Author Topic: Need warmth, suggestions? (Read 8152 times)

Massive Dynamic · « **on:** March 14, 2005, 07:13:39 PM »

I'm looking for something warmer to run with my Audix 1290 cards. Not many people running these rigs, so tapes aren't plentiful. Suggestions? Sonosax SX-M2, MP-2, modSBM? Pre or A/D? A wmod UA-5 would be my last option for stealth reasons only. I'll mostly be festival taping outdoors under tents. Thanks.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2005, 07:26:40 PM »

a sax could never hurt IMO

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2005, 07:27:56 PM »

Budget?
Have you considered different mics?

nickgregory · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2005, 07:28:42 PM »

I cant comment on the mics as I have not heard them, but the mod sbm1 will really warm them up...has a nice effect with most mics

tadjblack · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2005, 07:36:29 PM »

sonosax or the aerco mp-2

creekfreak · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2005, 08:01:38 PM »

what Brian said, if changing your sound is what you are looking for different mics will change things the most.....modsbm-1 will warm things up, so would a mini-me

bagtagsell · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2005, 10:25:08 PM »

mp2 or modsbm1
Hey look, I'm selling both in the yard sale. What a coincedence

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=37510.0

BC · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2005, 12:46:01 AM »

there could also be some computer-based plug-ins that have the effect you are looking for. Sorry but can't suggest anything specific.

muj · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2005, 08:09:13 AM »

you could always warm up things at post-recording...
check out empirical labs FATSO jr...look for a used one.

silentmark · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2005, 09:03:50 AM »

Not knowing the mics, BUT a Sax and a modSBM1 would do the trick I think

pfife · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2005, 09:26:49 AM »

my modsbm-1 is quite warm.

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:18:13 AM »

Thanks for the info. I had been running Audix 1290 > pmod UA-5 > M1 and found it to be too bright in most instances, but not all. Could have just been the venue/PA/source, but I've already sold the UA-5 and am ready for another pre and/or A/D.

I have considered changing mics, but to get the same size and similar quality, I would probably have to invest another $1000, and I'd still need a pre/A/D. Budget is $500-1,000, so a V3 or Mini-Me is not likely (or stealthable). Maybe a modSBM is the next incremental step, though I'm still open to other suggestions. Sorry, can't post samples, snail mail only.

Chris K · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:34:39 AM »

why didnt you just have the p-mod converted to warm mod?

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:46:25 AM »

Quote from: Chris K on March 15, 2005, 11:34:39 AM

why didnt you just have the p-mod converted to warm mod?

The charge to re-mod was $65. Instead, I sold the pmod for $500. That'll get me a brand-new wmod if I choose to go that route. Simple economics. That, and I want something smaller.

Ed. · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2005, 02:26:45 PM »

i run the audix 1290s > v3 and i agree with you, they're a little too bright and crisp for my liking too. I have found bumping up the lowend in post to help out a lot tho. I usually boost 6db around the 80hz mark throughout the recording. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more depending on the venue.

Definitely not a cureall, but until i get different mics it seems to do the trick. Might be helpful to your recordings until you get something warmer.

pfife · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2005, 02:28:47 PM »

Quote from: Spaceman S/PDIF on March 15, 2005, 11:46:25 AM

Quote from: Chris K on March 15, 2005, 11:34:39 AM
why didnt you just have the p-mod converted to warm mod?
The charge to re-mod was $65. Instead, I sold the pmod for $500. That'll get me a brand-new wmod if I choose to go that route. Simple economics. That, and I want something smaller.

You'll still need something to power the mics tho, right?

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2005, 03:11:03 PM »

Quote from: pfife on March 15, 2005, 02:28:47 PM

You'll still need something to power the mics tho, right?

Yeah, I have a PS-2, and transformers if extra gain is needed. Just go line in, right?

pfife · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2005, 03:35:39 PM »

Quote from: Spaceman S/PDIF on March 15, 2005, 03:11:03 PM

Quote from: pfife on March 15, 2005, 02:28:47 PM
You'll still need something to power the mics tho, right?
Yeah, I have a PS-2, and transformers if extra gain is needed. Just go line in, right?

