Troubleshoot: Random Popping Noise on Condenser Mic
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Troubleshoot: Random Popping Noise on Condenser Mic
Hi,
I've started getting a random popping, or thumping, while recording with my condenser microphone (can't remember the model, but it's similar to the Beyerdynamic Opus 53). The chain is like this:
Mic > XLR > Presonus Tube Pre > XLR > pc interface
I can eliminate the noise if I use my SM58 (the only other mic I have) so I've come to the following possiblilties:
- There is a problem with the condenser mic itself, or
- There is a problem with the phantom power supply in the Tube Preamp, or
- There is a problem with one of the cables carrying the phantom power
Can anyone suggest which is more probable, or offer another alternative so I can start down a troubleshooting path?
Thanks,
Andrew
I've started getting a random popping, or thumping, while recording with my condenser microphone (can't remember the model, but it's similar to the Beyerdynamic Opus 53). The chain is like this:
Mic > XLR > Presonus Tube Pre > XLR > pc interface
I can eliminate the noise if I use my SM58 (the only other mic I have) so I've come to the following possiblilties:
- There is a problem with the condenser mic itself, or
- There is a problem with the phantom power supply in the Tube Preamp, or
- There is a problem with one of the cables carrying the phantom power
Can anyone suggest which is more probable, or offer another alternative so I can start down a troubleshooting path?
Thanks,
Andrew
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I was trying out a KSM27 that I was thinking of buying from a guy and when I plugged it in it sounded like the ocean. He had it in his car for a couple 100+ degree days and it damaged the actual condencer.
I'd take the mic down to a local music store and ask if you can plug it into a mixer and listen to it. Then you'll know if it's your mic or your pre.
I'd take the mic down to a local music store and ask if you can plug it into a mixer and listen to it. Then you'll know if it's your mic or your pre.
- thunderboy
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Popping
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll stop by the music store on my way to work tomorrow and see if they have something I can plug into.
The cables have been around for longer than the mic, which is relatively new. To test the cable, would I just need to check for continuity between two of the pins which would indicate a short inside the cable somewhere?
Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll stop by the music store on my way to work tomorrow and see if they have something I can plug into.
The cables have been around for longer than the mic, which is relatively new. To test the cable, would I just need to check for continuity between two of the pins which would indicate a short inside the cable somewhere?
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Well, there are cable testers which do the job for you, or the painful way is to first check continuity between successive pins at m/f end, then systematically check there is NO continuity between each pin & the others, which would indicate a short.
Do you have another mic which uses phantom power that you can use in the chain? For some reason that's my gut instinct, that there's an issue with the +48v power, but my gut's not particularly reliable.
Do you have another mic which uses phantom power that you can use in the chain? For some reason that's my gut instinct, that there's an issue with the +48v power, but my gut's not particularly reliable.
- Roboburger
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some condenser mics just don't wanna grip the pins on some cables right, change the cable and you will prolly be fine. I have that problem with a load of phony Neutrik ends I got off ebay. all dynamics work just fine, but AT condensers won't fit on the ends, and two of my phantom power DIs act sketchy on those cable ends. Gonna resolder a bunch over the club's xmas break.
Audio Engineer Euphemism for going number two: "Rollin' off the Low End."
- thunderboy
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- Roboburger
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The Verdict: Microphone Sentenced to Life in Garbage
Hi all,
Sorry for the lateness of the reply. Through some creative hookups I was able to determine that (within 90% confidence) it was the microphone itself that was generating the noise.
It took me a while to scratch together the time and funds for a new microphone, but I eventually did (a nice large diameter condenser). I got home, plugged it in, and voila! Crystal clear! (I also bought new cables for good measure, but my initial test I used the old ones to not introduce anything new.
Now that I knew the other microphone was the source of the noise, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided that a disassembly was in order. I took pictures along the way and posted the whole ordeal to my site. Among the revelations? You don't actually need a pipe cutter to take the microphone apart. LOL
Here's the link to the text (which has links to the pictures of the exposed microphone): http://blog.killfly.com/index.php/2007/ ... sassembly/
Thanks for all the replies!
-Andrew
Sorry for the lateness of the reply. Through some creative hookups I was able to determine that (within 90% confidence) it was the microphone itself that was generating the noise.
It took me a while to scratch together the time and funds for a new microphone, but I eventually did (a nice large diameter condenser). I got home, plugged it in, and voila! Crystal clear! (I also bought new cables for good measure, but my initial test I used the old ones to not introduce anything new.
Now that I knew the other microphone was the source of the noise, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided that a disassembly was in order. I took pictures along the way and posted the whole ordeal to my site. Among the revelations? You don't actually need a pipe cutter to take the microphone apart. LOL
Here's the link to the text (which has links to the pictures of the exposed microphone): http://blog.killfly.com/index.php/2007/ ... sassembly/
Thanks for all the replies!
-Andrew
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That was my guess too, just based on my experience with motherboards in PCs. Too late now though, my "disassembly" resulted in basically destroying the microphone. I did look at all the connections on the board of the mic though, and hey all looked fine to me. So I was thinking the insides of one of the caps had failed (kinda like they did on a lot od Dell motherboards).
The other hint towards the cap was that it would be ok when the mic was first turned on, and then get progressively worse.
The other hint towards the cap was that it would be ok when the mic was first turned on, and then get progressively worse.
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