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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: detroit lightning on June 17, 2017, 10:43:29 AM
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I recently acquired a Roland R26 on this fine site, and plan to start recording w/ 2 sources - either mics and a SBD feed, or 2 sets of mics.
As is, I have CA14 Cardoids & Omnis, and one CA9100 pre-amp.
Here are my questions:
1. I'm thinking of upgrading to some full sized capsules (AKG, maybe) that would go XLR in. Would I need a battery box/preamp to do that?
2. If I hold off on new mics, what cables would I need to go from 1/8" female > XLR male, and would I need power for the mics to do that?
In general, I'm just trying to understand if the cost of #1 is close enough to #2 to make me just take the leap...
Thanks!
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Nice. Ability to grab a board feed is a huge step up in my mind. Running 2 sets of mics at the same time can be fun, and sometimes be a really good idea, but often a little unnecessary to me. Others may disagree. That said, I've run the 4 channel CA14 card/omni combo in the past and made some nice recordings.
As to your questions:
1. Would I need a battery box/preamp? - No. The R26 has phantom power and can power a regular set of mics. Its what they call an "all-in-one" recorder. Recorder and preamp together.
- For the AKGs though, you would need either the bodies that normally go with the mics (460/480 presumably) or an 'active' system that takes their place, like what Followinbob is making plus the PFAs
- I really like the CA14s but upgrading mics is always a good idea. >:D Seriously, though, the Church mics are fine, but there is a definite notice is sound quality as you go higher. There are significant diminishing returns though. You don't need $1000+ mics right off the bat. You should try to wait to grab what you know you want though. I lost way too much money buying and selling small upgrades before I finally got to AKG and found what I'm most comfortable with sound vs. cost wise.
2. What cables?- You can have either of the two resident cable makers make a custom one for you.
- tgakidis(http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=133186.0)
- Darktrain(http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110932.0)
- Or you can get some much cheaper but a lot less cool on monoprice with an adapter. I have a 20' 1/8" > RCA that worked great for board feeds. Get 1/4", and XLRm adapters and you'll have access to any outs the board has.
- Cable (you can choose the length): https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=5601
- 1/4" adapter: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7149
- XLR adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-GXM-133-RCA-XLR3M-Adaptor/dp/B000068O4D
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Kind of a waste of time to have a phantom-powered recorder and not use phantom-powered mics. Get the AKGs.
You do need an attenuator from Naiant to take SBDs into the miniplug. Get a 2xfemale XLR>stereo male mini adapter from Naiant set to -24dB, set the gain setting on that miniplug input to LOW, and you'll be good to go for tons of 4-channel fun...
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Yeah...that's where I was leaning.
Awesome - thanks for the help, fellas.
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If you can't get a board feed, just split out your CA-14 omni's 3+ feet and run your AKG's in the middle (different config options) and pull some great recordings outside.