VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

sdaeley17

Hello, Everyone!

So after 3 weeks of patiently waiting, my new CAD E100s arrived from Massdrop. My voice sounds great on it, but there seems to be some undeniable background noise. I've turned off all AC and heating, unplugged the fridge, tried multiple cables, usb cables, interfaces, recording to laptop and tablet, all with the same results. However, I'd still like another set of ears to help me determine if this is an intrinsic or ambient noise issue. Here are two files, both featuring speaking and room tone. Thank you all for your help!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/80o3w0wg9tv4qqr/cade100snoisy2.mp3?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7joet6rzh6i639/cade100snoisy.mp3?dl=0
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paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:27 am Post subject:

Just listening, no spectral view, it sounds like self noise from the Mic.

On the 2nd file did you crank the gain on the AG03? I'm using that interface as well, and I've found that it can get hissy at the top end of the gain dial (like more interfaces).

Perhaps the CAD just needs more juice than the 416 or the NT1A and that's causing more noise in the AG03?
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:33 am Post subject:

Thanks for having a listen, Paul! Yes, I did crank the gain (as if the noise wasn't already apparent, haha.)
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"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:36 am Post subject:

Well, as you know, some mics just need more gain to get proper levels, and the CAD me be one. Have you ever used one in your setup before?

I like the AG03 a lot, but I found about a 10 db difference in levels at the same dial position between my AT2020 and AT3035
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:41 am Post subject:

this is my first time using the CAD (being in Japan, it's hard to get one for a decent price, that's why i went with the massdrop) It had the same issue with the audient id14, which has a very quiet pre. Even at low levels (below -20) I could still hear a noticable hiss, one I wasn't getting with my Rode or 416.
_________________
"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:44 am Post subject:

Sounds like you had better stick with the other 2.

Bring that sucker to VO Atlanta and make someone's day selling it at the same price!
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:47 am Post subject:

Haha, thanks for the compliment! BUt I won't put a pox on anyone's studio with a faulty mic! No need to spread my frustration, haha.
_________________
"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:49 am Post subject:

I don't think it's broken. It probably just has a higher self noise quotient in your setup. It may be totally different for somebody using a different pre-amp or interface.
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:56 am Post subject:

I'd like to think so, Paul, but after everything I've tried, and the multiple opinions I've gotten from other VO's and audio engineers who've listened to those files(including the venerable Uncle Roy, even he was stumped!) I don't know what else it could be. I have one other interface I can try in the morning, but I doubt the results will be any different. Oh, well, back to the ol sounding board!
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"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

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

The CAD E100 IMO should not be having any noticeable self noise. It's one of the lowest-noise mics out there.

I have heard that due to the enormous popularity recently, CAD has had trouble keeping up with demand and sometimes a dud gets sent out by mistake.

paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 7:05 am Post subject:

Do you get standard manufacturer warranty coverage from Massdrop?

Time to send that back. Hopefully you will have enough time for the return policy to wait until you get to Atlanta to ship it back?
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 7:08 am Post subject:

My thoughts, exactly, Elwood. and Paul, I'm not a hundred percent sure, but since I've only had it for two days, I'm sure that's a small enough window to satisfy warranty.
_________________
"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Mike Harrison · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 8:19 am Post subject:

How are the two switches on the mic set? Also, please describe (list the components in) your signal chain.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 8:26 am Post subject:

thanks, Mike!

All switches on the mic were off.

Here are the chains I tried, all with the same results

Mic-audient id14- macbook air

mic- yamaha ag03- macbook air

mic- yamaha ag03- ipad

cables I tried were Mogami silver and Monster
_________________
"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Mike Harrison · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 8:34 am Post subject:

And when you switched back to one (or both) of your other mics, they sounded fine?
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.