Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: rigpimp on December 10, 2017, 04:53:37 PM
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I don't normally >:D much but find that I have been doing it more and more since moving home and starting to record rap shows. These mostly have disgustingly high SPL's and the Tinybox distorts even set on low. It does this enough that I want to replace it.
I'm open to opinions on options. I am initially thinking IPA or Baby Nbox. I am unsure what else is really available. I need it to be small, clean, and not need battery changes mid-show.
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Off topic but; how do the recordings usually come out (besides current distortion issues)? Are they generally mixed well?
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Usually they are very bass heavy but nothing that cannot be adjusted in post. I was actually pretty surprised how well my pull from last night turned out. I'm realizing that after years if recording I don't have a lot of talent on an EQ.
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Jon is back to work on his ipa units. I should be receiving mine for xmas soon. I was looking at both options myself and from the feedback I got I went with the ipa. Small, discreet (fits in palm) and has gain unlike the bnbox - so going line in intead of mic in. If using a small deck (pcm10, ro5, etc) you don't need to depend on their small pres. Jon cutomizes units for your specific mics and also cables to run to your specific deck. His stereo design also works for 2 mics with only 1 ipa now.
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Jon is back to work on his ipa units. I should be receiving mine for xmas soon. I was looking at both options myself and from the feedback I got I went with the ipa. Small, discreet (fits in palm) and has gain unlike the bnbox - so going line in intead of mic in. If using a small deck (pcm10, ro5, etc) you don't need to depend on their small pres. Jon cutomizes units for your specific mics and also cables to run to your specific deck. His stereo design also works for 2 mics with only 1 ipa now.
Any idea on price on the IPA? He did the custom tiny box I have so I'd just send my tinybox and cables and ask him to match it up. It's just a 5-pin locking binder.
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If the source is distorting your tiny box at the lowest gain setting (mine is only +4db at lowest setting) and your recorder isn’t adding additional gain why wouldnt the IPA distort as well in the same situation?r
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Jon is back to work on his ipa units. I should be receiving mine for xmas soon. I was looking at both options myself and from the feedback I got I went with the ipa.
Any idea on price on the IPA? He did the custom tiny box I have so I'd just send my tinybox and cables and ask him to match it up. It's just a 5-pin locking binder.
The 2 channel/stereo version to run my mbho caps was $119. I forgot the y cable price. Email Jon details on the mics and deck you are running and he will message you backa week or two later with the configuration(s) you need. Then go to the Naiant Site make your selection and place the order. Turnaround is estimated at 3 weeks.
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You do know that the switch goes hi-lo-med from top to bottom? I haven't gotten any distortion on the low setting, but medium doesn't cut it for even moderately loud shows. I'm sure you're right, but just wanted to rule everything out. I know I need to put my reading glasses on and get some decent light to figure it out. I usually run my M10 on 10 input volume and a normally loud show hits -12dB so I think the input attenuation is pretty high.
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Oh yah, fully aware of the switch. I just recorded a rap concert Saturday night with the Tinybox on low, M10 at 3-4 with peaks on/near the black dot. Unsure if that is -6 or -12 off the top of my head probably -12 since WAV files are really -12 to -18 ish. Bass hits were so hard it is distorted. These are Schoeps CCM4 so I'm hoping it is not an SPL issue. This is a custom tinybox that provides low power to run the CCM series. You can read about it here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=141814.0
You do know that the switch goes hi-lo-med from top to bottom? I haven't gotten any distortion on the low setting, but medium doesn't cut it for even moderately loud shows. I'm sure you're right, but just wanted to rule everything out. I know I need to put my reading glasses on and get some decent light to figure it out. I usually run my M10 on 10 input volume and a normally loud show hits -12dB so I think the input attenuation is pretty high.
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Was the rap group playing with a live band? Or was the bass a sample they played on a loop?
Any chance we could see the wav form? I’m curious because I’ve run into something similar but I didn’t think my pre was clipping.
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From my memory, because I cannot recall having distortion issues, and I also understand sometimes we just cannot look at our gear, but the TinyBox LED does turn red when clipping at least that is what I recollect.
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I don't normally >:D much but find that I have been doing it more and more since moving home and starting to record rap shows. These mostly have disgustingly high SPL's and the Tinybox distorts even set on low. It does this enough that I want to replace it.
I'm open to opinions on options. I am initially thinking IPA or Baby Nbox. I am unsure what else is really available. I need it to be small, clean, and not need battery changes mid-show.
If you want to test out the baby nbox let me know. We can arrange that.
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I have an IPA for my schoeps nbob KCY system. It works great and was very inexpensive. I can't tell any sonic difference between it and my littlebox.
If you give Jon the information about all the other associated gear, I'm positive he can create what you need.
Nick also makes wonderfull stuff, so between the two you really can't go wrong.
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I don't normally >:D much but find that I have been doing it more and more since moving home and starting to record rap shows. These mostly have disgustingly high SPL's and the Tinybox distorts even set on low. It does this enough that I want to replace it.
I'm open to opinions on options. I am initially thinking IPA or Baby Nbox. I am unsure what else is really available. I need it to be small, clean, and not need battery changes mid-show.
If you want to test out the baby nbox let me know. We can arrange that.
I'll send you a message.
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If you need a different gain structure for your TB, you might ask Jon if he can change it to meet your needs. I recollect that different gain settings could be selected when ordering, so I suspect they could be changed if you want.
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Was the rap group playing with a live band? Or was the bass a sample they played on a loop?
Any chance we could see the wav form? I’m curious because I’ve run into something similar but I didn’t think my pre was clipping.
No squared off waveform. I'm not sure I would specifically call this "clipping". I'm happy to post the waveform and samples though.
From my memory, because I cannot recall having distortion issues, and I also understand sometimes we just cannot look at our gear, but the TinyBox LED does turn red when clipping at least that is what I recollect.
I know the light turns green when the unit is powered up but it stays in a belt case while recording so I never look at it. Since it has a fixed gain structure I set it and forget it.
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Was the rap group playing with a live band? Or was the bass a sample they played on a loop?
Most rap acts that I have seen use only a DJ but the rappers I have seen with a live band:
Common this past August played a full band. Bass, guitar, 2 keys, drummer, flute and multiple vocalists. J. Cole was a guest and played about 4 songs.
Last night Vic Mensa (Chicago) played with a 2 person band (one dude on keys and the other on guitar, drum machine, sampler) and he opened for JayZ who played with a full live band which included two drummers and AT LEAST 2 keyboards. They were hard to see as it was a round center stage and then were recessed into the stage and in one of four pods.
OC: My Tinybox seemed to do OK given the organ shattering bass during some of Mr. Carter's tunes.
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If you need a different gain structure for your TB, you might ask Jon if he can change it to meet your needs. I recollect that different gain settings could be selected when ordering, so I suspect they could be changed if you want.
The ipa can be set to a single or 3 gain settings (0,9,18db) via slot or spindle. Jon customizes each order - why it takes 3 weeks.