answer from oade page:
Subject: Re: UA5 4 mic matrix question
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 00:48:27 - (EDT)
From: Jason Adler <jason@galactic-trading.com>
>alright, so lets say that i got mics>v3 running xlr out to the rca
>inputs on the ua5. and then i have a second set of mics>ua5 thru its
>xlrs.
Let me start by saying I've only ever run a sbd signal into the rca's
and never tried 4 mics, but the same method should apply regardless
of source.
>now before i plug in the mics to the ua5. lets say that my mics>v3
>signal is at -12 to -2 for example, an acceptable recording signal.
>once i try to mix that with the mics>ua5, the levels will be double
>that, no?
It is a cumulative signal. It would only be exactly double if you
made sure the same level was coming from the mics on the xlr
first.
>so the knobs on the back of the ua5 are attenuators to reduce the
>signal coming from the v3? how does affect the sound?
In monitoring live sbd feeds, I have not noticed any audible quality
issues when I limit the signal or have it wide open. I have also not
heard any noise generated when changing the setting.
> what is happening? will i be able to reduce that signal to 50% and
run the
>mic>ua5 50% also to get acceptable levels to the d8 out of the ua5,
>which is -12 to -2?
I'm not sure of what happens inside the ua-5, but I am able to mix
the 2 sources with no problems. It took some practice. The lack of
level meters makes it harder than it should be. The lack of markings
on the ua-5 does not allow for easy repeat settings either.
>just trying to figure out how this box works......
That's tough, as all it does is blink that little peak light at you.
The method that has worked best for me is to set the rca signal to
roughly -12 then fill the rest (till the peak light starts to blink)
with the xlr's. I monitor the mix and adjust to taste. Say if the
room was too noisy, I'd fade the mics and turn up the rca signal by
ear. If the board mix was too bright or to vocal foreward, I'd trim
the rca's and up the mics to keep the peak blinking a little.
JAson