This probably is a daft question, but if I was to record an unamplified classical show, could I run:
AT933 > 3wbb > SPSPSB1 > Nomad JB3
To try and get some gain on the recording?
Or would the Sound Pro Box do nothing to boost the gain?
The battery box does *nothing* to boost the gain. In fact, a 3-wire box will have a bit less level, maybe 6-10dB less, than the regular (2 wire) battery box.
There are a lot of issues with gain. Can you put mics directly into *line* input? If you have a loud show, maybe.
- if you have "hot" mics, ie., sensitive mics output larger voltage for same sound level
(generally condensers are about 20dB "hotter" than dynamic mics, and probably +-10dB variation in
various condensors. AT853 are medium hot. Sennheiser MKE2 are a bit better. Panasonic WM61A are
*very hot*. Panasonic WM60 are about -10dB colder than WM61, about equal to MKE2.)
- if you have *gain* on the line input
NJB3 does not have real gain. It just boosts the *digital* signal, same as you would do in post. So, don't bother.
Some other line inputs, like minidisc, have line gain, and quite a lot at that. My old Sony MZ-R37 seems to have oodles of gain, I don't even need the mic input. I *believe* Iriver has real gain on the inputs.
So, remember, battery box does not add gain. Try the line input on your recorder. If you can to within -12dB or so, you're fine. If you're below -20dB or so, time to add a preamp.
Richard