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Author Topic: Naiant Littlebox questions???  (Read 11798 times)

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Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2011, 10:44:12 PM »
I want to eliminate some of that high-end

MBHOs are pretty bright sounding mics...putting a transformer based preamp behind them is not going to change that.

What is inside your LB? Any in/out tformers ??? What do you think of it overall as a preamp? Is it highend enuf to run in front of my 722 ???
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

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Offline goodcooker

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #16 on: January 20, 2011, 10:09:00 AM »
My statement may not have been entirely fair since my LB doesn't have Xfos so I can't say from experience with it specifically but in my experience with other Xfo based pres the lowend bloom doesn't happen unless you drive the levels pretty aggressively.

My impressions of the LB since using it this year

-very clean detailed sound
-neutral ....what goes in is what comes out
-the form factor/feature set can't be beat...it's really small and I haven't been able to put a dent in the internal battery even when taping at a festival

Line Audio CM3/OM1 || MBHO KA500 hyper>PFA|| ADK A51 type IV || AKG C522XY
Oade Warm Mod and Presence+ Mod UA5s || Aerco MP2(needs help) || Neve Portico 5012 || Apogee MMP
SD Mixpre6 || Oade Concert Mod DR100mkii

pocket sized - CA11 cards > SP SB10 > Sony PCM A10

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #17 on: January 20, 2011, 10:48:52 AM »
My statement may not have been entirely fair since my LB doesn't have Xfos so I can't say from experience with it specifically but in my experience with other Xfo based pres the lowend bloom doesn't happen unless you drive the levels pretty aggressively.

My impressions of the LB since using it this year

-very clean detailed sound
-neutral ....what goes in is what comes out
-the form factor/feature set can't be beat...it's really small and I haven't been able to put a dent in the internal battery even when taping at a festival

On the bright side (no pun intended), the 722 has a max in of +26dbu, so barring a lower max-out on the LB, bean could, in theory, blast the crap out of the output transformers to create that bloom. It would probably be gooey (and I'd really want to test using someone else's tranny box first before buying one with that purpose in mind), but it would be different.
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be." - Jim Williams

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #18 on: January 20, 2011, 10:55:10 AM »
My statement may not have been entirely fair since my LB doesn't have Xfos so I can't say from experience with it specifically but in my experience with other Xfo based pres the lowend bloom doesn't happen unless you drive the levels pretty aggressively.

My impressions of the LB since using it this year

-very clean detailed sound
-neutral ....what goes in is what comes out
-the form factor/feature set can't be beat...it's really small and I haven't been able to put a dent in the internal battery even when taping at a festival

On the bright side (no pun intended), the 722 has a max in of +26dbu, so barring a lower max-out on the LB, bean could, in theory, blast the crap out of the output transformers to create that bloom. It would probably be gooey (and I'd really want to test using someone else's tranny box first before buying one with that purpose in mind), but it would be different.

I see what yinz mean ;D it will DEF add flavor
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #19 on: January 20, 2011, 11:06:00 AM »
My statement may not have been entirely fair since my LB doesn't have Xfos so I can't say from experience with it specifically but in my experience with other Xfo based pres the lowend bloom doesn't happen unless you drive the levels pretty aggressively.

My impressions of the LB since using it this year

-very clean detailed sound
-neutral ....what goes in is what comes out
-the form factor/feature set can't be beat...it's really small and I haven't been able to put a dent in the internal battery even when taping at a festival

On the bright side (no pun intended), the 722 has a max in of +26dbu, so barring a lower max-out on the LB, bean could, in theory, blast the crap out of the output transformers to create that bloom. It would probably be gooey (and I'd really want to test using someone else's tranny box first before buying one with that purpose in mind), but it would be different.

I see what yinz mean ;D it will DEF add flavor

yeah, no idea whether it would be good or bad, but it would be different. That's why I'd want to borrow someone else's first to try it. If you do decide that route, if I were you, I'd find out the following bits of info (Jon has them I suspect):

1) Max output rating (so you know not to run the 722 lower then that and create bad distortion on the preamp but not clip)
2) Minimum rating to start overloading/saturation of the output transformers.

Then during an opener or something you don't care about, and knowing what the max is, you can drop the gain to just under the minimum, and then each song wratchet it up about db or so until you are just under the max-output. Listen on playback and figure out if you like any of the flavor, and where it's desirability ends. Technically you could do this at home with turning P48 off and hooking up your stereo if you want to be lazy. May not be exactly the same as in the field, but it gets you a starting idea.
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be." - Jim Williams

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2011, 11:13:12 AM »
Quite honestly, you guys info is just over my head. I know how to run pores/adcs/recorders and pull great tapes, but beyond that im clueless :P
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

Offline Todd R

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #21 on: January 20, 2011, 12:26:15 PM »
Jon has max output specs on the Naiant website for the littlebox, which is +15dBv (low voltage setting) to +19dbV for the 48v setting.  So brickwalling the 722 won't be an issue, regardless of the output of the littlebox.

