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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: Massive Dynamic on March 14, 2005, 07:13:39 PM

Title: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 14, 2005, 07:26:40 PM
a sax could never hurt IMO 8)
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on March 14, 2005, 07:27:56 PM
Budget?
Have you considered different mics?
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: nickgregory 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
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: tadjblack on March 14, 2005, 07:36:29 PM
sonosax or the aerco mp-2
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: 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
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: 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
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: BC 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.


Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: muj 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. ;D
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: silentmark on March 15, 2005, 09:03:50 AM
Not knowing the mics, BUT a Sax and a modSBM1 would do the trick I think  ;)
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: pfife on March 15, 2005, 09:26:49 AM
my modsbm-1 is quite warm.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Massive Dynamic 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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Chris K on March 15, 2005, 11:34:39 AM
why didnt you just have the p-mod converted to warm mod?
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on March 15, 2005, 11:46:25 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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Ed. 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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: pfife on March 15, 2005, 02:28:47 PM
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?
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on March 15, 2005, 03:11:03 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?
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: pfife on March 15, 2005, 03:35:39 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!
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on March 15, 2005, 03:57:55 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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Ed. 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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: creekfreak on March 15, 2005, 09:07:23 PM
sounds like you guys need some LD mics with all this talk of warmth
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Patrick on March 15, 2005, 09:37:46 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  :P
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 15, 2005, 10:07:28 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 :P

hell, thats great placement 8)
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Patrick on March 15, 2005, 10:11:16 PM
it sure is  :D
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: BC on March 15, 2005, 11:24:12 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.


Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Ed. on March 16, 2005, 04:44:21 AM
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.
Title: Re: Need warmth, suggestions?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on March 17, 2005, 06:19:21 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.

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.