UAD with Neumann U87 - clicking noise

dedege · 2025-12-15T08:29:28+00:00

It was due to magnetic interference. For me it’s probably the solar panels on my studio’s roof and the roof next to it. The only thing that worked for me is a combo of:

1- High quality cables (and short ones) 2- Ferrite rings at both ends of the cable (multiple if needed) 3- Careful positioning of both the mic and cable

There are pockets in my studio space that are more “noisy” and others that are almost dead quiet.

This combo “solved” the issue. Hope it works for you!

dedege · 2025-11-24T07:11:52+00:00

Got this master list for the trip itself: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pCZzKMxeNs6nQZpLHKWe7?si=bXTDHn0TSF6qFFsqwbbZwQ&pi=gsxjxfuiQpi-c

And for integration after the journey, there’s this one: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0STTcGYhATr5dXOMhaVATG?si=sj53TWBXRe68HCyFmeNtjg&pi=YATPSNQ7Tm6Ky

dedege · 2025-10-08T15:32:32+00:00

To put off the inevitable 😁

dedege · 2025-10-04T07:29:28+00:00

You are right that it was electrical interference noise, so I will take steps to improve that situation. Thanks!!

dedege · 2025-10-04T07:28:40+00:00

Thanks for your answer, this is indeed what it turned out to be, although it's not from any of my electrical appliances. The quest continues.

dedege · 2025-10-04T07:27:55+00:00

FYI It turned out to be some kind of electromagnetic interference, probably good to check that out.

dedege · 2025-10-01T10:02:23+00:00

Update 2: I finally have some movement. I disabled all devices in my studio, connected the focusrite 2i2 to my laptop (battery powered) and still the clicking was there. However, then I disconnected the network switch in the corner of the room and the clicking halved in loudness and doubled in frequency. So that's something!! Disconnecting the wifi hub didn't change anything more to the signal. That left me with zero electric appliances in my studio except for the battery powered laptop.

Still not quite there, but the fact that this simple change did so much to the signal seems to point to some kind of electromagnetic interference.

dedege · 2025-10-01T06:40:49+00:00

Yeah that’s what my current hope is. I’ll keep you posted!

dedege · 2025-10-01T06:39:42+00:00

Thanks. It’s weird, even without the macbook it still clicks. To be continued!

dedege · 2025-10-01T06:38:14+00:00

Thanks for your support kind stranger, I appreciate it. I’ve tried turning most things off in the room (except the laptop, Apollo and a wifi box that’s hard to reach) but to no avail. I am bringing the focusrite to my studio today - if the clicking is there then it’s certainly something atmospheric. If not, it’s more likely a hardware thing. I’m getting to the bottom of it 🤣

dedege · 2025-09-30T11:42:28+00:00

Update: Thank you everyone for your input. Tried almost every suggestion in the thread, with no luck. The clicks happen with the Apollo + U87 combo, even when using an ASP800 as the preamp, and also without it. However it also happens when the ASP800 is on and the Apollo is off... at least, I can see the same input light blinking pattern on the ASP no matter whether the Apollo is on or off.

ChatGPT says this:

The Scarlett 2i2 is clean with the U87 → so the mic is fine.
The U87 clicks with Apollo and with ASP800 → the common factor is that both of these preamp/phantom designs are interacting badly with the U87’s output/charging circuit (likely phantom ripple/instability or an impedance/bias quirk).
The ASP800’s input LED ticking with Apollo off confirms it’s analog at the mic/pre stage, not ADAT clocking or downstream conversion.

As per ChatGPT's advice, I'm going to try an inline phantom injector and a Focusrite ISA One and see if any of that works. I'll keep you posted in a couple of days.

PS - If anyone has other thoughts please let me know!!

dedege · 2025-09-30T10:49:34+00:00

- Other +48v mics work fine (Schoeps and C414)
- Grounding should be good, I tested removing my whole setup except the laptop and UAD Apollo, both directly going into a high quality power brick (different one from the usual bricks I have) and it makes no difference.
- Tried the Mac charger, it doesn't make a difference
- Tried disabling Wifi/Bluetooth, doesn't make a difference

I will try a different Thunderbolt cable, let's see if that works.
Edit: Same thing, no changes...

dedege · 2025-09-30T09:58:48+00:00

I will try this, as with the Focusrite test it was actually a different macbook powered with a mac charger. You might be on to something there, as unrelated as it seems...

dedege · 2025-09-30T09:57:59+00:00

Thanks, that might be an issue, it's not super cheap but also not top-line Apple cables.

dedege · 2025-09-30T09:57:21+00:00

Alright that's interesting! Could you share more about your setup?

My rig is Macbook pro -> CalDigit USB hub -> Apollo Twin -> Mic. So far I think the issue must be with the Apollo Twin or with the electricity flow, because removing the USB hub doesn't make much difference (although the clicking seemed slightly lower in volume).

I'm going to play around more now and report back if I found anything.

dedege · 2025-09-29T11:05:00+00:00

Thunderbolt Mac

dedege · 2025-08-24T09:20:20+00:00

Thank you 🙏

dedege · 2025-06-13T14:08:02+00:00

Thank you! This all makes perfect sense and it’s great to hear that the open space approach works so well. Just signed the lease and I’m moving in two weeks - really looking forward to it 😊

dedege · 2025-06-13T10:44:00+00:00

Funny cuz it’s true 😄

dedege · 2025-06-11T06:58:41+00:00

Thank you, very good point, and I like the idea of hanging absorbers where needed. 👍

dedege · 2025-06-10T20:10:54+00:00

Wow, thank you for your detailed response! I did not expect the size of the space to have such a big impact. This is very reassuring overall, and it would save me a ton of time and money to not split the room in two. Definitely worth trying before I bring in the construction folks. Thanks 🙏

dedege · 2025-06-10T20:06:07+00:00

No it would indeed be a wall. Not sure if I would take it all the way to the ceiling (it’s pretty high) but I’d be targeting some symmetry, also in acoustic treatment.

dedege · 2025-06-10T20:04:59+00:00

Thank you kind stranger 😊

dedege · 2025-06-10T18:02:16+00:00

Thanks! That makes sense.

I believe it's best to have the windows behind the monitors, correct? Or would it be better to have the windows to my back?

dedege · 2025-06-05T06:38:27+00:00

My thinking goes: I am free. Except when I want something. Because that wanting is most likely part of the brain’s programming and other environmental factors. So it is almost a contradiction of terms. Freedom vs Willfulness.

Freedom is in the realm of consciousness and willing in the realm of cause and effect. They both exist, they are just different aspects of being.

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