Old 01-09-2021, 06:20 PM   #1
saltydog
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Default At wits end

Doing a new project with a singer from afar. She bought a Scarlet 2i2 and an AT2020. I heard distortion on the vocal track akin to overs but the levels were way below 0db.
I thought at first that there was not enough phantom DC current for the mic from the USB so I had her switch to the USB3 port. No change. I then put a separate phantom power supply on the mic and again, no change. She managed to acquire an original U87 to see if it was a problem with the AT2020. After cleaning up my drool, I was still getting a distortion issue around 3k albeit not as severe. In this era of covid, I can't swap gear to figure out the problem. I'm so tired of having tech putting a stop to the sessions. Would this be an issue with the interface itself? Any help would be much appreciated!
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:37 PM   #2
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Looking it over, it seems like the order would be(well, to me...) -

- Try a dynamic microphone with the same interface. See if I could duplicate the issue.

- Try another condenser. See if I could duplicate the issue.

- Try the same microphone with another interface. See if I could duplicate the issue.

Good luck.
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:38 PM   #3
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I would try dropping the mic input level at the Scarlett in increments and see what, if anything changes. It's possible the Focusrite pre is clipping and still sending below 0 digital.
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:40 PM   #4
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Come to think of it...

If she somehow managed to source a U87, can she find someone with a second interface/mixing board to double check the AT2020 to see if the issue is there with a totally different setup?
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:57 PM   #5
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Actually, one other question...

The computer in question? Laptop?
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Old 01-09-2021, 07:07 PM   #6
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Well actually, one other thing...

Have heard folks say that getting the latest version of the "Focusrite Control..." software and installing it has straightened out "Noise..." issues on that particular interface.

Any chance that could be an issue in this instance?
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Old 01-10-2021, 07:00 AM   #7
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Diagnosing remotely is hard. Obvious thing is for you to duplicate the singer's setup and get it working. Then tell her what you did - settings /levels / mic choices / whatever.

AT2020 to original U87 is a heck of a step up isn't it?
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Old 01-10-2021, 07:29 AM   #8
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Also - some singers do have an element to their voice that sounds like distortion.
It is a thing.
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Old 01-10-2021, 09:03 AM   #9
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Proximity?
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Old 01-10-2021, 09:13 AM   #10
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it might not actually be distortion. Have you monitored on different systems?
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Old 01-10-2021, 10:53 AM   #11
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Thanks for all the great suggestions! Sadly, we won't have use of the u87 for much longer. It was only a short term loan. She's running a W10 tower with nominal latency
and the mic cage is 8" away. We're going to try lowering the input gain incrementally. Her voice is very much like Melissa Etheridge's so yes, it could also be a timbre issue. She hasn't had the focusrite for very long so I 'presume' the control software is current. Will check that too! I'm also going to take a vocal stem and try it on different monitor systems here.
If it weren't for Covid, I'd have her re-record everything at a local studio and be done with this troubleshooting.
Thanks again and I will update soon (hopefully with the solution!)
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Old 01-10-2021, 11:48 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vdubreeze View Post
It's possible the Focusrite pre is clipping and still sending below 0 digital.
My non-Focusrite interface does something like this (with input gain cranked connected guitar is very audibly distorted and clip light constantly lit yet in Reaper it's like -0.7) so I wouldn't be surprised.
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Old 01-10-2021, 01:25 PM   #13
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This sounds like an interface issue. I would try another interface. I'm betting it solves the issue.
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Old 01-10-2021, 03:19 PM   #14
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If that Scarlett has the "air" buttons on the inputs, try with and without.
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Old 01-11-2021, 04:27 PM   #15
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Just bought a rode NT-USB to take the focusrite out of the variable pool.
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Old 01-11-2021, 05:37 PM   #16
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I had a similar problem with my XLR AT2020 thru a Tascam US-2x2 interface. Level meters throughout Reaper and FX chain were well below -18dBFS (-28 to -32 in Loudness measurements) and a clipping vocal was heard in the same area. I suspect it's the interface as my mic position was just a couple inches away and the green light on the interface was solid. Backing it off till it flickered cleaned it up.
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Old 01-15-2021, 02:45 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by numberthirty View Post
Well actually, one other thing...

Have heard folks say that getting the latest version of the "Focusrite Control..." software and installing it has straightened out "Noise..." issues on that particular interface.

Any chance that could be an issue in this instance?
No, the 2i2 doesn't use Focusrite Control
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