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Recording problems


 
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Some studio problems and how to fix them..

When things go wrong....

Some things to check

No sound

Make sure that the input is not set to mute.
Check the mic is not switched off.
Check for faulty microphone plug or cable.
Check that the recording level has been set above zero.

Echo

The microphone too far from the speaker.
Electronic feedback.
The room acoustics may be unsuitable.
Too many hard surfaces.

Background sounds

Set the gain manually instead of using agc.
Move the microphone closer to the subject.
Choose a quieter room or a quieter time of day.

The recording sounds muffled

Check that your microphone is compatible with the sound card.
Microphone positioned too close to the speaker.
The mic windshield is too bulky.
Clean the tape recorder heads.
Check the tone control settings.

Distorted sound

Check that the input level are not set too high, causing over recording.

Hum or buzz

This is 'mains hum'. The AC field from a mains cable is entering the audio system.
Keep microphone cable away from power cables.
Make sure mic and power cables cross at right angles.
Move the mic away from computers or TV sets.
Push all the plug in properly.
Stop things buzzing by taping them down.

Hiss

Recorder level set too low, causing under-recording.
Wrong sort of tape or wrong setting on the recorder.

Bangs

Isolate noise transmitted through the microphone stand or cable.
If the microphone is on a table, stand it on some foam.
Put some felt under the table legs.
Check that no one is kicking the table.

Feedback happens if an amplifier feeds the sound back into the microphone

Turn off the amplifier.
Ask the talker to speak louder so you can turn down the gain.
Reduce the distance from the talker to the microphone.
Move any monitor loudspeaker well away from the microphone.
Get the ‘engineer’ to wear headphones.

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