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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: OFOTD on February 05, 2007, 03:31:12 PM

Title: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 05, 2007, 03:31:12 PM
Alot of people have been emailing me and I told everyone that I needed to hear back from Doug first before I made a public posting. Well I just talked with him so here is the public post.


Recently Doug Oade and I had a few conversations about my sound.  Obviously I am an AKG freak.  We talked about several options and finally the conversation turned to the V3.  To me the preamp is as fine as it gets.  The a/d section while good was not great.  This was fairly obvious with people using the V3 preamp but skipping the a/d to use others.  I had been using my modSBM as an a/d instead of the V3.  Doug has been following the chip market forever and finally felt there were a few chips that could not just change the sound of the V3 but to improve upon it and make it sound better.  We discussed several different options, sounds, chips and environments and finally came up with an answer.

The Oade modified ACM V3 

Here are some details straight from Doug:

- First and foremost, Doug   IS NOT taking any orders at least for a few months.  He hoped June at the earliest.
- The mod only is only to the a/d section of the V3.   
- The mods supports all bit depth and sample rates of the V3.
- Mine is the first and only non-Grace modifed V3 known to exist    ;D
- Currently in addition to the ACM mod  he has some thoughts on a Warm mod but they are only thoughts at this point
- He WILL be modding V3's that were not purchased from him.
- Price is to be determined
- Doug is putting together an official description of the mod and should get it to me in the next week or so.

Here are my thoughts so far as I have had the unit back one week total:

- The soundstage is HUGE! 
- I have found the sensitivity to be much greater now. Don't need to run the V3 nearly as hot.
- The mids have really seemed to jump out at me in a positive manner as that was one of my goals.
- The bass is very punchy and tight.
- The highs are not fatiguing anymore.  Fatiguing highs seeming to be a common knock on the V3.
- No noticeable difference in power consumption.
 
Some other thoughts:

- I have only taped Yonder Mountain and John Mayer to date.  The Mayer show will be in the kickdown later today.  YMSB should be up by the end of the week,
- Doug is moving the business to a newer location so that is one of the reasons for the delay in offering this up at this time.
- He also informed me that he was reaching out more and more to the broadcast industry and that the taping projects were becoming fewer and fewer but not going away.
- I will be offering up my V3 in the coming weeks to people that would use it fro a week at a time or so.  PM me if interested.
- Comps to the stock V3 hopefully will be coming soon. 
- No word on how this affects the Grace warranty.

I really feel like Doug has hit one out of the park with the V3.  Some of his mods I like and others to me are so-so.  This one so far is one of his winners.

If anyone has any questions at all about this mod or it's operation please ask here I am more than happy to answer anything I can.  With so many conversations with Doug planning this mod I feel very comfortable answering most anything.  All the above information from Doug is accurate as of today (2/5).  Plus it seems from talking to Doug that he spends all of his days on the phone so any relief I can give to him i'm sure he would appreciate.

Let the discussion begin.......


Here is the official description from Doug (added 2/27/07):

The Grace V3 is undoubtedly one of the great portable designs of all time. From time to time over many years I worked on improving the V3s sound only to find I could make it sound different but not better. Recent chip designs have finally changed that. The ACM V3 MOD is designed based on my signature "sound" ....> an open, detailed and accurate 3D soundstage that is free of audible distortions. In the audio design arts it is all about how components work together to achieve a realistic soundstage. A good ear can detect the sonic attributes of various components and with time, learn how they integrate to achieve the elusive goal of natural sound. The ACM V3 is total free of the brittle artifacts and audible High Frequency distortions that never appear in marketing specs but assault the ears of music lovers in many designs and after market upgrades. I rebuild the analog signal path of the V3s A/D PCB with new capacitors and chips selected by ear to enhance its impressive performance for those who love the sound of being there !
Trust YOUR Ears
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: sygdwm on February 05, 2007, 03:34:57 PM
i am really looking forward to your panic recordings from this spring. +t
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Shawn on February 05, 2007, 03:42:52 PM
is he only modding units purchased from him?

side note: has doug ever considered doing mods for the SD 7xx series?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on February 05, 2007, 03:45:54 PM
is he only modding units purchased from him?

side note: has doug ever considered doing mods for the SD 7xx series?


- He WILL be modding V3's that were not purchased from him.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Shawn on February 05, 2007, 03:47:12 PM
sorry don't know how I missed that.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: BWolf on February 05, 2007, 04:57:07 PM
Dave, are we still doing a mod/unmod comp at GLove here in houston?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Sanjay on February 05, 2007, 05:04:28 PM
wow...
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: habit on February 05, 2007, 05:17:59 PM
JUNE?!?!?!?!?!?!? This sounds like exactly what I want. Care to sale yours? :)

Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 05, 2007, 05:21:37 PM
Dave, are we still doing a mod/unmod comp at GLove here in houston?

And you know this!  Really looking forward to it!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Patrick on February 05, 2007, 05:29:19 PM
Subscribing to this thread to see how it turns out.  That's really interesting!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: marc0789 on February 05, 2007, 05:29:47 PM
that's pretty freaking cool. If I had anything other than a 148 I might jump on that.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: j5brock on February 05, 2007, 05:30:41 PM
Makes me glad I haven't had him mod my 671 yet... Did he find a place to stick a CF slot.. then I could just get rid of the 671.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: thegreatgumbino on February 05, 2007, 06:30:15 PM
that's pretty freaking cool. If I had anything other than a 148 I might jump on that.

148 > V3, Marc.   8)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: marc0789 on February 05, 2007, 06:57:03 PM
that's pretty freaking cool. If I had anything other than a 148 I might jump on that.

148 > V3, Marc.   8)

 ::) ;D

this gives me pause...I always liked the v2, do not like the v3 adc, but with a doug adc mod? that's tempting, cause it's gonna sound good.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: marc0789 on February 05, 2007, 06:58:08 PM
most importantly, this means his back's gotta be feeling decent...good news. ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 05, 2007, 07:02:15 PM
most importantly, this means his back's gotta be feeling decent...good news. ;D

For the record I got the feeling (he didn't say exactly) that his taping/taper business was going to slow down as it seems like he is making his money off the broadcast industry nowadays.  When we talked initially about the V3 mod he gave me he impression that he wanted to try it before it was forgotten about.  Take it for what's it worth but I'd be surprised if he's bringing out new gear and mods for us for too much longer. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on February 05, 2007, 07:33:24 PM
just checking in so i can keep up on this thread.  very interesting, +t
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: gratefulphish on February 05, 2007, 10:00:16 PM
I want to follow up on this one as well.  Liking the V3 as it is, but always looking for room for improvement.  I still want the V5 four track recorder.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: SClassical on February 05, 2007, 10:03:22 PM
is he only modding units purchased from him?

side note: has doug ever considered doing mods for the SD 7xx series?


- He WILL be modding V3's that were not purchased from him.

Hope he doesn't change his mind!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: leehookem on February 05, 2007, 10:21:27 PM
there will be a nice comp in Houston for Panic.

we have 3 sets of AKG 480's, 2 V3s, 1 ACM V3, and my ACM 671.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: stober on February 05, 2007, 10:26:39 PM
 If Doug can make a V3 sound like a V2>AD-1000 I'll be all over it. ;D A 24 bit oade modded V3 sounds to good to be true.Hope it works out.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Patrick on February 05, 2007, 10:33:40 PM
looks like i'll have a t+ and w+ ua5 for sale around june. 

There is going to be all sorts of gear in the yard sale when/if this acm v3 ever comes out.   ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: tfs8271 on February 05, 2007, 10:35:55 PM
there will be a nice comp in Houston for Panic.

we have 3 sets of AKG 480's, 2 V3s, 1 ACM V3, and my ACM 671.

Can't come too soon.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: orechall on February 05, 2007, 10:56:30 PM
this is truly fantastic news...I wonder how much the mod will run...time will tell I guess.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: rowjimmy on February 06, 2007, 08:36:34 AM
Well, a V3 has been in my 'dream rig' list for a while and now it will become more difficult to attain... given the possibility of getting one modded, I suspect the used market for these to get spendier.

The upside will be everything else folks'll dump in favor of an acm v3.

