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AKG Solidtube

PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:34 pm
by Malcolm Boyce
So I noticed while mixing tracks for a project recorded by Wes Jagoe, that some vocals recorded with his Solidtube included some 60Hz hum... Free of charge! I mentioned it to him, and hoped that it was him not setting the ground switch properly, or something simple like that.

Yesterday, I spent some time at his place checking out some cable issues, including finding some stuff in his monitor chain being FUBAR, and we looked at the Solidtube. Running into his rig, both direct into the 002, and through his console, created the hum. Running into my laptop and USB Mobilepre on battery, still getting the hum. I begin to suspect the mic itself, or the AC service. Since I had no means of testing the power with me, I brought the mic home with me. Viola... quiet as a church mouse.

I figure he must have some issue with his service that is causing the thing to hum on it's own... Voltage on the neutral is the probable culprit I figure. I hope Wes would know enough to verify he has a proper earth ground.
I'll find out in the next couple of days what's going on with his power.

Yet another example of ways to mess up with good gear. Always check to make sure you have good AC service!!! It doesn't have to be anything special to work right.... just correct to code!

PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:28 pm
by oddioguy
Something as simple as a loose ground screw on one of the electrical boxes....

PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:16 pm
by Malcolm Boyce
I may have to convince Jagoe that mic just doesn't like his house... ;-)

PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:41 pm
by oddioguy
Malcolm Boyce wrote:I may have to convince Jagoe that mic just doesn't like his house... ;-)

You must have an old Realistic Highball that he'll take in trade? :twisted:

PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:07 pm
by weatherstation audio
once you've crawled your way behind the desk and gear... you discover Wes' rats nest... he needs to properly wire a balanced patchbay, in serious way !

PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:49 pm
by Malcolm Boyce
So it turns out that he has no earth ground on several outlets, and not just in his recording space, but several rooms in his house.

It's a miracle he hasn't had bigger problems, considering it seems to be something that's been unnoticed for a while.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:52 pm
by oddioguy
Malcolm Boyce wrote:So it turns out that he has no earth ground on several outlets, and not just in his recording space, but several rooms in his house.

It's a miracle he hasn't had bigger problems, considering it seems to be something that's been unnoticed for a while.

That may explain why one of his V8's has gone *poof* on 2 separate occasions.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:27 pm
by weatherstation audio
oddioguy wrote:That may explain why one of his V8's has gone *poof* on 2 separate occasions.


No... that's not why... once upon a time, I told Wes that he should not use his V8 monitors in any PA type situation, cause he'd risk blowing components... and he did. :shock:

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:30 pm
by oddioguy
weatherstation audio wrote:
oddioguy wrote:That may explain why one of his V8's has gone *poof* on 2 separate occasions.


No... that's not why... once upon a time, I told Wes that he should not use his V8 monitors in any PA type situation, cause he'd risk blowing components... and he did. :shock:


There's a good point....

Monitors are not sound reenforcement enclosures.