preamp noise????

[TheFozz44]

So, I am recording through my new Yamaha AW1600, and the internal preamps sound pritty good, but when cranked up, they produce a "white noise" type of sound (only when turned all the way to "mic", or near it).

My question is how noisy should I expect these pre’s to be, and should I suspect something is wrong with them?? I mean the noise I am getting seems pritty loud, but the recorded music does cover it up almost completely to the casual ear. I would say that the "white noise" that I am getting is generally comparable to "tape hiss" heard on analog recordings from the 70s, or maybe just a tad bit louder.

I guess what I am saying is that this noise does not seem right to me, but maybe it is normal for run-of-the-mill internal preamps to produce some hiss like this when cranked all the way. I would surely appreciate it if someone could give me the lowdown on this so that I can know whether to just accept it or to seek repair. Thanks a ton!!

Ryan

[sparqee]

In my experience such noise at high gain settings is to be expected from this grade of equipment. Even with my Mackie CR1604-VLZ the onboard pre will produce a noticeable noise floor if cranked all the way up. A good quality mic pre is a worthwhile investment if you want to make low noise acoustic recordings.

[TheFozz44]

Originally Posted by sparqee

In my experience such noise at high gain settings is to be expected from this grade of equipment. Even with my Mackie CR1604-VLZ the onboard pre will produce a noticeable noise floor if cranked all the way up. A good quality mic pre is a worthwhile investment if you want to make low noise acoustic recordings.

Thanks, Sparqee. I figured that might have been the case. I just didn't have much to compare/reference the issue to.

[MetalDave]

When I have had this problem it was usually because I have had the source of the music eg, guitar to far away from the mic. and as sparqee has said the lower the quality of the audio device in the chain the more you will hear this. You shouldn't need to turn things up that loud. 0db is as much as you should "push" anything, even with a good preamp.

[TheFozz44]

Originally Posted by MetalDave

When I have had this problem it was usually because I have had the source of the music eg, guitar to far away from the mic. and as sparqee has said the lower the quality of the audio device in the chain the more you will hear this. You shouldn't need to turn things up that loud. 0db is as much as you should "push" anything, even with a good preamp.

Forgive me as I am a newbie, but what exactly are you referring to when you say "0dB"? Is that simply the level at which the signal will clip?

Well, the situation I was experiencing was that I was micing an acoustic guitar, and found that I was able to crank the gain all the way up (or darn near) without clipping the signal. Wouldn't I want to get as hot a signal as possible without clipping, even if that means to crank the gain??

[MetalDave]

No that is the level used in recording I hardly ever push a signal on the chain as high as 0db. As on the sliders on a mixer. They usually go from 00 to +10 I like to keep it between -30 to 0db as much as possible. Also I never crank the gain knob either. This would be true on recording software also. Hot signal causes noise and sometimes low signal can do the same thing.

[TheFozz44]

Also, everyone that has responded to me on this issue has said that I should not have to turn the gain as high as I am. I am suprised a bit by this as I thought that all of that available gain was there for a reason, as long as there is no clipping. Anyway, does this mean that I should not usually be turning my gain knob all the way to "mic" on a "line" - "mic" gain knob?

[MetalDave]

It almost sounds like you're mic isn't working corectly. or you are miking something from the other room. You can push the signal to wherever you want. the only problem is when the signal is hot, the hiss begins to generate. If you are trying to hear something far away you need more gain and level but if you have control of how close you can mic it, put it closer and avoid this noise.

[brandondrury]

the internal preamps sound pritty good, but when cranked up, they produce a "white noise" type of sound (only when turned all the way to "mic", or near it).

This is totally normal for these kinds of preamps. $1,000 preamps don't do this, but the $8 preamps (just a guess) in your recorder do. This is common with all budget mixers, standalone recorders, and preamps built into audio interfaces.

I am suprised a bit by this as I thought that all of that available gain was there for a reason, as long as there is no clipping.

If it is noisy, it's not what I call "available gain". The solution is easy. Back off the preamp and make up for the gain during mixing (if even necessary) with maybe the output of a compressor plugin or by manually boosting the level of the track. Hiss is simply not acceptable.

When I have had this problem it was usually because I have had the source of the music eg, guitar to far away from the mic.

While there is no denying that getting closer to the source with a mic is going to cram more signal into the mic (and therefore less preamp gain will be needed) mic placement is way to critical in the process to be based simply on gain. The mic should always be placed where it sounds the best. Gain can always be added down the road if it's really necessary.

It almost sounds like you're mic isn't working corectly.

This has happened to be 1,000 times back in the days when I didn't have expensive preamps. Hell, my Distressor's make up gain gets a little hissy when pushed too hard. It's very common when using dynamic mics with quiet sources. Dynamic mics are low in output level typically. To do voiceover work with my Shure SM7 I have to turn my Vintech 1272 all the way up.

Brandon