Topic: mp2 > SBM-1 cable

[hoyt]

I know the mp2 > modSBM-1 is a pretty popular combo, but what's the prefered way to join them?  Tape out on the mp2 > 1/4" on the SBM, or xlr on the mp2 > SBM?  I would think the xlr ends would be pretty bulky in comparison to the 1/8" out.  I think I read somewhere that the neutrix right angles don't fit in the mp2 because of the lip on the mp2...  

I don't actually have the SBM1 yet, but just planning ahead.    Thanks!

--hoyt

[creekfreak]

I have used both, the mini out I believe is about -10db less than the xlr out, xlr is balanced and locks in, mini is not balanced and does not lock, meaning it could get yanked out.

[Chris K]

i use the 1/8" out of the mp-2 into the rca in's of the sbm-1 using a 1foot 1/8" to RCA cable (got the gold plated version at ratshack)

never had a problem with the mini connector getting yanked out, but maybe that's since i use the rakgear backpack and it is always connected. would be nice to have a right anlge mini though

oh, and right angles nuetriks will work for the mic inputs, but you sorta need to rotate the female barrel by dismantleing the coupler so that they are in 45 degree angles
   ___    ___
 (XLR)  (XLR)  
 /     /     \    \


straight up and down wouldnt work for me due to the screw-hole protrusions on either side of the xlr barrell

[Chris K]

you can see my rakgear setup here:

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=20;action=display;threadid=8680;start=msg103364#msg103364

[nickgregory]

I know the mp2 > modSBM-1 is a pretty popular combo, but what's the prefered way to join them?  Tape out on the mp2 > 1/4" on the SBM, or xlr on the mp2 > SBM?  I would think the xlr ends would be pretty bulky in comparison to the 1/8" out.  I think I read somewhere that the neutrix right angles don't fit in the mp2 because of the lip on the mp2...  

I don't actually have the SBM1 yet, but just planning ahead.    Thanks!

--hoyt

This is what I use and I use the mini out for almost all circumstances...it provides (as mentioned before) a lower signal which gives me more headroom to work with on the SBM-1.  That being said, I have both cables...the only time I can remember using the XLR->RCA was at an acoustic show, in order to get a hotter signal.

Also, to avoid the plug pull out issue with the mini, I got a mini->RCA made by Ed at kindkables.com and it has a right angle mini, which makes it more secure...especially if stealthing cause then you can tape it to the unit.

Nick

[Tim]

Ed's a great guy, I'd highly recommend purchasing cables from him.

[caymanreview]

Ed's a great guy, I'd highly recommend purchasing cables from him.

ditto, i had a cable once upon a time made by him with a right angle mini...

[nickgregory]

Ed's a great guy, I'd highly recommend purchasing cables from him

I would agree...when I get to lazy to make cables, I go to him, and this happens more often than you may believe!

[hoyt]

Ed's a great guy, I'd highly recommend purchasing cables from him

I would agree...when I get to lazy to make cables, I go to him, and this happens more often than you may believe!

Thanks guys.  I've contacted him about that.  I hadn't thought about the mini popping out vs the locking of the XLRs.  I'm used to taping down the level on my d100 anyway, so I'll just tape the right angle mini now instead, since I won't need to tape the d100 with the SBM.

--hoyt

[scb]

>>This is what I use and I use the mini out for almost all circumstances...it provides (as mentioned before) a lower signal which gives me more headroom to work with on the SBM-1.<<

XLR out is +4.  mini out is -10.  is the mp2 adding attenuation to the 1/8 out?  

i use the xlr outs when stealthing because i just don't trust the mini

[nickgregory]

XLR out is +4.  mini out is -10.  is the mp2 adding attenuation to the 1/8 out?  

i use the xlr outs when stealthing because i just don't trust the mini

good question....I would think that it would have to be.  The problem as I understand it is that you are either going to be attenuating the signal from the MP-2, or the SBM-1 (since as I understand it, the SBM attenuates what it sends out for any setting under 10).  

Any confirm this?  I could be mistaken.

And I understand using the XLRs while stealthing, but that unit gets long with xlr's coming in one side and out the other...

[hoyt]

XLR out is +4.  mini out is -10.  is the mp2 adding attenuation to the 1/8 out?  

i use the xlr outs when stealthing because i just don't trust the mini

When you used this for non-stealth, did you use the mini then, or still the xlr's?  Is there any loss using the tape out in terms of an unballanced line?

--hoyt

[scb]

>>And I understand using the XLRs while stealthing, but that unit gets long with xlr's coming in one side and out the other...<<

yeah, but it can still fit in a fanny pack for stealth jobs.  i just trust it more than the 1/8 connections that can come loose and lose a channel or something


>.When you used this for non-stealth, did you use the mini then, or still the xlr's?<<


i never had an sbm, so i was always running mp2 > a/d with xlr in, so i went xlr > xlr.  

[thoman8r]

XLR out is +4.  mini out is -10.  is the mp2 adding attenuation to the 1/8 out?  

i use the xlr outs when stealthing because i just don't trust the mini

When you used this for non-stealth, did you use the mini then, or still the xlr's?  Is there any loss using the tape out in terms of an unballanced line?

--hoyt

I use the mini and have had zero problems with it.  I really think this is the way to go.  The mp-2 runs hot so there's really no reason you'll need that +4 db boost.  I don't think I've ever had my dials turned up past halfway, even for quiter shows.

And like has already been pointed out, for most mics you'll want to run the sbm-1 wide open and adjust the gain on the mp-2 accordingly.

Dave

[Todd R]

The 1/8" out is 10db less than the XLR out, but it isn't -10dbv vs. +4 dbu (think I've gotten those units right, I've forgotten offhand--at any rate the difference between a -10 consumer signal and a +4 pro signal is something like 11.6db, not 14db as they are actually measured with slightly different units).

Anyway, the 1/8" signal is not attenuated, the XLR signal is boosted as part of making it balanced again.  The 1/8" signal is cleaner (as the internal circuitry is essentially unbalanced, so this signal comes more or less off the main gain stage).  The XLR signal is sent through some additional circuitry (transistors I believe) to get it back to a balanced state, which is what boosts it 10db compared to the 1/8" out.

Since the 1/8" out goes through less circuitry, and since the SBM1 volume control is an attenuator (thus the signal goes through less of a variable resistor at higher settings--meaning best signal quality is when SBM1 is set to 10), I've always felt that running 1/8" out of the MP2 into the SBM1 is the best way.  That's the way I always ran it, probably did 60-70 shows and never had a problem with a bad connection with the 1/8", ymmv.

-Todd