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[Leroy St.Jean]

HI can you remember when i first ask for help on this static/crackling like sound we were having? well we did get the mixer tested and it was told us that the mixer was good,no problem found after all test was done. we were told that it was possibly another equipment that was at fault. So any ideas? thanks.

[Jonathan Johnson]

Do you hear the crackling sound in headphones connected to the mixer (with the main output selected)? This will help determine which side of the mixer to look.

I have a master signal processor that sometimes produces a crackling noise. In this case, there is an internal ribbon cable that does not make good contact; a little bit of oxidation forms and the problem appears. To combat this, I reseat the ribbon cable a few times before every show to wipe off the oxidation. It's an inconvenience, but I'm too cheap to replace it.

[Kent Thompson]

It will be best if you can methodically go from one end of the system to the other one connector at a time. Start at either end and plug in one cable at a time and check for noise. Eventually you will find one cable or device that you plug in that is causing the noise. The guessing game is never very effective in finding a problem.

[Mark Mattocks]

I read through the first thread.  I believe that you said that the noise is still there when all of the microphone inputs are disconnected.  Is that accurate?

I ask because the noise goes away when the "mute all inputs" button is pressed.  This leads me to believe that it is an input related problem.  Try unplugging every single connector from the console except the outputs.  Noise still there?

[Arnold B. Krueger]

Leroy St.Jean wrote on Fri, 22 October 2010 04:22

HI can you remember when i first ask for help on this static/crackling like sound we were having? well we did get the mixer tested and it was told us that the mixer was good,no problem found after all test was done. we were told that it was possibly another equipment that was at fault. So any ideas? thanks.

Mixers are IME relatively reliable comapred to cables.

There is little in live sound with the noise-producting capabilities of a bad mic cable, particularly when phantom power is applies.

[Leroy St.Jean]

The noise only goes away when the mixer is turned of or the amp is turned of or lowered, whichever,my point is made right? tried swapping good cables and every known trick but still the noise is there. Tried running the directly to the amp,bypassing the EQ and still the noise is there. so im lost still.

[Mark Mattocks]

Is the noise still there when the ONLY cable connected to the console is the one from console to EQ?  Is it still there when all faders on the console are all the way down?

[Leroy St.Jean]

Yes it's there when the cable is connected to the EQ and it's there when it's not. And yes the noise  disappears when the faders are turned down.

[Dick Rees]

Leroy St.Jean wrote on Fri, 05 November 2010 10:42

Yes it's there when the cable is connected to the EQ and it's there when it's not. And yes the noise  disappears when the faders are turned down.

I assume then that when everything is disconnected from the board that you're listening to the headphones.  Please answer this next question:

How high do you have the pre-amps (gain or trim) set?

Does the noise go away if you turn all the input gain knobs fully counter-clockwise?

If so, you have been experiencing noise from improper gain staging.

To "zero out" the board you should center all the EQ knobs (point them all to 12 o'clock), center the pan knob (again 12 o'clock) and fully turn down all gain control knobs (mic, line and mon/efx sends).

Let us know if this makes any difference.

[Arnold B. Krueger]

Leroy St.Jean wrote on Fri, 05 November 2010 14:42

Yes it's there when the cable is connected to the EQ and it's there when it's not. And yes the noise  disappears when the faders are turned down.

If the fadres are capable of extinguishing the crackle, then the crackle is probably associated with one or just a few of the channels.

What happens if you bring up the faders, one at a time?

[ProSoundWeb Community]