VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Dave · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject:

Well, I finally have it in my hot little hands! Now to get this pretty thing (if nothing else) plugged in and try it out (later this evening).
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Craig · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject: bsw

I ordered mine along with an out of stock H2 that they claimed was in stock on 9-28-07. They said, on 10-19, it should ship this week. They also claimed they could upgrade the b-stock h2 to a regular h-2 for the price difference.

Great huh?

I don't even wanna hear it's delayed again.

arrrrrrgh

Craig

bobbinbeamo · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject:

Frank, Thanks for the excellent tip about the CEntrance MicPortPro .
Went to Musician's friend and ordered me up one of those. That will resolve several issues for me. Really excited! Smile

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Dave · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject:

For those of you waiting on the edge of your seat for my experience with the Rode Podcaster.... (SFX of crickets)....

I took it from the box, plugged it into a USB port (P-4 Windoze XP Home). The led on the mic turned green (telling me all is well) so I then changed my mic input to Rode Podcaster (which is now listed among my choices)...hit the record button in Cool Edit Pro and TAA DAAA! Everything worked as advertised! Installation couldn't have been easier.

Oh... What's that? How does it sound? Hum... I thought you would never ask!

The sound quality is great. Except for the hum Shocked

So... I unplugged it and moved it to a Mac to see if it was something in the mic itself. NOPE. Clean and quiet.

So the question now before my extended family of audio gurus. What is causing the hum on the PC? I've tried plugging the mic into different USB ports both front and back but with the same results????

Suggestions, and of course possible solutions, are heartily sought!
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. If at first you don't succeed, then bomb disposal probably isn't for you.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Do you have any other USB devices plugged in? Mouse, keyboard, etc...
Some USB mics don't like that. Try moving them around.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:40 pm Post subject:

A ground loop of some sort?
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Dave · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:12 pm Post subject:

Beats me. I've plugged and unplugged...moved to different ports and still have the same problem on this particular computer. Thanks for the suggestions...for now I am resigned to using the noise reduction tool in Cool Edit as a workaround. I've looked on the Rode website for some help but in that department they don't seem to rise to the occasion.
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. If at first you don't succeed, then bomb disposal probably isn't for you.

ccpetersen · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:

I asked DH about it last night, right after we went through the excruciating process of trying to figure out why a USB device wasn't working on one of our computers. It does appear that USB ports can "go bad", particularly on switches, but also on the computer bus itself. So, you might check that. Also, doesn't the R0de Podcaster have its own internal card? Could there be something in there that is having an issue with something on your computer? Maybe calling R0de would be next on the list...

just some thoughts from one who has returned (barely unscathed) from the land of debugging an N-input computer system...
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Dave · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:26 am Post subject:

Thanks CC...

You're right. The Podcaster does have its own on-board gizmos which could be suspect. I was able to talk to Rode support this morning (they were already closed Friday when I called) and they told me to send it in for testing. They'll either repair it or send me a new one so other than a small inconvenience that's probably the surest way to go. I so hate tearing into my computer...seems every time I do I manage to break even more stuff.

The good news in all this... I really like the sound of the Rode so once this issue is laid to rest I'll be a happy camper!
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. If at first you don't succeed, then bomb disposal probably isn't for you.

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:46 am Post subject:

I am quite grateful for this discussion! I am always asked for recommendations for USB mics and this is giving me plenty of into to point to.
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glittlefield · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject:

One thought I have that I'll put out there is to try getting a PCI USB card and installing that to see if it makes a difference. I've run into problems where on-board ports would either be erratic or not work at all after a while. For less than $15 or so, it's a quick way to find out. Plus, if that isn't what's causing the problem, you at least have a few more USB ports for other devices. Smile

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Dave · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:11 pm Post subject:

Hey, that's a great suggestion Greg... thanks!
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. If at first you don't succeed, then bomb disposal probably isn't for you.

ccpetersen · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

Craig · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: Got it!

Wow.

I'm impressed. The micportpro arrived from Sweetwater today. I also learned the one I ordered from BSW also shipped... 6 weeks after I ordered it. So, I might end up with an extra.

Anyway, it sounds great. My AT3035 sounds better through it than it does via the Symetrix 528E with EQ bypassed.

There is plenty of gain for my Dynamics and plenty of volume for the headphones. I was a little worried at first because the headphones sounded a little muddy while monitoring, but playback through the speakers (Klipsch KG-1's)
sounds great.

Pretty impressive little item, 'cept the phantom switch is way too hard to push with the usb and headphones plugged in.

Craig