Comments | mechanyx: If at first you don't succeed, get a drill

mechanyx

If at first you don't succeed, get a drill

Oct 19, 2008 21:00

A couple weeks ago, I went up to Boston to record the wonderful Julia Torgovitskaya aka juliatorgo at Tufts' exceptional new Distler Performance Hall in the Granoff Music Center. I use an incredibly simple, cheap and effective rig to record live to two which consists of 2 AKG C 414 B-XLS microphones, 1 Aphex 207D and an M Audio Microtrack. This allows for ( Read more... )

Comments 16

captain_bland October 20 2008, 02:25:16 UTC

I'm going to assume that the screw was a pretty small one. Are you familiar with screw extractors (ez-outs)? Probably better for bigger screws, but very useful for just such an occasion.

Another option is to use Krazy Glue. Put a tiny dab on the sheared-off screw and tack on a similarly sized piece of metal. Wait for it to dry and just unscrew!

That's strange about the popping. I'd be interested to know what the root cause is once you've finished your detective work.

mechanyx October 20 2008, 02:30:42 UTC

Yeah, it was a 2.5mm shaft and probably too small for an ez-out.

Glue wasn't really an option here because the cross section was so small that I would have been just as likely to glue the head onto the surface as I would've been to the screw shaft.

I'm almost positive the over voltage caused either a heat or plate voltage problem with the 12AT7/ECC81 in this thing.

freekofnature October 20 2008, 15:25:41 UTC

This is far from a "simple" setup!
Where did you get those condenser mics!!! They must make Yuliya sound awesome (and warm!)

My guess is either:
1) Vacuum tube going, replace in matched pairs (both stereo sides of the amp)
2) Static buildup in the chassis. Check the grounding circuits of the cables with an Ohm meter.

Btw, check the "fire-bottles" in the mic pre-amps too!! And make sure those are properly grounded as well!

mechanyx October 20 2008, 15:35:15 UTC

It's EXTREMELY simple considering that my studio setup was based around a Yamaha 02R96 and my old live rig used a Yamaha 01X.

As for your guesses, there is no amp here. There is only a single tube in the Aphex which is the mic pre. The static buildup theory is good thought though. I had swapped cables though.

The AKG C 414 B-XLSes are widely available. Most engineers dislike transparent gear because they primarily capture sound sources that sound like shit and therefore need a lot of help - i.e. Marshall stacks or singers who can't sing very well.

That hall was really out of control though as it was super wet (most halls are wetter when they are new). We need to record again so I can do it right now that I know the problems that are gonna come up in post.

freekofnature October 20 2008, 18:31:00 UTC

It may not be your equipment.
Take a VTVM or similar and check the neutral-to-ground of the power receptacles your stuff is plugged into. If there is ANY resistance, then that is most likely the source of phantom static and/or electric charge of one type or another build-up in your equipment.

(as well as being incredibly unsafe for the performers, as well as tech staff)

mechanyx October 20 2008, 18:52:45 UTC

Well, I can't do that because I'm 200 miles away but I know for a fact the problem is not localized to the venue because I was able to reproduce it in my living room.

"A few days later at home I plugged my 207D in and just watched it for a few hours. Sure enough, it eventually started popping..."

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