for a tighter connection which solved my issue.  Those optical cables are sensitive and have to be taken care of...

[oscoastierob]

It wasn't the cable, any other ideas?

[Kevin]

Try setting everything up and testing each piece one by one.  Is there static on the left and right channels?

[momule]

It wasn't the cable, any other ideas?

You dont need to mod the Jb3 if your using optical in.  Only if using line in.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but theres about a 99.999% chance the cable is your prob.  My bet is that the connection wiggled itself loose on either end of the cable.  Its a classic case.   

I'll take a look at your file here in a few minutes when it finishes up. 
Ya can fix static most of the time. Drop outs however are a whole nother ball game. 

[momule]

here is a sample of the old and new tracks.  With the static fixed.
You could really use some more gain on your pre or simply turn it up. I had to add quite a bit of gain/compression just to bring it to a "normal" listening volume. 

http://www.yousendit.com/download/M3BrY050dENlM1EwTVE9PQ