Noises With DAV BG-1U.

88man · 10th May 2010

Has anyone else encountered noise with their DAV BG-1 Preamp? I am getting random and sporadic noises in my recordings when I use the DAV BG-1U preamp. My recording chain consists of spaced pair of AKG C414B-XLS -to- DAV GB-1U -to- Yamaha CDR1000. The unit is only a few months old. The levels are within limits. What could be the source of the problem?

Here is a sample.

studer58 · 10th May 2010

After 3 years I've had no problems with my BG8, your noise doesn't seem to follow crescendos in the music, so I don't think it's mic overload....there's more noise at the end of the sample when the volume is dropping, for example. The BG series are renowned for throwing out a huge signal output, is your Yamaha's input being distressed by that ? A pad switch (does the BG1 have one ?) could be going intermittent...indeed try 'exercising' all the pots and switches on the front panel. Try substituting another mic pair, just to rule out mic malfunction or overload. Anything else 'dirty' in the power supply chain...computers, phone chargers, microwaves on at the same time ? Try unplugging and re-plugging all cables in your signal chain a few times, it takes 30 seconds, and could dislodge any micro-corrosion in the metal/metal interface joints within signal connections. Check all interconnecting cable ends for dry solder joints, and flex them while a signal is going in with headphones on to see if there is an internal copper fault. Failing all that to remedy it, send the mp3 to Mick Hinton at DAV, I'm sure he'd be very interested to hear it !
Best Wishes,
Ray

James Lehmann · 10th May 2010

+1 on all the above trouble-shooting tips.

A final gremlin can be airborne RF interference depending on where you are recording - taxis, emergency services, transmitters. etc.

Audiop · 10th May 2010

Have you excluded the mic as a source of the problems?

/Peter

Plush · 10th May 2010

Hard to diagnose from a sound clip but it does sound like something electronic is in the process of failing. Something is fizzing. Are all cell phones off?

Do your trouble shooting by changing one thing at a time. First, change all cables. Then change mics, then listen without the console if you are able.

If it persists, then mail the unit back to Mick Hinton for a fix.

It is unlikely that the gremlin is the BG No. 1.

88man · 13th May 2010

Thank you Studer58, James, Audiop, and plush for the good advice! I hope it's not the DAV nor the AKG C414B-XLS. I've ordered new mic cables. I will have more time over the weekend to perform more detailed diagnostics. The noise seems random, intermittent, and infrequent. But, when it's there, it's clearly audible.

I have a tendency to record on CD-RW, I've gone through about 5 generations, and the discs are over a year old. I wonder if there's a glitch in the dyes of the RW discs? If so, I may start using the Tascam DVD-RA1000HD instead.

Thanks again, guys!

Doc Mixwell · 13th May 2010

That's digital hash noise. Unmistakable. Though yes, hard to guess.

The CD strikes again. Narrow it down to the recorder.

88man · 14th May 2010

Thank you Roc Mixwell! The recorder is about 11 years old, and it's time to switch. I am just glad it's not the DAV or the AKG mics.

10th May 2010	#3
James Lehmann Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Europe Posts: 2,428	+1 on all the above trouble-shooting tips. A final gremlin can be airborne RF interference depending on where you are recording - taxis, emergency services, transmitters. etc. __________________ James Lehmann Voice-Over Artist - Project Studio Jockey www.jameslehmann.net · Use your real name - keep Gearslutz authoritative, accountable and courteous. · Stop the superlatives madness - just say no to gear threads with the word 'best' in the title. · Words or WAVs? The former are interesting, the latter are convincing.

10th May 2010	#5
Plush Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: EARS/Chicago Posts: 4,274 2 Reviews written	Hard to diagnose from a sound clip but it does sound like something electronic is in the process of failing. Something is fizzing. Are all cell phones off? Do your trouble shooting by changing one thing at a time. First, change all cables. Then change mics, then listen without the console if you are able. If it persists, then mail the unit back to Mick Hinton for a fix. It is unlikely that the gremlin is the BG No. 1. __________________ Atelier HudSonic, Chicago EARS-Chicago (Engineering And Recording Society) visit me at https://public.me.com/hudsonic1 to hear recordings and ephemera

13th May 2010	#7
Doc Mixwell 70% coffee & 30% beer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 7,730	That's digital hash noise. Unmistakable. Though yes, hard to guess. The CD strikes again. Narrow it down to the recorder. __________________ Adam Brass adam@dspdoctor.com DSPdoctor "Pro Audio Gear And Advice for the Modern Recording Studio" ________________ "Any opinions above are worth exactly what you paid for them." Anonymous "If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison RTFM

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10th May 2010	#2
studer58 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 512	After 3 years I've had no problems with my BG8, your noise doesn't seem to follow crescendos in the music, so I don't think it's mic overload....there's more noise at the end of the sample when the volume is dropping, for example. The BG series are renowned for throwing out a huge signal output, is your Yamaha's input being distressed by that ? A pad switch (does the BG1 have one ?) could be going intermittent...indeed try 'exercising' all the pots and switches on the front panel. Try substituting another mic pair, just to rule out mic malfunction or overload. Anything else 'dirty' in the power supply chain...computers, phone chargers, microwaves on at the same time ? Try unplugging and re-plugging all cables in your signal chain a few times, it takes 30 seconds, and could dislodge any micro-corrosion in the metal/metal interface joints within signal connections. Check all interconnecting cable ends for dry solder joints, and flex them while a signal is going in with headphones on to see if there is an internal copper fault. Failing all that to remedy it, send the mp3 to Mick Hinton at DAV, I'm sure he'd be very interested to hear it ! Best Wishes, Ray

10th May 2010	#4
Audiop Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,960	Have you excluded the mic as a source of the problems? /Peter

13th May 2010	#6
88man Gear Head Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 64 Thread Starter	Thank you Studer58, James, Audiop, and plush for the good advice! I hope it's not the DAV nor the AKG C414B-XLS. I've ordered new mic cables. I will have more time over the weekend to perform more detailed diagnostics. The noise seems random, intermittent, and infrequent. But, when it's there, it's clearly audible. I have a tendency to record on CD-RW, I've gone through about 5 generations, and the discs are over a year old. I wonder if there's a glitch in the dyes of the RW discs? If so, I may start using the Tascam DVD-RA1000HD instead. Thanks again, guys!

14th May 2010	#8
88man Gear Head Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 64 Thread Starter	Thank you Roc Mixwell! The recorder is about 11 years old, and it's time to switch. I am just glad it's not the DAV or the AKG mics.