All around good news, imo.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Corbin on February 06, 2007, 08:53:33 AM
OFOTD,

I know this is a little off topic buy...
I was wondering if the subject of modding the FR2LE came up in your conversations with Doug about his future plans/mods?  (if this box ever comes out  ::) )
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on February 06, 2007, 10:24:48 AM
just when i thought doug wouldn't be able to top the sound of the acm671 he pulls this out of his bag of tricks.

looks like i'll have a t+ and w+ ua5 for sale around june. 

Let me know when you want to pass along that WMod+ this spring...  I miss mine already...

Terry

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: silentmark on February 06, 2007, 11:01:59 AM
Well, a V3 has been in my 'dream rig' list for a while and now it will become more difficult to attain... given the possibility of getting one modded, I suspect the used market for these to get spendier.

The upside will be everything else folks'll dump in favor of an acm v3.

All around good news, imo.

Hmmmm I might have to jump on a used V3, just in case, warm v3 veeeeery interesting ...
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Todd R on February 06, 2007, 11:19:05 AM
there will be a nice comp in Houston for Panic.

we have 3 sets of AKG 480's, 2 V3s, 1 ACM V3, and my ACM 671.

Looking forward to hearing this comp!  Still deciding if I'll see it go down in person though.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 06, 2007, 10:08:14 PM
Alright just finished tracking the Yonder show from last weekend.  It was the first show I ran with the ACM V3. 

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=504028 (http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=504028)

I'll be putting this in the kickdown later tonight but wanted to get it to those following this thread first.

Feedback and thoughts are appreciated!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 06, 2007, 10:24:49 PM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kyle on February 06, 2007, 10:36:48 PM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)

 ;D

that would be dreamy,,,,
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 06, 2007, 11:37:38 PM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)

 ;D

that would be dreamy,,,,

I wasnt being a dick, that could be a cool parody mod name :)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kyle on February 07, 2007, 12:11:54 AM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)

 ;D

that would be dreamy,,,,

I wasnt being a dick
, that could be a cool parody mod name :)

???

I dig it - downloading YMSB 2/2/07 right now to try it out.....
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 07, 2007, 12:19:49 AM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)

 ;D

that would be dreamy,,,,

I wasnt being a dick
, that could be a cool parody mod name :)

???

I dig it - downloading YMSB 2/2/07 right now to try it out.....

I just meant i kind of sounded like i was being a dick and making fun of doug with that name of the v3 mod, but i was being partially serious and i wasnt making fun of doug :)

nite kyle, im out :)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kyle on February 07, 2007, 01:28:17 AM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)

 ;D

that would be dreamy,,,,

I wasnt being a dick
, that could be a cool parody mod name :)

???

I dig it - downloading YMSB 2/2/07 right now to try it out.....

I just meant i kind of sounded like i was being a dick and making fun of doug with that name of the v3 mod, but i was being partially serious and i wasnt making fun of doug :)

nite kyle, im out :)

don't sound dickish at all  ;)

sleep well Bean-O
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Teen Wolf Blitzer on February 07, 2007, 02:12:02 AM
Hmm.  Hard to imagine Grace would be cool with this.  I assume they are?  I guess you don't need permission to mod stuff though so it's mute I guess.  Wonder about the warranties though.  Seems like a cool idea as long as he doesn't touch those beautiful pre's.   ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 07, 2007, 02:36:30 AM
Hmm.  Hard to imagine Grace would be cool with this.  I assume they are?  I guess you don't need permission to mod stuff though so it's mute I guess.  Wonder about the warranties though.  Seems like a cool idea as long as he doesn't touch those beautiful pre's.   ;D

Well to be honest I sent my V3 to Grace first for the polarity fix and a tune-up.  They sent it directly to Doug for me.  It was gone a total of 11 days and came back screaming for me to use.  I was open about what I was having done to it and got a positive response from Grace.  At no time did I ask about my warranty with them. Anything is possible but they are a first class company and it doesn't worry me especially for just being in for work.  Also I know Doug would take care of me if something did go wrong.  With the tuneup and polarity fix my Grace warranty just started a new 5 year warranty.

Doug does not touch the preamp of the V3.  He knows it's the best.   8)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on February 07, 2007, 04:51:57 AM
very interesting, to say the least, im pretty curious to hear the end result, after a year or two the v3 adc was deef getting fatiguing, especially with the 480's, so i added a modsbm1 for ahile a the adc :)

pretty solid idead doug

what he REALLY needs to do is mod a v2, or make a small box/adc box to easily mod a v2 to have a killer adc on the doug-low :). maybe like a small project box that wou could easily plug into the out xlr's on the v2 and out of the way to do the adc. call it the doug designs lunatic m142 :)

 ;D

that would be dreamy,,,,

I wasnt being a dick
, that could be a cool parody mod name :)

???

I dig it - downloading YMSB 2/2/07 right now to try it out.....
me too
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: MattH on February 07, 2007, 09:16:13 AM
Should this be called the ADC Mod V3? I believe all of the ACM's are mods of a preamp.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: tfs8271 on February 07, 2007, 10:01:11 AM
Should this be called the ADC Mod V3? I believe all of the ACM's are mods of a preamp.

I would say AC/DCm V3.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: carlbeck on February 07, 2007, 10:37:29 AM
Nice, glad to see Doug is back on the workbench. As cool as it sounds why bother adding a CF card to it, he has already done the one box route. This is just another flavor, I am sure it rocks.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on February 07, 2007, 07:27:13 PM
thanks for posting that Yonder show, I'm downloading it now.
here's the source:
AKG 483 > Bumblebee MiAGi II XLRs > ACM V3 > R4

ok, so the V3 mod is only on the A/D, so, obviously for this show you went digital into the R4.  now, the regular R4 resamples all digital inputs, correct? (it is my understanding that the pro-R4 does not resample the digital inputs).  so, am I missing something here?  while I'm definitely interested in hearing this recording, as well as many other ACM V3 recordings still to come, for really critical listening, wouldn't it be best to not have it resampled, and listen to the data exactly as it was outputted by the V3?

thanks,
Jason
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kyle on February 07, 2007, 08:46:07 PM
just when i thought doug wouldn't be able to top the sound of the acm671 he pulls this out of his bag of tricks.

looks like i'll have a t+ and w+ ua5 for sale around june. 
Let me know when you want to pass along that WMod+ this spring...  I miss mine already...

Terry
to be honest terry, i'm 100% satisfied with my acm 671 as my "go to" rig and am betting you'll dig the acm hd-p2 when you get it.  i dunno how it sounds compared to an acm671, some have said there is a noticeable difference between the two, but i bet it's a strong all in one regardless.

when i want a different sound i just toss the psp2 in front of the 671 and i think it sounds great as well.  as for the ua5's, i'll probably keep the t+ and eventually sell the w+ since i don't need all these multiple preamps around.

With the PSP-2, you should have all that wonderful transformer warmth that you need ;)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 08, 2007, 07:22:12 AM
fwiw..
Doug can take a joke w/the best of them.  I think he is youngest of the brothers Oade, so he's used to being on the receiving end, i'm sure.
:)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: carlbeck on February 08, 2007, 07:26:15 AM
fwiw..
Doug can take a joke w/the best of them.  I think he is youngest of the brothers Oade, so he's used to being on the receiving end, i'm sure.
:)


Of course he can, he has heard all of our tapes  ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jammin72 on February 16, 2007, 11:32:45 AM
fwiw..
Doug can take a joke w/the best of them.  I think he is youngest of the brothers Oade, so he's used to being on the receiving end, i'm sure.
:)



....ummm...  You got this one just a bit Reversed.   ;)

FWIW  I had always wondered if he would do something with the Grace Boxes, he and Mike are friends and I know they still talk shop from time to time.

He's always commented on the quality of the Grace products and about just how much they were producing top notch boxes.  Even still the one thing that I've always noticed is a bit of a veil or a slightly congested sound for far field recordings (what we do) his boxes are perfect for studio work.  I'm certain that this mod will be geared towards eliminating those two issues for our particular application.  I'm sooo looking forward to seeing these in the field as they seem to be responsible for so many of the recordings being made these days.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 16, 2007, 04:49:32 PM
I thought Jim was the older bro?
ah well.  who cares.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 16, 2007, 05:03:30 PM
I thought Jim was the older bro?

