Help with RCF NX-12sma

[Bill Piersall]

Just got this wedge and I'm doing some programming with it. Really very impressed with it, but I'm noticing a rattle occasionally on low frequency notes. For example, letting a low note ring out to feedback, the rattle sounds like something is loose in the speaker. The speaker was purchased through Mike at Audiopyle, awesome guy, awesome service, awesome price too! When I talked to him, he suggested running playback tracks through the wedge. I did this with mp3's off iTunes as well as recorded tracks of my band. Can't duplicate the rattle with program material. Is it something I'm doing wrong with the Axe? Also, are you guys running it with the XLR output 1 of Axe and the Mic setting on RCF or Output 2 using the Line input on RCF?
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

[AdmiralB]

Are you totally certain it's the speaker? If it's at high volume, there's a really good chance it's something else in the room.

[Scott Peterson]

Mine doesn't rattle. I run the XLR out of the Axe-FX II into the XLR in on the RCF.

[Chris@KatsuKuriMedia]

You should be using Line level. If you're using Mic level, it might possibly be the source of your rattle (distortion from wrong input level).

Mic level is for Microphones, not "mic cables."

[Bill Piersall]

Are you totally certain it's the speaker? If it's at high volume, there's a really good chance it's something else in the room.

I have run the same tones through 2 other speakers that don't rattle. Even at lower volume it's noticeable. I'll keep trying to isolate it. Scott, I think I remember a post you had that mentioned an EQ curve or something you used for the RCF?

[Bill Piersall]

You should be using Line level. If you're using Mic level, it might possibly be the source of your rattle (distortion from wrong input level).

Mic level is for Microphones, not "mic cables."

I'll try that and see if it helps. If I run XLR out to FOH, aren't they going to use the mic pre on the board as their input?

[Chris@KatsuKuriMedia]

Yes. Again, Mic level is for an actual microphone. The Axe sends a line level, which is sent over the XLR cable.

At the FOH mixer, they will use the Mic preamp only because its an XLR input. The Gain/Trim knob on their mixer is what sets the input level for Line or Mic levels coming in. So they will be fine.

"Line level" doesn't mean 1/4" cable and "Mic level" doesn't mean XLR.

[musicman77]

I have run the same tones through 2 other speakers that don't rattle. Even at lower volume it's noticeable. I'll keep trying to isolate it. Scott, I think I remember a post you had that mentioned an EQ curve or something you used for the RCF?

Check to make sure your patch output is not clipping (Out 1 or Out 2 Clip LEDs on front panel).

[kmanick]

I use 1/4 " with line level on mine and I play a lot of 7 string thru it with zero rattle.
is something lose inside of the unit?

[Bill Piersall]

I use 1/4 " with line level on mine and I play a lot of 7 string thru it with zero rattle.
is something lose inside of the unit?

Ran 1/4" out of Axe to 1/4" Line level in on RCF and still hear it. Just not sure because I don't hear it with playback material. It's coming from speaker for sure, nothing rattling in room. Does it with my single coil Strat and a PRS SC245 with humbuckers as well.

[Chris@KatsuKuriMedia]

Program music is compressed so you'd probably have to turn it up really loud to get it to rattle. Try that if you can. It sounds like there is something loose in the enclosure.

Call Mike to see if its easy/acceptable to open and check out.

[rickboot]

There were a few rattle problems reported by some RCF owners reported earlier this year here on the forum. Search for "RCF rattle".

Of course, it worth troubleshoot with the advice given above before contacting Mike Pyle.

[Bill Piersall]

There were a few rattle problems reported by some RCF owners reported earlier this year here on the forum. Search for "RCF rattle".

Of course, it worth troubleshoot with the advice given above before contacting Mike Pyle.

Will do, I really appreciate the quick responses and everyone's input. This forum and the Axe community are awesome!
If I get it resolved, I post my findings. Thanks!

[Scott Peterson]

I have run the same tones through 2 other speakers that don't rattle. Even at lower volume it's noticeable. I'll keep trying to isolate it. Scott, I think I remember a post you had that mentioned an EQ curve or something you used for the RCF?

I don't use an EQ curve with the RCF. IMHO, there is no EQ curve needed with the RCF.

[Bill Piersall]

I don't use an EQ curve with the RCF. IMHO, there is no EQ curve needed with the RCF.

Thanks Scott, appreciate the info. I'm amazed at the punch, clarity and power of this wedge. I'm hoping to get this figured out because it absolutely fills my needs for a compact FRFR. Have any of you tried the TT series from RCF? After hearing the NX-12sma, I can't imagine the TT-25sma could be that much better, but sure would love to try it. Thanks again everyone.

[charliet]

I had an NX10 that had the rattle. I sent it back.

[Sixstring]

That could be a voice coil issue... The FBT Verves I used to own one of them had developed this same issue, a rattle at high volume with low frequencies. It turned out to be the voice coil.

[bkrodgers]

Are you totally certain it's the speaker? If it's at high volume, there's a really good chance it's something else in the room.

I've noticed that happen...I heard a rattle, but then realized it was coming from something sitting across the room from the RCF.

Bill, if you're sure that's not what's happening I believe you -- just wanted to add that I've experienced what Admiral describes. And if you're hearing it at low volumes (by low, I mean apartment-friendly), then it's probably not it.

Another thing to check is the Freefield/floor switch. If you have it on freefield, there's more bass coming out (the idea is to cut the bass slightly when it's coupled to the ground). But either way, if you are confident the rattle is coming from inside the speaker, I'd have it checked out or swapped out. I still don't think I've heard any rattling from the speaker itself even at moderately high volumes with "Freefield" enabled but on the floor.

[simeon]

have you had a chance to pound it yet? i had a very slight rattle from one of my NX10's. i gigged it once and the rattle went away

oh and definitely use the speaker set to line, not mic when using 1/4 jacks or the XLR. i accidentally switched mine to mic once and literally just touched my E string - it almost sent me across the room like Marty McFly

[LPSWR]

I bought two NX10s. One had a rattle with low frequency (just hitting the low E string would do it), the other did not. I swapped them a number of times comparing them. On about the 8th swap out, what ever was rattling let loose and started rattling around in the cabinet! Mike sent me a replacement ASAP. I did not open it up to find out what it was.