Is the Pacifica noisy at high gain stages?

Midiguy · 24th September 2007

I tracked a vocalist through a SM7 and my new Pacifica tonight, and had a bit more noise than I was expecting. It's certainly tolerable, but I notice it. My other preamps aren't quiet enough to know if its the SM7 or the Pacifica. The Pacifica is slient with all my other mics, but they also don't require nearly the gain that the SM7 does.

RCM - Ronan · 24th September 2007

I have never noticed it with mine. Mine has always been quiet on a really wide range of mics, but I have never tried it with an SM7

amd · 24th September 2007

I used mine with a RE/20 which needs alot of gain as well and I don't recall it being noisy.

Krecording · 24th September 2007

I've used mine with ribbons on acoustics and never had any noise problems.

King Oliver · 24th September 2007

mine isn't noisy... maybe it has something to do with your power?? i use mine with an sm-7, and even though it does require a good deal of gain, i never had a problem with the signal.

chandlersonic · 24th September 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Oliver

mine isn't noisy... maybe it has something to do with your power?? i use mine with an sm-7, and even though it does require a good deal of gain, i never had a problem with the signal.

Same here. Never had a problem with an sm7. I agree, it might have something to do with your power, do you use a power conditioner?

bdmctear · 24th September 2007

I only have a few hours experience with a Pacifica. My friend bought one. it was shipped while he was away, and he asked me to make sure everything arrived alright. I worked with it on a vocal and by and large liked it, although the singer's delivering would occasionally jar it into a strange distortion somewhere in the low mids. I told my friend that it sounded good except for that, but at the time I blamed it on the singer. A few days later my friend said he had to send it back. The dealer said it was absolutely the first time they heard of any issues with one, and quickly replaced it. I'll know better than to blame singers in the future!

Call the dealer and explain your issue. It could well be a defect.

Midiguy · 24th September 2007

Just to clarify, when I say noise, I'm talking about hiss. When electrical is the culprit, isn't that more of a 60hz buzz?

Windtaken · 24th September 2007

It may be picking up RF interference. The fireface was a problem for me so I moved it away from all my pres.

wagz · 24th September 2007

i got LOTS of noise when my portico 5012 and my pacifica were plugged in next to each other. I thought it was the Portico...because i noticed the noise went away when i moved my Portico a few feet away the noise disappeared.

boy, was i happy. anyways, now that i think about it....all of that gear was right next to my fireface. I sold my fireface...so i guess i should put the portico and pearlman together and see what happens.

Windtaken · 25th September 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagz

i got LOTS of noise when my portico 5012 and my pacifica were plugged in next to each other. I thought it was the Portico...because i noticed the noise went away when i moved my Portico a few feet away the noise disappeared.

boy, was i happy. anyways, now that i think about it....all of that gear was right next to my fireface. I sold my fireface...so i guess i should put the portico and pearlman together and see what happens.

hmm, that would be interesting to check out. Report back!

**Tim Farrant** · 25th September 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagz

i got LOTS of noise when my portico 5012 and my pacifica were plugged in next to each other. I thought it was the Portico...because i noticed the noise went away when i moved my Portico a few feet away the noise disappeared.

I believe the Portico has a high frequency switching power supply, this is no doubt being picked by the other unit.

24th September 2007	#1
Midiguy Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 164 Thread Starter	Is the Pacifica noisy at high gain stages? I tracked a vocalist through a SM7 and my new Pacifica tonight, and had a bit more noise than I was expecting. It's certainly tolerable, but I notice it. My other preamps aren't quiet enough to know if its the SM7 or the Pacifica. The Pacifica is slient with all my other mics, but they also don't require nearly the gain that the SM7 does.

24th September 2007	#2
RCM - Ronan Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,318	I have never noticed it with mine. Mine has always been quiet on a really wide range of mics, but I have never tried it with an SM7 __________________ Ronan Chris Murphy+ http://ronansrecordingshow.com next Boot Camp in LA February 20-25, 2012

24th September 2007	#7
bdmctear Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 596	I only have a few hours experience with a Pacifica. My friend bought one. it was shipped while he was away, and he asked me to make sure everything arrived alright. I worked with it on a vocal and by and large liked it, although the singer's delivering would occasionally jar it into a strange distortion somewhere in the low mids. I told my friend that it sounded good except for that, but at the time I blamed it on the singer. A few days later my friend said he had to send it back. The dealer said it was absolutely the first time they heard of any issues with one, and quickly replaced it. I'll know better than to blame singers in the future! Call the dealer and explain your issue. It could well be a defect. __________________ B Brian McTear Shaking Through Weathervane Music Weathervane Music is a non-profit organization that exists to create community, opportunity and resources that advance the careers of musicians while creating a healthier independent music ecosystem. Together with NPR affiliate WXPN radio, Weathervane produces Shaking Through, a documentary video series that explores the birth of song by emerging independent artists in a high-end recording studio.

24th September 2007	#9
Windtaken Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 263	It may be picking up RF interference. The fireface was a problem for me so I moved it away from all my pres. __________________ Simon

24th September 2007	#10
wagz Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 409	well.. i got LOTS of noise when my portico 5012 and my pacifica were plugged in next to each other. I thought it was the Portico...because i noticed the noise went away when i moved my Portico a few feet away the noise disappeared. boy, was i happy. anyways, now that i think about it....all of that gear was right next to my fireface. I sold my fireface...so i guess i should put the portico and pearlman together and see what happens. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/mysuperegomusic http://www.myspace.com/thestandalone

24th September 2007	#3
amd Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 563	I used mine with a RE/20 which needs alot of gain as well and I don't recall it being noisy.

24th September 2007	#4
Krecording Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 87	I've used mine with ribbons on acoustics and never had any noise problems.

24th September 2007	#5
King Oliver Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 107	mine isn't noisy... maybe it has something to do with your power?? i use mine with an sm-7, and even though it does require a good deal of gain, i never had a problem with the signal.

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