Beta 87a Noise

C

Craig Stone

Freshman
Aug 7, 2011
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The mic still works, but I'm getting a hiss and a light popping sound through my Beta 87a. The popping is intermittent. The hiss is constant. I've tried different cables and different channels on my board. Any ideas?

EDIT: it's a real Beta 87a; not a counterfeit.
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

If you're certain the phantom source and/or mixer is good by testing it with another known good condenser mic, it's likely the 87a has a bad preamp section. I just recently had an Audix ADX-51 with a similar issue (excessive self-noise). Sent it back to Audix for repair and they sent me a brand new mic for $65. Shure likely has a similar program for their out of warranty 87a's

Greg
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

Thanks. Shure does have a out of warranty service program. It's $101.00 to have the Beta 87a serviced. I just want to be sure its not something I can take care of, before I send it off.
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

Craig Stone said:
Thanks. Shure does have a out of warranty service program. It's $101.00 to have the Beta 87a serviced. I just want to be sure its not something I can take care of, before I send it off.
Click to expand...

It sounds like a preamp, but before you send it off make sure that the pins on the internal side of the xlr are clean and shiny. They mate with sockets from the preamp and sometimes get a bit corroded. Also check that the copper strap is making good contact with the inside of the mic body.
Might not cure your problem, but free to check it out.

Just retratct the xlr set screw and gently tug on the xlr.
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

john sulek said:
before you send it off make sure that the pins on the internal side of the xlr are clean and shiny. They mate with sockets from the preamp and sometimes get a bit corroded. Also check that the copper strap is making good contact with the inside of the mic body.
Click to expand...
I took a brass bristled utility brush to the pins on the part you spoke of, as well as the xlr pins--I didn't scrub hard and I made sure everything was clean before I reassembled the mic. I think your suggestion helped! I just ran it HOT through my mixer and listened to it through headphones with the volume full on. There was a very slight hiss, but no static or popping to be heard at all. I guess I'll wait and see if the problem pops up again, but for now it seems better. Thanks for the advice!

Is there a preferred method of cleaning these contacts?
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

john sulek said:
It sounds like a preamp, but before you send it off make sure that the pins on the internal side of the xlr are clean and shiny. They mate with sockets from the preamp and sometimes get a bit corroded. Also check that the copper strap is making good contact with the inside of the mic body.
Might not cure your problem, but free to check it out.

Just retratct the xlr set screw and gently tug on the xlr.
Click to expand...


This is the biggest issue I had with B87's. The pins shift over time and don't make a solid contact. A few turns of a screwdriver and a wire brush normally would solve this issue.


Evan
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

Craig Stone said:
The mic still works, but I'm getting a hiss and a light popping sound through my Beta 87a. The popping is intermittent. The hiss is constant. I've tried different cables and different channels on my board. Any ideas?

EDIT: it's a real Beta 87a; not a counterfeit.
Click to expand...
Unscrew the head and look at the wires that go to the capsule. The capsule is suspended and on the underside the wiring is connected with small pins. If the wire/pins become loose it will cause the problems you are experiencing. They usually have some white rubber like compound on them that is supposed to help keep this from happening but it sometimes comes loose anyway just reseat them and see if the problem goes away. Don’t try to unplug those pins just try to push them in gently. You may need some tweezers of hemostats to do this.
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

I'll get some DeOxit for the contacts and if the problem comes back I'll check the capsule wires, as well. Right now, the mic sounds great!

Thanks for all the info, guys!
 
Re: Beta 87a Noise

My post really should have read – unscrew the metal windscreen. It’s not really the head that you are unscrewing. I am sorry if this has cased any confusion.
Kevin Maxwell AKA TheMAXX said:
Unscrew the head and look at the wires that go to the capsule. The capsule is suspended and on the underside the wiring is connected with small pins. If the wire/pins become loose it will cause the problems you are experiencing. They usually have some white rubber like compound on them that is supposed to help keep this from happening but it sometimes comes loose anyway just reseat them and see if the problem goes away. Don’t try to unplug those pins just try to push them in gently. You may need some tweezers of hemostats to do this.
Click to expand...
 
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