Metallic crackle on M3?

Discussion relating to the Korg M3 Workstation.

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ianking
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Metallic crackle on M3?

Post by ianking »

I wonder if anyony can help. I have owned my M3-88 from new since March 2008. Over the past few days I have noticed a metallic crackling type sound when playing it. It also happens when just headphones are connected, so it's not a digital audio interface problem (I've had those).

I have uploaded a 30 second mp3 of the problem here:

http://www.organs.co.uk/M3problem.mp3

The mp3 is just the noise, plus a few piano chords from the pads. This was recorded from the module without any cables attached from the keyboard or USB etc.

I have just emailed Korg support, but wondered if anyone here had any experience of this problem. Is it something obvious which I can fix or BIG problem I can't.

Thanks.

…Ian
ozy

Post by ozy »

well...


IMHO:

1) the noise starting at 00:00 till 00:10... I really don't know.

But

2) the noise starting at 00:16 is rhythmic. Doesn't sound like static. I could emulate that with a heavily processed drumkit or voice

Are you sure that's not a muted drum track leaking through an effect bus?

and, finally

3) was by chance a mobile phone near your tools while you were recording?
ianking
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Location: Wales

Post by ianking »

Thanks for replying.

There's nothing leaking through. As I said, you hear it with headphones connected and nothing else.

I though about mobile phone interference etc., but I've taken the module right away from the studio and it's the same.

...Ian
dadeit
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Post by dadeit »

even if I usually think positive, to me sounds like problems on the dac... i really hope I'm wrong, i don't know anything about the internals or the architecture of the module (nor i've seen it open)... this is just what i would think hearing my M3 producing that sound.

Good luck,

dade
alland
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Post by alland »

Not that I'd be any expert of that or know the cure, but for clarifying and pinpointing the issue:

1) Does the same noise appear in analog out (L/R), phones and digital output? (independent from any audio routing)

2) Does the noise occurs only when playing some combi/program or also when nothing played?

3) Does the noise appears with any program and combi or only with some?

4) Does the noise has same volume not depending volume (and any other) slider or control or depends on what?

5) How M3 audio input is routed? Does disabling Audio in or adjusting audio in levels/routing affect the noise?

6) Your example had two kind of noise do these appear in random or is there any system (what you need to do to produce kind of noise)?
Korg KronosX/Pa4x/M3 • Ableton • Komplete • Omnisphere • Roland Cloud soundcloud.com/allandd
ianking
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:52 pm
Location: Wales

Post by ianking »

Yes, the sound is on the headphone, balanced outputs and digital out.

The sound occurs on every sound and when nothing is played. It seems to occur more when sound IS played though.

The noise increases with the volume slider.

The 2 kinds of noise happens randomly. I only took a 30 second snippit of the worse bits. I did not cut them together, it was in real time.

Not sure about the routing. I'll check that out.
ozy

Post by ozy »

ianking wrote:Yes, the sound is on the headphone, balanced outputs and digital out. The sound occurs on every sound and when nothing is played.
The noise increases with the volume slider. The 2 kinds of noise happens randomly.
summing that up,

the words "drive to the nearest service" come to mind
ianking
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Post by ianking »

I live 300 miles away from one. The words "SEND it to the nearest service" spring to mind.
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X-Trade
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Post by X-Trade »

ianking wrote:I live 300 miles away from one. The words "SEND it to the nearest service" spring to mind.
Yes, if you are sure that it isn't from your monitoring system or other connections, then you should definitely contact KORG UK for further support.

I don't suppose you have the inputs routed through to the output, or anything plugged in the inputs?
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ianking
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Location: Wales

Post by ianking »

When I turn off the MFX1 and MFX2 routing, I still get the crackles, but it's worse when the reverb is on.
ianking
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Location: Wales

Post by ianking »

Nothing is plugged into the inputs and I turned them right down to nothing to see if that made any difference, but no.
dadeit
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Post by dadeit »

the noise is amplified through the digital effects... It's not the dac then, but to be honest I think that you'll need to ask for official support, seems a hardware problem.

Even though i would do a full restore of the machine (OS and sounds), can't break it anyway.

dade
ianking
Posts: 11
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Location: Wales

Post by ianking »

Thanks Dade. Yes, I think a purge may be in order.
dadeit
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Post by dadeit »

Keep us updated!
ianking
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:52 pm
Location: Wales

Post by ianking »

Just how do you wipe it and start again? I can't reload system 2.04 as it says it's already installed.
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