He is. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: carlbeck on February 16, 2007, 05:12:06 PM
I think Jammin meant Doug is not the youngest, if it is the same Jammin from the Oade board he has a connection to them from what I remember.

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 16, 2007, 06:16:23 PM
oh...a 3rd brother then.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jammin72 on February 16, 2007, 06:21:23 PM


I worked for those guys for quite a while.


Of the Brothers Doug is the Oldest, and Jim is the youngest.


But in this thread the Mod V3 should have the spotlight.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 16, 2007, 06:24:14 PM

I worked for those guys for quite a while.

Of the Brothers Doug is the Oldest, and Jim is the youngest.

But in this thread the Mod V3 should have the spotlight.

Wow.  My bad.  I always got the impression that Doug was younger.

Back to the ACM V3.  Show #3 tomorrow night for Big Head Todd!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 16, 2007, 07:46:04 PM
yea, i busted his chops once on the phone, and after appologizing he said something like "as the youngest brother, I'm used to it"
but my memory..well, it ain't all that...or a bag of chips.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jammin72 on February 16, 2007, 10:02:15 PM
yea, i busted his chops once on the phone, and after appologizing he said something like "as the youngest brother, I'm used to it"
but my memory..well, it ain't all that...or a bag of chips.


You spoke with all of us at some point right around the debut of the STR-DA3000ES.  Jim would definitely say something like that, I'm sure it was him and you somehow attributed it to Doug.

ahhh... Time eh?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 17, 2007, 08:18:48 AM
like sands through the hourglass
"all we are, is dust in the wind...dude"
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jammin72 on February 17, 2007, 08:32:43 AM
Brothers brother brothers!  Why can't one of those guys make me a 148? :P




At this point it's a matter of bench time.  To modify an existing piece of equipment or to build a piece with point to point hand soldering from scratch?  When every moment at the bench causes you pain and damage to your being you quickly calculate a cost/benefit ratio in your mind.

They're out there...  those that have them sitting in the closet, give 'em up already they deserve to be in the field!!!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kevin Straker on February 17, 2007, 10:16:40 AM
Hmm.  Hard to imagine Grace would be cool with this.  I assume they are?  I guess you don't need permission to mod stuff though so it's mute I guess.  Wonder about the warranties though.  Seems like a cool idea as long as he doesn't touch those beautiful pre's.   ;D

 I'm actually on vacaton in Nederland right now. I'll be down at the Grace shop on Monday for a little maintenance. My only concern is how it affects the warranty.I'll ask about that. I think they will be interested in how the sound is changed. If they really liked it, they might start offering it as an option from the factory?

I shall also inquire about progress on the mythical V4.  ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: SClassical on February 17, 2007, 02:22:45 PM
Hmm.  Hard to imagine Grace would be cool with this.  I assume they are?  I guess you don't need permission to mod stuff though so it's mute I guess.  Wonder about the warranties though.  Seems like a cool idea as long as he doesn't touch those beautiful pre's.   ;D


I shall also inquire about progress on the mythical V4.  ;D

Has there ever been a V1 or they missed it and went straight to V2?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 17, 2007, 04:30:01 PM
Has there ever been a V1 ?

316
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kevin Straker on February 20, 2007, 08:45:09 PM
I  picked up my V3 this afternoon and took a quick tour of the facilities in Boulder. The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work. They are very interested in hearing how it sounds. If someone has a comp you might want to send a copy over to the shop. I did ask about the possibility of a CF/HD recorder. It's their feeling that there are already good products on the market in this area, but who knows. Good people all the way around.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Simp-Dawg on February 20, 2007, 08:59:18 PM
I  picked up my V3 this afternoon and took a quick tour of the facilities in Boulder. The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work. They are very interested in hearing how it sounds. If someone has a comp you might want to send a copy over to the shop. I did ask about the possibility of a CF/HD recorder. It's their feeling that there are already good products on the market in this area, but who knows. Good people all the way around.

who'd you meet, jamie? the man mike himself?  ;D

they're great.  always happy to give you a quick peek in the studio and talk shop.  it's fun to see them out at shows too, thinking what it was like when mike was taping phish at the fox back in like 92...

where are you now?  are you hanging out in boulder?

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: willndmb on February 20, 2007, 09:45:12 PM
Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work.
wow cool

i am not sure the v3 could get better but if it did then that is really cool

still hoping there is a sweet "v4" recorder sometime, that i can afford :)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kevin Straker on February 21, 2007, 12:17:13 AM
I  picked up my V3 this afternoon and took a quick tour of the facilities in Boulder. The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work. They are very interested in hearing how it sounds. If someone has a comp you might want to send a copy over to the shop. I did ask about the possibility of a CF/HD recorder. It's their feeling that there are already good products on the market in this area, but who knows. Good people all the way around.

who'd you meet, jamie? the man mike himself?  ;D

they're great.  always happy to give you a quick peek in the studio and talk shop.  it's fun to see them out at shows too, thinking what it was like when mike was taping phish at the fox back in like 92...

where are you now?  are you hanging out in boulder?



I met Neal, Jamie, and the boss man himself. I'm up in Nederland at a friend's house until Thursday. I've been gettting schwilled on Avery's Reverand Quadrupel Ale and some assorted barley wines.

On Saturday night my friends and I tried to have dinner at the Black Forest in Nederland. I had to beg my friends to give the place a chance since they claimed that they didn't like hippies. I'm fairly clean cut, but my friend and his girl and difinite hippies. The place has a kick ass menu so I insisted that we give them another chance. We walk in the place at 8:30 on Saturday night and the matreD claims that the kitchen is closed. The owner comes out and seemingly confirms that the kitchen is indeed closed. I've never experienced less courtesy in my life. I find it hard to believe that on a prime hour on the busiest night of dinner service, that the kitchen is closed. I had a pocket full of cash that I gladly would have traded for a good meal. I plan to email the contact address on their website and inform them how poor their service is and what their reputation is in the community. Other than that, I'm having a great time.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 21, 2007, 07:03:20 AM
well...the food there is good.
:)

but so is the Indian place, (whos name escapes me) on the "other side of town".
Hippies ....., in Ned?
Naaaahhhhhh
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: mmedley. on February 22, 2007, 04:55:10 PM
The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work.

Until they find out he loads the innards with goop and makes them unservicable.  ;D

Did he apply his "mark" to yours Dave?

Curious to see how this sounds with some real mics.  ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 22, 2007, 05:00:21 PM
The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work.

Until they find out he loads the innards with goop and makes them unservicable.  ;D

Did he apply his "mark" to yours Dave?

Curious to see how this sounds with some real mics.  ;D

By 'mark' do you mean did he scratch off the markings on the chips or did he add 'goop'?  I haven't cracked it open yet so I couldn't tell you but I can't imagine he'd use the goop.

Anytime you want to send me your Schoeps i'll run em.  But you and I both know that the 480 rule!   8)

   
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: smokydays on February 22, 2007, 05:00:26 PM
The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work.

Until they find out he loads the innards with goop and makes them unservicable.  ;D

Did he apply his "mark" to yours Dave?

Curious to see how this sounds with some real mics.  ;D

Seriously ??  Does he do that to say HD-P2's that he mods as well?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: mmedley. on February 22, 2007, 05:08:20 PM
The gang at Grace says that the Oade mod will not void the warranty. They trust Doug's work.

Until they find out he loads the innards with goop and makes them unservicable.  ;D

Did he apply his "mark" to yours Dave?

Curious to see how this sounds with some real mics.  ;D

By 'mark' do you mean did he scratch off the markings on the chips or did he add 'goop'?  I haven't cracked it open yet so I couldn't tell you but I can't imagine he'd use the goop.

