Topic: SP-CMC-8 > SP-SPSB-10 > TASCAM DR-2D

[Andrea82]

I have recorded several shows with the SP-CMC-8 (not modified for loud show) directly into Tascam DR-2D.
I selected the input volume at 94-95. Always very good/excellent sound quality.
Now I have bought a battery box (SP-SPSB-10) and I want to use it. So I will connect the mics on bb, and the bb on the Tascam's line in, correct??
About the input volume, which setting is recommended? 95-100??
Thanks!

[Thierry]

Yeah the way you connect it is right. As far as levels concerned. Make sure it peaks between -12db and -6db.

[Gutbucket]

A battery box does not provide gain, so if your previous settings were working well, there is no reason to change them.  Run the DR2d exactly the same as you did prior to the battery box (same mic-input jack, same recording level), except turn off plug in power from the recorder (mic-power / PIP) via a menu setting.   The battery box will now be providing power to the mics instead of the recorder.  Supplying mic-power from the recorder at the same time will probably not cause a problem or damage anything (capacitors in the battery box should block it), but is no longer necessary after the addition of the battery box.  Best practice is to turn it off.

Since the recorder no longer needs to supply power to the microphones, the line-input jack will work, but you probably don't want to be using it for a couple reasons: It's input sensitivity is much lower, so your recorded levels will also be much lower.
It's range of usable input adjustment isn't very wide, so you won't be able to compensate much.

The line-input would be appropriate if you were using an external preamplifier rather than a battery-box.  Like a battery box a preamplifier would provide power to the microphones, but also positive gain to bring the signal up to a level appropriate for the line-input of the recorder.

[Andrea82]

Many thanks Gutbucket!
I didn't know I can use the mic input also with battery box! 

[Gutbucket]

Happy to help.  You need the gain (signal level amplification) provided by the mic-input amplifier in the recorder to get the level up to where it needs to be, and also the easy level adjustment provided by the mic-input to set levels appropriately.

Just as a reminder: The non-distorting range of input level adjustment is ~65 or higher using the mic-input (set to low sensitivity) and ~95 or higher when using the line-input.  If you can't keep the meters from pegging without adjusting the input level lower than those numbers and the limiter off, the recording is going to be distorted even though the meters look okay.

[Andrea82]

Happy to help.  You need the gain (signal level amplification) provided by the mic-input amplifier in the recorder to get the level up to where it needs to be, and also the easy level adjustment provided by the mic-input to set levels appropriately.

Just as a reminder: The non-distorting range of input level adjustment is ~65 or higher using the mic-input (set to low sensitivity) and ~95 or higher when using the line-input.  If you can't keep the meters from pegging without adjusting the input level lower than those numbers and the limiter off, the recording is going to be distorted even though the meters look okay.

I was thinking.... Where is the benefit to using a battery box? I've read that bb is recommended for loud concerts, to avoid distortion..is it true?
Then, the plug in power to mics from the recorder is different (more low) than the power from battery box?
Thanks again

[Gutbucket]

Yes.  Most recorders only provide a few volts of Plug-In-Power, and most low-voltage microphones run optimally with the higher voltage provided by a battery box.  Some mics won't run at all on the lower voltage from the recorder, others will work although with increased distortion at higher sound levels and a lower maximum SPL limit.

Most recorders provide something like 3Vdc or so.
Most mics work best with around 5-12Vdc.
Most battery boxes typically provide 8-12Vdc.

[Andrea82]

Yes.  Most recorders only provide a few volts of Plug-In-Power, and most low-voltage microphones run optimally with the higher voltage provided by a battery box.  Some mics won't run at all on the lower voltage from the recorder, others will work although with increased distortion at higher sound levels and a lower maximum SPL limit.

Most recorders provide something like 3Vdc or so.
Most mics work best with around 5-12Vdc.
Most battery boxes typically provide 8-12Vdc.

Perfect, many thanks!!