Topic: Sonosax SX-M2D2 Coming...

[Gutbucket]

^ SDPIF is always digital. 

OT, but FYI the coax dig-in on the 680 can be used for two purposes:
1) recording a 1 or 2 channel SPDIF (coax/electrical) or AES/EBU format digital source.
2) sinc'ing clock of the 680 to another clock source without actually recording the signal.

1 also does 2. 
2 does not require 1.

Most tapers will be familiar with 1 from using external preamps that have a digital output.  I used to do the second when running both DR-680 and R-44 simultaneously so both machines would share the same clock (that of the R-44) and thus eliminate drift, even though the two recorders shared no recorded tracks in common.  That way, using tracks from both machines in the same mix afterwards only required initial time-alignment between those made on one recorder verses the other, without any subsequent drift over a long recording that would ordinarily require time-stretching to correct.

[weroflu]

can anyone confirm the line output on m2d2 is/ is not true analog, ie mic inputs will go through ad/da stage before hitting line out.

thx

[grawk]

can anyone confirm the line output on m2d2 is/ is not true analog, ie mic inputs will go through ad/da stage before hitting line out.

thx

Correct.  And it won't matter, there will be less risk of degradation to the sound from that digital generation than from an analog split.

[weroflu]

What's a good way to get a 3rd or 4th mic signal into m2d2. I suppose it has to be to aes input since usb is used for recording.

Schoeps cmd?

Any less expensive aes out there?

I've never used aes

[grawk]

What's a good way to get a 3rd or 4th mic signal into m2d2. I suppose it has to be to aes input since usb is used for recording.

Schoeps cmd?

Any less expensive aes out there?

I've never used aes

Check with Sanasac, but I don’t think you can do that

[weroflu]

It's a 6x2 digi mixer. Pretty sure it's possible. I'm trying to figure out what's a good way to do it.
Sonosax has a quick video about cmd going into one.

Not sure I want to lock into schoeps tho with cmd

[audBall]

It's a 6x2 digi mixer. Pretty sure it's possible. I'm trying to figure out what's a good way to do it.
Sonosax has a quick video about cmd going into one.

Here's the video where they discuss the CMD / AES input mixing with a stereo pair. He also mentions the ability to use the other vocal mic in his hand, but I'm not sure how it would be connected.

https://youtu.be/0v0JD8vygdA?t=470

[weroflu]

I think what i'm looking for is a low profile not so expensive mic pre with aes  output or commit to schoeps.
not a lot of aes boxes around these days
https://www.audioroot.fr/product/upre-mkii/ probably a good solution

[Ronmac]

A Sound Devices MixPre D is worth a look.

[wforwumbo]

I got my hands on an M2D2. This thing sounds incredible, especially for its size. It’s become my go-to for studio and mains pairs work. I can’t wait to break it in for taping use.

[kindms]

I got my hands on an M2D2. This thing sounds incredible, especially for its size. It’s become my go-to for studio and mains pairs work. I can’t wait to break it in for taping use.

i love mine. sold my v3 again. LOL

[wforwumbo]

I finally picked up a 744T, does anyone have experience in running the AES3 out of an M2D2 to the AES3id BNC input of a 744T for channels 3/4? I found a Lundahl 1.2:1 (110 to 75 ohm) transformer, I plan to build my own junction box to make the match between AES formats.

[audBall]

I've ran mine about 6 times so far with 4 nights at the recent Phish run. I absolutely love this box. These were all ran directly into my iPhone with no issues, but I did have Ted make a AES>coax cable for running into a PMD-661.

[DSatz]

wforwumbo, for best reliability, a transformer of that kind belongs at the far end of the main cable, i.e. the recorder end, with the shortest possible cable for the unbalanced part. Interference isn't generally the issue so much as impedance matching. And higher sampling rates are more critical about that kind of matching than lower ones are. Do you have proper AES/EBU signal cable with 110 Ohm characteristic impedance, or are you using ordinary analog mike cable?

[wforwumbo]

wforwumbo, for best reliability, a transformer of that kind belongs at the far end of the main cable, i.e. the recorder end, with the shortest possible cable for the unbalanced part. Interference isn't generally the issue so much as impedance matching. And higher sampling rates are more critical about that kind of matching than lower ones are. Do you have proper AES/EBU signal cable with 110 Ohm characteristic impedance, or are you using ordinary analog mike cable?

Hi David, thanks for chiming in. That falls in line with the electrical engineering theory of running an unbalanced line - shorter distances are better and prevent the transmission channel from shifting the phase angle of the load impedance seen by the source. I do intend to run at 24/96 (and occasionally 24/192).

I plan to use TA3F out of the M2D2 into my box. The Lundahl transformer I found presents a primary impedance of 110 ohms and a secondary impedance of 75 ohms, so I'm all set there, and the mic cabling I build just needs to correct the right ports of AES3 out of the M2D2 to the correct taps of the transformer. I should probably specify that I intend to build the cabling myself, insuring that I'll be impedance matched throughout.

As a temporary stopgap, I purchased a Canare impedance converter for going from AES3 to AES3id/SPDIF and converts from 110 ohms to 75 ohms; I am willing to gamble it has a similar transformer that I plan to use in my own build.