Topic: Microtrack 2496 + DPA 4061 good combo?

[thomas_j]

Hi, I have spend the past two days searching here and comparing with what my local retailer has for sale, and I found this combination:

-Microtrack 2496
-DPA 4061 Mic.

The fits within the budget I had in mind.

I am a complete taper newbie, and I wonder if this is a good combination, are there any known problems with them in combination or if you can make better suggestions.

[thomas_j]

Nobody replied, so I guess I did not provide enough information 

This will be a stealth setup to record liveshows, I don't think I will get permissions to record all the shows I want at least 

Music will be a lot of different genres, I like Jazz/electronica/metal, all rhythmic music I guess you could say.

I see different opinions on Microtrack, is Edirol R-1 a better choice? It's about same price at my local retailer.

Also I am a bit confused about equipment (newbie alert!), do I need other equipment than Microtrack/R1 and a microphone, I see I might need power for the microphone is that not supplied by the recorder?

PS: I need to get equipment and practice, Depeche Mode is coming to my town this summer 

[sml42]

I shan't comment on the MT2496, because I don't have one. I know the device is quite new, and I know there were some initial teething problems. Read the 'recording devices' forum, you'll find a ton of info on the MT2496. I believe other people are running DPA406x with the MT2496, and I believe it is a good combination.

With regards powering the mics.. I'm fairly sure you will need something in between the mics and MT. The DPAs capsules require 9V (i.e. 9V at the microdot connectors, assuming your DPAs will be terminated in the as-shipped-from-factory microdot connectors). The MT gives 48V, I believe (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

Something like the following would work:
    DPA406x (microdot connectors) > MPS6030 > 1/8" stereo socket to dual 1/4" mono jack > MT2496
or slightly cheaper but soldering required
    DPA406x (1/8" stereo jack) > SP-SPSB-x > 1/8" stereo socket to dual 1/4" mono jack > MT2496

(I'm fairly sure the MT2496 takes 1/4" jack plugs... again someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

But yeah. Fundamentally the DPA mics and MT2496 should be a good pairing. For the record I run dpa4060>mps6030>jb3 and I'm considering buying a MT2496 myself. I'd love to hear some samples.

HTH

best regards,
stephen

[dmaster]

I'd suggest the MMA6000 over the MPS DPA battery box, but that's going to make some pretty good recordings regardless.

You'll want to get some sort of adapter to use the 1/4" plugs, Sound professionals has a couple depending on how much you want to pay.  Then it's 1/8" out from the MMA/MPS and adaptered into the 1/4" TRS into the MT. 

and I don't know what your budget was set for, but brand new this entire setup (with a 4gb CF card for the microtrack) will run you roughly $1600 I think. 

[thomas_j]

and I don't know what your budget was set for, but brand new this entire setup (with a 4gb CF card for the microtrack) will run you roughly $1600 I think. 

I know it's a BIT expensive beginner equipment, but there is still ½ year until I really need it[1], so I expect to buy piecewise, and it's nice that I have a local dealer in town with the equipment 

Anyway, it's more like $1000 + whatever they charge for the Powersupply here in Denmark

But that dealer is a pro shop, so they don't offer much more affordable solutions. Anyway I'm already dreaming of the equipment, so I think that will be it.

I am used to buying piecewise, I do the same with my PC and I am not known to save money when I need something 

I already told the dealer to take home a DPA battery box, so I hope it's not a too bad deal.

Anyways, thanks for making this a great forum, I have spend several days studying it, now I only need to practice myself

[1] Depeche Mode in town, summer festivals etc.

[MoFo2]

I'd suggest the MMA6000 over the MPS DPA battery box

Will it make a difference on the recording?

[MoFo2]

So for quiet shows: MMA6000 and for loud shows: MPS DPA box/alt. batt box?

[pfife]

any weakness in the proposed rig won't be from the DPAs.   

[SClassical]

Jazz is kind of soft in vol compared to metal.. So using 4060 is better. And if you want to record loud metal stuff you can always add an attenuator cable in your system which is very cheap: http://core-sound.com/attenuator-cables/1.php

[thomas_j]

Couldn't wait, I put up an order for a MT2496 10 minutes ago 

I have to pick it up next week though, when I get money.

The next few months I will have to spend all my spare money for this rig.

As for jazz, well, most of the jazz I listen to is loud and noisy 

[fuzn]

I use this exact rig and it's one of the most stealthy and best sounding setups possible. It's amazing... I use the SP dongle that takes the power from the MT mic-in but uses the line-in. I have made a ton of posts about this setup, and I think it's awesome.

Check out my 11/19 NIN, Autolux, or QOTSA torrents on DIME, as I used this setup.

Sample is up here too http://fuzn.net/nin/

[olyrc]

A couple shows I taped with this rig:

Death Cab for Cutie @ Crystal Ballroom, Portland 11/17/05:
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=31893

The Decemberists @ Showbox, Seattle 10/28/05:
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=31666

[thomas_j]

The Decemberists @ Showbox, Seattle 10/28/05:
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=31666

I can see you record at 24/48 and resample. That was actually I question I had in mind, which recordingsetting I should use, and is there a sound-advantage by recording at 24/48 and resampling or can I just as well record at 16/44 right away?

Sorry, if these are newbie questions, I AM a newbie 

[Depechemode1993]

any weakness in the proposed rig won't be from the DPAs.   

what andy said.

I have herd a few shows with that same setup. it sounds superb. you might want to invest in that. man they tight as hell.