Topic: Two battboxes plugged in?

[Aladar]

First of all, I hope this is a correct forum..

Anyway, I have CSB mics with the battery box, and they will lead to an old sony MD recorder - I got another battery box for that, so I can set the recording levels on the fly. The problem here is that the battery box doesn't have the XLR connector, so it doesn't work. So I was thinking, would it be possible to plug in both battery boxes, but powering only the second one with sound levels?

[sunjan]

Aladar, you need to clarify your gear chain better.

Right now, you're running: a pair of CSB > Core Sounds bbox > Sony MD.
Like this, right?


But what about this other battery box??? Is this something that came with the Sony, or some third party gear? If you can change the levels with this box, it's technically not a bbox, but a preamp with adjustable gain. What mode/make?

So technically, you want to know if you can throw this pre into the chain, but it only takes XLR in?!

Sure, you'd just need an adapater cable inbetween: 1/8" female > 2 x XLR out

But IMHO, you would probably spend that money better if you buy another recorder than the MD, rather than buying an expensive cable and be stuck with a sub-par rig.

[SmokinJoe]

I guess you are inferring the second battery box has adjustable levels?  Is it really a preamp?  Or just and adjustable attenuator?  Either way, I believe you can run them in tandem without frying anything (ref Chris Church says OK to run an ST9100 behind CSB battery box).  Whether it sounds good I can't say. 

[Aladar]

Aladar, you need to clarify your gear chain better.

Right now, you're running: a pair of CSB > Core Sounds bbox > Sony MD.
Like this, right?

yeah, that's the thing.
the second battery box is just a normal battery box (not a preamp), only with sound level adjustment. I think it's SP-SPSB-1 with bass roll-off and the slider levels option. I have it because I can't change levels with MZ-N707.

[sunjan]

the second battery box is just a normal battery box (not a preamp), only with sound level adjustment. I think it's SP-SPSB-1 with bass roll-off and the slider levels option. I have it because I can't change levels with MZ-N707.

sound level adjustment = attennuation

My advice if you're on a zero budget:
Ebay your MD recorder + the SP-SPSB-1 (or try the YS).
Use the proceeds to get a recorder where you can change levels on the fly.

If you want to stick to the MD form factor, the NH700 goes for around $50, does 16/44 WAV (no ATRAC!) and has a decent built-in mic pre:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230441231418

Or save up till you have $130 and get a DR-07. You won't regret it...

[Aladar]

Um, yeah, but I don't really want to spend any more money.. I just wanted to know if I can plug in those two battery boxes in (one without battery and one with it?) and not damage the mics really.

[sunjan]

Um, yeah, but I don't really want to spend any more money.. I just wanted to know if I can plug in those two battery boxes in (one without battery and one with it?) and not damage the mics really.

Sure you can, but if you're going to buy that custom cable (1/8" female > 2 x XLR out) you're bound to spend money anyway.
That money could make much better use as suggested above.

Heck, you could probably trade away the SP-SPSB-1 + your Sony MD for a legacy Sharp MD with on-the-fly levels and earn some pocket money inbetween. Just saying...

[Aladar]

I don't think you understood me, I meant if it can go like this:


I would of course get a digital recorder if I could, but I just can't spend any money now.. ebaying the gear I have is not an option, because I got it from good people here for free, so I can't (or can, but won't) sell it for profit..

[sunjan]

Are you sure that's an XLR? I that case it would have ahd to be a 5-pin dual XLR for stereo transfer, which I highly doubt the SP-SPSB-1 was ever equipped with, unless it's custom ordered.
You have to make sure you know what you're talking about, otherwise the entire thread is based on a misconception...

[Aladar]

XLR goes into the Core Sound battery box. SP battery box has 3.5'' in and 3.5'' out. I just need to plug the mics into the CS box, because when I don't plug it into the XLR connector, the circuit is not complete and mics don't work.

[Aladar]

Please, noone? I need to get the info soon, as my first taping is coming soon...

[Brian Skalinder]

I'd talk to SP and CS and find out what changes you need to make to take the CS box out of the equation and use the SP box solo.

Instead of:  Mics > CS battery box > SP battery box w/ volume control > recorder
Just:  Mics > SP battery box w/ volume control > recorder

It may be as simple as a simple connector change, it may not.  But I think the manufacturers are your best bet for identifying how best to resolved your dilemma.

[printguy]

Why not adjust the levels in the recorder? It's in the menu options. I had this MD and had no issues adjusting on the fly.

[sunjan]

Why not adjust the levels in the recorder? It's in the menu options. I had this MD and had no issues adjusting on the fly.

The manual isn't really crystal clear, but the impression I get is that you have to pause it to adjust the levels. Read page 33-34:
www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/sony_mzn707_manual.pdf

Another description how the recvolume function works:
http://www.audiotstation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=222880&postcount=4

[printguy]

Why not adjust the levels in the recorder? It's in the menu options. I had this MD and had no issues adjusting on the fly.

The manual isn't really crystal clear, but the impression I get is that you have to pause it to adjust the levels. Read page 33-34:
www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/sony_mzn707_manual.pdf

Another description how the recvolume function works:
http://www.audiotstation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=222880&postcount=4

Maybe but that's not how I remember it. I don't have this recorder anymore so I can't check.

[Aladar]

Yeah, you can't adjust it on the fly, that's why I got the box..
I will resolve this somewhat (either by getting a digital recorder, or somewhat modding battery box), but right now I don't have any money or ways to resolve it, so I need to know how should I connect it at least for the one recording I'm going to make.. And where should I put the battery..

[jefflester]

I don't see any reason why:
CSB mics > Core BB with mini XLR > SP BB with sliders > MD deck
shouldn't work or cause any harm.

The battery boxes only supply the voltage on the "mic" side. So the mics will be powered by the Core BB and won't see any voltage from the SP BB. You may need the battery no matter what in the SP BB to complete the slider/attenuation circuit. But there is no harm to the mics here, any voltage coming out of the "mic" side of the SP BB (as opposed to the MD side) gets blocked by the capacitors in the Core BB. Set it up and try it at home with and without a battery in the SP box to see if it makes a difference. But definitely have a battery in the Core BB, that is necessary to power the mics.