Author Topic: UA-5 mod comparisons... (Read 8565 times)

TaperBryan · « **on:** December 09, 2005, 04:01:33 PM »

....was wondering if any of you out there possibly ran the 480/ck61/ck62/ck63 > ua-5 (w+mod or T+mod).

If so, can anyone send me a link so that my ears can here this mic>pre combo. i'd eventually like to mod my ua-5, but not totally sure which mod my ears would like more than the other.

Thanks in advance all.

terrapinj · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2005, 07:34:09 PM »

Quote from: TaperBryan on December 09, 2005, 04:01:33 PM

....was wondering if any of you out there possibly ran the 480/ck61/ck62/ck63 > ua-5 (w+mod or T+mod).

If so, can anyone send me a link so that my ears can here this mic>pre combo. i'd eventually like to mod my ua-5, but not totally sure which mod my ears would like more than the other.

Thanks in advance all.

try doing some searches on archive.org with the combo you want to hear, i've found it to be very helpful in finding specific combos

shaggy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2005, 10:04:56 PM »

483 > Oade T+ mod UA-5 general observations: a bit thin in the low end but really detailed (snappy and sparkly, really quick transients ). I had been running the 481/3 > Sax > Oade modSBM and it is what I prefer currently. I did recently run the 483 > Sax > T+ modUA-5 and it gave a more rich sound overall without sacrificing the detail than the T+ mod's own pre, but I have no direct comparisons...only relative observations. I think that the W+ mod would be nice but you are gonna sacrifice some detail going to that. If you have a decent pre (something 'warm': PSP 2/3, Sax or MP-2), I would suggest the T+ mod, if not or you want an all in one box....the W+ mod is a better way to go with the 481/3.

Here is a recent 483 > sax > T+ modUA-5 this past weekend but I dunno if you want the DL all the show

Meltone 12-4-2005, @ Plug, Shibuya: http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=20742&hit=1

I will also in time be torrenting the 483 > T+modUA-5 alone but I have to compile that show and get permission from the band, Sun Paolo 11-22-2005, @ Unit, Daikanyama.

ANDY

Nick Graham · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2005, 11:04:54 PM »

I've heard tapes with 480>t-mod, 480>w-mod, and 480>regular digimod, and greatly prefer the warm mod. It fattens up the AKGs nicely, similar warm sound as a M148 or MP2.

NJFunk · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2005, 09:44:23 PM »

Here is a 481 > W-mod by (TS.com member) Leehookem that I dl'd recently that sounds terrific.

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=20624

bagtagsell · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2005, 10:15:39 PM »

i like warmth with the akgs

spreadheadtom · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2005, 10:11:14 PM »

Quote from: Nick Graham on December 09, 2005, 11:04:54 PM

I've heard tapes with 480>t-mod, 480>w-mod, and 480>regular digimod, and greatly prefer the warm mod. It fattens up the AKGs nicely, similar warm sound as a M148 or MP2.

QFT

I used to run 480's > wmod UA5

http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=14100 -------- 483's

http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=19166 -------- 482's

Tommy

jdawg · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2005, 09:14:55 PM »

I run the 483's with a w-mod and with a bm2p+mod. For the money you can't beat the busman mod.
Anyway, here are a few I taped with 483 > w-mod

http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=25360 (Zilla)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=31255 (charlotte martin)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=25514 (Umphrey's)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=22944 (tea leaf green)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=22724 (new monsoon)

TaperBryan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2005, 10:19:02 PM »

listening to the UM 483>w-mod source. not too shabby. just wish my playback was a little more 'high tech!'

...awaiting the sample of tom's 482>w-mod to finish.....

speaking of split omnis...i wonder what it would sound like in the Georgia Theater in Athens to split them for PGroove? i plan on taping them on 12/30 (would love to do the 3 night run, but, i have to make time for the g/f!

)

TaperBryan · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2005, 11:07:18 PM »

so...i think i'm starting to narrow down my decision. Here's what I've listend to....

john2525az 483>w-mod ua5 (Umphrey's) sample
Tom's (spreadheadtom) 482(12' split)>w-mod (PGroove) sample
Tim's (raoulduke) Microtech Gefell M20 > JK Labs ECMS-23 > Oade W+ mod UA5 (tea leaf green) sample----i know the MG's are NO 480s, but they'll work!

Tim's (raoulduke) Microtech Gefell M20 > JK Labs ECMS-23 > Oade T+ mod UA5 (MF&Spearhead) sample.

trying to find some samples of the 480/ck61/62/63>bm2 mod ua5. Sent Spyder9 an IM hoping he can help out w/ those samples.

so, far, i'm thinking the w-mod is sounding pretty tasty to me ears! the T+ and W+ seems to lack a little of the bass (punch/kick/etc.) that the w-mod seems to provide. will know for sure if Tim will let me run the w+mod he has for sale w/ the 480s before he unloads it!