Anytime you want to send me your Schoeps i'll run em.  But you and I both know that the 480 rule!   8)

   

Yeah, that is what I was referring to...scratch off and/or cover the caps/chips with whatever he uses, some sort of epoxy I would imagine?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: thegreatgumbino on February 22, 2007, 05:11:48 PM
I've never known him to cover anything with "goop", only to scratch off the identifying info on the parts he uses.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: dnsacks on February 22, 2007, 05:17:30 PM
the innards of our m118 were encased in silicone (goop)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 22, 2007, 05:17:38 PM
I've never known him to cover anything with "goop", only to scratch off the identifying info on the parts he uses.

Well you haven't cracked open that 148 yet.  You'll see the goop in question. 

I have not cracked my V3 open but maybe I will this weekend and take some pics.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: mmedley. on February 22, 2007, 05:19:39 PM
I have seen it once or twice and thought it was his standard practice to hide all his upgrades with epoxy (the ones he couldn't scratch off and/or to hide caps). Maybe that was just on the m118? I know I saw it somewhere at some point.  :-\ Oh well. Open that bad boy up and see what he changed...and post some pics.  ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: thegreatgumbino on February 22, 2007, 05:22:19 PM
I've never known him to cover anything with "goop", only to scratch off the identifying info on the parts he uses.

Well you haven't cracked open that 148 yet.  You'll see the goop in question. 

Actually I have, but I don't remember any "goop"  ???   Only the black duct tape that the lead acid batteries were wrapped ind.d
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 22, 2007, 05:26:20 PM
same.
when Carl had his, I took it apart to check it out.  some shrink wrap here and there, but no parts were entombed in goop.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 22, 2007, 05:38:23 PM
same.
when Carl had his, I took it apart to check it out.  some shrink wrap here and there, but no parts were entombed in goop.


Huh?  Doug must have changed his ways then.  Sounds like for the better.  ;D

I'm pretty sure there is a past thread with pics of the above mentioned goop.

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Colin Liston on February 22, 2007, 05:50:42 PM

Well, I hope when he gets out of the "mod" business he shows or teaches someone the "mod" trade.  Lord knows we'll need someone to carry the flame...
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 22, 2007, 05:54:08 PM

Well, I hope when he gets out of the "mod" business he shows or teaches someone the "mod" trade.  Lord knows we'll need someone to carry the flame...

You know i've had this conversation about Doug for a while.  To me the biggest asset he has is his ears.  When we discussed this V3 mod he listed of a bunch of the latest and greatest chips out there and then talked about the ones old and new that sounded the best to him.  Big difference. 

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jammin72 on February 22, 2007, 10:26:29 PM
the innards of our m118 were encased in silicone (goop)


There's quite a bit of this in the cabling going into the xlr's etc...  It's not an attempt at disguising the parts simply adding strength to the connections.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jammin72 on February 22, 2007, 10:29:45 PM

Well, I hope when he gets out of the "mod" business he shows or teaches someone the "mod" trade.  Lord knows we'll need someone to carry the flame...

You know i've had this conversation about Doug for a while.  To me the biggest asset he has is his ears.  When we discussed this V3 mod he listed of a bunch of the latest and greatest chips out there and then talked about the ones old and new that sounded the best to him.  Big difference. 




He can hear things that most folks can't that's for sure.  The other aspect that makes such a difference is that he's picking out parts that are specifically tailored to Far-Field concert taping.  That is such an incredibly small niche in the recording world.  When the big boys are making boxes they are shooting for a whole other set of parameters. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 22, 2007, 10:43:53 PM

Well, I hope when he gets out of the "mod" business he shows or teaches someone the "mod" trade.  Lord knows we'll need someone to carry the flame...

You know i've had this conversation about Doug for a while.  To me the biggest asset he has is his ears.  When we discussed this V3 mod he listed of a bunch of the latest and greatest chips out there and then talked about the ones old and new that sounded the best to him.  Big difference. 




He can hear things that most folks can't that's for sure.  The other aspect that makes such a difference is that he's picking out parts that are specifically tailored to Far-Field concert taping.  That is such an incredibly small niche in the recording world.  When the big boys are making boxes they are shooting for a whole other set of parameters. 


Please share more stories!   +T
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: John R on February 23, 2007, 04:00:38 AM

I shall also inquire about progress on the mythical V4.  ;D

man, that thing's been on the blackboard for a long time now...
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,11272.msg136880.html#msg136880
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: THE NIZ BIAAAAACH! on February 23, 2007, 04:27:59 AM
the innards of our m118 were encased in silicone (goop)


There's quite a bit of this in the cabling going into the xlr's etc...  It's not an attempt at disguising the parts simply adding strength to the connections.
I don't know about that, I ve seen the inside of the 118, and 148 that have every transistor and cap covered in what looks to me like "hot glue from a gun.  I was told that originally it was in order to protect his design.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on February 27, 2007, 01:18:51 PM
Has a nice talk with Doug yesterday about the ACM V3.  I finally was able to get him to email me a description of the mod.  I have updated the first page with it but here it is again.


The Grace V3 is undoubtedly one of the great portable designs of all time. From time to time over many years I worked on improving the V3s sound only to find I could make it sound different but not better. Recent chip designs have finally changed that. The ACM V3 MOD is designed based on my signature "sound" ....> an open, detailed and accurate 3D soundstage that is free of audible distortions. In the audio design arts it is all about how components work together to achieve a realistic soundstage. A good ear can detect the sonic attributes of various components and with time, learn how they integrate to achieve the elusive goal of natural sound. The ACM V3 is total free of the brittle artifacts and audible High Frequency distortions that never appear in marketing specs but assault the ears of music lovers in many designs and after market upgrades. I rebuild the analog signal path of the V3s A/D PCB with new capacitors and chips selected by ear to enhance its impressive performance for those who love the sound of being there !
Trust YOUR Ears



Nothing has changed as of yet schedule wise for him doing this mod.  So hang in there.

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kindguy on February 27, 2007, 01:41:17 PM
Has a nice talk with Doug yesterday about the ACM V3.  I finally was able to get him to email me a description of the mod.  I have updated the first page with it but here it is again.


The Grace V3 is undoubtedly one of the great portable designs of all time. From time to time over many years I worked on improving the V3s sound only to find I could make it sound different but not better. Recent chip designs have finally changed that. The ACM V3 MOD is designed based on my signature "sound" ....> an open, detailed and accurate 3D soundstage that is free of audible distortions. In the audio design arts it is all about how components work together to achieve a realistic soundstage. A good ear can detect the sonic attributes of various components and with time, learn how they integrate to achieve the elusive goal of natural sound. The ACM V3 is total free of the brittle artifacts and audible High Frequency distortions that never appear in marketing specs but assault the ears of music lovers in many designs and after market upgrades. I rebuild the analog signal path of the V3s A/D PCB with new capacitors and chips selected by ear to enhance its impressive performance for those who love the sound of being there !
Trust YOUR Ears



Nothing has changed as of yet schedule wise for him doing this mod.  So hang in there.



@^#% I wish I still had my V3. I'm excited about this!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kevin Straker on February 27, 2007, 01:55:37 PM
The boys at Grace are also burning in a new battery system. Looks like a lion pack.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Chuck on February 27, 2007, 02:17:10 PM
Gee, If they could just build a recorder into it, it would be purrfect!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: audBall on February 27, 2007, 02:31:04 PM
The boys at Grace are also burning in a new battery system. Looks like a lion pack.

Internal?  Or am I reading that wrong...



regardless, this is all interesting news.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Kevin Straker on February 27, 2007, 04:39:49 PM
The boys at Grace are also burning in a new battery system. Looks like a lion pack.

Internal?  Or am I reading that wrong...



regardless, this is all interesting news.

No, it's an external kind of like the ones you can get from battery geek. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 27, 2007, 11:52:05 PM
The boys at Grace are also burning in a new battery system. Looks like a lion pack.

Internal?  Or am I reading that wrong...



regardless, this is all interesting news.

No, it's an external kind of like the ones you can get from battery geek. 

cool, that means they will most likely work with a v2 as well with a hackerooo :)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on March 27, 2007, 02:45:24 PM
Entering the loop.
Awaiting pricing and timeline.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: imazephed on April 14, 2007, 12:14:53 AM
So whats the status of the ACM V3 mod.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Brian Skalinder on April 17, 2007, 11:30:17 PM
- The highs are not fatiguing anymore.  Fatiguing highs seeming to be a common knock on the V3.

