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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: 69mako on February 19, 2008, 01:54:45 AM

Title: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: 69mako on February 19, 2008, 01:54:45 AM: I'm seriously thinking about getting a R-44 for the next recorder. Most of the time, it will be used to recording soundboard and audience at the same time. But i'm also thinking about running 4 mics (cards & omnis) for those times when I don't get a soundboard feed. Does anyone have any suggestions on what's out there for 4 channel pres? I'll be running Busman mics, so I will need phantom power (48V?) and preferablly allowing external power supply.

Thanks,
Mako
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: balou2 on February 19, 2008, 02:15:18 AM: Instead of an R4 and pre's, just skip a step and go 744.
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: 69mako on February 19, 2008, 03:10:06 AM: I don't think I can justify the price of an 744.

Mako
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: carlbeck on February 19, 2008, 07:54:59 AM: Plus the 744 needs a pre for channels 3 & 4 which are line inputs. What about a Sound Devices 442? A four channel transformer based pre-amp/mixer.

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/442master.htm
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: FOB_DFC on February 19, 2008, 08:16:02 AM: RME quadmic:

http://www.rme-audio.com/english/micpreamps/quadmic.htm
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: DSatz on February 19, 2008, 10:41:17 PM: > RME QuadMic

I was just going to suggest that. Small, lightweight, flexible as to powering, good low-noise performance, good phantom powering circuit, good input overload margins, and not too expensive.
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: rowjimmytour on February 19, 2008, 11:51:20 PM: I really like my T-mod R4 especially running matrix at shows. I am mastering two nights right now and 4 x mono and then mix to two channel sure makes it easy.
Peace
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: 69mako on February 20, 2008, 12:24:46 AM: Thanks for all of the replies. Ideally I'd like to get the R-44 modded if possible. (No one knows until its out.) Otherwise I will have to look into the RME QuadMic. I'm trying to keep this setup as compact as possible. Not looking forward to carrying 3 bags to a gig.

Mako
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: wbrisette on February 23, 2008, 05:40:57 AM: Maybe a Cooper CS104?

http://www.coopersound.com/2002graphics/cs104.pdf

Although, they might be very tough to find since Andy has decided to close down production and retire this week.

Wayne
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: wbrisette on February 23, 2008, 05:59:26 AM: Quote from: carlbeck on February 19, 2008, 07:54:59 AM
Plus the 744 needs a pre for channels 3 & 4 which are line inputs. What about a Sound Devices 442? A four channel transformer based pre-amp/mixer.

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/442master.htm

But....The 442, Wendt X4, and most other 4 channel mixers, don't offer you four direct outs. They offer you two. You have four inputs, and two outputs. That's why I was thinking the Cooper CS104 might be the only solution. However, The reality is if the 744T is out of his price range, then the 442 and Cooper CS104 would be too.

I think maybe the R4 Pro might work better then he doesn't have to worry about mic preamps.

Wayne
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: esteyes on February 24, 2008, 03:07:48 AM: wasn't the 4 direct outs an option you had to special order?

my personal fav:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/282213-REG/Sony_DMX_P01_DMXP01_Portable_Digital_Mixer.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/282213-REG/Sony_DMX_P01_DMXP01_Portable_Digital_Mixer.html)
but that's lacking the dir outs as well and is bigger than it sounds like 69mako needs/wants plus might be pricey... i know mine wasn't cheap... now with the Korg MR1k the poor sony just sits at home all alone...

this brings up the endless question in my mind "why only 2 mic pre's in the 744???"

nism
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: wbrisette on February 24, 2008, 06:18:18 AM: Quote from: esteyes on February 24, 2008, 03:07:48 AM
this brings up the endless question in my mind "why only 2 mic pre's in the 744???"

Because it was built for ENG work, where you have wireless lavs on people. These don't need mic pre amps, they need line level inputs. It does suck though, because it certainly doesn't make the unit as versatile as it could be.

Wayne
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: TNJazz on February 24, 2008, 08:32:11 AM: There's a guy on GS selling a QuadMic for $300 right now.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslutz-secondhand-gear-classifieds/178310-fs-apogee-motu-rme-lucid-apple.html (http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslutz-secondhand-gear-classifieds/178310-fs-apogee-motu-rme-lucid-apple.html)
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: esteyes on February 24, 2008, 02:40:50 PM: Quote
Because it was built for ENG work, where you have wireless lavs on people. These don't need mic pre amps, they need line level inputs. It does suck though, because it certainly doesn't make the unit as versatile as it could be.

Wayne

yeah i understand ENG etc, it just seems to me that (1)SD is well aware of the world of us tapers and how very likely we are/were to buy 744's... (2)i know the 744 is compact, but with surface mount components and the eng dept at SD i can't see why they didn't just put 4 stinkin' mic pre's in the unit and include a -30db pad in each channel.

done beating this topic to death, but will ever wonder why ::)

neil :-X
Title: Re: 4 Channel Pre
Post by: 69mako on February 25, 2008, 02:05:54 AM: I thought about a modded R-4 pro but the sticker shock scared me off. Right now I'm waiting to see if the R-44 can be modded. If that's can case, I should be able to do without any pres at all. I will not be buying any pres until I know the mod situation with the R-44. Just trying to find out all of my options now.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Mako