VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

kgenus · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:38 am Post subject: Noise Floor

After moving my preamp (Audio Upgrades High Speed Mic Pre) into my booth, the noise floor dropped significantly. Another preamp manufacturer suggested I do this long ago, I didn't listen because I didn't want to sit in an oven. RX4 meter readings: -50ish db prior to the move, -65ish db after the move, high pass @ 44.5 hz dropped it far below -70db. This was with the UMT70S which has self noise @ 14.0 db(A).
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richvoice · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:41 am Post subject:

I don't get it. Why would moving a component INTO the booth decrease the noise floor?

Thanks,
Rich
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:51 am Post subject:

I wonder if that is related to the length of XLR or something. Seems strange, but I'm sure there is some scientific explanation for it.

Frank F · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:07 pm Post subject:

EMF or RF noise outside the booth could explain the difference. It may be the cable length, it may be the type of cable, it may be the cable is running parallel to a power cord. There are so many possible explanations pertaining to this scenario it boggles the mind.

The only thing we can actually say is: "It worked for Kevin". And that is GOOD!

Frank F
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vkuehn · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:18 pm Post subject:

I have become something of a fanatic on lowering background noises and noise floor and I never think of moving something INTO the booth as a way to reduce the unwanted sound.

kgenus: if you come up with an explanation of why that worked, please share it with us.

For years computer audio enthusiasts complained that having a sound care inside the computer box where all the strange electrical circuits created interference was bad, and back then ALL the external sound "cards" (devices?) were quite expensive.

Today much of the available equipment for getting audio INTO the computer is USB based, thus all the audio circuitry is OUTSIDE he computer case. Good! But the 'gotcha' is that the people building nice USB A/D converters want you to limit the length of the USB cable to FIVE FEET which gets to be an interesting process if you want to be able to reach the gain controls while in your booth. A good debate point for having preamps that are not part of the USB A/D converter.

So, kgenus, help us understand what reduced you noise floor so generously.

kgenus · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:38 pm Post subject:

My guess is that something was being picked up and amplified. Whatever the case, it's an unbelievable difference, I didn't see it coming.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Kevin, you are a genus. cool

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Interesting! Are you using a shorter XLR now Kevin?

I'm using a 6' XLR and a 6' USB. It's possible for me to go to 3' XLR and 3' USB - I'll have to try that. Not that I'm having noise issues, but it could be a touch lower.
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kgenus · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject:

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Thanks. LOL on the heater - anybody else here crank the heat at like 85F for fifteen minutes before turning on the mics and then shutting the heat off for a few hours? Wink

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Mandy Nelson · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 5:35 pm Post subject:

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

I'm on the opposite end of the weather spectrum in Florida....where between April and November, during an extended session in my booth, I've been known to strip down to cargo shorts and nothing more.....yes it does get that hot.

Okay, apply brain bleach to erase the visual...... cool

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:55 pm Post subject:

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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I hear you Rob!

I'm in a three story town-house with the office/studio on the top floor. There's a freaky huge 1970s atrium up the middle of it that brings the heat upstairs.

I try to book longer sessions for first thing in the morning here in Atlanta! Although honestly, since I moved here from Boston ten years ago we have fewer scorching days in the year than up in Beantown - but it's consistently near 90F for three months. Atlanta's not that hot...an hour or so south of here, say Macon or Columbus...fuggeddaboutit.
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Monk · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 7:57 pm Post subject:

I throw a lot of heat, which is why the kilt works so well for me.

Rolls Eyes

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