Tascam DR-05X Static Problem

[Ice Age Squirrel]

Recently when I'm recording, I noticed this static sound that sounded like electrical feedback. I didn't make any chances to the settings. I've tried placing my laptop and handphone further away but it didn't seem to eliminate the problem. The only electrical appliances nearby were a camera that I used to record together with the audio, and a fan beside me which is turned off. I've previously placed all the electrical items in the same position and didn't have this static problem.

If I connect the Tascam to another mic, the other mic doesn't have static sounds. Is there anything I can do to remove the static sound caused by the Tascam DR-05X? I've tried removing it using Audacity but it doesn't fully remove every part that captured the static sound, especially when it overlays with other sounds as well.

Here's how the static sound like: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1foYm5pXh6jZ_FEZZzwFw7ZJWd7v1SHOH/view

 

[Phil Tipping]

Welcome to the forum. My first thought (as a radio ham) was that this sounded like morse code (a '3' and an 'i'). Other similar sounds can be from mobile phones or computers so maybe this mic/cable is more susceptible to that type of interference. Is anthing else connected to the DR-05 which is earthed? If not, try plugging in any earthed gear into an unused socket - the earth might help A longer recording of the sound would help identify it.
Update: Just realised the DR-05 is a handheld device so I guess you mean the noise is only heard when using the internal mics? If so, ignore the bit about mic cable and earthing

 

[Ice Age Squirrel]

Hi, thanks for helping me to look at this issue! Yes it's a handheld device, the static sound is only heard when I'm using the Tascam DR-05X to record. If I plug in the Tascam DR-05X to a 3Dio mic, and use the 3Dio mic to record instead, there's no static sound.

Here's a longer version of the static sound: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bhkqZ1K0OWTWKGhy4O1trhpTanx-57pb/view

During recording, my Tascam is placed on top of a table, and directly underneath that spot is an electrical outlet. Is it possible the electrical outlet is causing those static sounds?

 

[Phil Tipping]

Thanks for the longer recording. Definitely rules out a rogue radio ham who's moved into the neighbourhood
To me, this sounds like computer hash, so if you say there's no other computer nearby, it must be pickup from the internal digital circuitry, which will itself be a micro-computer/controller of sorts plus other digital signals for driving the screen etc.
I doubt if the nearby electrical outlet is the cause, but you can eliminate any doubts yourself by moving it to a different location. You could also try it with and without batteries, if that is an option with the DR-05.
How does the hash/static level compare to normal signals? The other background noise sounds quite high in your example, so if the gain is up full, this hash may be within spec. If the DR-05 has an automatic gain control, this may be cranking up the gain to unrealistic values in the absence of other signals.
If the hash is definitely audible with normal recordings, there may be an internal fault. I don't own a DR-05 to check, so try searching this forum for similar cases. Maybe someone with a DR-05 can shed some light on this?
Good luck, and let us know if you solve it.

 

[Ice Age Squirrel]

Sorry there's a lot of terminologies I've never seen before so I might have some questions.

I've tried searching up online but couldn't find anyone facing the same issue as I did.

What's normal signals? Is it the original volume level before increasing the gain?

I just did a search on the gain settings, and it seemed like if I adjusted the << / >> buttons that would adjust the input level. I could decrease the input level all the way to 0 and my audio is still audible, so I think that must be the gain!

I've also noticed that my background noise is rather high.

I've tried recording again after reducing the input level all the way to 0 and it seems like the background noise has faded: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13si1sQIcW-PIg5GCYSPuTcQCHN5T8284/view

The static sound seemed to have disappear as well. I will try recording again for 20 - 30 minutes and see if this resolves the problem. Starting to feel silly that I didn't notice this sooner.

 

[Phil Tipping]

Don't worry about not knowing the terminology; it can all seem overwhelming as a newcomer but you'll soon get the hang of it
The Recording section in the User Manual has some useful info, and explains the ideal level to aim for on the meters (approx -12dB). How you achieve this depends on many inter-related factors, such as the source sound level (e.g. talking vs shouting) and the distance of the source from the mics.
The signal reaching the mics is amplified by the DR-05's internal pre-amps, and the amount of amplification is set by the Input Level.
The more amplification you need, the more background noise you will pick up. The manual states: "the input level should be adjusted to prevent the recorded sounds from being distorted due to excessively loud input signals or from being inaudible due to excessively small input signals being masked by noise."
so you have to be prepared to adjust the other factors if necessary.

It seems there is an Auto level, so this would increase the input level automatically when there are no other sounds in the room. The feature can be handy in some cases, but if you want consistency, I would turn it off and adjust the level manually.

Hopefully, other DR-05 users will chime in with practical advice about operating the unit. Meanwhile, I would recommend just making short test recordings with various combinations of the above, and making notes of what happens. You'll soon learn what works best for your setup.

 

[Ice Age Squirrel]

Thanks for the help and advices you've given! I'll play around and see what works best for my recordings.