bad noise problem with PA/Recording

[stratotone]

Here's the deal: I have a Korg D3200 digital 32 track recorder. Running it with two powered QSC HPR12's. Sounds awesome. It's very quiet, UNTIL I hook up microphones to the mic inputs - then it starts picking up radio stations, like the mic cables are acting as antennae. I have everything plugged into a monster power conditioner, any ideas on cutting the noise?

Pete

 

[nbarts]

Are your mic cables balanced?

 

[1big1]

how far away from the source of interference is your studio?

 

[stratotone]

how far away from the source of interference is your studio?

I'm not sure... there isn't a tower next door or anything, but it could be somewhat near. And yeah, mic cables are balanced. Oh, and the noise gets worse when someone holds a mic or touches the mic stand. It's driving me nuts!

pete

 

[nbarts]

Have you tried a different mic?

 

[1big1]

pardon the pun.. but it sounds like a grounding issue to me. usually studios and radio stations run a separate connection to ground. you use a separate grounding rod which gets attached to a grounding strap which all the grounds from the power supply side are hooked to. if the problem persists you can put an rf trap on the ground which usually takes care of the problem by bleeding the rf into the ground.

 

[stratotone]

Have you tried a different mic?

Yup, four different ones - SM57, 2 SM58s, some phantom powered mic the singer recently picked up. Also changed out cables for different makes and lengths. Shorter was better, but none were quiet.

Pete

 

[stratotone]

I'm going to buy a few of these and see if this does it:

http://www.alectrosystems.com/alectro/c ... a9bd7de20a

Pete

 

[1big1]

those look promising and probably less expensive than re-wiring a studio.

 

[stratotone]

those look promising and probably less expensive than re-wiring a studio.

That's what I was thinking. Once I get em I'll post whether they worked or not.

Pete

 

[Meathead]

There are a few clubs I play that have really bad hum and noise in the power.
I hear this works really well for hum, not sure about radio interference, gonna try it soon.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ebtech-Hum-X-Hum-Exterminator?sku=150452

 

[stratotone]

The Monster power conditioner I bought killed all the hum/noise in the power... might want to check one out since it has several outlets. Was like $80 or something like that at GC. It just didn't take out the radio stations from my microphone antennas

 

[1big1]

public performance venues usually run a separate power supply line for audio applications. they put it on a separate company box then filter it. it keeps it separate from the lighting power supply so they don't cross talk.

 

[Meathead]

public performance venues usually run a separate power supply line for audio applications. they put it on a separate company box then filter it. it keeps it separate from the lighting power supply so they don't cross talk.

I wish!
Usually the house soundman is a guy (making 70 bucks) that knows a bit about the cheap soundboard he's using...but if you unplugged some inserts or effects he'd have no clue how to hook them up again.

Not very often do I see that in clubs...larger stages/festivals yes.

 

[1big1]

i'm talking about theaters.. festivals.. and larger venues. that's where i work most of the time.
i'm a stagehand.
if i'm playing it's usually in smaller local clubs. around here they don't even have a house sound guy because they don't have a house p.a. you have to bring your own. same with lighting.