Mystery feedback?

[Richard Crowley]

The high-pitch noise appears WHERE? WHEN?
Where are you hearing this? In headphones? In speakers? In the same room with the open microphone?
When are you hearing this? While recording (or setting up for recording)? Only when playing back the recorded clip?

Does disconnecting the audio inputs from the UCA202 make the noise disappear?
Does disconnecting the UCA202 from the computer make the noise go away?

[Rich Swartzwelder]

Thanks for the reply. The noise is heard in whatever I’m using to monitor the recording (speakers or headphones). It is heard during the recording and is in the recorded clip. Like I said, the noise appears when I “arm” a track for recording in Soundtrack Pro. I tried Audition and get the same noise as soon as I arm a track. When I disconnect the audio inputs from the UCA202 the audio from the booth cuts out (of course) but the noise remains. Disconnecting the UCA202 makes the noise go away.

[Richard Crowley]

“When I disconnect the audio inputs from the UCA202 the … noise remains. Disconnecting the UCA202 makes the noise go away.”

That would appear to implicate your UCA202, wouldn’t it?

[Rich Swartzwelder]

It would. I’m just wondering why the noise only occurs when the track is in record mode? When I listen to the audio through the headphone jack on the 202, it’s clean.

[Richard Crowley]

Without a sample to listen to, we are really just guessing. You may need someone to help you who is familiar with Mac hardware and software.

[Peter Groom]

Where is the audio to hear
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Ty Ford]

Hello Rich and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

Hate to say it, but Behringer doesn’t have a sterling reputation for gear. I normally don’t even bother to read about their products due to the rip off of the Mackie mixer some years ago.

After reading your post, I googled UCR202 and whine. Among many posts the ones below should give you a real warm and fuzzy that you are not alone.

https://forum.cockos.com/archive/index.php/t-51568.html

https://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=69080

So, it appears that it’s not feedback at all, but caused or generated by the UCA202. You can’t expect too much from a $29 converter I/O box. If you’re not doing professional work, it doesn’t matter as much.

If you are doing professional work, you can’t afford to “buy cheap.” A real I/O box like the Sound Devices USBPre2 costs many times that of a UCA202 but is engineered and built properly. See here:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734341-REG/Sound_Devices_USBPRE_2_USBPre_2_Microphone.html/BI/8631/KBID/9745

It’s not the only USB I/O out there, but it’s solid and you won’t have to make excuses for it.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Richard Crowley]

I have a UCA202 and I have not encountered any such behavior. It may be possible that you have a bad unit, but that could happen with any brand. I don’t share others’ low opinion of Behringer. We don’t all drive Lamborghinis or use Sound Devices or Nagra, etc.

[Ty Ford]

Richard,

I don’t think I’v ever seen you hyperbolize! What fun!

I see Sound Devices gear as Ford, GM, Cadillac, not made of unobtanium or youcantaffordium. 🙂

I have never owned a Nagra. Given the amount of time you’ve been collecting and using gear, I daresay, much of it is well above Behringer quality.

That your device seems to work properly is a good thing. That many others have made similar complaints about this device and the whine tells us you got lucky. At best, perhaps computer systems are all so subtly different that Behringer’s R&D money was exhausted well before they went to market with this device.

Bottom line. Noisy interface with evidence pointing to a compliance issue.

Perhaps you would favor us with an outline of your bits and pieces and settings to see if that would resolve Rich’s problem and be of continued aid to anyone else who landed here with the same complaint. Are you running Mac or PC?

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Richard Crowley]

I use only PCs which is why I suggested that someone with Mac experience would be of better help. I must say that my strong suspicion is that this is an operational (or configuration) problem, and not a hardware problem.

It would be good to know whether the “Monitor On-Off” switch position has any effect on the symptoms. And a comprehensive description of the setup and operation would be necessary for any significant assistance.