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Neumann TLM102 producing constant low pops and cracks
Hi guys,
I’ve been recording at home for about a month now and just in the last couple of days my mic has started producing constant low pops and cracks – very intrusive and renders any recording unusable. It’s definitely the mic that’s producing the noise, as it occurs regardless of which cables and preamps I use. The sound becomes more frequent as I turn up the gain. I only purchased the mic a month ago so it’ll be a real nuisance if it’s already failing.
My signal chain is as follows:
– Neumann TLM102 mic
– Golden Age 73 MkIII preamp
– Steinberg UR22 mkII interface
– Laptop
Obviously this is a budget setup to begin with, but I’d been getting really good results up until now.
Audio recording here: https://vocaroo.com/i/s1JjK5HAw9LU
Thanks in advance!
– Tom
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3 Replies
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Hello Tom and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.
So no audio is getting through?
The TLM 102 requires full 48 volt Phantom Power. Is the Phantom Power turned on on the Golden Age?
What I fail to understand is why you have both the Golden Age and the Steinberg UR22. They both have preamps and Phantom Power. You should be fine just plugging the mic into the Steinberg with its Phantom Power turned on, and plugging the Steinberg into your laptop. Maybe someone was a little overzealous in providing your gear list.
If you ARE using both, one after the other, Phantom Power only needs to be turned on on the device you’re plugging the mic into.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog -
I should clarify – sound is coming through as it should, except that it’s compromised by the intermittent pops and clicks. Phantom power is activated only on the Golden Age, as it should be. The reason for the external preamp is added tone colour/warmth – the Steinberg’s inbuilt pre was giving me a sound that was somewhat cold and digital to my ears, and the external pre has gone a long way towards remedying that.
I had been recording with this exact setup for a little over a month and this problem didn’t present itself. I’m almost certain the issue is coming from the mic itself – as I said, I’ve switched out all the other components and it still occurs. It’s been raining a lot here over the last few days – could increased humidity be causing it?
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Got it.
OK, but what happens if you take the Golden Age out of the chain. Still popping?
If so, then your problem is likely the mic. Check it. If not, it may be the Phantom Supply in the Golden age.
Humidity can be a problem, but usually only if the diaphragm is dirty. Did you buy the mic new or used? Do you smoke?
Is the mic exposed in a highly humid environment? It’s EXTREMELY humid where I am right now. August in Maryland; East Coast Middle Atlantic USA. None of my mics are do ing this because they are all in an air conditioned studio.
Put it somewhere drier than where it is now for a day. Wrap it in a bag and include some silica gel packets.
Worst case scenario, send it back to Neumann for inspection and possible diaphragm cleaning.
not saying to do this, but if you get up on it and exhale right into the grille, if it is a dirty diaphragm, you should hear it snap, crackle and pop.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog
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