IIRC, Jon has posted elsewhere that the output transformers begin to saturate at 0dbV.  I haven't noticed any low end bloom to my output tranfo littlebox.  I'm generally running it at 1:00-2:00 on the gain pots, so about +24db gain say.  With my mics, that means I am beginning to saturate the tranfos at about 106db SPL levels.  Meaning, if I'm hitting the tranfo's the way I'm hoping to, I'm getting just a bit of transformer saturation.

I do have my tranfos switchable, so someday I should try to have them engaged one set and dis-engaged the other, so I can do some sort of a comp.  I probably should do some more thorough listening. Overall though, I hear some of that typical transformer sound, but it is clean like my PSP2 sounded.  I don't hear any (or at least any significant) low end bloom like I heard with my SD MP2 preamp.  The littlebox to me is more like my PSP2, and I wouldn't expect it to really color the sound, not to the point of changing the overall sound you'll hear from your MBHOs anyway.
Mics: Microtech Gefell m20/m21 (nbob/pfa actives), Line Audio CM3, Church CA-11 cards
Preamp:  none <sniff>
Recorders:  Sound Devices MixPre-6, Sony PCM-M10, Zoom H4nPro

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #22 on: January 20, 2011, 12:49:21 PM »
Jon has max output specs on the Naiant website for the littlebox, which is +15dBv (low voltage setting) to +19dbV for the 48v setting.  So brickwalling the 722 won't be an issue, regardless of the output of the littlebox.

IIRC, Jon has posted elsewhere that the output transformers begin to saturate at 0dbV.  I haven't noticed any low end bloom to my output tranfo littlebox.  I'm generally running it at 1:00-2:00 on the gain pots, so about +24db gain say.  With my mics, that means I am beginning to saturate the tranfos at about 106db SPL levels.  Meaning, if I'm hitting the tranfo's the way I'm hoping to, I'm getting just a bit of transformer saturation.

I do have my tranfos switchable, so someday I should try to have them engaged one set and dis-engaged the other, so I can do some sort of a comp.  I probably should do some more thorough listening. Overall though, I hear some of that typical transformer sound, but it is clean like my PSP2 sounded.  I don't hear any (or at least any significant) low end bloom like I heard with my SD MP2 preamp.  The littlebox to me is more like my PSP2, and I wouldn't expect it to really color the sound, not to the point of changing the overall sound you'll hear from your MBHOs anyway.

Awesome post Todd. Thanks for putting it min laymans terms ;D

I REALLY LIKE your opinion that it sounds like a PSP2 as well ;D Do you have input tformers as well, or just out tformers ??? I went ahead and ordered mine WITHOUT a transformer bypass switch, because if I didnt want to run the tformers, I can just run MBHO>722 :) Cant beat the price either. With IN/OUT transformers, 20v/48v Phantom Power, RCA and 1/8" OUTS, DIN3 Connector, and a 4xAA Battery Sled, it was just over $300.00 ;D

Do you have that 4xAA battery sled Todd ??? If so, how long of a runtime do you get running +48v Phantom w/ say, 4x2300mah AA's ??? Jon quoted me 10hrs w/ alkalines, so I'm assuming I can get around 7-8 hrs w/ rechargeables. I will ONLY be running it indoors because of the high-end emphasis in ALOT of the PBurgh venues, and outdoors I'm 100% COMPLETELY HAPPY w/ my MBHO>722 rig outdoors. There is no high-end being rattled over 4 walls, and just an open atmosphere where that combo really shines. I listened to damn near ALL of my MBHO>722 recordings the last week or so, and quite honestly, I'm happy w/ 99.99% of them. I just want a diff flavor for some venues I record in :) And if it sounds like a PSP2 in your opinion, I will be a VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER 8)
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #23 on: January 20, 2011, 12:51:29 PM »
Jon has max output specs on the Naiant website for the littlebox, which is +15dBv (low voltage setting) to +19dbV for the 48v setting.  So brickwalling the 722 won't be an issue, regardless of the output of the littlebox.

IIRC, Jon has posted elsewhere that the output transformers begin to saturate at 0dbV.  I haven't noticed any low end bloom to my output tranfo littlebox.  I'm generally running it at 1:00-2:00 on the gain pots, so about +24db gain say.  With my mics, that means I am beginning to saturate the tranfos at about 106db SPL levels.  Meaning, if I'm hitting the tranfo's the way I'm hoping to, I'm getting just a bit of transformer saturation.

I'll admit, I sort of knew the later in the back of my mind from reading the post and was too lazy to hunt for the source (or to see if the max outs had been stated).  ;D

I wasn't worried about the 722, just the LB, it would be bad juju to try and overload the amp and not realize it. So if it overloads at +19, then aproximately (because I'm converting db standards here), running anything lower then 0 on the 722 will cause the 722 to not clip, but amp to distort when it hit's its max.

