Author Topic: Suggestions for gain? (Read 7694 times)

Ryan Sims · « **on:** October 19, 2006, 09:10:26 AM »

Hey guys. I popped my taping-a-major-band cherry last night at the Duo. Everything went pretty well, save a drunk chick who thought my rig was a video camera and decided she ought to walk right up to it and yell that into it. She was forgivable for her looks though.

Anyway, I need some gain, like big time. I peak at -18. Needless to say, that's wayyyyyyyyyy too quiet.

So, anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap box to get me some gain (adjustable preferred, but not 100% necessary)?

TIA

cgrooves · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2006, 10:08:42 AM »

You could replace the flying calf with an AD-20. I really liked the sound of my 853's / AD-20 combo. I've been using a digi mod UA-5 lately, though, due to the ease of having one box that provides power, gain & an AD (UA-5 would work for your needs to, BTW). If you make the decision to go with the AD-20, I may be interested in selling mine. Just send me a PM if you want to go that route.

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2006, 10:27:50 AM »

What gear are you currently using? Do you have a budget (and if so, what is it)? Open or stealth?

cgrooves · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2006, 10:39:23 AM »

Quote from: Brian Skalinder on October 19, 2006, 10:27:50 AM

What gear are you currently using? Do you have a budget (and if so, what is it)? Open or stealth?

I was assuming that he was running the gear listed in his tagline when I responded, FWIW. But I know what assuming can do

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2006, 10:43:13 AM »

Quote from: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 10:39:23 AM

I was assuming that he was running the gear listed in his tagline

Seems like a reasonable assumption. I didn't see the gear in the signature because I hide all avatars and signatures to prevent the schlock from cluttering up my screen.

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM »

Thanks Brian. I'm using:
AT853Wa>"Crown Royal" 3-Wire BB>Midiman Flying Calf A/D> Hosa ODL-276> iRiver iHP-120

Pretty small, but I don't see myself doing much stealth work.

I also thought about the AD-20, cgrooves. I'll have to see. I really liked the sound I got last night, especially for as little as I have invested in this rig.

Any other suggestions?

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:10:29 AM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM

Any other suggestions?

Possibly. Budget?

cgrooves · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:25:10 AM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM

Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers. You are going to have a pretty bulky chain with that, however. You are already having to convert coax to optical by using the flying calf / iRiver combo, so I would consider replacing the calf with a good pre/AD that has optical output. Then you wouldn't need the hosa box or line transformers in the chain. Just a thought.

Chanher · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2006, 12:13:12 PM »

I just ordered a st-9100 from church audio, gonna try it out with some sound pro true binaurals. I'll post a review when I get to try it out. I might do a comp between the st-9100 and just a batt box (using the jb3's gain).

Chuck · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2006, 12:15:37 PM »

I happen to have an AD-20 I don't use. I'd be willing to sell it.

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2006, 02:20:05 AM »

I guess if I had to put a budget on it I'd want something ~$200ish maybe. If that does anything.

Chuck · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2006, 10:09:01 AM »

Quote from: Chuck on October 19, 2006, 12:15:37 PM

I happen to have an AD-20 I don't use. I'd be willing to sell it.

I have an AD-20...

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2006, 02:53:54 PM »

The AD-20 adds fixed gain, right? How much?

BJ · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2006, 03:17:19 PM »

mic2496 is variable, has digi out for your iriver, and is stealthable if you wanted....and..

I know where one is for sell for CHEAPO!

Chuck · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2006, 03:33:41 PM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 02:53:54 PM

The AD-20 adds fixed gain, right? How much?

The Denecke AD-20 http://www.denecke.com/prod04.htm supplies between 16 - 60 db of gain independently and continuously variable on each channel. It does not, however, supply phantom power, but I think you determined that you don't need phantom power. It would be less than $200 shipped.

Craig T · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:02:55 PM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 09:10:26 AM

So, anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap box to get me some gain (adjustable preferred, but not 100% necessary)?

$40?

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2006, 06:27:14 PM »

Quote from: Craig T on October 20, 2006, 04:02:55 PM

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 09:10:26 AM
So, anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap box to get me some gain (adjustable preferred, but not 100% necessary)?

$40?

Caught me off guard and I'm rolling.

Chuck, the thing I hesitate about the AD-20 on is that my Flying Calf right now has nice meters that I can see without having to mess with the iRiver. And since I'm not planning on much stealthing, and if I ever do it will be mics>3 wire>iRiver, the size really isn't an issue. So this is my dilemma.

ethan · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2006, 06:46:06 PM »

Quote from: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 11:25:10 AM

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers.

I'll second this. You get about 20db gain out them. I use them line in to my SBM1 and have plenty of signal plus they sound really nice.

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #18 on:** October 20, 2006, 06:57:46 PM »

If I'm peaking at maybe -15, is 20db gain going to cause me to clip all the time? This was at the Duo, and I doubt many shows I tape will be significantly louder than this one, but some probably will be by a bit.

Chuck · « **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2006, 07:30:11 PM »

Quote from: ethan on October 20, 2006, 06:46:06 PM

Quote from: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 11:25:10 AM
Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers.

I'll second this. You get about 20db gain out them. I use them line in to my SBM1 and have plenty of signal plus they sound really nice.

Ethan:
What line transformers are you using?

ethan · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2006, 02:44:37 PM »

Quote from: Chuck on October 20, 2006, 07:30:11 PM

Quote from: ethan on October 20, 2006, 06:46:06 PM
Quote from: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 11:25:10 AM
Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers.

I'll second this. You get about 20db gain out them. I use them line in to my SBM1 and have plenty of signal plus they sound really nice.

Ethan:
What line transformers are you using?

I'm using AT CP8201's
I pick these because they have a load impedance that matches the SBM-1's line-in impedance.

-e

ethan · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2006, 02:46:31 PM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 06:57:46 PM

If I'm peaking at maybe -15, is 20db gain going to cause me to clip all the time? This was at the Duo, and I doubt many shows I tape will be significantly louder than this one, but some probably will be by a bit.

You have something to adjust your record levels don't you?

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2006, 03:25:13 PM »

No, that's what I was looking for, because this was my first outing going optical in to the iRiver and I didn't know until the night before that there's no adjusting the levels when doing the digital in bit, and by that time it was too late to buy anything.

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:25:04 PM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 06:57:46 PM

If I'm peaking at maybe -15, is 20db gain going to cause me to clip all the time?

Yes. If your original levels peak at -15 dB, then applying +20 dB of gain will clip your levels. In other words, any time your original levels hit -20 dB or higher, your new levels with an additional 20 dB of gain from the transformers will hit 0 dBFS and clip.

Does the Flying Calf allow you to adjust levels?

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:09:35 PM »

No, right now I have no way to adjust the levels. So I guess I'm looking for a box that will get me gain and let me adjust it as well.

BJ · « **Reply #25 on:** October 23, 2006, 04:35:34 PM »

Quote from: Ryan Sims on October 22, 2006, 06:09:35 PM

No, right now I have no way to adjust the levels. So I guess I'm looking for a box that will get me gain and let me adjust it as well.

mic2496