VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

InYourEars · Guest

Found a deal on a used AT3035 - took a chance - it arrived today to my great joy - I think it's in fine order, but not entirely certain.

In testing it out - I see what appears to be a hard limit at like -6db in my recording software - I've not seen this behavior with the other mics I own.

If I record with lower levels it seems fine, but anything over -6db seems to get hard limited - the wave lines look all flat at their topsies and bottomsies (technical I know).

Any advice is greatly appreciated with this shiny (not so much actually) new gizmo.

Hart · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

That doesn't sound like a typical mic problem to me, but I'm no expert.

Two thoughts:

What preamp are you using? It could be the new mic runs hotter than your old one and you're overdriving the pre. Try adjusting those levels.

What audio interface/soundcard are you using? Same thing make sure you aren't overdriving here.

If that doesn't help, perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I will be along shortly.

P.S. Congrats on the new mic!
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

I've got this mic and don't have that problem in Audition. The only 2 settings for the mic are low cut which kills rumble and pad which cuts the volume if you have really LOUD instruments being mic'ed.

Check your pre-amp and/or recording software.
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InYourEars · Guest

Thanks Jeff - so lacking a manual, the low cut - should it be set to the flat line or the one that curves slightly? And the 10db pad - should it be on 10 or 0 for voice? Are there any instances where you would change either of them for a read?

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

I have the low cut turned on so that it nukes anything below -50DB, I think. You want the pad set at 0 unless your voice is louder than an amplified guitar. Smile

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Craig · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

I too have a 3035.

I'm happy to make a copy of the one page manual for you if you want it or 4 pages if you want the three other languages.

The roll off switch is a 12db roll off at 80 Hz.

The 10db pad is a flat, across the board 10db pad.

If I had to guess, I would think your problem is that this mic is just a little hotter than your others and is breaking a hard limit in your software at -6db.

Never mind. I will not send it to you!

Here it is!!!

http://media.zzounds.com/media/AT3035-1a03316c19c0f270242b246bdcbe98de.pdf

Good luck.

Craig
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I've seen this before. What pre-amp, software, and mixer are you using and
what is you're order of configuration?
It's definitely a routing and cabling (balanced vs. unbalanced)issue.
Let us know, we'll fix it.
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InYourEars · Guest

Bill - I've got the AT3035 cabled into a DBX 286a - with a Monster XLR cable - then to a Tascam US-122 interface - via a balanced cable - to the Line/Guitar in Left channel - then USB 1.1 to my Macbook Pro - into Amadeus Pro.

The odd thing is that this same combination with either of my other two Mics (Shure SM57 & EV Blue Cardinal) doesn't produce this type of effect.

Now with the same setup - I tried recording into Audacity - and I can get it to go above -6 and can even get it to clip.

Here's a link to an MP3 I just created to show the difference

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

My -6 issue was using Adobe Audition from a 286A. The fix was to use
an unbalanced (mono) 1/4 cable from the 286A into my PC soundcard.

It is odd that the other mics don't do the same thing.

What happens when you record in two channel stereo?

Both files sound pretty good, by the way.
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mcm · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:06 am Post subject:

I had this problem once - different mic - it was the settings on my sound card (Echo Mia).

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

The Shure and the Cardinal are dynamic microphones which require far more gain than a condenser like the AT 3035. Try it at 40db gain or at about 2/3 of what the dynamics are set to.
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InYourEars · Guest

Actually the Cardinal is a condenser - but thanks - I did replace the balanced cable from the DBX 286a to the Tascam US-122 - with an unbalanced mono cable - but that didn't fix the issue in Amadeus Pro.

Success! I tested again with the Shure, and the same issue appeared, so it had to be Amadeus Pro. I grabbed the preferences file from my Library folder for Amadeus Pro and moved it to my desktop, restarted Amadeus Pro and tried to record again - this time it's back to normal - clipping away like a chainsaw W00T

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Thanks everyone for your input and advice - I LOVE this new to me mic!

Yippee indeed!