I've always found the V3's HF the least fatiguing of every preamp/ADC I've heard.  Different ears, gear, playback, etc.  Go figure.  :P

At any rate, all this is very interesting.  Now that I'm getting back into the V3 game, gonna have to do some listening to decide how to proceed.  Were you ever able to do the stock v. mod V3 comp?  Or maybe the planned show hasn't hit yet?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: thegreatgumbino on April 17, 2007, 11:35:11 PM
- The highs are not fatiguing anymore.  Fatiguing highs seeming to be a common knock on the V3.

I've always found the V3's HF the least fatiguing of every preamp/ADC I've heard.  Different ears, gear, playback, etc.  Go figure.  :P

At any rate, all this is very interesting.  Now that I'm getting back into the V3 game, gonna have to do some listening to decide how to proceed.  Were you ever able to do the stock v. mod V3 comp?  Or maybe the planned show hasn't hit yet?

The plan is to run the comp next weekend at Old Settler's Fest. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Brian on April 18, 2007, 09:17:10 AM
has the unit in existence been used with any microphones other than AKG?  that would certainly be great for the rest of us :) i sold my V3 because i thought my previous V2 > M1 recordings sounded better and i needed the money.  If this mod is a good one, it might have been good of me to keep that V3
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on April 18, 2007, 09:25:45 AM
^^ :yack:
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Brian on April 18, 2007, 09:26:58 AM
i'm sorry but my eyebrow raised at the first post of this thread when OFOTD was explaining to doug how he is an akg nut and then this v3 mod discussion went underway :P

just making sure the mod isn't tailored around the akg sound.  knowing doug's microphone choices in the past, though, i'm not worried ;) AD chipsets are always getting better.  When did the V3 first come out?  I'm sure any mod doug does definitely improve the sound of the v3
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on April 18, 2007, 09:58:31 AM
yeah im just afraid that the bulk of us wont be able to get it done.  hes slowly going away from the mod business..........
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: H₂O on April 18, 2007, 09:59:15 AM
When did the V3 first come out?

I am pretty sure the V3 came out in Jan-Feb 03.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on April 18, 2007, 10:11:10 AM
We're going to be running some stock vs. mod V3 comps this weekend.  I know there will be some Gefells and MBHO's for sure down there.  I'll try and get something else to run in front other then the AKG's.

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Todd R on April 18, 2007, 11:16:02 AM
When did the V3 first come out?

I am pretty sure the V3 came out in Jan-Feb 03.


Actually, it came out in October 2002.  My first outing was 10/19/02 for Mule.  I picked mine up directly from Grace that morning -- had it pulled off the production line before its burn-in testing was completed so I could have it for the Mule show.

A few units had already been shipped out by that time, but I don't think any went out as early as Sept 2002.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: scb on April 18, 2007, 11:17:06 AM
yep, got mine oct 2002.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: muj on April 18, 2007, 01:40:00 PM
november 2002
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: SClassical on April 22, 2007, 01:22:19 AM
We're going to be running some stock vs. mod V3 comps this weekend.  I know there will be some Gefells and MBHO's for sure down there.  I'll try and get something else to run in front other then the AKG's.



Good if someone can post a poll sometime (blind test).

Any ideas on the pirce to do a MOD from Doug? I think comparing V3 vs MOD V3 blindly will gives us an idea if it's worth doing.

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on April 22, 2007, 06:11:39 PM
We're going to be running some stock vs. mod V3 comps this weekend.  I know there will be some Gefells and MBHO's for sure down there.  I'll try and get something else to run in front other then the AKG's.



Good if someone can post a poll sometime (blind test).

Any ideas on the pirce to do a MOD from Doug? I think comparing V3 vs MOD V3 blindly will gives us an idea if it's worth doing.



Just got back home from a GREAT weekend of music and taping.  Comp and poll should be up later this week.  We debated over a ton of different ways to comp and in the end we ran two sets of 483's (din) > HiHi Silver XLR's > V3/modV3 > bitbucket.  We taped one of the littler known acts so that hopefully their won't be much bias towards the artist for the comp.

Pricing?  I have no idea what Doug might charge for the V3 upgrade.  Sorry.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: monochromic on April 22, 2007, 06:36:23 PM
Comp and poll should be up later this week.

excellent work, am most looking forward to the comp.


brett.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on April 23, 2007, 01:03:00 AM
... We taped one of the littler known acts so that hopefully their won't be much bias towards the artist for the comp...
;D
Sounds like a great time.
Looking forward to it, even if the band sucks.  ^-^
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: SClassical on April 23, 2007, 12:46:07 PM
We're going to be running some stock vs. mod V3 comps this weekend.  I know there will be some Gefells and MBHO's for sure down there.  I'll try and get something else to run in front other then the AKG's.



Good if someone can post a poll sometime (blind test).

Any ideas on the pirce to do a MOD from Doug? I think comparing V3 vs MOD V3 blindly will gives us an idea if it's worth doing.



Pricing?  I have no idea what Doug might charge for the V3 upgrade.  Sorry.

I guess your one was one free. Do you know when Doug is going to start doing it for people? Since he did one already any reason why he is waiting around? Are you acting like a guinea pig (no offence   :laugh: ) for him before he takes in orders from people? Thanks for testing it  ;D
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on April 23, 2007, 01:18:15 PM


I guess your one was one free. Do you know when Doug is going to start doing it for people? Since he did one already any reason why he is waiting around? Are you acting like a guinea pig (no offence   :laugh: ) for him before he takes in orders from people? Thanks for testing it  ;D

To be fair and honest I bought a good bit of gear from Doug and it all rolled into one bill so to speak.  So in that sense I'd be lying if I told you what I think I paid for it.  And for all intensive purposes I am the guinea pig so maybe I got overcharged or undercharged, dunno.

I have no idea when he will start modding them but have a call and email into him as we speak to talk about it.   Hang tight for a few days and we'll get some comp samples up and you can decide if you even like it or not.

I will say though that my V3 runs hotter now after the mod.  Maybe 8db or so hotter.  Strange but true.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Shawn on April 23, 2007, 01:51:26 PM
I will say though that my V3 runs hotter now after the mod.  Maybe 8db or so hotter.  Strange but true.
:o that's a pretty significant increase. Not that there is anything wring with that. it's just surprising.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on April 23, 2007, 02:00:07 PM
I will say though that my V3 runs hotter now after the mod.  Maybe 8db or so hotter.  Strange but true.
:o that's a pretty significant increase. Not that there is anything wring with that. it's just surprising.

I thought so as well.  But I prefer to run the V3 hot anyways before the mod.  I just have to shake old habits level wise and remember that I have more gain now.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on April 23, 2007, 02:11:46 PM
I will say though that my V3 runs hotter now after the mod.  Maybe 8db or so hotter.  Strange but true.
:o that's a pretty significant increase. Not that there is anything wring with that. it's just surprising.

I thought so as well.  But I prefer to run the V3 hot anyways before the mod.  I just have to shake old habits level wise and remember that I have more gain now.

before you did the comp, did you do an accurate test to see how much more gain you have?  I think that'd be pretty important to really dial in the levels between the modded vs. unmodded V3's to get a valid comparison.  or did you just run it about 8dB lower?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on April 23, 2007, 02:25:56 PM
I will say though that my V3 runs hotter now after the mod.  Maybe 8db or so hotter.  Strange but true.
:o that's a pretty significant increase. Not that there is anything wring with that. it's just surprising.

I thought so as well.  But I prefer to run the V3 hot anyways before the mod.  I just have to shake old habits level wise and remember that I have more gain now.

before you did the comp, did you do an accurate test to see how much more gain you have?  I think that'd be pretty important to really dial in the levels between the modded vs. unmodded V3's to get a valid comparison.  or did you just run it about 8dB lower?

We ran the same config, the same make of cable of the same length and ran the same bodies and caps inches apart from one another.  We ran the two V3's at the same levels for the first 2-3 songs when I noticed how big the difference was.  I then dropped mine down by 5db.  I had planned on adjusting the levels in post this week on both sources to match up as much as possible

There has been so much bullshit debate over the last few weeks about comps that I truly believe that no matter how you do it someone is going to have a problem with it so Gumbino and I debated back and forth several methods until we decided on the method we did. 

