shawnh
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by shawnh on Sept 1, 2021 7:05:15 GMT -6
Is it just me - or are microphones the most fickle and problematic thing in your studio? Condenser mics in particular. I have a nice collection of gear at this point. I take care of it. I generally know how to use it. And I am constantly having some issue with a microphone. Intermittent noises, signal level drops and then magically comes back when you move something, polar pattern selectors not working right. I'm not going to be naming names here but I've got some decent stuff - certainly not cheap stuff. Honestly some of the most reliable mics have been the less expensive ones. I will say that my Audio Technica mics always just work. Other much more expensive mics - not so much.
So is it just me?
|
|
|
|
Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 1, 2021 7:25:59 GMT -6
We have six AT4040 that have been used for live performances for 15 years or more. Students have taken those things all over the world. Never an issue - solid as brand new.
Have had to send off two KM84s for between $350-$450 service each.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 1, 2021 7:30:26 GMT -6
But guitar amps are the worst in terms of problems and reliability.
|
|
|
|
Post by enlav on Sept 1, 2021 8:26:10 GMT -6
If we broaden the discussion, I'd argue that computers are the most fickle piece in the studio (where applicable of course, kudos to the guys out there using tape, or things like ADAT machines).
I would suggest in your examples, is it not the mic but rather the entire chain that might be susceptible to that noise? I know depending on the state of your power that preamps can also add to the issue.
Though I haven't used many vintage mics in proper studios; I think the closest would be some vintage dynamics back in college that were noisy for entirely different reasons (physical damage, sad).
|
|
|
|
Post by bgrotto on Sept 1, 2021 8:27:44 GMT -6
Consoles 😭
|
|
|
|
Post by enlav on Sept 1, 2021 8:30:55 GMT -6
Oh god, yeah. That's actually it. I don't know how I forgot the obvious.
But I'd like to hope my experiences were purely because of the lack of effort/money to maintain them at specific spaces, and not the norm within the industry...
|
|
shawnh
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by shawnh on Sept 1, 2021 8:52:29 GMT -6
If we broaden the discussion, I'd argue that computers are the most fickle piece in the studio (where applicable of course, kudos to the guys out there using tape, or things like ADAT machines). I would suggest in your examples, is it not the mic but rather the entire chain that might be susceptible to that noise? I know depending on the state of your power that preamps can also add to the issue. Though I haven't used many vintage mics in proper studios; I think the closest would be some vintage dynamics back in college that were noisy for entirely different reasons (physical damage, sad). Yeah I hear you - but in almost every case I have pretty much found that it's the mic. Not the rest of the chain. Just my own admittedly limited experience. This is a dangerous thread I started - I feel like I need to be knocking on wood here before I post. Computer is an interesting one - mine is generally rock solid and I have had very little problems. However when I did have a problem it sucked big time. Shuts everything down and took me hours and days to figure out. So frustrating. I have not had bad luck with guitar amps personally. |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,952 
|
Post by ericn on Sept 1, 2021 8:53:53 GMT -6
I don’t think most understand the heat/ venting issues and when you get to the big desks that there is more circuitry for automation / recall than audio. |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,952
|
Post by ericn on Sept 1, 2021 8:55:31 GMT -6
One could argue the most temperamental fragile thing in the studio is the talent🥸
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2021 9:19:52 GMT -6
Some mics last for decades…
Almost anything made by Gibson Brands or Music Tribe sure won’t!
1. Windows drivers make many Windows systems unusable for real time audio.
2. Buggy daws. They all have major bugs and issues.
3. Incredibly fragile parts in budget and cost reduced equipment. Poor quality off brand electrical parts.
4. Switching mode power supplies can get fried very easily.
5. Modern monitors with lame plate amps and crossovers that try to get too much bass out of small long throw woofers and crossover the tweeters low. These can be more fragile than NS10s. The amps slowly cook over continuous use, distortion increases in both the amps, and drivers, and eventually something dies.
6. Current production tubes…
Combine these with non existent repair facilities and warranty service to that consists of chucking things and handing you a new one a month after you need it…
|
|
|
|
Post by phdamage on Sept 1, 2021 9:23:40 GMT -6
worth noting - AT didn't start making 40 series mics til the early 90s. I'm sure most of my mics are newer than that, but I'd bet most of us have a few that are far older.
also, in my 25+ years of recording, I've had maybe 5 mics crap out ever - 3 of them were Beta 52s (including two in the last 5 years - extra strange as I don't use them often). and I've had some of my mics for almost all of those 25 years. I have gone through in the same time: 3 tape machines (8 track, 16, and then 24) and at least 3 computers; a million pairs of headphones, tons of cables. lots of broken gear in our wakes.