I do have my tranfos switchable, so someday I should try to have them engaged one set and dis-engaged the other, so I can do some sort of a comp.  I probably should do some more thorough listening. Overall though, I hear some of that typical transformer sound, but it is clean like my PSP2 sounded.  I don't hear any (or at least any significant) low end bloom like I heard with my SD MP2 preamp.  The littlebox to me is more like my PSP2, and I wouldn't expect it to really color the sound, not to the point of changing the overall sound you'll hear from your MBHOs anyway.

I'd add; at least not without pushing it into major saturation territory.
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be." - Jim Williams

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #24 on: January 20, 2011, 01:13:56 PM »
I was planning on running the LB at its MINIMUM GAIN SETTING, at 18+db :) I have ALWAYS run my preamps at around the 20+db range, when I have a V3/V2/Sax/M148/etc. I just add the rest of the 'gain' from my ADC, which was either the V3, or my 722 :) I remember Doug Oade saying that preamps sound the best around that gain setting, thats why the m148 has a fixed gain setting of 20+db!

Dont get me wrong, when I ran mics>v3, I would run higher just because it was doing the pre/adc work, but whenever I ran a diff preamp, I ran it at 20+db, and added the rest of the gain after that. And I ALWAYS got consistent results running at 20+db :)
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

Offline Todd R

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #25 on: January 20, 2011, 01:32:21 PM »
I'm not sure I'd go so far to say the the LB sounds like the PSP2 overall. I just meant on the scale of transparent/clean sounding transformers (eg, PSP2) compared to low end bloom (SD MP2), the LB is cleaner sounding.  That said, I did do a comp at one point of my LB to the PSP2, and the LB compared favorably to the PSP2, though I preferred the PSP2.  I believe this comp was done prior to my getting output tranfos in my LB.

BTW, I've got output tranfos only, not input.  I also have a LB with an internal li-ion battery, not a 9v or AA battery sled.  I've never tested it on runtime.  I generally have been using it on the low power setting with my Milabs, and I'd expect 20+ hours on that setting.   Maybe 10-12 hours on the 48v setting, though again I've never tested it.
Mics: Microtech Gefell m20/m21 (nbob/pfa actives), Line Audio CM3, Church CA-11 cards
Preamp:  none <sniff>
Recorders:  Sound Devices MixPre-6, Sony PCM-M10, Zoom H4nPro

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #26 on: January 20, 2011, 01:37:18 PM »
I'm not sure I'd go so far to say the the LB sounds like the PSP2 overall. I just meant on the scale of transparent/clean sounding transformers (eg, PSP2) compared to low end bloom (SD MP2), the LB is cleaner sounding.  That said, I did do a comp at one point of my LB to the PSP2, and the LB compared favorably to the PSP2, though I preferred the PSP2.  I believe this comp was done prior to my getting output tranfos in my LB.

BTW, I've got output tranfos only, not input.  I also have a LB with an internal li-ion battery, not a 9v or AA battery sled.  I've never tested it on runtime.  I generally have been using it on the low power setting with my Milabs, and I'd expect 20+ hours on that setting.   Maybe 10-12 hours on the 48v setting, though again I've never tested it.

OK, gotcha Todd :) Thanks alot for the info ;) I am sure I'll be completely happy w/ my LB, and it seems mine is the only one w/ BOTH IN/OUT tformers, no? I was going to save up for a V2, but I figured my 722 is close enuf to a v2/v3 when comparing a clean signal, and I have ALWAYS wanted a preamp w/ a diff[warmer] feeling. So the LB seems PERFECT, and saves me over HALF of what a used v2 costs :)

Does ANYONE have recordings w/ the LB in the chain ??? BUELLER ???
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

Offline Todd R

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #27 on: January 20, 2011, 01:47:48 PM »
Just do a search of "littlebox" on Archive.org -- lots of littlebox sourced shows are up.
Mics: Microtech Gefell m20/m21 (nbob/pfa actives), Line Audio CM3, Church CA-11 cards
Preamp:  none <sniff>
Recorders:  Sound Devices MixPre-6, Sony PCM-M10, Zoom H4nPro

Offline willndmb

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #28 on: January 20, 2011, 01:59:35 PM »
Just do a search of "littlebox" on Archive.org -- lots of littlebox sourced shows are up.
or "LB"
Mics - AKG ck61/ck63 (c480b & Naiant actives), SP-BMC-2
XLR Cables - Silver Path w/Darktrain stubbies
Interconnect Cables - Dogstar (XLR), Darktrain (RCA > 1/8) (1/8 > 1/8), and Kind Kables (1/8f > 1/4)
Preamps - Naiant Littlebox & Tinybox
Recorders - PCM-M10 & DR-60D

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Naiant Littlebox questions???
« Reply #29 on: January 20, 2011, 02:12:12 PM »
Just do a search of "littlebox" on Archive.org -- lots of littlebox sourced shows are up.
or "LB"

Thanks, for some reason I never thought of that :P I have been gone for too long :P

But the smiliey/post ratio is WAY UP NOW ;D
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

 

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