VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject: What's the Buzz... Seriously!

Name that Noise... Please

This problem began occurring a couple months ago and it's ruining good takes. At the end of certain words, there is a 'buzz'. I can say the same word over and over and it buzzes at the end, yet none of other words in a sentence will do the same thing. I was doing a test read this morning and I posted some of the words in the read that offered up the 'buzz'. The phrase you hear three times is actually me saying the phrase three different times to try to get one that didn't buzz.

I'm on PC. Running Windows 7. Pro Tools 11. I've tried two different Sennhieser 416's, two different Pre's with each mic, taking the dbx out of the chain and I still get it. I have an idea, but fixing it will be expensive, so I wanted to get some knowledge behind the decision before I begin spending money.

Here's a clip if you would be so kind to offer an opinion.

https://soundcloud.com/rickriley-1/micbuzz_rriley

Thanks!
Rick
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I get that sometimes with a 416. Not sure what it is, but suspect it is something physical vibrating, like maybe where the shockmount screws onto the stand or something of that sort

Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:55 pm Post subject:

Rob,

I don't know how vibration can go through elastic bands, but I've never actually held on to the mic while I was recording to see if it would stop. Have you?

I actually bought a second 416 when Cipriano offered his deal, thinking it was the mic. But now they both do it.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I don't know what mounts and stands and pop filters you're using, but I'm thinking of anything that is metal on metal.......and I'm only guessing.......this hasn't been a huge problem for me but has happened a stray time or two, and it was several months ago............I put some electrical tape wherever possible on my stands where any metal to metal came in contact (pop filter and mini-boom arm)...........Don't know for sure that this is what's causing your buzz but in my case it seemed to help......

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:24 pm Post subject:

Do the troubleshooting method: Change out one thing at a time, and never assume it's not something making the noise. I'd use the clip that comes with the 416 instead of the shock and see if it changes. If not, then change the mic stand/mount. If you still hear it, then change the room. It's amazing how some gremlins persist through EVERYTHING being changed, happened to one of my clients. He gets a RFI blip every 45 seconds with most every mic cable he's tried but for one cheap, molded connector cable, after swapping out EVERYTHING in the chain.
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:53 am Post subject:

Hmmm. It's time for a hearing check for me. I didn't hear a buzz.

B
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:26 am Post subject:

I'm with Bruce. I didn't hear any buzz.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:36 am Post subject:

Interesting that some don't hear it. It's in the underlined part of the words Pursuit, View, Forward.

I've listened on two sets of monitors and it's pretty pronounced to me.
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Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the Paramedics

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Jason Huggins · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:47 am Post subject:

I also am not hearing a "buzz" really. It sounds more like the natural growl of your voice at the end of a phrase. Have you ever noticed it in a different studio? Tried a different mic? Maybe it is actually coming from your voice and is just accentuated on the 416 in a certain position. Does it happen at certain times of day? Does it diminish if you address the mic differently than you normally do?

ricevoice · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:08 pm Post subject:

I don't hear it either.

You might want to have your ears cleaned. I had a similar issue a few months back, I was hearing an odd resonance that I thought sounded a bit metallic. No one else was hearing it. Around that time I also noticed certain frequencies were really irritating me while listening to music. Turned out there was a wax build-up way in my inner ear that was affecting my eardrum... once that was cleared out the problems were gone.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject:

Chris, we may have to have a group cleaning as several are hearing it. My friend Mr. Ballenberg, with enough volume and examining the wave file, pointed out that it may be ME, which I'm highly considering, but it IS there, on the portions of the words I highlighted.

However it is comforting to know that several DON'T hear it. Hopefully, those will be the ones paying me. Wink

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Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the Paramedics

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Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:49 pm Post subject:

This could be like looking at a zit. It always appears ten times bigger on your own face in the mirror than it does to anybody else who's just looking at you. Smile

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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
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Quicksilver · Been Here Awhile Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 217

I had a click/pop problem recently, tracked it down to my M-Audio converter. I'll tell you, it wasn't a fun problem to have, especially when you cables are running through your walls.

Cables would be my best bet, converter next or computer glitch.

416's are tough, especially when only used for VO, but of course like anything, can and do fail.

Hope it's something cheap and you find it soon!

samowry · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:55 pm Post subject:

I hear it, but have no idea what is causing it.

Good luck. Where are all the spectral analysts on this one. I'd think that would help., but what do I know.

SamA

dwpthe3rd · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:01 pm Post subject:

I have both Sennheiser ME 64 & ME66 shotgun microphones - neither the quality of the 416, however they do share the weight similarity - hence this post; when either of these lightweight mics (particularly the me64 mic head at 35 grams) is shock mounted and attached to my Luxo microphone arm they are VERY susceptible to vibration and can sound slightly "raspy" at times similar to what Rick & others hear.

My mics became more predictable by attaching a weight (couple of pounds) to the Luxo arm itself, adding mass and stability to the whole contraption. No voodoo involved - just simple physics to stabilize the mic.

My .02, and worth what you paid for it!

Dave