|
|
|
|
Post by enlav on Sept 1, 2021 9:57:53 GMT -6
One could argue the most temperamental fragile thing in the studio is the talent🥸 Listen, that guitarist nails that solo EVERYTIME live. We don't need to come back to it later or take a breather; the next take is DEFINITELY THE ONE. |
|
|
|
Post by Omicron9 on Sept 1, 2021 10:19:40 GMT -6
Some mics last for decades… Almost anything made by Gibson Brands or Music Tribe sure won’t! 1. Windows drivers make many Windows systems unusable for real time audio.2. Buggy daws. They all have major bugs and issues. 3. Incredibly fragile parts in budget and cost reduced equipment. Poor quality off brand electrical parts. 4. Switching mode power supplies can get fried very easily. 5. Modern monitors with lame plate amps and crossovers that try to get too much bass out of small long throw woofers and crossover the tweeters low. These can be more fragile than NS10s. The amps slowly cook over continuous use, distortion increases in both the amps, and drivers, and eventually something dies. 6. Current production tubes… Combine these with non existent repair facilities and warranty service to that consists of chucking things and handing you a new one a month after you need it… Re: Windows machines: what you state is the exact opposite of my experiences. I've been using Windows 10 since the week it was released. I'm running it on three machines with Reaper. Not a single driver issue, not ever. Both Windows 10 and Reaper have been flawless. Not a single crash. -09 |
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Sept 1, 2021 10:43:53 GMT -6
The more gear I acquire, the more troubleshooting and problem solving I have to do. Problematic mics, scratchy lots on outboard, bad tubes, patchbay normalling that doesn’t work, etc. It’s ALWAYS something. Don’t even get me started on computer stuff. I’d say the biggest skill set an audio engineer could have is the ability to troubleshoot and fix problems.
|
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Sept 1, 2021 10:50:23 GMT -6
I’d say the biggest skill set an audio engineer could have is the ability to troubleshoot and fix problems. Yeah that's all any live or remote job is! The actual working gig is frequently nap time. |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,952
|
Post by ericn on Sept 1, 2021 10:56:14 GMT -6
The more gear I acquire, the more troubleshooting and problem solving I have to do. Problematic mics, scratchy lots on outboard, bad tubes, patchbay normalling that doesn’t work, etc. It’s ALWAYS something. Don’t even get me started on computer stuff. I’d say the biggest skill set an audio engineer could have is the ability to troubleshoot and fix problems. The basic skills of learning how to track down and isolate an issue are some of the most important one can develop. I am often surprised how many use the instinct approach to problem finding rather than learning to scientifically track a problem through substitution and process of elimination. Well until they get the bill for finding out their instincts are wrong. I’ll admit to often starting by instinct but having a little Behringer mixer with a pair of headphones and a SM58 is the best investment for tracking problems. |
|
|
|
Post by jcoutu1 on Sept 1, 2021 10:56:25 GMT -6
My Midas has all sorts of issues. Bad channels, bad auxes, bad 2-buss. Tones of headaches. Let's hope the next one is problem free. 😂😂 |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,952
|
Post by ericn on Sept 1, 2021 11:05:46 GMT -6
My Midas has all sorts of issues. Bad channels, bad auxes, bad 2-buss. Tones of headaches. Let's hope the next one is problem free. 😂😂 Hey I warned you about buying a used live board😎 |
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 1, 2021 11:15:07 GMT -6
Some mics last for decades… Almost anything made by Gibson Brands or Music Tribe sure won’t! 1. Windows drivers make many Windows systems unusable for real time audio.2. Buggy daws. They all have major bugs and issues. 3. Incredibly fragile parts in budget and cost reduced equipment. Poor quality off brand electrical parts. 4. Switching mode power supplies can get fried very easily. 5. Modern monitors with lame plate amps and crossovers that try to get too much bass out of small long throw woofers and crossover the tweeters low. These can be more fragile than NS10s. The amps slowly cook over continuous use, distortion increases in both the amps, and drivers, and eventually something dies. 6. Current production tubes… Combine these with non existent repair facilities and warranty service to that consists of chucking things and handing you a new one a month after you need it… Re: Windows machines: what you state is the exact opposite of my experiences. I've been using Windows 10 since the week it was released. I'm running it on three machines with Reaper. Not a single driver issue, not ever. Both Windows 10 and Reaper have been flawless. Not a single crash. -09 Yeah. I never have issues on my W10 machine. Like never ever. |
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Sept 1, 2021 11:40:30 GMT -6
I clicked this thread to say "do you have a console?" |
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Sept 1, 2021 13:45:23 GMT -6
I clicked this thread to say "do you have a console?" Yep, mechanical things. Faders, knobs, tape machines, etc. |
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on Sept 3, 2021 17:50:30 GMT -6
My Midas has all sorts of issues. Bad channels, bad auxes, bad 2-buss. Tones of headaches. Let's hope the next one is problem free. 😂😂 Is it a Midas Midas or a Behringer Midas? |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,952
|
Post by ericn on Sept 3, 2021 18:41:46 GMT -6
My Midas has all sorts of issues. Bad channels, bad auxes, bad 2-buss. Tones of headaches. Let's hope the next one is problem free. 😂😂 Is it a Midas Midas or a Behringer Midas? The Behringer Midas analog boards were all in the works before Bosch sold off Midas/ KT. Bosch just never had the cash. |
|
|
|
Post by jeremygillespie on Sept 3, 2021 20:11:15 GMT -6
The more gear I acquire, the more troubleshooting and problem solving I have to do. Problematic mics, scratchy lots on outboard, bad tubes, patchbay normalling that doesn’t work, etc. It’s ALWAYS something. Don’t even get me started on computer stuff. I’d say the biggest skill set an audio engineer could have is the ability to troubleshoot and fix problems. Realizing there was a problem, troubleshooting, and fixing it before the client Or even the engineer knew the problem existed used to be one of my favorite things to do as an assistant. On 14 hour sessions for weeks on end it would be the little things that would keep me engaged! |
|
|
|
Post by standup on Sept 3, 2021 20:58:09 GMT -6
I had one mic go bad in the last few years. A Breyer m69 went dead. Repair guy said it looked, under a microscope, like a tiny lead inside the capsule was no longer connected.
A used m69 was cheaper than a new capsule, so that was the fix.
Most of my mics have been trouble free.
I have more issues with vintage guitar amps for sure. And no console here, so spared that.
|
|
