Topic: UA-5 Question - 24 BIt Question

[obaaron]

SEE thread FURTHER DOWN FOR 24 BIT QUESTIONS>>>


OK I've searched the forums and have killed about 10 hours without finding a definiteive answer.....

When running a set of mics and running analog out of the UA5 (RCA or 1/4") to my Sony M10 the volume knob on the top right of the front panel of the UA5 will adjust the output level going to my m10.  Should this be set all the way up, then use the XLR gain switches to dial in...?  What is standard practice?  Should I set the volume switch half way?  What is ideal?

Thanks, I'm gonna be rolling the following on Sat. for Karl Denson:

akg 391 > UA5 > M10

[runonce]

you got it...I dont think the output control adds any gain - just an attenuator.

[obaaron]

you got it...I dont think the output control adds any gain - just an attenuator.

so..volume all the way up?

[willndmb]

you got it...I dont think the output control adds any gain - just an attenuator.

so..volume all the way up?

yes
attenuator basically means turn down
so put the volume all the way up and leave it there
use the gain on the xlr to adgust where you like the signal going into the m10
put the m10 on 4
if by chance you ever encountered the situation where the volume is up all the way AND the xlr gain is down all the way AND the signal going to the m10 is to hot/high, i recommend adjusting at the m10. going from 4 to 3 will drop the signal approx 2.5db and so on

[obaaron]

you got it...I dont think the output control adds any gain - just an attenuator.

so..volume all the way up?

yes
attenuator basically means turn down
so put the volume all the way up and leave it there
use the gain on the xlr to adgust where you like the signal going into the m10
put the m10 on 4
if by chance you ever encountered the situation where the volume is up all the way AND the xlr gain is down all the way AND the signal going to the m10 is to hot/high, i recommend adjusting at the m10. going from 4 to 3 will drop the signal approx 2.5db and so on

Output volume all the way up it is!  Thanks for the feedback!

[vanark]

That's not the way I run mine (based on feedback here).  The output volume knob is at about 3 o'clock usually, the gain knobs usually around 2 o'clock or so.  If I have it dialed in, the red light flashes a few times during the show (-3 db at the mic output).

[SmokinJoe]

That's not the way I run mine (based on feedback here).  The output volume knob is at about 3 o'clock usually, the gain knobs usually around 2 o'clock or so.  If I have it dialed in, the red light flashes a few times during the show (-3 db at the mic output).

I'll second that opinion.  Vanark has run that way for years, so he knows what he is talking about.

[runonce]

That's not the way I run mine (based on feedback here).  The output volume knob is at about 3 o'clock usually, the gain knobs usually around 2 o'clock or so.  If I have it dialed in, the red light flashes a few times during the show (-3 db at the mic output).

Are you running from the RCAs or 1/4 inchs outs?

[runonce]

That's not the way I run mine (based on feedback here).  The output volume knob is at about 3 o'clock usually, the gain knobs usually around 2 o'clock or so.  If I have it dialed in, the red light flashes a few times during the show (-3 db at the mic output).

Well - I'll say this...if you do need to reduce gain to the recorder...the knob on the back is the place to do it.

Sounds like you have the gain trimmers dialed in right...

[vanark]

That's not the way I run mine (based on feedback here).  The output volume knob is at about 3 o'clock usually, the gain knobs usually around 2 o'clock or so.  If I have it dialed in, the red light flashes a few times during the show (-3 db at the mic output).

Are you running from the RCAs or 1/4 inchs outs?

RCAs

[obaaron]

i can run either..I have RCA and 1/4" cables.  There is no ay to control the output on the back of the unit....not when running XLR inputs.

[runonce]

That's not the way I run mine (based on feedback here).  The output volume knob is at about 3 o'clock usually, the gain knobs usually around 2 o'clock or so.  If I have it dialed in, the red light flashes a few times during the show (-3 db at the mic output).

I'll second that opinion.  Vanark has run that way for years, so he knows what he is talking about.

Ok - I defer to vanark...I forgot the output knob was on the front...! Sorry guys - been a long time since my few outings with a UA5...

I think best practice is get your gain right at the "sens" knobs - and use the output to suit your recorder...I suppose this might vary with recorder choice...since vanark has the m10...what he said!^^^

Just curious - does the UA5 pass any signal when the sens trimmers are at minimum?

[willndmb]

It's a matter of pref IMO
I ran the volume all the way up and the or gain never went past 12:30
I had a svu in th mix telling exactly here my levels where at
Not if ou take vanarks point of view then you see he has the output lower but need more gain on he xlr side
Is one better over the other

[obaaron]

another question.....my unit has the Busman BM2P+ mod and i run analog out (rca or 1/4") to my sony m10 to record.  If I want to record at 24/48 does the ADV switch need to be set to "on"?  The reason I ask is I ran with it off a few weeks ago set to 48k thinking it would be a 24bit signal and it appeared to be...however after reading various posts it looks like it has to be set to "On" to send a 24bit signal.  Does the Busman mod make it unnecessary to switch to ON?  I ran with it ON tonight and set to 48k and the battery seemed to drain very quickly and I missed a part of a song   Does having the ADV switch on affect the battery life in any way?

