Pops - am I missing something?

[reflekshun]

I have recently gone on location to record a simple speech using a laptop, firewire card (Saffire LE) and a condenser mic, therefore using phantom power.

Before I left, I tested recording with my laptop for any pops or clicks, and everything went smoothly. When I arrived on location (26th floor of a building), setup everything exactly the same as at home, I experienced intermittent clicks and pops. These were not the consistent variety. They vary in loudness, length and distance between clicks. They could be heard while clicking 'monitor' in cubase (post tape monitoring), also during recording, and during playback of recorded material. While monitoring, If I turned the mic input level to zero, the pops would dissapear.

Changing latency to all manner of values did not help. And I even tried Asio4All drivers, with no change in the situation. Which led me to believe that it was related to the location, not my setup. Also when I went home, i setup everything exactly the same, and not a pop or click to be heard. (but the recorded pops were still there).

Forgive me, as I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about the topic, but could it be that when I plug my soundcard into the wall, that the building's electrics structure is just not well 'shielded' (or something) meaning, lights / heaters etc. being turned on and off throughout the building could be affecting the audio moving through the mic cable or soundcard?

If not, then I'd be glad to hear anyone's suggestions on what they think is causing the pops. Surely people don't carry their own power supplies to do jobs like this do they?

Thanks anyone who can help! I feel like I'm very close to solving the problem.. just need more knowledge!

[chris319]

Is wireless networking enabled on your computer? I'll bet it is! Wireless networking must be DIS-abled when recording audio on a computer. This is why I have become a big fan of dedicated compact flash recorders.

I thought your big recording session was today (Wednesday). Tell us what kind of mic you wound up using.

[John Willett]

It's either the above and/or spikes coming down the mains - or switching spikes on office equipment (fridges, etc.) being radiated as RF or down the mains.

One of the reasons I always use a dedicated recorder on location and only use the laptop for editing.

[chris319]

I could be wrong on this, but don't most or all laptops run off their batteries at all times? If that is the case, the battery should filter out all of the garbage coming in on the AC line like an online UPS would. Even when the AC adapter is plugged in it is merely charging the battery while the computer is in use and the computer is actually running off the battery, at least that's my impression.

[reflekshun]

Chris319: Thankyou and yes I did manage to catch your post before it was lost. Your idea is sound, but I did not have the time or resources to get my hands on another mic for Wednesday. Anyway, because the video was only used in small parts and was closely zoomed into the persons face, I was able to get good results from the SP C4 pencil, in front of his face with a pop shield when off camera, and just above his head close as possible when on camera.

All went well save for those clicks and pops, declicker here I come.

Wireless networking WAS turned on. I'd love to go back there and see if that solves the problem. Although wireless was turned on while i tested at home, and no spikes / pops there. So I have a feeling its more to do with the mains spikes leaking into my setup through the soundcard power supply (separate from the laptop).

John - So you use a dedicated recorder, with its own batteries? Sounds like the safest way to go actually. If I ever consider make more of a living out of this sort of thing, that might be a worthwhile option.

Thanks for all the input and ideas folks! As usual, really appreciate them all

[reflekshun]

By the way. I should mention - I purchased the power supply for my soundcard from a hardware shop. I bought the soundcard from overseas and needed to buy an Australian power supply. Is there a type of shop I should be going to, buying a power supply for something so fussy as a soundcard? Is a soundcard really fussy about its Power Supply or did i just make that up?

Thanks

[chris319]

Where are you located? I kept making references to US vendors in my posts assuming you are in the US.

When you say "soundcard" does this refer to your Saffire LE interface? Please see my post about laptops, batteries and AC lines. I very much doubt your pops and clicks were coming from the AC line if you had wireless networking enabled and your audio was otherwise clean except for the pops and clicks. If the AC line were at fault I would expect continuous static and buzzing rather than intermittent pops and clicks. My theory is that at your home there are fewer wireless networks in the vicinity and when you went into this highrise office building there were a lot more.

I don't know how you're set up for funds but you might consider getting a lapel mic in anticipation of "next time".

For a digital recorder look into the Zoom H2 but with a caveat: You already own a Saffire LE, so I would use it as a mic preamp and plug the Saffire LE line output into the line input of the Zoom H2:

Mic -> Saffire LE mic input -> Saffire LE line output -> Zoom H2 line input

For something a little sturdier look into the Sony PCM-D50. The above interconnection would still apply. It depends on how much money you want to spend. I CANNOT recommend the M-Audio Microtrack II -- let's just leave it at that.

[d1rtynyc]

If you want to use your mics:
For a recorder I would recommend the Fostex FR2LE.
It's got phantom power & pretty decent pres.

[chris319]

I'm not impressed with the FR-2LE's preamps. I'm hoping that the Saffire's are better, plus, he already owns one.

[reflekshun]

Chris319 - I'm in Australia. Your theory of wireless networks is very likely my problem. It makes alot of sense, as my job was in the heart of the CBD, plenty of wireless activity going on there. Whereas, only 2 or so weaker networks back home.

