Topic: line-transformers or AD20 for TL's?

[nic]

borrowing my friends gear for next weekend and I'm trying to figure what will sound best with the TL's and a stock M1:
PS2>line transformers>M1   or
PS2> AD20> M1

unless someone has a better idea. . .

[mattb]

I ran MC012s > PS-2 > M1 for a couple of years and always liked how it came out. I think the M1 A/D is pretty good for an onboard job and the AD-20 is probably not much (if any) better. Then you have one less thing to bring and run.

Matt

[caymanreview]

i would say PS2>line transformers>M1

[BCostigan]

I ran ADK LEs -> phantom ii -> ad-20 and liked the sound.  

[John Kelly]

If you have the ability to run the AD-20, why not?  I've run one for a while and think it sounds great.  It has to be better than just using transformers and the M1's AD.

[Brian Skalinder]

It [AD-20] has to be better than just using transformers and the M1's AD.

Why?

[nickgregory]

If you have the ability to run the AD-20, why not?  I've run one for a while and think it sounds great.  It has to be better than just using transformers and the M1's AD.

I am not sure I agree here....the AT CP8201 transformers I used for a while were exteremely clean in terms of gain...no coloration of the sound at all, yet I got the levels bumped up.  I am not familiar with the AD-20 but have to believe that it affects the sound to some degree...most preamps do....

[dklein]

I haven't used transformers but have been reading a ton about microphone design and techniques the last few months.  I'm under the impression that you really don't want them unless you need them.  i.e. there's no point in putting transformers in the signal path unless you need the level boost.  No point in boosting it only to drop the gain level on the preamp.

Am I missing something?  Or is this about boosting the level so you can run line-in vs. mic-in?

[John Kelly]

Maybe I'm wrong.  I don't know any technical reasons for running one over the other, I was just always under the impression that transformers were only run if you didn't have access to a dedicated preamp.  

Do you not get more control over gain with a preamp than with transformers?

[nickgregory]

Maybe I'm wrong.  I don't know any technical reasons for running one over the other, I was just always under the impression that transformers were only run if you didn't have access to a dedicated preamp.  

Do you not get more control over gain with a preamp than with transformers?

you definitely get more control, but when I ran the AT transformers, they gave me a 10 db fixed boost, then I controlled the levels on the SBM-1 (or DAT) directly.  The thing that I have always worked with is that the best preamp is no preamp, in that there is not one more piece of gear to color your sound...just my opinion though!

[Kindguy]

Take this FWIW......My opinion

I ran AKGc1000s>AD-20>M1 & AKGc1000s>hosa Tran>M1

I ran the transformer rig 1st. Bought the AD-20 ran it around 20 shows. Sold the AD-20 & went back to the transformers until i upgraded my mics & got a warm UA-5.

The morel of this ramble is, I liked the sound without the AD-20 better. Of course it's all opinion. Just use it & see.

Jeff~

[Tim]

I haven't used transformers but have been reading a ton about microphone design and techniques the last few months.  I'm under the impression that you really don't want them unless you need them.  i.e. there's no point in putting transformers in the signal path unless you need the level boost.  No point in boosting it only to drop the gain level on the preamp.

Am I missing something?  Or is this about boosting the level so you can run line-in vs. mic-in?

You can't always get adequate levels running Line-In into a DAT deck. And we all know anout brickwalling the preamp section of portable DATs, so you really should tape line-in IF you can get adequate levels. The transformers provide cheap and clean gain. They are a grea idea.