Noise on Tascam

Conrad

Hello all

I have been recording for 2 days on a little Tascam USB device and all was fine but last night after booting up there was suddenly a constant noise like static and I can't determine the source. I have a jack cable into 1 channel and an XLR connected to a condenser mic on the other channel. Any input would be appreciated.

C

Fingerpicker

Is the Tascam a digital recorder or an audio interface to convert the analogue signal to digital for a computer DAW (Digital Audio Workshop) like Cubase?

Conrad

Fingerpicker wrote Is the Tascam a digital recorder or an audio interface to convert the analogue signal to digital for a computer DAW (Digital Audio Workshop) like Cubase?

It is a DAW device and I use Cubase.

TomCat

What happens if you unplug the XLR and /or jack cables from the unit.

Sometimes that kind of noise could be the Phantom power passing through a dry joint in the mic cable.

Conrad

TomCat wrote What happens if you unplug the XLR and /or jack cables from the unit.

Sometimes that kind of noise could be the Phantom power passing through a dry joint in the mic cable.

When I have both unplugged, it's quiet but I can switch either on and then there is noise. I will check this again tonight though and be able to confirm. Have you experienced something similar?

AlanRatcliffe

I've had similar with Roland units where the earth of the socket comes loose from a PCB. I don't know for sure, but it might be a similar thing.

Fingerpicker

I use Cubase, and Avast antivirus, and whenever the audible message comes up with "Your Avast antivirus has been updated" (automatic) it takes out the recording that I am working on, which is crackly thereafter. Try inactivating the antivirus.
Good luck.

Conrad

Fingerpicker wrote I use Cubase, and Avast antivirus, and whenever the audible message comes up with "Your Avast antivirus has been updated" (automatic) it takes out the recording that I am working on, which is crackly thereafter. Try inactivating the antivirus.
Good luck.

Yes I suspected that last night and disabled that but same problem. I am a little afraid of opening the box but if all else fails, that is what I'll do because sending something in for Tascam to fix is not an option. I'll see the unit 6 months later if I am lucky. I'm just hoping it's something simple.

TomCat

Have you tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers.

Is it running on a laptop? If it is a laptop, try switching off the laptop and removing the battery for a minute to clear the cache memory.

Conrad

TomCat wrote Have you tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers.

Is it running on a laptop? If it is a laptop, try switching off the laptop and removing the battery for a minute to clear the cache memory.

OK thanks Tom. Yes it is running on a laptop. I'll try all that. I'll report back with results.

What I don't understand though is that the recording station & laptop were not touched since previous (and perfectly noiseless) recording session so I am worried that maybe something electronic gave up inside the Tascam.

Conrad

OK so it seems fine now and solution baffles me a little because all I did was use another jack cable. Confused since between working and breaking, the previous jack cable was hardly moved and why did signal on XLR input buzz when the jack cable on the other channel was the problem. Thanks for all the input guys.

C