Topic: Ideas on a newbie rig??

[chuckcage]

The more I think about it the more I am leaning straight towards a laptop setup, and correct me if I am misreading this..but I would then need to connect a USB cable AND a S/PDIF digi cable to the laptop in order to record.

It almost seems that I could setup a computer for the cost of the additional mods.

Well, when I looked into it, I figured that the real difference is in the accessories.  YMMV, but here's how I saw it:

--- Laptop Setup ---

The UA-5 fills the phantom/preamp/converter role, so you're plugging your mics into the UA-5 and the UA-5 directly into the computer via USB.  (The UA-5 sends audio over USB, the NJB3 just doesn't receive audio over USB.  Make sense?  You have a device driver on the laptop to translate the audio over the USB.)

BUT, you now have to make arrangements to run your laptop and the UA-5 on batteries for the length of the show.  I don't know about you, but my laptop won't run 2-3 hours on internal battery.  I used to have one that let you replace the CD drive with another battery, but I'm not even sure I'd get 2-3 hours out of that.  There are some slick devices out there to do the job, but you're looking at $200-$500 for one.

I'm not an expert, but everyone seems to say that you can put together a DIY power supply for the UA-5 for $50-$100.  (Remember, you have to have a battery AND charger.)

So, total cost *by the time you can use it*: $350+$200+$50 = $600 at the low end.

--- NJB3 ---

NJB3 costs about $200 (some higher, some lower), which added to your UA-5 comes to about $550.  Add in your UA-5 DIY PS and it's a wash.

BUT, you don't have to carry your high $$ laptop to shows then be pissed off when it comes back smelling like a well-used ashtray (like everything I take to a show) or worry about someone stepping on it and putting you out $1500 or not being able to do your work on it.  Doh!

Also, I ended up choosing the AD-20 over the UA-5 because for $325 (or less used) it gave me the same basic functionality as the UA-5 without the cost of a DIY battery as it runs for WAY longer than a show on a singly 9v.  That get's you down to $525 or so.

Of course, you might want to be able to use the UA-5 at home for recording (which it was really meant for).  I have a Digidesign 002R for that (8 track 24/96), so that's not really high on my list.

Transfers w/Firewire from the NJB3 are a dream, too.  1.2 gig show in just a minute or two.

Chuck

[wrecked420]

i got ya...makes sense now. I was under the understanding that the NJB3 both sent and recieved audio over USB. I am checking out the ad-20 now too!

[mirth]

Wrecked - I'll check with my buddy & send you an email.