Removing major hiss. Any ideas?

[RossW]

I was delighted to find this forum earlier. There is so much on here that is going to help me to move forward with using my Micro BR.

I've read most of the topics about using a condenser mic and a mixer but none of them fully solve my problem.

I've done a few multi-track recordings so far using the built in mic and I've been able to export these onto my PC, mix with Ableton and get some good results. However, I'd like to improve the quality of the recordings by using some of the other gear I own with my Micro BR.

I'm using my Behringer C-3 condenser mic to record vocals with. It requires phantom power which I am able to provide using my Behringer powered mixer (Europower PMP12805). So I plug my mic into my mixer using an XLR cable and then connect from the mixer's REC OUT directly into the LINE IN/MIC in the Micro BR using a twin phono to 3.5mm stereo jack lead. This seems straightforward enough; the condenser has power and I am able to hear what I sing into the mic in my headphones and record it.

However, my problem is that I can hear a very noticeable hiss in my headphones and this is being picked up on the recording. I can get rid of most of this hiss by taking "sns" down to around -4 when "LIN" is selected and then going to UTILITY and taking the MasterLevel down to about 60. I'm not sure if taking the MasterLevel down is what I should be doing as I am still a novice with my Micro BR. I don't have the master volume or channel volume on my mixer up very high at all as I found that when it is over a third it adds to the hiss. In fact, when the master and channel levels on the mixer are at zero, the hiss is still there in full force.

I would like to have the 'sns' and MasterLevel higher as I assume this would improve sound quality but I have to remove the hiss some other way or my recordings will sound terrible. Does anyone know of any settings on the Micro BR that would help me or know what I am doing wrong?

I would be really interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar problem and would be very grateful if anyone can offer some advice.

Many thanks,

Ross Watson

[64Guitars]

I don't have the master volume or channel volume on my mixer up very high at all as I found that when it is over a third it adds to the hiss.

That suggests that the hiss originates in the mixer. Otherwise, boosting the mixer output should make the hiss less noticeable since the signal would be higher than the noise.

Did you remember to switch the Plug-in power off? If left on, the resulting 2.5 volts on the LINE IN/MIC jack could cause your mixer to behave strangely, possibly even damaging it. See page 114 of the Micro BR manual, 3rd edition.

If that's not the problem, let us know. Maybe we can come up with some other ideas.

[hewhoiscalledj]

I have a feeling that the hiss is coming from the mixer. The mixer should have some other options for output, like an "aux send" or any other line out. Experiment if you can and also try another cable. I've found that using the RCA outs doesnt give as clean of a signal as using a balanced 1/4" cable and may reduce that hiss.

Barring that, you can try and make use of the Noise Gate feature on the MicroBR. I think only the guitar effects have this as an option but you should be able to edit a guitar effect to turn everything off except the noise gate. I'll have to check on that when I get home.

Good Luck.

[BossMicroBRew]

I've found that using the RCA outs doesnt give as clean of a signal as using a balanced 1/4" cable and may reduce that hiss.

I was going to say the same thing. Along with what 64 Guitars and hewho said, yeah, try using the 1/4" instead. I use a Behringer mixer with Phantom sometimes and never get any hiss. Good luck!

[Kody]

I hate to make things more complicated, but I've had no problems with hiss using RCAs from my mixer.  The only difference is I'm using a BR900---I really tend to think that the MBR and BR900 are quite a like.  I say that and don't own a MBR.

I have a question: when you are monitoring yourself w/ the headphones do you use the Headphone out on the MBR or the Mixer's? I know my mixer's headphone out is way different than the BR900s(you should be using the MBRs anyway)... Another thing I do is use a headphone amp-that way you can keep levels in check and still crank up your headphones as loud as you need.

Oh, and I don't think the master volume's setting effects the recording at all- atleast that's the case with the BR900--I could have it turned all the way down-record a track- and bring up master afterward (I never do that, but just an example)

After saying all of this, I'm leaning toward your mixer being the hisser. You know condensers pick up every little thing. You need a perfectly quiet room...With it being a powered mixer- I would assume it has a fan kick on at some point...sorry just trying to pinpoint your hiss man, I'll quit rambling

[BossMicroBRew]

Just curious...how major is the major hiss? I wouldn't even mind hearing a sample.

I have a question: when you are monitoring yourself w/ the headphones do you use the Headphone out on the MBR or the Mixer's? I know my mixer's headphone out is way different than the BR900s(you should be using the MBRs anyway)...

I'm all trial and error but I 100% agree with you on this. You may have hit the nail on the head. Mine definitely sounds way different if I monitor through the MicroBR versus my dinky little mixer.