For sake of future projects such as this, I will definitely be looking into lapel mics. I realise how darn useful these things can be now! Do you need to spend alot on lapels to get anything of decent quality? or is it similar to other vocal mic prices?

I like you're idea with using my interface as a preamp and chaining it to a Zoom H2. But If I can get away with using a laptop for these kind of projects without pops, I would rather, as the clients really enjoy the ability to review the takes and give me directions on cutting certain phrases together. Something I don't think I'm easily able to do on a Zoom H2? or most other portable recording devices (I'm guessing) within my budget.

Btw, yes, sorry I meant Saffire LE 'interface' haha.

Really appreciating all your suggestions. I have been googling and learning alot from them!

Thankyou

[Shadow_7]

The Wireless thing might have been it. Or not.

Office buildings are not the best for electronics. Tons of wireless activity these days. Might even be a radio transmitter on the roof, or a cell phone microwave thing up there. And various other power issues. Last time I worked in one, they lost power about three times more often than I did at home. And it's probably near a major roadway, so truckers CBs, cop cars with radar guns, and other interferences from there. And then there's those with significant basements, so everytime a delivery truck goes over a speed bump, the entire building shakes. So make sure you have the needed shielding and shockmounts.

Or it could have just been the wireless. Lavaliers are nice, but you might be looking at a wireless transmitter/receiver for one. Which may be even less suited for that environment.

[chris319]

With a Zoom H2 or any digital recorder you ultimately transfer the files via USB to a computer for editing, processing, etc.

Here is the lapel mic recommended previously:

Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT831b : Cardioid Condenser Lavalier Microphone

Heed Shadow_7's advice and stay away from wireless mics. If you absolutely must have a wireless mic for a specific application, rent one.

[reflekshun]

(lost this message & re-typed sorry if it seems rushed)

Once again your advice is all invaluable, thankyou. I will be sure to steer away from wireless mics (or wireless anything it seems!)

Shadow_7: Thanks for mentioning all these factors, very useful to be aware of in these situations. In the case of my last project, the building seemed solid and well foundationed (lol dont know the word) enough to dampen any low frequency rumble coming from the streets, and was surrounded by cramped roads and low speed traffic. The air-con, and office noise was causing more of a threat to the sound than any of that stuff.

Chris319: Thanks for the lavalier suggestion. Quick questions about the lapel/lavalier mics, Would you normally have the wire going underneath their shirt, then coming out from behind them? Also, battery power or phantom power recommended for these kind of recordings?

[chris319]

I would put the mic on the front of a man's necktie and dress the cable down the rear of the necktie, then into the battery pack in the hip pocket. A woman would be a different story but the cable is usually dressed inside the clothing.

battery power or phantom power recommended for these kind of recordings?

Meh, no real preference. Phantom power from your Saffire LE won't run out, so why bother with batteries?

One thing you should have in your kit bag is an AC line filter. In the US we use ones made by Monster. It's an AC power strip with a line noise (RF) filter built in. Make sure you get one that filters RF, not just a "surge suppressor". During my first session in Las Vegas I was picking up an AM radio station at 710 kHz through my gear. All evidence suggested that it was coming in through the AC line. I got an AC filter the next morning, problem solved. Now I never travel without it.

[cRookie_Monster]

Sorry for reviving an old thread but I just got the H2 as well. I read somewhere someone said that the SD card that came with the device gave them clicks and pops and when they put in a different card it went away. Lo and Behold I had clicks and pops with the thing at first. Then I picked up a 4 GB scandisk card and it records flawlessly.

Sooo....there's something to that.

[soentkensound]

Originally Posted by reflekshun

I have recently gone on location to record a simple speech using a laptop, firewire card (Saffire LE) and a condenser mic, therefore using phantom power.

Before I left, I tested recording with my laptop for any pops or clicks, and everything went smoothly. When I arrived on location (26th floor of a building), setup everything exactly the same as at home, I experienced intermittent clicks and pops. These were not the consistent variety. They vary in loudness, length and distance between clicks. They could be heard while clicking 'monitor' in cubase (post tape monitoring), also during recording, and during playback of recorded material. While monitoring, If I turned the mic input level to zero, the pops would dissapear.

Changing latency to all manner of values did not help. And I even tried Asio4All drivers, with no change in the situation. Which led me to believe that it was related to the location, not my setup. Also when I went home, i setup everything exactly the same, and not a pop or click to be heard. (but the recorded pops were still there).

Forgive me, as I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about the topic, but could it be that when I plug my soundcard into the wall, that the building's electrics structure is just not well 'shielded' (or something) meaning, lights / heaters etc. being turned on and off throughout the building could be affecting the audio moving through the mic cable or soundcard?

If not, then I'd be glad to hear anyone's suggestions on what they think is causing the pops. Surely people don't carry their own power supplies to do jobs like this do they?

Thanks anyone who can help! I feel like I'm very close to solving the problem.. just need more knowledge!

Hello,

Did you finally find out what the problem was?
I got a similar problem in my studio.pops on recodings.
Mainly bass and piano/keyboardtracks
I'm using a mac audient and aplhalink.
I tried every clocking possibility, changed converters etc.

So I wondering if it is a static or powerproblem.
I'm desperate


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