Its as real world as it gets. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on April 23, 2007, 03:05:43 PM
We ran the same config, the same make of cable of the same length and ran the same bodies and caps inches apart from one another.  We ran the two V3's at the same levels for the first 2-3 songs when I noticed how big the difference was.  I then dropped mine down by 5db.  I had planned on adjusting the levels in post this week on both sources to match up as much as possible

There has been so much bullshit debate over the last few weeks about comps that I truly believe that no matter how you do it someone is going to have a problem with it so Gumbino and I debated back and forth several methods until we decided on the method we did. 

Its as real world as it gets. 

I understand that it's difficult to get everything in a comp just right.  and I definitely agree that some folks go overboard in finding flaws in comps, and that certainly isn't what I'm trying to do.  it just that setting levels on a V3 is so easy and precise.  it seems to me that it'd be easy to set up a comp at home, set both V3's (modded and unmodded) on the same gain settings, and then check out the files on a computer to see precisely how far off they are from each other.  with this knowledge, it would be very easy to adjust the modded V3 by exactly that amount.

regardless, I'm still looking forward to hearing your comp.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: OFOTD on April 23, 2007, 03:11:41 PM
I understand that it's difficult to get everything in a comp just right.  and I definitely agree that some folks go overboard in finding flaws in comps, and that certainly isn't what I'm trying to do.  it just that setting levels on a V3 is so easy and precise.  it seems to me that it'd be easy to set up a comp at home, set both V3's (modded and unmodded) on the same gain settings, and then check out the files on a computer to see precisely how far off they are from each other.  with this knowledge, it would be very easy to adjust the modded V3 by exactly that amount.

regardless, I'm still looking forward to hearing your comp.

Totally agree with you and I know you're not a critic of the comp.   First and foremost I believe I am the only V3 owner within 3 hours so that kinda took that option out of the mix.  Secondly we just felt like a real world comp would be the most beneficial to most folks.  Until I can get the tracks cut later in the week we'll both be in the dark as to the results. 

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on April 23, 2007, 08:12:01 PM
why would the mod cause the increased gain?  isnt the mod just with the a/d?  why would that change if he didnt mod the preamp too?  sorry if im way off here, just curious.

thanks
jim
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 23, 2007, 08:38:27 PM
why would the mod cause the increased gain?  isnt the mod just with the a/d?  why would that change if he didnt mod the preamp too?  sorry if im way off here, just curious.

thanks
jim

adc processes the gain stage, it could be adding a minimal amount
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Shawn on April 23, 2007, 08:42:31 PM
why would the mod cause the increased gain?  isnt the mod just with the a/d?  why would that change if he didnt mod the preamp too?  sorry if im way off here, just curious.

thanks
jim

adc processes the gain stage, it could be adding a minimal amount
8db isn't a minimal amount.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on April 23, 2007, 09:14:14 PM
maybe the new A/D chip is just more sensitive.  so it reaches 0dBfs at a lower analog level (dBu) than the original A/D chip.

(I don't really know how different A/D chips actually work.  so maybe I'm way off base.  but it seems like a reasonable assumption to me)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Shawn on April 23, 2007, 09:26:52 PM
maybe the new A/D chip is just more sensitive.  so it reaches 0dBfs at a lower analog level (dBu) than the original A/D chip.

(I don't really know how different A/D chips actually work.  so maybe I'm way off base.  but it seems like a reasonable assumption to me)
sounds feasible to me.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Colin Liston on June 03, 2007, 06:53:09 PM
Has Doug started taking orders for these yet?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: imazephed on June 04, 2007, 11:02:44 PM
Today is a good day. I talked to Doug today he told me to send my V3 in for the mod.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: audBall on June 05, 2007, 07:31:54 AM
Any chance someone could post before/after shots of the insides when they get this done?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on June 05, 2007, 09:40:23 AM
i would love to have an idea of price too. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: SClassical on June 05, 2007, 01:01:59 PM
Today is a good day. I talked to Doug today he told me to send my V3 in for the mod.

You don't want to wait for the poll before sending it? I think someone will be putting up a poll: Oade ACM V3 vs. stock V3

I am actually waiting for the poll before considering and also want to know the final price including all shipping costs before deciding if it is really worth it. I'm actually already very pleased with the stock V3 sound.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on June 05, 2007, 02:00:58 PM
Today is a good day. I talked to Doug today he told me to send my V3 in for the mod.

You don't want to wait for the poll before sending it? I think someone will be putting up a poll: Oade ACM V3 vs. stock V3

I am actually waiting for the poll before considering and also want to know the final price including all shipping costs before deciding if it is really worth it. I'm actually already very pleased with the stock V3 sound.
me too.  the sound is great as is, so the price would have be reasonable to decide if a marginal sound quality increase would even be worth it.  although doug is the best in the biz when it comes to upgrade mods so it might be worth it, i dunno.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: monochromic on June 05, 2007, 05:18:35 PM
i would love to have an idea of price too. 

Spoke to Doug in regards to the mod, it runs at US$175 (US$140 if V3 purchased from Oade).


Brett.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jimna on June 05, 2007, 08:56:13 PM
i would love to have an idea of price too. 

Spoke to Doug in regards to the mod, it runs at US$175 (US$140 if V3 purchased from Oade).


Brett.
thanks.  +T
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jerryfreak on June 06, 2007, 06:09:25 PM
How transparent is the v3’s analog stage at zero gain?

Would signal>unmodded v3>analog out>acm mod v3 be more representative than two different rigs?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on June 06, 2007, 06:16:03 PM
How transparent is the v3’s analog stage at zero gain?

Would signal>unmodded v3>analog out>acm mod v3 be more representative than two different rigs?


the V3 (unmodded) has a minimum of 10dB gain.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jerryfreak on June 06, 2007, 06:20:42 PM
How transparent is the v3’s analog stage at zero gain?

Would signal>unmodded v3>analog out>acm mod v3 be more representative than two different rigs?


the V3 (unmodded) has a minimum of 10dB gain.

yes, but cant you switch this off with the internal jumpers?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: JasonSobel on June 06, 2007, 06:27:42 PM
How transparent is the v3’s analog stage at zero gain?

Would signal>unmodded v3>analog out>acm mod v3 be more representative than two different rigs?


the V3 (unmodded) has a minimum of 10dB gain.

yes, but cant you switch this off with the internal jumpers?

there are internal jumpers for a -20 dB pad.  so I guess you could run it with the pad and then run at 20 dB of gain for unity.

but I guess I'm missing how the unmodded V3 > analog > mod V3 would give you a good comp.  presumably you'd have to add gain on the mod V3, and then if you went digi-out from the unmodded V3 to a different recorder, the levels of the two recordings would be way off.

I think the ideal way to run it would have a single pair of mics to a seperate phantom power supply (like a denecke PS-2) or something.  then run a splitter after the phantom, one signal into a regular V3, and the other to a modded V3.  match the levels on the two units, and you'd be all set.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: aegert on June 07, 2007, 05:06:39 PM
Hey from dougs description of the mod it sounds like he is doing only work to the analog circuitry of the front end to the a/d  sounds like op amps.... if the gain is going up...

I wonder if he really has changed the chip. If it is a chip change could it be  buffers or op amps in a network. Is there a replacement to the current a/d chip pin for pin on the market? If so I got to think the traces will have to change. These chips run on the hairy edge of squirrelly LOL... If the chip has changed has the noise floor gone down? Not that we need it LOL.

I would love to hear from Doug what the mod includes from a schematic or block diagram perspective to get a handle on whats going on... Even with out values on caps op-amps resistor networks  etc... Sorry its the EE and v3 owner in me cant help myself


Thanks
A
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jerryfreak on June 24, 2007, 03:39:59 AM
i just wanna hear it!

wheres that comp?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: SClassical on August 08, 2007, 04:52:44 PM
I know we have been talking about this for a few months now so is there going to be a comp coming? Even if there's an improvement (or no improvement) I guess a lot of us would like to hear it.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Jhurlbs81 on August 26, 2007, 07:49:05 PM
I'd love to hear a comp as well.  Can anyone else give anymore info about Doug's status with these?