I think that's right! Never done so myself, but have read that's the way to go! Good deal!

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2005, 03:57:55 PM »

Quote from: SpeshulEd on March 15, 2005, 02:26:45 PM

i run the audix 1290s > v3 and i agree with you, they're a little too bright and crisp for my liking too. I have found bumping up the lowend in post to help out a lot tho. I usually boost 6db around the 80hz mark throughout the recording. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more depending on the venue.

Definitely not a cureall, but until i get different mics it seems to do the trick. Might be helpful to your recordings until you get something warmer.

Hmm, so it's not just me or my venues. Well, still better than the AT853rx I ran. If the modSBM doesn't make the tapes more to my liking, I may have to scrap my rig and start over.

Ed. · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2005, 04:53:08 PM »

yeah, i definitely feel your pain. I'm hoping to remedy my situation with new mics, but i need some money first.

creekfreak · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2005, 09:07:23 PM »

sounds like you guys need some LD mics with all this talk of warmth

Patrick · « **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2005, 09:37:46 PM »

Quote from: bagtagsell on March 14, 2005, 10:25:08 PM

mp2 or modsbm1
Hey look, I'm selling both in the yard sale. What a coincedence
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=37510.0

Shameless self promotion

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #22 on:** March 15, 2005, 10:07:28 PM »

Quote from: direwolf on March 15, 2005, 09:37:46 PM

Quote from: bagtagsell on March 14, 2005, 10:25:08 PM
mp2 or modsbm1
Hey look, I'm selling both in the yard sale. What a coincedence
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=37510.0

Shameless self promotion

hell, thats great placement

Patrick · « **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2005, 10:11:16 PM »

it sure is

BC · « **Reply #24 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:24:12 PM »

Quote from: creekfreak on March 14, 2005, 08:01:38 PM

what Brian said, if changing your sound is what you are looking for different mics will change things the most.....modsbm-1 will warm things up, so would a mini-me

agreed, I hope you get more pleasing results with the ModSBM or with a different preamp, but IMHO the sonic difference between different types of microphones is far more pronounced than the difference between the various preamps and A>D's. If you are dissatisfied with the tonal balance of your recordings I think the mics should be the first thing to try changing.

Ed. · « **Reply #25 on:** March 16, 2005, 04:44:21 AM »

Quote from: creekfreak on March 15, 2005, 09:07:23 PM

sounds like you guys need some LD mics with all this talk of warmth

someday, i need a good set of actives first. LD's will come later as something to play around with.

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #26 on:** March 17, 2005, 06:19:21 PM »

Quote from: SpeshulEd on March 16, 2005, 04:44:21 AM

Quote from: creekfreak on March 15, 2005, 09:07:23 PM
sounds like you guys need some LD mics with all this talk of warmth

someday, i need a good set of actives first. LD's will come later as something to play around with.

Well, I taped several shows with ADK-A51 TLs > pmod UA-5 and they mostly sounded muddy to me.
Besides being way too heavy to lug around at a festival, the sound achieved wasn't worth the work, IMO. YMMV.

Quote from: BC on March 15, 2005, 11:24:12 PM

Quote from: creekfreak on March 14, 2005, 08:01:38 PM
what Brian said, if changing your sound is what you are looking for different mics will change things the most.....modsbm-1 will warm things up, so would a mini-me

agreed, I hope you get more pleasing results with the ModSBM or with a different preamp, but IMHO the sonic difference between different types of microphones is far more pronounced than the difference between the various preamps and A>D's. If you are dissatisfied with the tonal balance of your recordings I think the mics should be the first thing to try changing.

I don't want to give the Audix 1290s a bad name. I'm mostly happy with them, so a small change might be just enough. FWIW, I bought new playback gear right after buying the Audix, so that could be the biggest factor right there. I also noticed that at the outdoor venue, where my tapes sounded best, I used larger windscreens, and they could have attenuated the highs just enough. I ran both DIN and XY 120º and didn't hear much difference between the configs. At the smaller stages where the mix was usually brighter, I used the standard windscreens, but the PA could still have been the culprit.

I've already pulled the trigger on a modSBM and I'll be taping a couple of shows next month. Gives me a good chance to experiment before festival season.