Topic: preamp gain hiss (or mictrack hiss)

[gzabetas]

did a test of the microtrack ii hiss here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS6o-psIrJA

is there are affordable preamp that can give me a clean sound like a PC sound card and feed the microtrack?

thanks

[fmaderjr]

A Naiant littlebox if you need phantom power for your mics or a Church Audio ST-9100 if you don't.

However you need a special cable like this:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-MICROTRACK-MINI-TRS-1
if you want to run an unbalanced signal from the preamp into the MT II's TRS inputs. (Be sure to select the MT II in the 2nd drop down box). Without this cable you must keep the MT II's input level set at the minimum and get all of your gain from the preamp, or you'll add an unbearable "sprinkler noise" to your recordings.

[gzabetas]

thanks for the info.
looked at the church audio specs. isnt 20db max gain low? is that because it will get multiplied to a much higher gain when entering the microtrack (its own gain at 50% i assume).

also how do you tell the microtrack that it will get a Line level input? does it auto sense somehow?

[fmaderjr]

20 dB is low for a preamp's max gain, but remember the ST-9100 is a very small inexpensive pre that is designed to be stealthed easily (although it also works well in non stealth situations). It does what it is designed to do beautifully and for a very reasonable price.

For acoustic stuff you will need to add gain from your recorder as well, but it allows you to use 20 dB less gain from your recorder which is normally not as clean as the gain provided by the ST-9100.

Remember that to add any gain from the MT II when feeding its TRS inputs an unbalanced signal from your mics, you need to use a cable like the SP cable I mentioned previously, or your recording will be ruined by the dreaded "sprinkler noise" much discussed previously on the board.

[gzabetas]

thanks again for the info.
also stubmled on the sound devices mm1 preamp today.
church audio 229 plus special cable 20= 249 USD
sd mm1= 349 USD
seems for 100 dollars more you get 66dB gain and line level balanced outputs. would this not be a better feed into the microtrack? probably wont need the special cable.
ps i have heard that srpinkler sound when i accidentaly used an unbalanced XLR mic cable input.
thanks

[gzabetas]

thanks for the info.
actually my concern is mostly for film work and collecting folley SFX and mostly ambience which is really low volume wise. this forum has a wealth of knowledge on portable recorders setups which is why i came here, even though i am not recording concerts.

the microtrack alone only records hiss at high gain which is why i want to take a RODE NT1A or the OCTAVA MC012 i have and drive them high to pick up these subtle nature sounds, atmos and such.

and i want to avoid any gain from the microtrack (keep it low as possible--hiss) so more gain in the front and less from the MT.

[fmaderjr]

Then I guess you need a preamp that provides more clean gain. A Sound Devices MixPre or their very similar SD-2 would be a good choice. I love my MixPre.

With no gain from the MT II, you don't need the special cable I was promoting.

[heyitsmejess]

for 16 bit, get an denecke ad-20 and go digital in.
that pretty quiet, and runs on a standard 9v battery that you can hot swap if need be.

and it goes for around $100 in the YS

[fmaderjr]

With the AD-20, he would also need a microphone power supply, wouldn't he? Would still be a cost effective option, though.

[gzabetas]

yup would need a phantom power supply. maybe thats an option too.
thanks again for the wealth of info. didnt know about the yard sale here. will take a look.

[heyitsmejess]

With the AD-20, he would also need a microphone power supply, wouldn't he? Would still be a cost effective option, though.

get the matching denecke ps-2.

great little 16 bit combo....i use mine with frequency