Topic: Help w/ Batt. Box, pics included

[imissmybus]

Just received some AT-853's (CMC4) with hyper caps and will be using a battery box until I can afford a pre for them.    I was given this box by a friend but have no idea how to read or set the levels/ bass roll-off accordingly.   If anyone could make heads or tails of these swithes for me I'd really appreciate it.    I'm hoping to tape Pearl Jam tomorrow night in a 2500+ seat theater & then Saturday @ the Gorge so if I need to change up the settings I'd love to know how.   Thanks for your help.  Chris

[jeromejello]

here is the info pulled from soundpro's website...

Bass Roll off models only

Before making your first important recording, it is suggested that you experiment with your new microphones and battery unit a bit. On the top of the module, you will see the two red switches that select the bass roll-off frequencies. There are 7 different bass roll-off frequencies to choose from: 16Hz, 69Hz, 95Hz, 107Hz, 160Hz, 195Hz and 888Hz. You will find that different recording situations require a different bass roll-off frequency to produce the best results, depending on many factors such as the type of microphone you are using, the venue itself, shape of the room, your position in the room, speaker placement (if any), and many other factors. You should experiment with the different roll-off frequencies to see which one(s) produce the sound that you like the best. To set the roll-off frequency, set the switches according to the following chart:

Your desired Roll-off Frequency          These switches set to the “open” position
16Hz (no roll-off)   2,3,4
69Hz   1,4
95Hz   1,3
107Hz   1,3,4
160Hz   1,2
195Hz   1,2,4
888Hz   1,2,3

It is usually desirable to have the left and right switches set to the same frequency; however, they can be set independently if desired. The best way to determine the best setting for a given recording situation is through trial and error, starting off with the 16Hz setting and working up in frequency until the desired amount of bass is achieved in your recording. Remember, setting the switches to higher numbers removes more bass from the recording.

Here are some general guidelines: For louder, bassier situations, try higher settings; for smaller, quieter situations, use lower settings. If the venue has bad acoustics, use higher settings; for venues with better acoustics, use lower settings. If you are using cardioids, use lower settings; for omnidirectional mics, use higher settings (cardioids reduce bass somewhat when compared to omni’s as a function of their more directional pickup pattern). The audible differences between settings are subtle, so you won’t destroy a recording by using the wrong setting. There is no ‘right’ setting…what sounds right to your ears is ‘right’.

and here is the link:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/instructions/SP%20SPSB%206.doc

[imissmybus]

That's great, many thanks & +T.

[nameloc01]

for whats is worth.., i have a sp-spspb6.i found that in most situations,at least with louder rock shows that 195hz is a very good setting.you are going to want to play around with it at home in front of a stereo at higher volumes( to kinda simulate a show)

[beefstew]

im going to be making my own battery box - i hope it works tho

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11254&hl=#

[Brian Skalinder]

here is the info pulled from soundpro's website...

Remember that the Sound Pro's batt box only rolls off per the directions listed when running into a recorder with the expected impedance.  Typically, that means mic-in, not line-in.  Problem is, mic-in impedances differ across recorders.  I'm not sure what impedance SP expects, nor the impedance of your recorder.  But IMO, it'd be worth finding out before deciding how to set the switches.

[jeromejello]

here is the info pulled from soundpro's website...

Remember that the Sound Pro's batt box only rolls off per the directions listed when running into a recorder with the expected impedance.  Typically, that means mic-in, not line-in.  Problem is, mic-in impedances differ across recorders.  I'm not sure what impedance SP expects, nor the impedance of your recorder.  But IMO, it'd be worth finding out before deciding how to set the switches.

yes sir you are correct... i figured one thing at a time....
the sp boxes (as well as most others out there) are calibrated using the input impedience of 10Kohm... for the jb3 it is 35-37Kohm and then there are other devises that have more.

here is a thread where it is addressed further:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=42138.0

and my comments in that thread as it relates to the jb3:

those of us using a jb3, the impendance is 37kOhm.

the break out becomes:
16Hz > 4.3Hz
69Hz > 18.7Hz
95Hz > 25.7Hz
107Hz > 28.9Hz
160Hz > 43.2Hz
195Hz > 52.7Hz
888Hz > 240Hz

[Humbug]

My 2p:

Started off using bass roll off (typically 107Hz) for rock shows, discovered by reading here (probably the thread mentioned above) that it makes little impact when using a JB3, and set it to 16Hz a long time ago!

For PJ: You may overload the mics, depends where you're sat and how loud the PA is. Just concentrate on enjoying the show!

[imissmybus]

Well I definately appreciate everyone's input.   I tried running a few tests w/ the different settings & to be honest it's pretty hard to tell a difference.   It's a really simple rig, AT-853 hypers>Batt. Box>D8 so I'll try to play it safe & as long as I can walk away w/ something listenable I'll be happy.   Just gonna come down to trial & error.   +T's all around   

[imissmybus]

Just wanted to say thanks again for everyone's help, ran tape last night & although where I was located was less than perfect, I'm glad to have walked away w/ something I can at least listen to.   Thanks guys, +T's all around.   Chris

[Chill]

What are the bass roll off setting for an H120?  Are they the same as a JB3, if so is there any point to rolling off with the battery box.

I also have a ST-20a which has a switch that rolls the bottom end off at 100KZ to 10HZ, will this also not work?

From the other thread

Table. Bass rolloff settings for line-in.
The values are rounded to the nearest number.

batt. box setting       MD          JB3         DAT         H1xx
(based on 10kOhm)    (20 kOhm)   (37 kOhm)   (47 kOhm)   (?? kOhm)

  16 Hz  -  2,3,4       8 Hz        4 Hz        3 Hz        ? Hz
  69 Hz  -  1,4        35 Hz       19 Hz       15 Hz        ? Hz   
  95 Hz  -  1,3        48 Hz       26 Hz       20 Hz        ? Hz
 107 Hz  -  1,3,4      54 Hz       29 Hz       23 Hz        ? Hz
 160 Hz  -  1,2        80 Hz       43 Hz       34 Hz        ? Hz
 195 Hz  -  1,2,4      98 Hz       53 Hz       42 Hz        ? Hz
 888 Hz  -  1,2,3     444 Hz      240 Hz      189 Hz        ? Hz

[Chuck]

Sorry to bring up a thread that is so old, but the info on the DIP settings has been useful for me.

Does anyone know the specific SP battery box model that is shown in the photos on the first post on this thread?

[lordbelial]

Sorry to bring up a thread that is so old, but the info on the DIP settings has been useful for me.

Does anyone know the specific SP battery box model that is shown in the photos on the first post on this thread?

I think it's SP-SPSB-1 with selectable bass roll off option but no recording level option. Must be around 60 bucks brand new?

[Alchemy]

Sorry to bring up a thread that is so old, but the info on the DIP settings has been useful for me.

Does anyone know the specific SP battery box model that is shown in the photos on the first post on this thread?

I think it's SP-SPSB-1 with selectable bass roll off option but no recording level option. Must be around 60 bucks brand new?

Yes, it is the SP-SPSB-1. When I was in contact with Sound Pro Chris via e-mail, he mentioned to me that bass roll-off would definitely be apparent using a Sound Pro box and an iRiver iHP-120.

[Chuck]

Thanks, +T guys!