Aaron41 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2005, 02:04:58 AM »

Still kicking around what mod I want for my UA-5 with my AKG 391s which will later become AKG 483s. I've heard warm mod on a few 391 tapes. Sounds good but a little TOO warm for me.

musicsherlock · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2005, 07:27:03 AM »

Quote from: TaperBryan on December 14, 2005, 11:07:18 PM

so...i think i'm starting to narrow down my decision.

trying to find some samples of the 480/ck61/62/63>bm2 mod ua5. Sent Spyder9 an IM hoping he can help out w/ those samples.

Bryan- I have a Jeff Tweedy 482's (DIN)>BM2+Mod UA-5>MT 2496 (24/48)...let me know if ya wanna check it out, I'll put it up here: http://www.upstatetapers.com/tracker/ or xfer via FTP...

NJFunk · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2005, 07:39:37 AM »

Quote from: TaperBryan on December 14, 2005, 11:07:18 PM

so, far, i'm thinking the w-mod is sounding pretty tasty to me ears! the [...] W+ seems to lack a little of the bass (punch/kick/etc.) that the w-mod seems to provide.

I think you're probably hearing the difference in room dynamics. The only difference between the W and W+ is the additional mod that reduces the self-noise floor. It won't affect teh coloration of the pre at all. Therefore, either the self-noise somehow adds "punch" (which seems doubtful) or the difference is in the room dynamics of the specific recordings that you have.

spreadheadtom · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2005, 10:54:30 AM »

to quote Doug Oade " the wmod was made for the 480's"

i have to agree 100%

Tommy

TaperBryan · « **Reply #14 on:** December 15, 2005, 11:07:53 AM »

Quote

to quote Doug Oade " the wmod was made for the 480's"

i have to agree 100%

Tommy

...i'm thinking so too. I think Tim (raoulduke) is going to send me the W+ he's got in the yard sale next week to run 12/23 and 12/30 (if it doesn't sell before then). So, we shall see...

PG · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2005, 11:22:37 AM »

I really like my 480's>W+. I'm happy to send you a show for a sample (replied to your PM) but if you're going to get to run one yourself next week you can't much better than that.

TaperBryan · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2005, 11:35:14 AM »

Quote

I really like my 480's>W+. I'm happy to send you a show for a sample (replied to your PM) but if you're going to get to run one yourself next week you can't much better than that[/quot]

...if his sales before the, i'll take you up on that offer.

thanks.

jeromejello · « **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2005, 09:34:55 AM »

Quote from: spreadheadtom on December 15, 2005, 10:54:30 AM

to quote Doug Oade " the wmod was made for the 480's"

i have to agree 100%

Tommy

sweet... i knew there was a mic in mind for the warm mod and i couldnt find that anywhere.

my question is this... what about a 460... if i understand correctly, the 460 is transformer based and already has some warmness coming from that. all i know is that the 460s paired with my playback gives me a nice analogy sound. i can bake some cookies on it.

dgodwin · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2005, 11:36:04 AM »

I've been running 461's and a T+mod UA5 for about 6 months. You can check out some of my recordings at: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/dgodwin Pretty much anything since August

Aaron41 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 17, 2005, 02:13:02 PM »

I'm still debating about the W-mod. It seems a little extreme in bass for the 391s I'm going to be running for some time but I do plan on upgrading to 480s down the road (a year or two perhaps). Do you guys think the W-mod will be worth it for now or should I just get it as a regular digimod? How long does Doug usually take to have it done and set? Any help would be great. Thanks.

TaperBryan · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2005, 05:45:23 PM »

...i went a completely different route guys! i'm going to throw bagtasell's psp2 that he sold to me in front of my oade dmod. then, i think down the road, i may save up and get the t+ mod and run the psp2 in front of that.

shaggy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 18, 2005, 12:27:21 AM »

Just so you know. I really listened to my 483 > SXM2 > T+modUA-5 for the first time on a pair of B&Ws the other night at chucky's (I was doing the lappy thing before with the VXpocket and SONY MDR-7506s). The T+modUA-5 by itself is strident in the highs and lacks a real bottom end. Maybe good for electronic music but anything with real bass will not be well represented with this as an all in one box when using 480s. With the Sax in front, it changes it completely. There is warmth and detail....the highs are much smoother and realistic rather being brash. The imaging was alot better too, much deeper. The front end of that UA-5 needs serious improvement to even come close to an outboard pre, IMHO. We were really grooving on some seriously heavy stuff I grabbed the other night (Kinski 6-7 feet from stage lip) and it was amazing in detail and raw energy/sound. I was amazed at the high hats was clear even in the thickest moments of complete guitar fuzz and reverb (which was brillantly rendered)....no collapse or compression. WIth the KM140s in front, the sound was a little more natural and the soundstage even deeper. The AKG sizzle is gonna always be there no matter what pre or A/D you use. I think a PSP, Sax or a MP-2 would make the T+mod really kick some serious pa-tootie and give the V3 a run for it's money.

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #22 on:** December 18, 2005, 12:34:51 AM »

Quote from: shaggy on December 18, 2005, 12:27:21 AM

The T+modUA-5 by itself is strident in the highs and lacks a real end.

That whole "transparent" thing must be revealing what your mics actually sound like.

