RF issues at live venue – attenuators?

[iluvatar]

I run sound at a church that has a keyboard w/ a tendency to pick up radio stations. (yes, I've been able to narrow it down to the keyboard itself). Any thoughts on how to go about rectifying the situation, or is a trip to the repair shop in order?

-Dan.

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by iluvatar

I run sound at a church that has a keyboard w/ a tendency to pick up radio stations. (yes, I've been able to narrow it down to the keyboard itself). Any thoughts on how to go about rectifying the situation, or is a trip to the repair shop in order?

-Dan.

If the keyboard has a balanced output use it. If that doesn't work or if the output isn't balanced, try running it through a passive direct box with a transformer. If that doesn't do it, find some way to ground the keyboard "chassis." If that doesn't do it, get another keyboard.

[iluvatar]

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

If the keyboard has a balanced output use it. If that doesn't work or if the output isn't balanced, try running it through a passive direct box with a transformer. If that doesn't do it, find some way to ground the keyboard "chassis." If that doesn't do it, get another keyboard.

Unbalanced outputs. SOP is running it through a passive direct box. The problem is inside the keyboard itself. I'll look into grounding the chassis.

-Dan.

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by iluvatar

Unbalanced outputs. SOP is running it through a passive direct box. The problem is inside the keyboard itself. I'll look into grounding the chassis.

-Dan.

I imagine the passive DI is transformer balanced, but I've heard of ones built with resistors.

You could also try a ground lift if that option is on your DI box. If not, you could try a DI box that has a ground lift. If the DI is transformered and has a ground lift and you still get noise, the chances are 99% solely with the keyboard. The good news is you're on the right track to isolating the problem.

[DCtoDaylight]

Hey all,

I'm resurrecting this thread just to provide the final chapter of the story. I had a technician open up the electronics module on the mic that was having the issue and he couldn't see anything wrong. But I asked him to re-solder all the joints, and that completely licked the problem - the mic is dead quiet now, so much so that I'm going to have the other one in the pair treated the same way.

***Many*** thanks to the GS community for the help with this!