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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: achalsey on April 17, 2010, 01:26:37 AM
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So I just kind of got in over my head with what I need. I just bought a UA-5 (w/ Oade Digi and P-mod) and am realizing I don't have any idea what cables/adapters I'm going to need.
So, to start, I have CA-14's c/o > the UA-5 (or the 9100) > r-09/D-07.
From what I can tell, the 9100 is 1/8" cable on both sides (and I'm getting cables for those from Chris) so what I'm wondering is, if I add the UA5 in the middle do I need XLR, RCA or 1/4" input cables? And if so, I'm going to need 1/8" adapters to feed into the R-09, correct? I am trying to get some SBD recordings also (thus the two recorders), so I'll be investing in these cables anyway, but do I need two sets of these if I'm using the UA-5 for the mics?
And with the input of the R-09 being 1/8" I assume I'll need an adapter to plug into that from the UA-5?
Sorry if this info is posted elsewhere (along with most of us newbies, I didn't search too hard), but any help with would be much appreciated. Most of the Google info on the UA-5 is pretty old and USB > laptop info, so help with Oade digi mod is definitely a help.
Thanks for anyone's time who wants to comment.
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You can use either 1/8" > XLRs or RCA to go from the 9100. To go out you need rca > 1/8" to the R-09. I would use the RCA for both out and in if I were you. It will fit a lot cleaner in your bag, especially if you get right angles.
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So, as I just grabbed an RCA > 1/8" cable to go from the UA5 into the R-09 (from you and much appreciated, by the way), with the CA 14's having a 1/8" out do I just need a RCA male adapter into the UA5?
And I'm getting off topic being in the cable section, but doesn't the UA5 eliminate the need for the 9100?
This is what I was thinking: CA mics (w/ 1/8" cables) > RCA adapter > UA5 > RCA cables > 1/8" adapter > R-09?
Edit: (and again, I'm getting off the cable topic) but with the lineage above (if its right): is that just utilizing it as a pre, or the A/D converter as well? Basically what cables do I need to get from the CA 14's to the R09 to best utilize the UA5 (and the 9100 if it will help)
Ugh, sorry for asking basically, "tell me what to do to get it right." Feel free to ignore this any further...
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The UA5 is a combination preamp and ADC. It does not provide analog pass-through, meaning the analog output of the UA5 goes through the following signal path: analog gain (preamp) > ADC > DAC > analog out. So if you're using the analog outputs on the UA5, your signal is going through an unnecessary analog-to-digital conversion + digital-to-analog conversion.
Your mics and preamp are well matched (CA-14 > 9100) and also well-suited to running straight into a quality recorder, like the R-09 (which performs the analog-to-digital conversion, as well as storing the recording). I don't think the UA5 provides much value in this situation; I'd just stick with CA-14 > 9100 > R-09. If you had condensor mics requiring phantom power, then it would make sense to use the UA5 and run mics > UA5 > recorder (preferably digital-in), but obviously that's not the case here.
Is there a specific reason, issue, problem, that spurred the UA5 purchase? If so, perhaps there's an alternative solution that will better suit your gear.
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Is there a specific reason, issue, problem, that spurred the UA5 purchase?
Nope, just didn't do my homework. A slight late night impairment of judgment may have helped the decision as well. :-\
Thanks you very much for the info though. I don't know nearly enough about the actual input/outputs and what each one does and what happens between them inside each device, so apologize for an uninformed question, but am very appreciative of the guidance.
Hopefully I'm not being naive, but I'm not too bummed to put the UA5 in the back of the bag until an upgrade of mics. I should have plenty opportunities to mix and match so it might be fun just to try even though the 9100 is technically better matched.
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whatever you do, just make sure you dont give your mics phantom power from from the ua5... or then you be looking for some new mics.
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The UA5 is good for two things that you don't really need with your current setup
*preamp and phantom power for condenser mics
* Analog>digital conversion for digital output
If you aren't utilizing either of these features you aren't really gaining anything by running it in your rig....gives you a good excuse to go out and get some full size condenser mics for open taping tho :D
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Well, while it was a pretty good deal, I'm kicking myself a bit now. Thanks for all the info though.
gives you a good excuse to go out and get some full size condenser mics for open taping tho :D
And oh great, thanks. Now I'll have to stop myself from checking the yard sale more seriously to make another impulse buy. >:D