ES-6 DC Offset Problem

Howes · Post by **Howes** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 3:44 pm

Hey Os

Had a search of the forum but couldn't find anything on this.

My ES-6's signals are all offset in a weird way, usually this isn't a problem and I just use the Ableton Utility device to correct it, but now ES-6's input 4 has stopped working entirely (Ableton Input 12) and input 1 (Ableton input 9) is moving around a bit making that scratchy sound on my speakers.

Attached a screenshot to better demonstrate, this is with nothing plugged into the front panel besides the ADAT lead.

Wondered if there's anything I can do to fix this?

Cheers

os · Post by os » Wed Aug 19, 2015 2:41 pm

Can you record the signals, or use an oscilloscope (e.g. http://bram.smartelectronix.com/plugins.php?id=4)?

Howes · Post by **Howes** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 6:00 am

os wrote:Can you record the signals, or use an oscilloscope (e.g. http://bram.smartelectronix.com/plugins.php?id=4)?

Sorry for the delay only just got around to this

Attaching pics of the recordings, this is with nothing connected to the inputs

os · Post by os » Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:40 pm

I meant for you to attach an actual audio file, but no matter.

It's not clear what's going on. You're welcome to send me the module for inspection. Email me.

blekesaune · Post by **blekesaune** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:54 am

I'm experiencing exactly the same with my ES-3. Could you post an update on what is wrong with the module? I may need to send in my ES-3 as well.

os · Post by os » Mon Nov 16, 2015 4:04 am

What exactly are you experiencing with your ES-3?

blekesaune · Post by **blekesaune** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:37 am

There are some random DC offset signals or the input channels when they are not plugged.
In the frequency scope i see that there is energy in the lowest frequency band that varies randomly between ~-30 to -40 dBFS. The signal is not audible because it is a very low frequency.

When connecting an output from my ES-6 via a filter in my modular and feeding the module-output back into the ES-3, I see a sudden accumulation of the input signal.
When I add a DC filter to the input in my audio software this accumulation doesn't happen.
This is the same for both Ableton Live and SuperCollider.

I have recorded audio on some of the ES-3 channels, and in in the timeline view I see that some of them show a constant DC offset in the range -10dBFS to -30 dBFS.

Have anyone seen these symptoms before?

os · Post by os » Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:54 am

That's normal and expected. ES-3 and ES-6 outputs/inputs all will have a DC offset.

lionelfischer · Post by **lionelfischer** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:38 pm

I'm trying to figure out my standard recording workflow/steps..

From reading up on all this it seems to be a simple solution of just hipass or "dc offset removal" plugins after recording a take and you're totally good.

I'm wondering if this can only be done after the stuff is recorded into the computer or if you can have a dedicated hardware dc offset removal?

Or does that make no sense because it gets the offset once it's entered the es6?

Also I'm assuming you need to remove the offset right away before mixing and progressing further with a track or a piece you're working on, because they can stack up and mess with the sound further. Or am I wrong about that, and you can do a dc offset removal plugin at the end after mixing a few takes together and you get the same result?

os · Post by os » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:27 pm

Or does that make no sense because it gets the offset once it's entered the es6?

This.

A "DC offset removal" is just a high-pass filter. If you apply *any* high-pass filtering during mixing anyway (many consider it good mixing practice to remove low frequencies from pretty much everything that doesn't explicitly need them) then the DC will be gone.

lionelfischer · Post by **lionelfischer** » Tue Dec 01, 2015 10:51 pm

thanks so much!

i thought 'dc offset removal' plug in was some magical thing, didnt realize it was a hipass

MUFF WIGGLER

MUFF WIGGLER

ES-6 DC Offset Problem

ES-6 DC Offset Problem