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Author Topic: Upgrading to 4 channels - questions re: cables, power, and mics  (Read 4361 times)

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Offline detroit lightning

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I recently acquired a Roland R26 on this fine site, and plan to start recording w/ 2 sources - either mics and a SBD feed, or 2 sets of mics.

As is, I have CA14 Cardoids & Omnis, and one CA9100 pre-amp.

Here are my questions:
1. I'm thinking of upgrading to some full sized capsules (AKG, maybe) that would go XLR in. Would I need a battery box/preamp to do that?
2. If I hold off on new mics, what cables would I need to go from 1/8" female > XLR male, and would I need power for the mics to do that?

In general, I'm just trying to understand if the cost of #1 is close enough to #2 to make me just take the leap...

Thanks!

Offline achalsey

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Re: Upgrading to 4 channels - questions re: cables, power, and mics
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2017, 12:22:03 PM »
Nice.  Ability to grab a board feed is a huge step up in my mind.  Running 2 sets of mics at the same time can be fun, and sometimes be a really good idea, but often a little unnecessary to me.  Others may disagree.  That said, I've run the 4 channel CA14 card/omni combo in the past and made some nice recordings.

As to your questions:

1.  Would I need a battery box/preamp?   
  • No.  The R26 has phantom power and can power a regular set of mics.  Its what they call an "all-in-one" recorder.  Recorder and preamp together.
  • For the AKGs though, you would need either the bodies that normally go with the mics (460/480 presumably) or an 'active' system that takes their place, like what Followinbob is making plus the PFAs
  • I really like the CA14s but upgrading mics is always a good idea.  >:D  Seriously, though, the Church mics are fine, but there is a definite notice is sound quality as you go higher.  There are significant diminishing returns though.  You don't need $1000+ mics right off the bat.  You should try to wait to grab what you know you want though.  I lost way too much money buying and selling small upgrades before I finally got to AKG and found what I'm most comfortable with sound vs. cost wise.

2.  What cables?
« Last Edit: June 17, 2017, 12:27:36 PM by achalsey »

Offline acidjack

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Re: Upgrading to 4 channels - questions re: cables, power, and mics
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2017, 09:48:36 AM »
Kind of a waste of time to have a phantom-powered recorder and not use phantom-powered mics. Get the AKGs.

You do need an attenuator from Naiant to take SBDs into the miniplug. Get a 2xfemale XLR>stereo male mini adapter from Naiant set to -24dB, set the gain setting on that miniplug input to LOW, and you'll be good to go for tons of 4-channel fun...
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline detroit lightning

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Re: Upgrading to 4 channels - questions re: cables, power, and mics
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2017, 12:38:51 PM »
Yeah...that's where I was leaning.

Awesome - thanks for the help, fellas.

Offline HealthCov Chris

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Re: Upgrading to 4 channels - questions re: cables, power, and mics
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2017, 10:20:05 PM »
If you can't get a board feed, just split out your CA-14 omni's 3+ feet and run your AKG's in the middle (different config options) and pull some great recordings outside. 
LMA: https://archive.org/details/@corfit
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/insideoutrecording
Mics: AKG ck61/ck63 (nBob actives, Naiant PFA) | AKG 568 | CA-14 omni | Studio Projects B3
Recorders: Sound Devices MixPre-6 | Zoom F3 | Roland R-07
Camera: GoPro Hero 4 Silver

 

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