Constant Hizz sound-CK93 and MixPre

J

jcool

Active member
Hi All,
I just got my new AKG CK93.This is the first time ever I am using a Microphone/Mixer/recorder.
I have Rycote invision shockmount to which I fixed the AKG (with Rycote BBG and windshield) and from the boom pole a 10' xlr goes to Soundevices MixPre.Mix Pre Tapeout to H4n Line in ,using a split cable(Mono L and Mono R cable).

I first switched on the MixPre(set the channel to center) and asked my friend to talk something for testing.
I have a Sony 7506 head phones I used to monitor the sound.The voice that comes from the microphone sounds great but I hear this hizzzzzzzz(mild)sound in the background irrespective of whether the subject talks or not.I thought that was a sound from AC machine or Refrigerator.I switched off those and still I hear that sound.
Can any one please help me how to avoid that ?What is that sound and is that expected?
When I was listening to audio samples from this link
http://dvestore.com/theatre/mics_guide.html
they also have that sound.

Pleazzzeee help!

Thanks
Jay
 
And yeah H4n was powered not with batteries but with DC - Battery.Not sure if that could be an issueso mentioning everything.Cables are good quality XLR cables I bought from Trew Audio and are brand new,using for the first time.
 
Did you try a different XLR cable?

While there could be interference from the DC adapter, if the cable has any issues and the ground or shield have been compromised, you'll get noise.
 
JordanBlock said:
Does the same thing happen when everything is running on battery power?
Click to expand...

I haven't tried that.But I was using H4N with a DC adapter and not the mixer.Anyways I would test it today with batteries on both the mixer and H4N.

Thanks
Jay
 
C2V said:
Did you try a different XLR cable?

While there could be interference from the DC adapter, if the cable has any issues and the ground or shield have been compromised, you'll get noise.
Click to expand...

As per your suggestion I will also try with a different XLR cable today.
Are there any check points that I need to consider for this noice?

Thanks
Jay
 
jcool said:
Hi All,
I just got my new AKG CK93.This is the first time ever I am using a Microphone/Mixer/recorder.
I have Rycote invision shockmount to which I fixed the AKG (with Rycote BBG and windshield) and from the boom pole a 10' xlr goes to Soundevices MixPre.Mix Pre Tapeout to H4n Line in ,using a split cable(Mono L and Mono R cable).

I first switched on the MixPre(set the channel to center) and asked my friend to talk something for testing.
I have a Sony 7506 head phones I used to monitor the sound.The voice that comes from the microphone sounds great but I hear this hizzzzzzzz(mild)sound in the background irrespective of whether the subject talks or not.I thought that was a sound from AC machine or Refrigerator.I switched off those and still I hear that sound.
Can any one please help me how to avoid that ?What is that sound and is that expected?
When I was listening to audio samples from this link
http://dvestore.com/theatre/mics_guide.html
they also have that sound.

Pleazzzeee help!

Thanks
Jay
Click to expand...

On which of those sample files do you hear the sound you're talking about?

Is it a very high frequency hiss or a low frequency buzz?

Where do you have the headphones connected - the MixPre or the H4n? If you disconnect the H4n completely and plug the phones directly into the MixPre, do you hear it?

If you record a test clip, copy it to your computer, and play it back there, is the sound present in the recording? Listening on phones, on speakers?

If it's in the recording, are you recording uncompressed wave or mp3?
 
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Steve House said:
On which of those sample files do you hear the sound you're talking about?

Is it a very high frequency hiss or a low frequency buzz?

Where do you have the headphones connected - the MixPre or the H4n? If you disconnect the H4n completely and plug the phones directly into the MixPre, do you hear it?

If you record a test clip, copy it to your computer, and play it back there, is the sound present in the recording? Listening on phones, on speakers?

If it's in the recording, are you recording uncompressed wave or mp3?
Click to expand...

Rode NTG2 has it very clearly(others also have that noice),you can hear it when the speaker doesn't talk or in gaps between words.It sounds like when we buy a new TV and doesn't plug any cable network and just switch on the plain TV,it makes that hizzz sound ,it increases when we increase volume.This is same kind of sound.
Sorry,excuse my poor communication .As I turn the knob on MixPre(I think that controls the gain)to right the sound increases and when I turn left ,it decreases.

I tried just now using just the MixPre,Head Phones connected to MixPre,No H4N connected at all.Even then I can hear this noice constantly.

I recorded a file onto H4N last night and plugged headphones to H4N and listened to recorded WAV file and was able to hear that noice we are talking about.

Thanks
Jay
 
jcool said:
Rode NTG2 has it very clearly(others also have that noice),you can hear it when the speaker doesn't talk or in gaps between words.It sounds like when we buy a new TV and doesn't plug any cable network and just switch on the plain TV,it makes that hizzz sound ,it increases when we increase volume.This is same kind of sound.
Sorry,excuse my poor communication .As I turn the knob on MixPre(I think that controls the gain)to right the sound increases and when I turn left ,it decreases.

I tried just now using just the MixPre,Head Phones connected to MixPre,No H4N connected at all.Even then I can hear this noice constantly.

I recorded a file onto H4N last night and plugged headphones to H4N and listened to recorded WAV file and was able to hear that noice we are talking about.

Thanks
Jay
Click to expand...

Normal electrical shot noise I suspect, made more apparent when listening with phones because of their high frequency response. (Notice how the sibilants in the speaker's narration are also emphasized in the headphones?) Should be less noticable when you play the clip on monitor speakers. A bit of HF roll-off in post can get rid of it. Since you're hearing it on clips made with other mics, other pre's and other recorders, that tells you it's not your setup or an equipment flaw unless what you're hearing is signifigantly different from what's in that NTG-2 clip online. Post a clip of yours so we can give it a listen and see if we notice anything out of the ordinary.
 
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Sure I will do that tonight.Thanks for all those clarifications.I will post that clip and when you listen to it and tell me that it is normal is only when I can breath easily.

Thanks & Regards,
Jay
 
Actually i tried to copy files today to laptop but in vein.I will have to install some drivers and stuff like that for which I am too tired and feeling sick today(fever and throat infection).
But I did one thing,I connected H4N to Bose Lifestyle Speakers and listened to the recorded samples and they all sound great.I don;t hear any hiss sound in them.So should I consider that recording was good If it sounds good in speakers?

Thanks
Jay
 
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