Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#218817 10/22/13 11:09 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
S
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
S
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
We have recorded our rehearsal on a Zoom R16 and occasional I hear some distortion on the rhythm track, doesn't seem like peak clipping when I zoom in on the wave file. Any idea where to look?

Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/kierbye1/rhythm-0-wav

Strat

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
It might be due to analog clipping/overload in the stages before digitization or in the A to D chip. You may not be able to see clipping from that stage in the digital waveform view, since the digital wave is not being clipped.

If there is a mic PAD on the unit, try turning that down.

If no Pad control, try moving the mics further back from the sound source and see if it clears up.

If the mics on the unit have plugs to connect, the plugs could need some cleaning due to oxidation at the connection points. Deoxit or equivalent on a pad and wipe the plugs with it, insert immediately a few times to get the good goo inside the jack as well.


--Mac

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Sounds like it's from a Strat - correct?

I've experienced static electricity build-up on the Made in Mexico strat that I used to own and I solved it by backing the pickguard with copper foil, when I also shielded the pickup cavities with copper foil.

That sounds a bit like it, from what I remember back in the day. That was a little under 10 years ago when I bought that guitar and had the disappointing static build up and release, ruining some recordings.

Does it always sound like the very short snippet you posted, or does it change at all over time? Mac eludes to the whole signal chain. What exactly is the full signal chain from guitarist-->guitar-->....-->ZoomR16?

Also is that clip that you posted a .wav rendering from the guitar channel alone or is it from the Zoom R16 output mix-down of all of the tracks? I ask this because it also sounds a bit like an open cable that got recorded accidentally.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
S
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
S
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
Interesting! The guitar is a newly bought U.S. tele. I'll try to describe the signal chain to you soon.
the track is recorded from a shure (dynamic) mike in front of the amp, we have used this setup many times without any anomaly. I'm attaching a longer version of the rhythm track where the distortion is heard here and there. I'm eagerly awaiting your comment :-)


https://soundcloud.com/kierbye1/rhythm-1-wav

Strat

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
I heard it right near the end as the only other point where it was evident. It's really impossible to tell which part of the signal chain this is coming from: guitar--->effects loop perhaps-->amp
or
mic-->direct box perhaps-->zoomR16

I'm afraid without being on-site to diagnose and debug, I won't be of much help. It certainly doesn't appear or sound to be overdriving of the mic, nor clipping of the input stage on the Zoom unit. This sounds like a static build-up/release issue to me.

-Scott

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
S
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
S
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
I hear it at 0.11, at 0.15 (harsh) 0.22, 0.27, 0.43 and at 0.47 (harsh), can you hear the same Scott?

Strat

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
If you did not notice that distortion "in the air" while recording, but only heard it at playback of the recording, Scott's theory is shot.

I assumed that you are savvy enough to have heard anything that sounds like that coming from the guitars and etc. while actually playing, and would have stopped to correct it or at least check it out.


--Mac

Mac #218952 10/23/13 02:05 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
S
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
S
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
I must shamefully admit that it was first when I was trying to add a Little audio cosmetics to the rhythm track that I became aware of the distortion. It is something that has come up during the last two rehearsals and the reason I haven't noticed it while we were all playing is two fold. We play (too) loud and the distortion is intermittent, on some takes it's not there at all?

Strat

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Originally Posted By: stratocaster
...We play (too) loud and the distortion is intermittent, on some takes it's not there at all?

Strat


That comment supports what I said above in my first answer.

Try the things I suggest up there.

The offending areas do indeed have a sound I've heard before, that is, the analog electronics being pushed into distortions before or in the A to D circuitry.


--Mac

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
I hope you are able to find the issue. I would think that this sound could be hard to hear in a rock band rehearsal unless you are specifically listening for it. I assume you are close-micing the amplifier because the drums and so forth are so far down in level on the sample you posted.

Something unintentional is certainly going on. The intermittent nature and appearance in the track where its not actually the hot section of the signal is going to make it hard to track down. Time to see if you can isolate it without the pressure of a rehearsal going on, in my opinion.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
S
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
S
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 604
Thanks all for your suggestions, I sure hope to find out what's going on. I remember back in the day when a transmitting CB radio nearby could breake into the amps circuitry and generate all kinds of strange sounds, but I guess that's not what's going on here :-)


Strat

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,191
Posts801,759
Members40,063
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
GlennMans, François Sohm, Armando D'Errico, PhilinPhil, RBDavis1957
40,063 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 127
zedd 109
DC Ron 102
rsdean 101
Noel96 84
Today's Birthdays
jazzkeith, Mavrick20002, Pain-Driven, rolfie, Roycol
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5