Jesse
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Weirdness on August 26, 2007, 10:19:40 PM
I have had my ACM V3 for a couple of weeks now but I haven't had a chance to try it out as of yet.  If someone has a pair of 4021/4022/4023's and a non ACM V3 that is going to moe. down, we could get together and do a comp then which isn't far away at this point.  We would pretty much have to run on the same stand running the same config for it to be a fair comp.  My buddy Jason Ho has the same mics as I do and a standard V3, we could likely get together at some point but it's hard to say when that might happen. 

When I got the ACM V3 back I asked Doug about the unit running hotter as a result of the mod and he said that it shouldn't run any hotter and that he has been comparing before and after and hasn't found anything significant in that regard. 

Anyways, if anyone is headed to moe. down with a similar rig, shoot me a PM. 
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: imazephed on August 31, 2007, 01:15:16 PM
I ran the acm mod v3 for the first time at the Crowes in Orange Beach. I just put up the NMA set on bt.etree they opened the show. http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=509218 I havent spent that much time really listing to it but my first impressions are positive. I have nothing else to compare it to but it sounds good to my untrained ears. I am happy with the mod so far but without a stock v3 source to compare it to its hard to say how much of a difference there really is. If anyone in the New Orleans area runs Schoeps>v3 and wants to get together and make some comparisons shoot me a pm. I would really like to do a side by side comparison with the same mics>pre setup.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: NOLAfishwater on August 31, 2007, 01:22:20 PM
I ran the acm mod v3 for the first time at the Crowes in Orange Beach. I just put up the NMA set on bt.etree they opened the show. http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=509218 I havent spent that much time really listing to it but my first impressions are positive. I have nothing else to compare it to but it sounds good to my untrained ears. I am happy with the mod so far but without a stock v3 source to compare it to its hard to say how much of a difference there really is. If anyone in the New Orleans area runs Schoeps>v3 and wants to get together and make some comparisons shoot me a pm. I would really like to do a side by side comparison with the same mics>pre setup.

I will be back home in NOLA Oct 4th - 22nd. I have an opti mod V3 and if you want, we can trade off for a show. That way you can do the taste test. Let me know if you are interested.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on April 02, 2014, 12:12:28 AM
I was so thinking of starting a new topic here, but since the V3 is discontinued, it seemed like I'd post a few things and this would die off.

So here we are.
My very favorite preamp so far has been the gigantic, in-the-way-and-needs-its-own-bag Apogee Mini MP.
I taped all last year with it, and it only let me down once, when I got a file filled with scratchy noises (I still don't know why).

See here, if you care:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=167179.0;all

Well, preparing for the summer season I slutted it up big time, and $825 later I am next in line for this old ACM V3, which now has an ownership tree that looks like this:

spreadheadtom > edtyre > microburst > jbell > bass_ur_face > jb63

I just wish I still lived in NYC again, because there is currently more stuff there happening in a week than i can find in a year out in the desert.

So I spent a quite a bit of research pulling samples taped with one of these modded and unmodded before I decided that's what I wanted to try, but also because (like some cranky old hermit) I drag a big bag of gear along and make 3 or 4 tapes every chance I get. With the 3 outs on this pre, it gives me a chance to pull modded AND unmodded each time I use it.

The first outing was St. Vincent.
Couldn't have asked for a better test tape. Deep in the crowd, in the sweet spot, relatively respectful 30-something audience. The db levels of the show were all over the place and I had 3 other backup tapes running so I could fiddle with this. Turned out I nailed the levels perfect for the digital out, and ran them slightly high from the XLR out to the MR2.

The levels on the V3 were at 12 o'clock (35) and the trim was also at 12 o'clock. The right trim got nudged just a bit over 12 which I think is why the right channel is a bit thicker.

Levels on the MR2 were set to -11db, and while that looked right on the meters, it was still too hot for me.

Single samples in 16/44.1:

ACMV3:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-VlqN5R8fn6bVFwZ0ZybWhvMDQ/edit?usp=sharing

analog:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-VlqN5R8fn6X3IyUFIxVnhwdTQ/edit?usp=sharing


full show in 24/48:

ACMV3:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-VlqN5R8fn6VDNOMXVOeTVZaWM/edit?usp=sharing

analog:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-VlqN5R8fn6MUtIZXVkZlA4aTA/edit?usp=sharing

Thats the best I can do for comparisons for now.
Anyone with more experience with one of these, please chime in and give me some settings tips.
Anyone else, feel free to grab the samples, shows, and ask questions.

Plus, go see St. Vincent.
I had no idea Annie was in the Polyphonic Spree when they opened for David Bowie all those years ago.





Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: vwmule on April 03, 2014, 12:50:29 AM
Speaking of V3 trim, is there a preferred setting? I've always kept it at 12 oclock (5 db) but why not all the way to zero?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on April 03, 2014, 09:31:40 AM
I keep it around 12 o'clock so I can either add or reduce gain as requried.  I've no worries about using it fully turned either way, except if I needed to go further I then have to use the switched knob which makes for an audible gain change.


Thanks for the comp jb63.  Haven't had a chance to listen yet.
So this is basically a comp between the ACM V3 A/D and the MR2 A/D.

Was there ever a good comp available between the ACM V3 A/D and the stock V3 A/D?  I never came across one.  When I bought my OCM R44 from Oade, years ago Doug offered to mod my V3 but I never got around to sending it to him.  At the time I was always using it's analog out.  For the past few years I pretty much always use the digital out and I've wondered about this again.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on April 03, 2014, 02:44:31 PM

So this is basically a comp between the ACM V3 A/D and the MR2 A/D.


I guess that's correct.
The ACM V3 A/D would be either of the 2 digital out choices, correct? Both of those would be affected by the Oade mod., but the regular XLR outs would still be using the Preamp, but not the mod.
I assume the V3 itself adds some color, but I never thought about it (since I was using the line in) as using the MR2 A/D. but I guess that every recorder that's making a digital file is doing the A/D thing, right?

Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on April 03, 2014, 05:06:12 PM
The ACM V3 A/D would be either of the 2 digital out choices, correct?
yes.

Quote
I guess that every recorder that's making a digital file is doing the A/D thing, right?
Whenever the file is made using the recorders analog inputs.  But not if using digital inputs (although some digital inputs resample, and that can affect the already digitized sound, but that's seperate from the A/D)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on April 05, 2014, 01:08:45 PM

Whenever the file is made using the recorders analog inputs.  But not if using digital inputs (although some digital inputs resample, and that can affect the already digitized sound, but that's seperate from the A/D)

Every time I read something like this I feel all kinds of stupid and I remember I started out just pointing a microphone because what I was hearing was so special and overwhelming that I wanted to hear it again.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on April 05, 2014, 09:12:39 PM
.. I started out just pointing a microphone because what I was hearing was so special and overwhelming that I wanted to hear it again.

That's just plain cool in my book, nothing stupid about it.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on April 06, 2014, 01:57:17 AM

Whenever the file is made using the recorders analog inputs.  But not if using digital inputs (although some digital inputs resample, and that can affect the already digitized sound, but that's seperate from the A/D)

Every time I read something like this I feel all kinds of stupid and I remember I started out just pointing a microphone because what I was hearing was so special and overwhelming that I wanted to hear it again.

Welcome to my neighborhood!  LOL!

Terry
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: justink on April 06, 2014, 05:57:38 AM
Speaking of V3 trim, is there a preferred setting?

i prefer my trim setting on my face.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: rocksuitcase on April 07, 2014, 08:09:01 PM
bump to join thread cause I loves me some V3 sound! (of course I don't own one :facepalm:)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: axomxa on April 08, 2014, 10:05:30 PM

Whenever the file is made using the recorders analog inputs.  But not if using digital inputs (although some digital inputs resample, and that can affect the already digitized sound, but that's seperate from the A/D)

Every time I read something like this I feel all kinds of stupid and I remember I started out just pointing a microphone because what I was hearing was so special and overwhelming that I wanted to hear it again.

Welcome to my neighborhood!  LOL!

