Topic: Sound Devices USBPre2 (Part Duex)

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Part 1: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=139081

I haven't dug deep in the thread yet....   but does anyone successfully power the USBPre 2 off of the Tekkeon USB output?  Thanks.

Yep. Acidjack has been doing this for as long as he's owned both units.

I have as well. (722 off of the main out and the usbpre2 off of the usb slot)

Cool thanks fellas!  I'm thinkin about jumpin on board.
So....   this has the same (or very similar) pre amp and ADC as the 744 correct?  I'm lookin to use it for the ADC mainly.

same preamp as the 788 specifically and the same ADC as used in all of the 7 series.

The difference is specs on the line-in is it can handle up to +28dbu before clipping on the line-in (balanced TRS jacks) compared to the +26dbu for the 7x2 and 744 (I havn't looked at the 788s to see if they are the same). If you do use it with the preamp, look at whether or not you will need the -15db pads or not. For quiet mics, you may not and instead just use very little gain. food for though.

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bump so it shows up first in the forum section until SClassical locks the other thread.

[kirk97132]

marking therad

[acidjack]

The USBPre2 is one of my favorite pieces of gear.  Versatile, lightweight, elegant design, can co-power with deck through a Tekkeon, and can use as an external A/D and/or headphone amp with the computer.

Oh, and has same pres as a $6000 recorder.  What's not to like?

[yug du nord]

If by chance anyone is looking to sell, let me know.

[bhadella]

Although I prefer my Sonosax as a pre-amp, I think the a/d is top notch and has improved my recordings using it as an a/d.   I love that it can take a hot signal (via 1/4) and is very easy to power.   Add to that feature list that that you can clock it to another a/d makes it a great value. 

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Although I prefer my Sonosax as a pre-amp, I think the a/d is top notch and has improved my recordings using it as an a/d.   I love that it can take a hot signal (via 1/4) and is very easy to power.   Add to that feature list that that you can clock it to another a/d makes it a great value.

this.

That was the big attraction for me, I can mate it with my 722 and run 4 channel or use it as a DAC/headamp when at home. I can even use it as the intermediary and convert to/from optical/rca spdif without loss (emailed SD and asked once since my MD player has optical out and my 722 didnt).

[Beedy]

this.

That was the big attraction for me, I can mate it with my 722 and run 4 channel or use it as a DAC/headamp when at home. I can even use it as the intermediary and convert to/from optical/rca spdif without loss (emailed SD and asked once since my MD player has optical out and my 722 didnt).
[/quote]

How did you connect your 722 with the usbpre2 to run 4 channel?

[hi and lo]

this.

That was the big attraction for me, I can mate it with my 722 and run 4 channel or use it as a DAC/headamp when at home. I can even use it as the intermediary and convert to/from optical/rca spdif without loss (emailed SD and asked once since my MD player has optical out and my 722 didnt).

[/i][/i]

How did you connect your 722 with the usbpre2 to run 4 channel?
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You need another 2-channel recorder with a digital input (or output). By connecting the USBPre2's digital input to the 722 or any recorder with a digital output, the USBPre2 will sync it's clock with the external source. Then it's just a matter of connecting another deck, like a Sony D50, to the USBPre2's digital output.

It other words, the USBPre2's digital input ignores audio portion of a data stream, but syncs to the sample rate.

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You need another 2-channel recorder with a digital input (or output). By connecting the USBPre2's digital input to the 722 or any recorder with a digital output, the USBPre2 will sync it's clock with the external source. Then it's just a matter of connecting another deck, like a Sony D50, to the USBPre2's digital output.

It other words, the USBPre2's digital input ignores audio portion of a data stream, but syncs to the sample rate.

Correct. I have a D50 (which is one of the most economical digital in recorders) and I run a spdif cable from aes-id out on the 722 to spdif in on the usbpre2 and set the pre2 to line/mic. Just make sure to turn on the 722 fully before turning on the usbpre2, I've had odd things happen when it trys to sync up different clock sources than when it turned on. There is probably some rhyme and reason to it, but I didn't spend enough time trying to figure it out. SD advises a delayed turn on practice when clocking multiple 7 series units and I don't think it's unreasonable to apply the same standard here.

[acidjack]

You need another 2-channel recorder with a digital input (or output). By connecting the USBPre2's digital input to the 722 or any recorder with a digital output, the USBPre2 will sync it's clock with the external source. Then it's just a matter of connecting another deck, like a Sony D50, to the USBPre2's digital output.

It other words, the USBPre2's digital input ignores audio portion of a data stream, but syncs to the sample rate.

Correct. I have a D50 (which is one of the most economical digital in recorders) and I run a spdif cable from aes-id out on the 722 to spdif in on the usbpre2 and set the pre2 to line/mic. Just make sure to turn on the 722 fully before turning on the usbpre2, I've had odd things happen when it trys to sync up different clock sources than when it turned on. There is probably some rhyme and reason to it, but I didn't spend enough time trying to figure it out. SD advises a delayed turn on practice when clocking multiple 7 series units and I don't think it's unreasonable to apply the same standard here.

To add to this, the "page method" has worked for Fried Chicken Boy and I going R44 #1>USBPre>R-44 #2 to make an 8-channel mix.  Thanks to page I no longer have to even contemplate running a 680 ever again. (sorry for the gratuitous 680 insult in advance) 

[DigiGal]

Curious, anyone using the limiter in this box?  Haven't seen any comments about it reading through the posts.

[F.O.Bean]

Curious, anyone using the limiter in this box?  Haven't seen any comments about it reading through the posts.

I think as a general rule of thumb, using Limiters/AGC/etc is frowned upon! So I doubt you will have too many people chiming in to this thread about the USBPre2's Limiters

Never know tho, maybe a few people ARE using them

[kirk97132]

Not the limiter but have been using the 15dB pad.  Found that it was all I needed even when using mics on stage.

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Not the limiter but have been using the 15dB pad.  Found that it was all I needed even when using mics on stage.

I've use the pad, all the time, have to. I ran my ck950s couple weeks ago with the gain turned all the way down, 15db pad in, and peaked around -5.