Loud hum with internal mic

[RainBird]

Hello everybody,

I've been owning a BR600 for a few years now. Since a few days, I have noticed a loud hum when using the internal mic. The hum sounds a bit like a loud amp when its line-in-cable isn't connected to a guitar..if you know what I mean. I can record with the internal mic but the hum will also be recorded of course.

When I move my finger near the right internal mic, the hum gets louder while with the left int. mic, the hum stays at its "normal" level.

I do not have this problem when using a guitar or external mics. I've tried different power units and batteries. I've also tried different powersockets in my house but it doesn't make any difference.

Is anybody familiar with this problem or do you have tips or whatever? Thanks a lot in advance!

Randy

[Sprocket]

What if you turn the unit?
Im thinking maybe a computer monitor or light source is to close...this happens with guitars alot...so what if you turn the unit or move it away from potential EMF sources?

[Sprocket]

Im also thinking it could be a ground issue...with all other inputs(like a guitar) you are in contact with it, so you are grounding it.

[SteveG]

I thought bad earth too, but TBH if you don't know enough about electronics to suspect that you don't know enough to fix it. Do you have a local friendly guitar shop that fixes amps?

[Sprocket]

I thought bad earth too, but TBH if you don't know enough about electronics to suspect that you don't know enough to fix it. Do you have a local friendly guitar shop that fixes amps?

I would trust no-one but Roland to fix something internally.

Id suggest calling Roland Customer Service or Tech Support and see what they have to say, Id imagine they have a very low tech way of telling you how to fix your issue, over the phone...otherwise they would be the ones to fix it or send you to one of their authorized service centers.

[RainBird]

Thanks for the reply's, Sprocket and SteveG.

I don't think its an EMF-issue since I've tried different locations in the house. I also got a shortwave-radio to see where in my house has the least noise.

Ground could be a possibility. I don't know much about ground/electronics. Maybe a stupid question but could (faulty) grounding also an issue when running the BR600 on batteries then?


Thanks again.

[Sprocket]

From all that Ive gathered with electronics noises...its either the ground or EMFs.
You may have bad grounds all throughout your house...Ive heard of a neighbors pool pump having issues cause EMFs or ground noise in equipment 2 houses away.
You just have to rule out possible sources...but in the meantime call Roland CS and ask tech support their take on it.

BTW, when it rains outside, I can hear it through some of my tube amps(drip drip drip)...you can get noises from some very strange places.

[Vanncad]

Hey Rainbird, 64 sent me to your post.

I had exactly the same problem with my BR600. It developed a hum exactly as you describe it in the left internal mic. The right one seems to be okay.

If I put my finger over the left mic, the hum got louder. If I held onto the metal part of the headphone plug, it diminished, but was still noticable. I thought it was a bad ground also. I tried changing the batteries, other outlets around the house, different mic, line and guitar effects,etc. but could not get rid of the hum.

Then one day I accidently banged the BR600 with the headstock of my guitar and the hum went away. Then a couple days later it came back. As for now, it is gone again, so I am trying to record some tunes for Woodstock Fest while it is working.

I think it may be something internal (or a bad solder connection) that is grounding out and maybe it gets jarred free once in awhile.

I also have a problem with my headphone jack being very static (like a dirty volume pot). Since it is right beside the left mic, I am thinking the two problems are connected.

Anyway, I called Roland and I think it was gonna cost me somewhere around $100 CDN to fix it (incl shipping) so I started shopping around for condensor mics, but I never got around to buying one. I'm hoping to get to hear some samples of work on this site to point me in the right direction of a good (and cheap) condensor.

Right now, my internal mics are working hum-free, but that could change tomorrow. They still don't sound 100%. I wish I could help you more.

- Vann

[Sprocket]

That sounds like a cold solder joint.

I know Roaland has got you warming up to the idea of it costing $100 to fix this...but I would care to bet that they would send you another (new)one in less than one week.
My MBR was out of warranty(second hand) and it might have even been caused by the previous owner using the wrong power supply...I was warmed up to thier labor rate of $75 an hour billed in 15 minute increments...a cold solder should NOT take a trained pro more than 15 minutes to fix, disassembally and everything.
Im more than certain the trained telephone CSR is NOT supposed to tell the world that "repairs are free"...its called under promising and over delivering, alot of companies do this.
Once you get a break, maybe youre going away on vacation, send it in while you are away...I dont think you will be disappointed with what returns.

[Vanncad]

Hety Rainbird,

Did you ever find out what was wrong?
Did you get it fixed?

Mine just started acting up again, so I gotta get it fixed or buy some decent condensors (pain in the *ss!).