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Author Topic: 4022>???  (Read 11933 times)

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Offline yousef

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4022>???
« on: September 01, 2011, 01:56:21 PM »
All being well, I should have a lovely pair of 4022s in my hands in a couple of weeks but I'm a bit unsure of what to go for in the power/pre dept.

Low-pro is likely to be a good 80% of their use so portability is a big factor. Cost is also a concern. I've already got a Busman UA-5 but that's probably just a little too big for my liking.

Seeing as the V2/V3 is outside my budget at this stage, I think the Littlebox is probably my best bet but I'm very much tempted by the talk of a 48v Tinybox...

So what would the panel recommend?

a) Littlebox
b) wait for the 48v Tinybox
c) something else

Also, if anyone has any low-pro mounting tips they would care to share, please send me a PM.
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
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Offline acidjack

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2011, 02:36:42 PM »
Congrats on the DPAs!

Cheapest/smallest thing for lowpro work is the Denecke PS/2 with a stereo miniplug out.  That means you're relying on the pre of your portable recorder, though.

The LB is not very stealthable (although it is small), but it sounds good with the mics.   For full-on lowpro work I'd say to wait for the tinybox and get the PS/2 in the meantime.  To put it in perspective, I'd run 4021s in mobile fashion with the LB in a bag, but at a show where I was stealthing without guilt due to venue not allowing stands.  Also, the LB knobs are pretty easy to move, so you need to tape them down if you want to do that.

That used Oade 248 in the YS will make amazing recordings with the 4022s, and it's at least small enough to carry in a bag (not to mention internal battery powered).  I guess it's not much cheaper than the Lunatec pres though, but it is a little....

Your other option is an all-in-one deck like the Marantz 661.  That is also a fine option.  One of my buddies here runs his 4021s straight into a 660, which I've borrowed and run a few times, and that combo sounds quite nice (it's an Oade mod 660).
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline yousef

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2011, 02:49:45 PM »
Many thanks for that.

I'd not even thought about going for an all-in-one recorder...

I think I'll keep my eyes peeled for a PS2 on the Yardsale. They always seem to come in runs of twos or threes on there... Do you know if it would be an ok match for the M10 or r09?

Thanks again for the very useful advice.
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
http://www.manchestertaper.co.uk
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Offline hi and lo

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2011, 03:04:41 PM »
Acidjack beat me to it, but the LB, while a great sounding option, usually has too many 'features' to make it the ideal stealth option. By features, I mean extra knobs and switches that might be prone to getting accidentally bumped.

That said, if you figured out what 'sound' you like (mostly a reference to input/output transformers) and the gain range you will need, I imagine Jon can build a LB with the same front-panel configuration as the TB. This would mean you have a locking minixlr for input (w/ option for an output pigtail... or you could get a separate locking minixlr for output), a gain selection switch, and an on/off switch. This would make the LB much better for stealth.

Lastly, I believe someone on this board tried running the 402x series with a 24v (?) phantom TB and apparently it works. Most likely there is a slight loss in sensitivity, but that's mostly a non-issue when recording amplified music.

Offline yousef

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2011, 03:24:04 PM »
I read that account of using the Tinybox with great interest. I'm intrigued that you mention that it risks a loss in sensitivity as I'd assumed that the lower voltage might lower the headroom - but then I'm only going off what I've noticed with 9v mics when the battery starts running flat.

I think even if I went for a custom LB, the temptation to downsize to a Tinybox once 48v becomes an option would just be too much. And I really, really need to keep my equipment spending to an absolute minimum for the time being...
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
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Offline jbell

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2011, 03:37:23 PM »
Mics: DPA ST4011ER & 4018ER
Preamps: DPA MMA 6000 | Audioroot Femto
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre-10 II | Sony PCM A10

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|Record|  Runtime: 4:19.99  {|||] 75%

Offline yousef

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2011, 03:40:18 PM »
Ha - I 'd just sent that seller a PM before checking back here...

Does anyone know if the XLR>minijack conversion is straightforward? I'm no expert but I'm ok with a soldering iron.
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
http://www.manchestertaper.co.uk
twitter: @manchestertaper

Offline hi and lo

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2011, 03:47:39 PM »

I think even if I went for a custom LB, the temptation to downsize to a Tinybox once 48v becomes an option would just be too much.

I wouldn't be so sure. Sonically, the Littlebox is superior. I love my Tinybox and Jon's products are fantastic, but there's no way I would say the Tinybox sounds as good as a top-shelf preamp or a Littlebox with input/output transformers. YMMV, but the TB does have a trade-off between size/convenience and sonic quality.

Offline yousef

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2011, 03:55:03 PM »
there's no way I would say the Tinybox sounds as good as a top-shelf preamp or a Littlebox with input/output transformers. YMMV, but the TB does have a trade-off between size/convenience and sonic quality.

As daft as it may sound, the idea that the the Littlebox might sound better than the Tinybox never even occured to me...

I'm going to have to re-check the LB dimensions and have a serious think about my options.
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
http://www.manchestertaper.co.uk
twitter: @manchestertaper

Offline OFOTD

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2011, 05:02:18 PM »
I may have missed your budget but please add the PSP3 and Aerco to you list of pre's.   

I made several nice tapes when I had my PSP3.  prof_peabody has countless smoker's running 4023's > Aerco.    Both pres are suited to run low-pro and sound fantastic.   

Offline yousef

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2011, 05:22:50 PM »
Sorry, I really should've stated a budget.

Both of those pres look great but I think they're roughly double my current budget. The wish-list just never ends, does it?
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
http://www.manchestertaper.co.uk
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Offline jbell

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2011, 05:25:54 PM »
For the price you should go with the littlebox!!  It is very customizable and is still really small.
Mics: DPA ST4011ER & 4018ER
Preamps: DPA MMA 6000 | Audioroot Femto
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre-10 II | Sony PCM A10

-20        -12         -6        TDS   (32/48)     
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]][}   
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]][} 
__________________________
|Record|  Runtime: 4:19.99  {|||] 75%

Offline cd2go

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2011, 08:11:35 PM »
Your other option is an all-in-one deck like the Marantz 661.  That is also a fine option.

I can second this, as portability and simplicity are a big factor for me. The Marantz 661 with one of the Oade Mods (warm or concert) has kept me satisfied with my 4022s. See my LMA shows for recordings made with both mod flavors. And welcome to Team DPA!

Offline Fried Chicken Boy

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2011, 11:07:48 PM »
Surprised it hasn't been mentioned, but I would also suggest you take a look at the Sound Devices MixPre or its predecessor, the MP-2.  Great little mic pre with lots of clean gain and nearly bomb-proof construction (as with most SD products).  Not too much bigger than an Aerco or PSP3, it's stealth-able under the right situations.  They also show up in the Yard Sale at pretty good prices.

Congrats on getting the DPA's; great mics!

Offline yousef

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Re: 4022>???
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2011, 02:27:11 AM »
Thanks for all the feedback.

I think my plan is this: I'm buying the PS2 currently on the Yardsale as a temporary solution and then I'm going to do a lot of serious listening to the various small pres mentioned above to see if the next step will be ordering a Littlebox or holding off for a while and getting something more expensive.

As tempting as the all-in-one route is, there's just something about the way those small pres look that makes me want one.
music>other stuff>ears
my recordings: http://db.etree.org/yousef
http://www.manchestertaper.co.uk
twitter: @manchestertaper

 

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