Thanks!

[runonce]

another question.....my unit has the Busman BM2P+ mod and i run analog out (rca or 1/4") to my sony m10 to record.  If I want to record at 24/48 does the ADV switch need to be set to "on"?  The reason I ask is I ran with it off a few weeks ago set to 48k thinking it would be a 24bit signal and it appeared to be...however after reading various posts it looks like it has to be set to "On" to send a 24bit signal.  Does the Busman mod make it unnecessary to switch to ON?  I ran with it ON tonight and set to 48k and the battery seemed to drain very quickly and I missed a part of a song   Does having the ADV switch on affect the battery life in any way?

Thanks!

There is probably a lot of erroneous info regarding bit depth and the UA5 on TS.com...somehow - we fooled ourselves into thinking the UA5 could do 16 bit...this turned out to wrong. Not sure how that happened...probably because so few had 24 bit recorders back then?

The UA5 always puts out 24 bits...regardless.

I think the ADV switch is for 24/96 recording.

Others probably have more specific advise...

[obaaron]

ok.....well does engaging the ADV switch draw more battery power even if only running at 48k?

[obaaron]

ok.....well does engaging the ADV switch draw more battery power even if only running at 48k?

Anyone have any knowledge about this?

[runonce]

ok.....well does engaging the ADV switch draw more battery power even if only running at 48k?

Well - you wont be running at 48 if that switch is on - I think that's for 24/96

I doubt it makes any difference power-wise -

[JasonSobel]

ok.....well does engaging the ADV switch draw more battery power even if only running at 48k?

Well - you wont be running at 48 if that switch is on - I think that's for 24/96

I doubt it makes any difference power-wise -

well, if you're running analog out of the UA-5, you're going analog (from mics) > digital (converted inside the UA-5) > analog (converted back to analog inside the UA-5), and then analog into the M10 (which converts it back to digital).

So, running analog out of the UA-5 is not ideal, because you go through an extra A/D/A step.  in theory, it doesn't matter if the UA-5 is set to 24/48 or 24/96, because either way, it's an analog signal going to the M10, and then whatever setting you choose for the internal A/D converter on the M10 will determine the final recorded format...

so the question is, does the UA-5 A/D/A process sound better at 24/48 or 24/96?  I don't know if it'll use more battery power, but my guess is that if it did, it would be a negligible amount of extra battery power.

[obaaron]

the recording came out phenomenal just had battery issues.  What is the best way to power the UA5 long term, i.e. for 3+ hours non-stop? I am using 9.6v RC batteries that are a few years old currently and they had just been fully charged.

[willndmb]

ok.....well does engaging the ADV switch draw more battery power even if only running at 48k?

Well - you wont be running at 48 if that switch is on - I think that's for 24/96

I doubt it makes any difference power-wise -

well, if you're running analog out of the UA-5, you're going analog (from mics) > digital (converted inside the UA-5) > analog (converted back to analog inside the UA-5), and then analog into the M10 (which converts it back to digital).

So, running analog out of the UA-5 is not ideal, because you go through an extra A/D/A step.  in theory, it doesn't matter if the UA-5 is set to 24/48 or 24/96, because either way, it's an analog signal going to the M10, and then whatever setting you choose for the internal A/D converter on the M10 will determine the final recorded format...

so the question is, does the UA-5 A/D/A process sound better at 24/48 or 24/96?  I don't know if it'll use more battery power, but my guess is that if it did, it would be a negligible amount of extra battery power.

thats exactly what i was thinking on all levels

[Cheesecadet]

the recording came out phenomenal just had battery issues.  What is the best way to power the UA5 long term, i.e. for 3+ hours non-stop? I am using 9.6v RC batteries that are a few years old currently and they had just been fully charged.

I use a Li-Ion DVD battery with mine and it is still going after 4+ hours continuously.  Never measured how long it went until it died though.

[obaaron]

thanks gonna post an ISO for a DVD battery/cable

[achalsey]

thanks gonna post an ISO for a DVD battery/cable

DVD batteries are a little hard to come by and getting more expensive than they used to be.  This battery has been getting some pretty good reviews.  I grabbed one, only used it twice so far but seems pretty solid.  Its a little bigger than a DVD battery, but not too significantly.  Might be worth checking out.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=157799.0

[F.O.Bean]

But sending a digi output of the ua5 doesn't yield 24 bit tho, does it?

[tgakidis]

But sending a digi output of the ua5 doesn't yield 24 bit tho, does it?

There is probably a lot of erroneous info regarding bit depth and the UA5 on TS.com...somehow - we fooled ourselves into thinking the UA5 could do 16 bit...this turned out to wrong. Not sure how that happened...probably because so few had 24 bit recorders back then?

The UA5 always puts out 24 bits...regardless.

I think the ADV switch is for 24/96 recording.

Others probably have more specific advise...

[ShawnF]

But sending a digi output of the ua5 doesn't yield 24 bit tho, does it?

I think I was the one who tested this and came to the conclusion that it does.  The ADV switch only allows for 96k sample rate.  The bit depth is at 24 either way.  Here's where I presented my evidence:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=86745.msg1171403#msg1171403

(message #57)