Edit to add: I think the W+ would prove a better match for the 480s.

But seriously...did you run any side by side comps, or strictly separate nights/sets? Just curious since different venues, nights, even sets can have a dramatic effect due to different venue / PA / sound engineer. I definitely like the T+ better with LDs than SDs.

shaggy · « **Reply #23 on:** December 18, 2005, 12:42:49 AM »

I just edited the part about the sizzle always being present in these 480s and added a comment about the KM140s in front. Yeah, I know....no directly or controlled comps...nothing like what you set up. But we did notice this with the one show I had, the highs really being out of whack. The Sax in front seems to tame it down and bring it closer to reality. About the same time into the listening to that 483 >T+modUA-5 show...we looked at each other at the same time and said it is really bright.

I go in and out of liking and disliking the 480s and the KM140s. It is weird. One second I want to get rid of one set and then the next I don't wanna sell them!

paul422 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 18, 2005, 12:59:52 PM »

Does Oade Bros still mod the UA-5? I noticed that the unit is not available to purchase on there website but could you still send it in to get the mod?

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2005, 01:19:25 PM »

Quote from: paul422 on December 18, 2005, 12:59:52 PM

Does Oade Bros still mod the UA-5? I noticed that the unit is not available to purchase on there website but could you still send it in to get the mod?

Edirol discontinued the UA5 and the Oade Bros are out of stock, hence it's no longer available for purchase at the Oade Bros. They'll still mod units purchased directly from them. They will not mod units originally purchased elsewhere.

Chuck · « **Reply #26 on:** December 18, 2005, 01:59:01 PM »

Has anyone done a comparison using a Busman2 modded unit against a stock UA-5 and any of the Oade moded units?
I'm wondering how the BM2p+ mod stacks up against the other UA-5 mods.

PG · « **Reply #27 on:** December 18, 2005, 09:38:18 PM »

If you want a AKG 481 > W/+ mod UA-5 source you can check out this show I'm currently seeding:

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=20948

DMB 12/15/05 Boston

spyder9 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 19, 2005, 12:32:30 PM »

Quote from: Chuck on December 18, 2005, 01:59:01 PM

Has anyone done a comparison using a Busman2 modded unit against a stock UA-5 and any of the Oade moded units?
I'm wondering how the BM2p+ mod stacks up against the other UA-5 mods.

I am really happy with my 480s > UA5 (BM2) set up. I prefer a transparent sound, any way. My Trey show from Utica is still bouncing around on etree. It will give someone at least a sample.

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=19867

willndmb · « **Reply #29 on:** December 19, 2005, 12:37:01 PM »

Quote from: spyder9 on December 19, 2005, 12:32:30 PM

Quote from: Chuck on December 18, 2005, 01:59:01 PM
Has anyone done a comparison using a Busman2 modded unit against a stock UA-5 and any of the Oade moded units?
I'm wondering how the BM2p+ mod stacks up against the other UA-5 mods.

I am really happy with my 480s > UA5 (BM2) set up. I prefer a transparent sound, any way. My Trey show from Utica is still bouncing around on etree. It will give someone at least a sample.

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=19867

+t
i got the bm2 mod based on input from dan and chris
i too like the transparent sound even though i use 391 -- still great to my ears

audBall · « **Reply #30 on:** December 19, 2005, 01:44:00 PM »

Quote from: john2525az on December 14, 2005, 09:14:55 PM

I run the 483's with a w-mod and with a bm2p+mod. For the money you can't beat the busman mod.
Anyway, here are a few I taped with 483 > w-mod

http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=25360 (Zilla)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=31255 (charlotte martin)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=25514 (Umphrey's)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=22944 (tea leaf green)
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=22724 (new monsoon)

John,
where's those samples you and I did with the 414s/483s >> BM2/wmod ?? Still have `em?
I really preferred your mics(480s) thru the BM2. The low was just as present, yet it tighter and more well defined than the wmod, imo. Of course that was only one small outdoor show we tried it at.

Damn, too many factors to consider.

jdawg · « **Reply #31 on:** December 19, 2005, 10:42:37 PM »

Quote

John,
where's those samples you and I did with the 414s/483s >> BM2/wmod ?? Still have `em?
I really preferred your mics(480s) thru the BM2. The low was just as present, yet it tighter and more well defined than the wmod, imo. Of course that was only one small outdoor show we tried it at.

Damn, too many factors to consider.

Yeah, I still have them somewhere, I'll dig them up. Here are a few samples I recorded earlier today in my home office using 483's and mk4's with the w-mod and the bm2p+mod as well as an nbox (RCA in). Mics setup as DIN.

http://jdaly.homelinux.org:2112/music/mictest/480-bm2p+mod-jb3.flac
http://jdaly.homelinux.org:2112/music/mictest/480-wmod-jb3.flac
http://jdaly.homelinux.org:2112/music/mictest/mk4-nbox-bm2p+mod-jb3.flac
http://jdaly.homelinux.org:2112/music/mictest/mk4-nbox-wmod-jb3.flac

(fyi, each file is approx 8mb)