Terry

Ditto for me.  And its been a long time since the first time I "pointed a microphone" at Jerry and John Kahn at the Opera House in Boston   ;)
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: rocksuitcase on April 09, 2014, 06:15:52 PM

Whenever the file is made using the recorders analog inputs.  But not if using digital inputs (although some digital inputs resample, and that can affect the already digitized sound, but that's seperate from the A/D)

Every time I read something like this I feel all kinds of stupid and I remember I started out just pointing a microphone because what I was hearing was so special and overwhelming that I wanted to hear it again.

Welcome to my neighborhood!  LOL!

Terry

Ditto for me.  And its been a long time since the first time I "pointed a microphone" at Jerry and John Kahn at the Opera House in Boston   ;)
Wow, we must be close in age- the first recording i ever "helped" with was my buddy getting me to drive him to Jerry/John in Rochester NY 1981. I don't even think I have a copy of that show. Soon thereafter I took his D5 and went on Dead tour summer 1982 and recorded the entire summer tour with his deck and my new mics (Beyer M201s).
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: justink on April 10, 2014, 03:40:08 AM
bump to join thread cause I loves me some V3 sound! (of course I don't own one :facepalm:)

get you one!  they're dirt cheap these days.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on April 10, 2014, 11:18:13 PM
I don't know how much dirt goes for where you are, but that's some pricey dirt!
Still the most expensive pre i've bought-- so far.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on May 25, 2014, 12:26:34 PM
Well, I've used this at about half a dozen shows now, always running the MK5 cards in and pulling both a distal out and an analog (unmodded) out... The unmodded file is always a little distorted. Whatever it takes to get the levels right on the digital
signal is just at the "makes the normal signal sound like crap" level.

Anyone experience this and is there an optimal mix of level knobs setting?

The V3 takes up a lot of real estate, and the ACM makes great tapes, but the stock out is just not doing it for me.
Here's the Acid Mothers Temple stop in Salt Lake City. Check out the difference. I GUESS the stock V3 is OK, but I could never recommend it, which leads me to believe I'm setting something wrong. The ACM version is excellent, and worth every penny. Maybe I just need to try pairing this up with different mics, I dunno.

MK5 > V3:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-VlqN5R8fn6S3pYejBCbXlSeFk/edit?usp=sharing

MK5 > ACMV3:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-VlqN5R8fn6RDVaTHdBT0R2dnc/edit?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 27, 2014, 02:54:57 PM
Surprised the V3 (stock) analog out > [?] is something you couldn't recommend.  What ADC / recorder are you running behind the V3 (stock) analog out?  If it's distorted, I wonder if you're overloading the analog inputs of whatever is next in the chain?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: rodeen on May 27, 2014, 03:15:25 PM
Isn't the analog out of a V3 essentially a V2?  I've run both digi out and analog out at the same time without any analog distortion on a stock V3.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on May 27, 2014, 03:28:20 PM
Expanding on what Brian is getting at, I'm not sure about the OCM version, but if you have the gains set on a standard V3 so that the preamp is showing appropriate levels on its meters (which accurately reflect the level of the digital output), the analog line-output will be at a quite high output level.  Unless attenuated, that high-level analog output level can easily overload the input stage of the following equipment if it's not designed to handle those kinds of levels.

I used to run the V3 analog output without attenuation into the line-input an original R-09, and to avoid overloading the input stage of the R-09 the gain settings on the V3 needed to be set so low they barely registed on the V3 meters.  Sounded fine though.  With the correct amount of attenuation between the V3 analog output and the R-09 line-in, I could have run the V3 gain higher, which would have made it easier to use the digital out and analog out simultaneously, with appropriate levels to both the digial and analog recorders which followed.

I can't remember- Is there a switch or jumper inside the V3 which attenuates it's analog output voltage?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: kindms on May 27, 2014, 04:22:11 PM
bump to join thread cause I loves me some V3 sound! (of course I don't own one :facepalm:)

Well you kind of did for a short time.

It might have been the shortest owned piece of EQ we have ever run ! I think we had it for 1 maybe 2 seasons ?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: page on May 27, 2014, 04:26:16 PM
the analog line-output will be at a quite high output level.  Unless attenuated, that high-level analog output level can easily overload the input stage of the following equipment if it's not designed to handle those kinds of levels.

Yeah, it's up in the range of +26 or +27dbu before the outputs clip, so distortion that only shows up on the analog capture are likely to be an ADC/line-in issue downstream.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: rocksuitcase on May 27, 2014, 07:40:13 PM
bump to join thread cause I loves me some V3 sound! (of course I don't own one :facepalm:)

Well you kind of did for a short time.

It might have been the shortest owned piece of EQ we have ever run ! I think we had it for 1 maybe 2 seasons ?
Yeah, that is what my "facepalm" emoticon was about! When kindms owned his V3, I decided it was the best pre-amp device out there at its' capability level (2 ch)for its' price range. I guess you had it for about 2 years. It is a power hog, but in a non >:D rig, it does the job 4 shure.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on June 02, 2014, 09:59:30 PM
the analog line-output will be at a quite high output level.  Unless attenuated, that high-level analog output level can easily overload the input stage of the following equipment if it's not designed to handle those kinds of levels.

Yeah, it's up in the range of +26 or +27dbu before the outputs clip, so distortion that only shows up on the analog capture are likely to be an ADC/line-in issue downstream.

Ok!
So it sounds like I might have what I need. I have a -26db attenuator cable or some -12db XLR cables.
I'm probably going to have to use the -26, which is just a little camera cable....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/746645-REG/Sescom_LN2MIC_ZOOMH4N_LN2MIC_ZOOMH4N_Line_to.html

I bought it for a camera but it never worked out. 

First show of summer is tomorrow! I almost feel 49.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: justink on June 05, 2014, 12:11:04 AM
I'm going to run ACM V3 (analog out > R-09 at the gorge in August.

I know that "unity gain" on the R-09 is level 8.

So as long as I'm running at level 8, I should be fine using the V3 levels, right?
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: H₂O on June 05, 2014, 10:29:43 AM
The ACM mod is for the Analog section of the AD board only so running Analog out of an ACM V3 will sound exactly the same as using a normal V3 - to get the benefit you must run digital out of the ACM V3
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on June 05, 2014, 10:48:20 AM
I usually kept the line-in input level on the R-09 set to about 13, my safe "don't go below" input setting was 10.  8 is right at the limit and I don't trust the R-09 input and meters not to brick at that point.

I suggest setting the R-09 input to 9 or 10, then adjusting gain as necessary using the V3 controls while watching the meters on the R-09.  Ignore the V3 meters, you will see minimal action on them unless you are using attenuation between the V3 and R-09.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: jb63 on June 06, 2014, 12:29:36 PM
turns out that a -26db attenuator cable was too much attenuation.
next will try the -12db XLR cables.

thanks again guys!
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Chuck on June 06, 2014, 02:08:19 PM
turns out that a -26db attenuator cable was too much attenuation.
next will try the -12db XLR cables.

thanks again guys!

Yeah, -26db is a huge pad.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: Gutbucket on June 06, 2014, 02:45:23 PM
Just a reminder that even with attenuation, you will still want to monitor the meters on the R-09, while adjusting levels on the V3.  With the appropriate amount of attenuation the meters will be significantly closer to matching each other.  You won't want to max-out the meters on either machine, but the one on the R-09 reflects the actual recording level seen by the ADC and has a far less-wide range of what would be considered "acceptible" than whatever is happening on the V3's meter.

If you get the degree of attenuation close to optimal, the meters will be close enough to each other so that you can monitor the easier to read V3 meter instead of the R-09 while recording, but you should still double check when setting up to make sure the R-09 does not peak before the V3 does.
Title: Re: Oade ACM V3
Post by: page on June 06, 2014, 10:38:30 PM
turns out that a -26db attenuator cable was too much attenuation.
next will try the -12db XLR cables.

thanks again guys!

Yeah, -26db is a huge pad.

You would need something along those lines for use with a korg mr-1 since even balanced, it overloads around at like +4dbu or something low (for a balanced in). I don't know what the overload point is for the R-09s though. Guysonic may have those numbers on his site somewhere.