When recording vocals through SM57or sennhesiers through desk and onto drive I sometimes hear a tizzing/crackling in the background.It's also apparent when recording a triangle and even a gong.The obvious culprits like overloading the inputs and signal to recorder are not to blame but I suspect perhaps choice of compression parameters may be to blame.Any help and comments taken on board.

Best,

Beettie

Maybe you need some contact spray, could just be the xlr input on the desk needs a little spray (electric contact cleaner).

If its on both mics I seriously doubt its both mics being shot, I would try cleaning contacts on the desk and see if that improves the situation.

oh btw make sure you having nothing else in the signal chain and break it down so.

1st attempt Mic into Desk (monitor from desk)
2nd attempt - Mic into Desk and Desk into Computer (monitor from comp)
3rd attempt Mic into Desk, Desk to Compressor and into Computer (monitor from comp)

then you can actually work out the piece of equipment that is letting you down

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There is nothing Grim about this Reaper
We Fell From The Sky

Edited by Henry-S (04/06/07 11:22 PM)

Quote Beettie:

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I suspect perhaps choice of compression parameters may be to blame.Any help and comments taken on board.

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There isn't enough inforamtion to be able to help really. A short audio excerpt of the noise might help, but there are countless possibilities.

I'm intrigued as to why yuo think compression might be to blame though. Care to tell us what you are using and what the parameters are?

hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

I wouldn't think compression would have anything to do with it unless your compressed signal is clipping. In that case, the distortion you're speaking of wouldn't be in the background, but right over top of things. My first guess would be that the preamps are not up to snuff, but as it's been said, it could be anything. Contact spray might do the trick.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for replies.

Now the details.I'm using a Tascam DM24 hooked to an Alesis HD24XR with ADAT lightpipe connections.
I did further tests this evening and have eliminated compression;the reason I suspected compression is that on monitoring a recorded vocal,changing the compression via the Tascam's library of preset compression's,the crackling also changed in intensity.I recorded a few notes using a Roland Fanton workstation.I chose the flute voicing and everything sounded fine through the desk prior to recording.I switched off the compression and gate.Keeping the input gain to less than -12db on the desk monitor and on the Alesis,I recorded the few notes.On playback the crackling is there.To eliminate the possible xlr connection problem,this tizzing has occurred on any of the 16 inputs of the desk but it is most apparent when recording higher frequencies above 500hz and especially the female voice.Please also note that as it's all digital and hardware based using 44.1kh sampling throughout.I would love to upload a recording of the problem by way of link but I don't know how to do that yet.To re-iterate,the tizzyness usually can be 'lost in the mix' but to the trained ear it's there alright and when asked to isolate all tracks leaving the vocal part it is a huge problem.As I said,when monitoring prior to recording all is fine,but after recording and then monitoring the problem is there.Between the desk and the Alesis I have used various outputs from the stereo buss to the direct outs and all results are the same.These two pieces of kit are well tested and matched so I'm at a loss!

Best wishes,

Beettie.

It sounds like it is a clocking issue between the desk and recorder. During record, the recorder needs to be slaved to the desk which should provide the master clock. On playback, the default would be for the recorder to run on its own clock, whcih will be different to that of the desk, and hence produce clicks and fizzes. The answer is to make sure that the recorder is always slaved to the desk's clock., either via the ADAT connection or, better still, via a wordclock cable.

hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Quote Hugh Robjohns:

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It sounds like it is a clocking issue between the desk and recorder. During record, the recorder needs to be slaved to the desk which should provide the master clock. On playback, the default would be for the recorder to run on its own clock, whcih will be different to that of the desk, and hence produce clicks and fizzes. The answer is to make sure that the recorder is always slaved to the desk's clock., either via the ADAT connection or, better still, via a wordclock cable.

hugh

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Hugh,

Thanks very much for that info.I have not yet linked the desk with the recorder via the wordclock.Both the desk and the alesis have the wordclock connections.

Best wishes and thanks again,

Beettie.

Hugh,

Problem solved.Bought a bnc cable from Maplins today,set up Alesis as slave and all is fine.Delighted!!!!
Very grateful for your help and to all who contributed.

Best wishes,

Beettie.

I love it when a plan comes together



Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Quote Hugh Robjohns:

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I love it when a plan comes together



Hugh

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Time light up a nice cigar then...

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My mind's not right...