Hey how's it going. I'm having a very interesting noise problem that I cannot isolate in the following chain:
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 output (using a hardware insert in Logic during mixing)
into API 312 (I built and have used for years no problem)
printing to Otari MX5050 mkiii (recent acquisition)
back into a Focusrite Input
an image of the noise is attached. sounds like white-ish noise w/ a bit of crackle
I know I'm sending a line level signal into the API pre, it's attenuated about -20 before leaving the output so it's not distorting the pre or anything.
So here's the interesting part -
If I just send the signal to the API and back in, there's no noise at all, great S/N ratio - have done this a ton
Same if I just send the signal only thru the tape and back, on every channel of the tape deck,
If i take a mic, or an ipod or anything, and send it into the API, to the tape, there's also no noise...every channel...pristine
Back to the problem chain - if I'm monitoring the tape output in Sync/Input mode, there's no noise...only in Repro...
The noise is getting recorded to the tape. I printed it and listened back off of Sync head. While monitoring off a Mackie which is paralleled off the tape outs
All 8 outputs of the Focusrite introduce approx. the same level of noise when used. Outs 1&2 are somewhat quieter, I guess b/c they split out to some Mon outputs on the interface and that's somehow affecting it? But it's still unacceptably loud using those outs as well.
I have an LA2A I built as well, and am sending out a different track to that, to tape, no problems at all
Interface, LA2 and API are all plugged into same power strip, tape is on a different one but doesn't sound like a grounding problem...
All pieces are connected via patchbay, its not the cables either
So what about the interaction of these 3 pieces would cause such a noise...I'm pretty mystified ...anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 output (using a hardware insert in Logic during mixing)
into API 312 (I built and have used for years no problem)
printing to Otari MX5050 mkiii (recent acquisition)
back into a Focusrite Input
an image of the noise is attached. sounds like white-ish noise w/ a bit of crackle
I know I'm sending a line level signal into the API pre, it's attenuated about -20 before leaving the output so it's not distorting the pre or anything.
So here's the interesting part -
If I just send the signal to the API and back in, there's no noise at all, great S/N ratio - have done this a ton
Same if I just send the signal only thru the tape and back, on every channel of the tape deck,
If i take a mic, or an ipod or anything, and send it into the API, to the tape, there's also no noise...every channel...pristine
Back to the problem chain - if I'm monitoring the tape output in Sync/Input mode, there's no noise...only in Repro...
The noise is getting recorded to the tape. I printed it and listened back off of Sync head. While monitoring off a Mackie which is paralleled off the tape outs
All 8 outputs of the Focusrite introduce approx. the same level of noise when used. Outs 1&2 are somewhat quieter, I guess b/c they split out to some Mon outputs on the interface and that's somehow affecting it? But it's still unacceptably loud using those outs as well.
I have an LA2A I built as well, and am sending out a different track to that, to tape, no problems at all
Interface, LA2 and API are all plugged into same power strip, tape is on a different one but doesn't sound like a grounding problem...
All pieces are connected via patchbay, its not the cables either
So what about the interaction of these 3 pieces would cause such a noise...I'm pretty mystified ...anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!