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Mic Processor Question

R

Randy Lahey

I've installed a new processor in a production studio, and for the most part it's working great.

The only problem is it seems it can't handle an excessively loud sound source.

I've had it set up for a few weeks with no problems, but on Friday I heard what sounds like digital clipping. It's not clipping in Adobe Audition so I assume it's the processor. As I said, it's been fine, but I have one announcer with a booming voice, and he was reading some UFC spots and it seems he overpowered it.

Even when I put the processor on "bypass" I would still get the clipping. When I ran the mic straight into the board, it was fine.

The processor is a DBX 286s http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/286S

The board is a A&H XB14 http://www.broadcastwarehouse.com/allen-&-heath/xb14-radio-broadcast-mixer/1385/product

I am not even using any compression. Right now it's just being used as a noise gate:
Threshhold: -30
Ratio: 1.5:1

The output is set to -10
 
It seems that the microphone is overloading the input stage of the processor. What kind of mic?
You may need to build or purchase an attenuator and insert it between the microphone and the input of the mic processor.
The mic processor may have developed a problem too.
 
You may need more attenuation ... especially if the announcer is working the mic too close.
Condenser microphones have a nasty habit of overloading the preamp input stage.
Using three resistors, you can easily build a microphone attenuator which will fit into the XLR connector.
 
frankberry said:
You may need more attenuation ... especially if the announcer is working the mic too close.
Condenser microphones have a nasty habit of overloading the preamp input stage.
Using three resistors, you can easily build a microphone attenuator which will fit into the XLR connector.
Click to expand...

I have to admit, I'm not an engineer...We don't have an in house engineer. We just have a guy that comes up once or twice a year, so other than that I basically do the troubleshooting. I can and do figure this stuff out by reading, and research on the internet, but you will have to be more specific.

Can one of these be purchased? Is it hard to build yourself?
 
ChiefOperator said:
Randy-

Read this tech note and you'll have an education on how to match a given mic to a preamp. It may too much for you, but it's an informative article.

http://rane.com/note148.html


Also, here is a nice article regarding the construction of a pad.

http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

Finally, let me echo what Goran said. Verify that the dbx is plugged into a LINE input on the console, not a MIC input.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chief, I'll give these a read.

...and yes, I'm positive it's in the line in.
 
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