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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: adrianf74 on October 29, 2013, 06:40:07 PM
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Hey everyone,
I know many people have different thoughts on the whole Soundboard > 1/8" input scenario but I've been done some research and have come up with what I think makes sense for what I plan to do but want to know what people around here think before I pull the trigger. I'm going to be running a Tascam DR-2D when I run 4 channels (with a soundboard patch and this doesn't happen to often hence why I'm not investing in a more expensive deck). I know the DR-2D doesn't like a hot input and I can't always rely on the engineer to drop levels when I need them lowered (especially if the board is upstairs and I'm situated on the lower level and can't place my gear upstairs as it's closed off -- which has happened to me once years ago).
Already Purchased:
- (2) XLR MALE and XLR FEMALE > RCA FEMALE
- High Quality dual RCA MALE > 1/8" MALE stereo cable
Considering:
- 15' 1/8" straight female > 1/8" straight male (techflexed)
- 10' 1/8" straight female > 1/8" RIGHT ANGLE male (techflexed) with -10dB or 20dB pad built in (techflexed as well).
I figure the 15' cable can also be used if I'm running a second pair of 1/8" terminated mics into a small preamp and the 10' cable can be used on its own if I'm situated near the board. Would a -10dB or -20dB pad be more advisable in this situation?
Does anybody have any words of advice or caution on my plan?
Thanks in advance.
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Sounds like a good plan to me
You might also want to get 1/4m RCA adapters too. Not that I have much experience but I have never had an xlr out only RCA and 1/4
Where are you getting the attenuating cable? I would go -20 personally because that would allow you better results in more situations
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Adrian, I use the dr-2d, and often run 4 channels with either CA14s or bsc1s into the mic in, in either case using a Naint preamp between the mics and the recorder.
I use the line in with the SBD feed.
The dr-2d hasn't ever caused me an issue overloading with too hot a signal, and I have never asked the engineer to turn down the signal. I also have never used attenuators to lower the signal. Maybe I have just been lucky? ???
For cables, I have a couple of long L/R RCA > 3.5 miniplug cables that I connect to the SBD with. Most times I can plug the RCAs directly into the SBD, then go direct to the dr-2d line in. For other connection types from the SBD I have a bunch of adapters (RCA female > XLR male, RCA female > XLR female, RCA female > XLR male, a couple of RCA female > female adapters). I think that is everything I have and it has covered any situation I have encountered with board access.
Again no issue with too hot a signal for me, but maybe others have had problems. You could always use an inline attenuator/pad instead of an actual cable in case you needed it.
Colin
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@willndmb: I have a single stereo 1/4" M > DUAL RCA F adapter. Most boards in Toronto that I've worked with have either given me the option of XLR out or, in some cases, RCA out (rare). I'm just trying to have a bunch of stuff in the bag that will give me the option if I need it. As for the attentuating cable, I'm planning to have a custom cable built for me; not sure if it'll be done local or if it'll be done Stateside.
@colinw: If I'm not mistaken, the Line IN on the DR-2D accepts a hot signal while the Mic IN doesn't like to play with hot sources at all. Sometimes I'll need to adjust levels on the mics (coming out of a TinyBox) so I'll be likely to go that route as the SBD isn't as much of a priority to me as it's not as critical as the main mic capture. My reason for the pad built into the cable is it will guarantee me a non-hot signal on the Mic IN and there are a couple of venues where I might be situated on the floor above or below the board and might not have a chance to bug the engineer.
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I have run Preamp Line in and SBD Mic in on with the DR-2d and haven't had troubles with a hot signal. I had a 20db padded cable, but stopped using it because it wasn't needed. It doesn't hurt to carry one just in case. I haven't found the inputs to be as sensitive as people make them out to be.
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I have run Preamp Line in and SBD Mic in on with the DR-2d and haven't had troubles with a hot signal. I had a 20db padded cable, but stopped using it because it wasn't needed. It doesn't hurt to carry one just in case. I haven't found the inputs to be as sensitive as people make them out to be.
Thanks... it seems this might be more the case as I've done a little more digging. I might just try and find a -10dB pad used at some point and run without.
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I just got my 3rd DR-2d today! I sold one off to upgrade and then didn't and bought a 2nd DR-2d off a friend. Then sold the 2nd one to help buy a DR680 and I'm back to the DR-2d again. I guess I have a bit of gear ADD
Edit: Here is a show in a not so great room and using no pad AUD Line in and SBD Mic in. https://archive.org/details/cbh2013-01-18.cbh2012-01-18
I have run Preamp Line in and SBD Mic in on with the DR-2d and haven't had troubles with a hot signal. I had a 20db padded cable, but stopped using it because it wasn't needed. It doesn't hurt to carry one just in case. I haven't found the inputs to be as sensitive as people make them out to be.
Thanks... it seems this might be more the case as I've done a little more digging. I might just try and find a -10dB pad used at some point and run without.
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I just got my 3rd DR-2d today! I sold one off to upgrade and then didn't and bought a 2nd DR-2d off a friend. Then sold the 2nd one to help buy a DR680 and I'm back to the DR-2d again. I guess I have a bit of gear ADD
Edit: Here is a show in a not so great room and using no pad AUD Line in and SBD Mic in. https://archive.org/details/cbh2013-01-18.cbh2012-01-18
3rd? Wow... And I thought I was gonna be sl*tty picking up a DR-2D in addition to my M10 (which I might just sell outright).
The issue for me is not always having control. I know another option is to pick up an M-Audio -10dB pad if I can find one and have it around "just in case." The sample sounded fine to me depsite the room acoustics.