I was doing a little recording the other day and got a pretty nice little shock. I had my SM57 plugged into my soundcard with an XLR to TRS cable, and then after a while I go to adjust the input level on the front of my soundcard and touched the metal sleave on the end of the cable and it gave me a nice jolt that went from my hand almost up to my shoulder. Nothing sounded out of the ordinary, but I went ahead and unplugged everything just in case. What could have caused this, and could it have been harmfull to my soundcard?
Got shocked!
# 1
Is everything grounded ?
Why are you using a TRS to XLR up to the mic ? Is the mic input balanced ?
Either way it shouldn't give you a shock !
Doesn't sound particularly amusing.
Why are you using a TRS to XLR up to the mic ? Is the mic input balanced ?
Either way it shouldn't give you a shock !
Doesn't sound particularly amusing.
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 2
The amp is a 44 year old Gibson GA-5 and I had the mic placed in front of it. Nothing of the mic or cord was touching the amp. The amp only has a 2 prong power cord.
# 3
You might want to thing about getting the amp grounded it may save your life !
LATS will be able to tell you more however Im not sure it is to blame in this instance.
LATS will be able to tell you more however Im not sure it is to blame in this instance.
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 4
that probably wouldn't be a bad idea, because the amp has shocked me before. It was plugged into a bad outlet that time, and it shocked me when I touched the chassis to turn it off. Not bad, but still... it's no fun getting shocked either way you look at it.
If the amp is the culprit, how did the current get all the way to the other end of the mic cord, when nothing was touching the amp?
If the amp is the culprit, how did the current get all the way to the other end of the mic cord, when nothing was touching the amp?
# 5
That's what has me baffled mate !
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 6
Originally Posted by: PRSplaya.... If the amp is the culprit, how did the current get all the way to the other end of the mic cord, when nothing was touching the amp?[font=trebuchet ms][u]Nothing[/u]?
If you were touching your guitar strings (which are connected to the cord shield via the bridge), when you touched the grounded mic cable sleeve you were taking your life in your hands!
There is no excuse for running 2-conductor AC cords.
None.
Replace it.[/font]
# 7
Talking about sound cards. I remember my neighbour had an AdLib card back in the old days. Every time he tried to set the volume during normal operation, he got shocked by the soundcard's metal sleeve :D
# 8
Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms][u]Nothing[/u]?
If you were touching your guitar strings (which are connected to the cord shield via the bridge), when you touched the grounded mic cable sleeve you were taking your life in your hands!
[/font]
I very well could have been. That makes very good sence, so I'll go with that. Who would be the best person to take the amp to, to change to a grounded power cord... an amp tech? Or, could say, someone that works on old tube radio's for a hobby be able to do it? Or could I do it for that matter?(probalby not the best idea though).
# 9
Originally Posted by: PRSplaya... Who would be the best person to take the amp to, to change to a grounded power cord... an amp tech? Or, could say, someone that works on old tube radio's for a hobby be able to do it?[/QUOTE][font=trebuchet ms]Either should be OK. It's not a complicated thing, but it [u]is[/u] important to get it right.[/font][font=trebuchet ms]Uhh, no. Probably not. Examine the work after it's done, so you'll know for next time.[/font]
[QUOTE=PRSplaya]Or could I do it for that matter?(probalby not the best idea though).
# 10
Thanks for the help! ;)
# 11
Isn't it just a case of soldering a grounding wire onto the chassis and replacing the live and neutral wires ?
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 12
That's what I thought, but I'll take LATS word for it, 'cause pappa know's best :D
# 13
Originally Posted by: Dr_simonIsn't it just a case of soldering a grounding wire onto the chassis and replacing the live and neutral wires ?[font=trebuchet ms]That covers the electrical connections, yes. As with anything, there are some important details to consider. Like strain relief. The fitting for the original cord, where it passes through the chassis, will not be right for a larger, 3-conductor cord.[/font]
# 14
I hadn't thought of that !! Good point !
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 15
If you're ever worried about getting shocked again two things:
You can buy a personal body ground that goes from your wrist to something metal that drains any excessive electricity that could run through your body. And second, make sure the hand you touch it with, the same side foot is on the ground, or the electricity will go through twards your other side passing through your heart. Either one of those could save your life. Speaking of the matter, anyone ever stick their finger in a christmas candle light socket before, I know I did.
You can buy a personal body ground that goes from your wrist to something metal that drains any excessive electricity that could run through your body. And second, make sure the hand you touch it with, the same side foot is on the ground, or the electricity will go through twards your other side passing through your heart. Either one of those could save your life. Speaking of the matter, anyone ever stick their finger in a christmas candle light socket before, I know I did.
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# 16
Or you could stick a light-bulb in your mouth and audition for a part as Uncle Fester !
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 17
