Topic: Nbox+ > Apogee minime???

[Big Perm]

Anybody every run their Nbox into a MME for A/D only (obviously)? My concern with this is the lack of gain control.  I know the MME has the line-in pods, but this is very difficult to adjust in the field....ANY SUGGESTIONS?  I think I read somewhere on here before that the MME could be modified so the mic-in controls could become the line-in controls. Anyone else know about this?

I just love the sound of the MME and would like to have it in the chain...
thanks
BP

[Kyle]

I love the MiniMe as well. I talked to the folks at Apogee and they told me that the topology of the unit made it impossible to modify it so that the purple knobs (mic-in) could be used for line-in applications. Sucks, but that is how it is. And yes, the trim pots are a bitch to work with in the field but it can be done. Make sure you have two screwdrivers!

The SonicSense calpage might help a bit with this.
http://www.sonicsense.com/calpage.htm

Fortunately, the MiniMe is designed to work with unbalanced signals so if you have the right cable made you will have plenty of gain to work with to get good levels. Schoeps sound great with the MiniMe so I say go for it. The results should be spectacular. Please post with your results.

[Big Perm]

what cable, rca to xlr? wont just a kindkable work or darktrain cable?
bp

[Kyle]

what cable, rca to xlr? wont just a kindkable work or darktrain cable?
bp

Yup, RCA > XLR and you are good to go. Have your favorite cable maker whip one up for you - I am sure Ed or Darktrain can set you up.

The sound should be sweet. One of these days I will have an Nbox+ and will most assuredly run the same set-up. Good luck!

[Big Perm]

darktrain sent out a pair this morning...I am doing disco biscuits 10/28 I'll post the results, fingers crossed 
bp

[Kyle]

darktrain sent out a pair this morning...I am doing disco biscuits 10/28 I'll post the results, fingers crossed 
bp

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I have done this before...   As you said, it is a bitch to adjust the levels.  I almost made a set of custom knobs to adjust the minime trim-pots.

One approach is to bench calibrate and balance the line-in settings on the minime and then be very careful about always adjusting each pot the same amount.

With experience, I became fairly comfortable with the minime's meters. But they aren't ideal... Running an nbox in front would be easier if you had a deck with good meters.  And then, using the opener to set the levels.

One thing I'll say about this combination is that it will be a challenge to run. Especially if you have a few beers!

Be very gentle with the trim pots... Or for that matter, any pot on any device.

[johnw]

darktrain sent out a pair this morning...I am doing disco biscuits 10/28 I'll post the results, fingers crossed 
bp

Looks like you decided not to use the MiniMe? The source on Archive is just Nbox>671

[Craig T]

one solution would be to get the "variable gain" NBox.  contact Nicky, he could probably mod the one you have.

[Big Perm]

Interesting, I will contact him

About Bisco, i recorded the DJ set opener just to play with the levels, and I kept dropping signal, comes to find out that the S/PDIF output was loose, and would not send a steady signal obviously. Just unpluggee the MME and went Nbox>671 for Bisco.  I had Ed make me a AES/EBU>S/PDIF cable because i want to run this at a slew of shows I have coming up.  Then off to Apogee, or Busman, that's who I bought it from and he said he would take a look at it.

[Kyle]

The MiniMe is notorious for the loose coax connection. Apogee can fix it but their service is quite expensive. A S/PDiF cable with a locking connector might solve this problem, or get the AES/EBU > Coax cable as you mentioned.

[Big Perm]

Got the cable. Ran the Nbox>Apogee for WSP for the Oakland Fox theatre run. 3rd show tonight. So far so good and it sounds killer. I'll send the link as soon as I get back and post it.
Will be running it for Phish Cobo and Cincy. Trying to decide if I should run mk41's for cincy from the section

[Kyle]

Got the cable. Ran the Nbox>Apogee for WSP for the Oakland Fox theatre run. 3rd show tonight. So far so good and it sounds killer. I'll send the link as soon as I get back and post it.
Will be running it for Phish Cobo and Cincy. Trying to decide if I should run mk41's for cincy from the section

MK41 > Apogee = sounds great. Gotta get me a pair!

I finally got hooked on the Schoeps after the Fall '97 tour - my friend ran MK41 > PSP-2 > AD1000 and the recordings are fantastic.  A few of the nights he didn't run the PSP-2 and they are excellent as well. The MK41s and the Apogee sound seem to fit together very well. Go for it!

Finances forced me to give up my MiniMe but as soon as I am re-employed I will be getting another one (along with the MiniMP). I have a friend who may be able to loan me a MiniMe - if I can make the Philly shows I will most likely run MK4 > PSP-2 > Apogee one night and MK4 > PSP-2 > Sonic AD2K+ the other. Or maybe I will run the V2 - it is so tough to decide as both pre's match the Schoeps extremely well. I'll probably mix it all up a bit...

Ok, sorry, I am rambling on...

[Big Perm]

Let me check my schedule you might be able to borrow mine if I'm not using it

[Big Perm]

and the results...

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=529915