Hiss from my Lectrosonics set-up. . . is this normal? at DVinfo.net

Stephen Pruitt · January 3rd, 2008, 10:39 PM

Hi all. . . experts needed here. :-)

I purchased a new Lectrosonics set up several months, and was starting to play with it for the first time tonight. As far as I can tell, I'm getting more hiss than I thought I would for such a "high end" system.

Here's what I've got:

Receiver: Lectrosonics UCR201
Transmitter: Lectrosonics UM200C (UHF)
Microphone: Countryman B6
Mixer: Sound Devices 442

How much hiss should I expect from this set up? A lot? Or a little?

It isn't the mixer, as I get nothing at all (or next to nothing!) unplugging the receiver. I get the same amount of hiss whether the microphone is plugged in or not, but no noise when the transmitter is turned off. This, of course, means that the hiss is coming from the transmitter end.

Are there any adjustments one can do to lower the noise floor (other than the ones in the Lectro manual. . . like turning up the transmitter volume)?

Any thoughts?

Please tell me I don't have to buy a new pair of transmitters/receivers.

:-(

Stephen

Daniel Epstein · January 4th, 2008, 08:54 AM

Stephen,
The hiss may not only be from the transmitter but the whole system. If no mic is connected then there isn't much for you to judge so I would check it only with an input into the transmitter. I would expect you to hear a certain amount of hiss if you turn up the mixer input with no input on the transmitter. On the Lectros you really want to learn how the Menus work on the receiver as they can make a huge difference.
Check to see if the output of the Receiver is set too high for the input to the mixer. If you are using Mic level on the mixer input make sure the Transmitter is set down below -30DB or even lower. If you are using line input then maybe you should try Mic.
Also most people run the volume on the transmitter too high. This often brings the noise floor into the signal. Try lowering the transmitter volume and raising the output at the receiver to see if you find the sweet spot of the system.
I believe the 201 can send tone from the receiver to the input. If you hear hiss on that then I would suspect the system is not working correctly.

Ty Ford · January 5th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Call lectro.

Ty Ford

January 3rd, 2008, 10:39 PM	#1
Stephen Pruitt Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 228	Hiss from my Lectrosonics set-up. . . is this normal? Hi all. . . experts needed here. :-) I purchased a new Lectrosonics set up several months, and was starting to play with it for the first time tonight. As far as I can tell, I'm getting more hiss than I thought I would for such a "high end" system. Here's what I've got: Receiver: Lectrosonics UCR201 Transmitter: Lectrosonics UM200C (UHF) Microphone: Countryman B6 Mixer: Sound Devices 442 How much hiss should I expect from this set up? A lot? Or a little? It isn't the mixer, as I get nothing at all (or next to nothing!) unplugging the receiver. I get the same amount of hiss whether the microphone is plugged in or not, but no noise when the transmitter is turned off. This, of course, means that the hiss is coming from the transmitter end. Are there any adjustments one can do to lower the noise floor (other than the ones in the Lectro manual. . . like turning up the transmitter volume)? Any thoughts? Please tell me I don't have to buy a new pair of transmitters/receivers. :-( Stephen

January 5th, 2008, 09:10 AM	#3
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Call lectro. Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 4th, 2008, 08:54 AM	#2
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Stephen, The hiss may not only be from the transmitter but the whole system. If no mic is connected then there isn't much for you to judge so I would check it only with an input into the transmitter. I would expect you to hear a certain amount of hiss if you turn up the mixer input with no input on the transmitter. On the Lectros you really want to learn how the Menus work on the receiver as they can make a huge difference. Check to see if the output of the Receiver is set too high for the input to the mixer. If you are using Mic level on the mixer input make sure the Transmitter is set down below -30DB or even lower. If you are using line input then maybe you should try Mic. Also most people run the volume on the transmitter too high. This often brings the noise floor into the signal. Try lowering the transmitter volume and raising the output at the receiver to see if you find the sweet spot of the system. I believe the 201 can send tone from the receiver to the input. If you hear hiss on that then I would suspect the system is not working correctly.