Third Take

My tube amp, a late 90s Mesa/Boogie DC-3, developed a crackle. I searched the internet, but couldn’t find any information that directly corresponded to the problem I was experiencing. So, while this is not specifically home-recording related, I decided to add my experience to the internet in hopes it will help someone else.

The problem was a low-volume intermittent crackle coming through the speaker. It was not a hum, hiss, or pop – it sounded similar to a faulty cable or connection, but more subtle and less urgent. It would crackle for several seconds and then stop. As time progressed, over several months, it got worse. Interestingly, the crackle did not get louder if you turned up the volume. No matter how loud or quiet the amp volume was, the crackle was the same level.

I tried all the diagnostics I could, and nothing pointed toward the problem. I swapped pre-amp tubes one-by-one with known good ones. I tapped on the power tubes with a pencil. I checked the speaker connection. As a last resort, I replaced all four power tubes with new ones, and that finally fixed it. It was a $40 gamble, but it paid off.

So, internet, absorb my knowledge: if your tube amp gets the crackle, replace the power tubes.

What’s the one piece of gear every studio has? A lava lamp.

In my modest home studio, I’m usually recording myself, my band, or my friends. We all know we’re recording in a converted bedroom, and there are no expectations for it to look or feel like a “professional” studio. However, that doesn’t stop me from trying to make the studio as comfortable as possible. Recording is fun, but it is also stressful, and marathon days can be grueling. A few comforts can make a big difference in fatigue, attitude, and end result. Read more

I’ve been looking at those little portable recorders for a while now. I keep hearing how good they sound, so I ordered a “warehouse resealed” Zoom H2 from Zzounds. I want to use it to record rehearsals and shows, so the band can assess how we’re sounding. I think it would also be cool to record things in the wild and make “found sound” loops ala Califone.

Evidently, there’s also a new Zoom recorder coming out, the Zoom H4n, that will be a step up from the H4.

A good bass sound is critical to great recordings. Compared to other instruments, like drums or acoustic guitar, it’s fairly easy to record. I’ve had decent results plugging straight into my DMP-3, setting the gain, and pressing Record. However, decent results are not always good enough. I want an tight, hot, punchy bass sound that really drives the mix. I’ve tried two different “amp simulators” in my studio for the last couple years – the SansAmp Bass Driver DI and the Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro – and I’m here to tell you which one is better. Read more

I recently purchased a pair of sound isolating earbuds for live use. At one of my guitar gigs, we have an in-ear monitor system and I wanted a nice pair of earbuds that would block out stage noise and let me hear the monitor system clearly. Then I had a brainstorm: why not use them when recording vocals in my home studio? Read more

I bought the M-Audio DMP3 Dual Microphone/Instrument Preamp a few months ago to add another two preamps to my system. I chose this preamp because of my positive experience with the preamps in my M-Audio Omni Studio, which are reportedly based on the DMP2, predecessor to the DMP3. I’ve been using the DMP3 for a few months, and am pleased with the preamp despite one major flaw. Read more

Today I got an E-MU Xboard 49 MIDI controller keyboard from zzounds. I picked this controller because it has driver support for Windows x64, according to Cakewalk. So far, I’m really impressed with the hardware, but I’m having trouble with the included soft synth.
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