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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: Chomps on September 28, 2005, 04:39:49 PM

Title: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: Chomps on September 28, 2005, 04:39:49 PM

Right Now I am running SP-Cmc2a -> Sp-Batt Box -> JB3.
I was told that running a pre amp would make the recordings more crisp.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what I should be looking at.

Thanks Keith

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 28, 2005, 06:07:47 PM

You'll need to convert your SP-CMC2a's to phantom power (if it's even possible with those mics, I don't know).  What's your budget for the preamp?

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: modmike on September 28, 2005, 06:25:04 PM

Quote from: Chomps on September 28, 2005, 04:39:49 PM

Right Now I am running SP-Cmc2a -> Sp-Batt Box -> JB3.
I was told that running a pre amp would make the recordings more crisp.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what I should be looking at.

Thanks Keith

Zefiro InBox/Denecke AD-20 would be preamp and adc in one.

Digi-modded Edirol UA5 -- with or without performance mods -- would
work nicely too.

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: Chomps on September 29, 2005, 09:01:45 AM

how much am I looking at for a UA5?

what else would I need to get as far as cables and connectors?

Sorry I am new to this and I really want to make my tapes sound better than they already are.


Thanks

Keith

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 29, 2005, 10:22:10 AM

Used digi-modded UA5s run around $250.  You'll need an optical cable to run UA5 > JB3, ~$15.  If you keep your current mics, you'll then need to either get an adapter to run from 1/8" > 2 x XLR, or phantom-mod the mics (details here (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=18846.0)).  I have no idea what that'll cost, but not a lot.

But, IMO, you're better off upgrading your mics first.

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: Chomps on September 29, 2005, 10:42:43 AM

thanks for all your help brian.

now to find all these new fun toys

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: tms on October 07, 2005, 02:36:46 PM

Quote from: Chomps on September 28, 2005, 04:39:49 PM

Right Now I am running SP-Cmc2a -> Sp-Batt Box -> JB3.
I was told that running a pre amp would make the recordings more crisp.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what I should be looking at.

Thanks Keith

On a budget, m-audio has an audio buddy stereo preamp for $99 I think.

Also, I've used my miniature SP mics with an old Nakamichi MX-100 to raise the signal for the JB3.  So it was SP mics > battery box > MX100 > JB3.   The MX-100 has adjustable gain.

Lot's of options depending on your budget. 

Depending on how 'hooked' you feel about this new hobby, it wouldn't be a bad move to buy a UA-5 like Brian S suggested.  20/20 hindsight on my part, wish I'd bought one a year ago....

Title: Re: Looking for a Pre Amp
Post by: pfife on October 07, 2005, 06:46:23 PM

if you are going to be stealthing, chose the ad-20 over the ua-5.