Topic: ADK TLs > UA-5: W or T mod?

[Swampy]

Hey all. So I've run TLs > UA-5 for awhile now, and REALLY miss low end! Haha. coming from runing 391/3s, the low end of the adks pales in comparison. I've listened to a bunch of tapes and like both the T & W mods, but I feel that the W-mod may have too much bass. Though, the only tapes I've really been able to find are small club tapes. Haven't really heard any outdoor or large theater/arena tapes... I've been emailing back and forth with Doug Oade, and he seems to think the W-mod is the way to go. So anyone that has experience, I'm wondering if the T-mod will give me the bass I am looking for? Is the W-mod too much bass? Anyone that has opinions, I'd love to hear them. 

[Brian Skalinder]

I've not used the TLs, but I can tell you the T-mod is a little light in the bass (which I liked with my meaty 414s), but has -fantastic- transient detail.  The W-mod doesn't have quite the same transient detail, but has more robust - but not overwhelming - bass.  Ultimately, you won't know until you try it, but I'd go with the W-mod if you want a little low-end oomph.

[caymanreview]

i didnt run my TL's with the mod ua5, but i used a Oade warm mod firewire 410. i loved the combo. i have some recordings from the section at Alpine Valley if youd like to hear them TL > warm mod 410 > Laptop @ 24/48

i would definantly get the warm mod for the TL's

[Swampy]

i didnt run my TL's with the mod ua5, but i used a Oade warm mod firewire 410. i loved the combo. i have some recordings from the section at Alpine Valley if youd like to hear them TL > warm mod 410 > Laptop @ 24/48

i would definantly get the warm mod for the TL's

Ya, I would. Could ya do a B&P?

[wsphansam]

I've been running TL's into my busman mod UA-5 for about a year and have no complaints. There has been a couple listed for way less than what they are worth in the YS in the past week if you want to go a cheap route.

[caymanreview]

Ya, I would. Could ya do a B&P?

just pm me your addy

[shaggy]

I've not used the TLs, but I can tell you the T-mod is a little light in the bass (which I liked with my meaty 414s), but has -fantastic- transient detail.  The W-mod doesn't have quite the same transient detail, but has more robust - but not overwhelming - bass.  Ultimately, you won't know until you try it, but I'd go with the W-mod if you want a little low-end oomph.

I own both the W+ and T+ mod and what Brian says is exactly true, tho I did not run LDs with my mod UA-5s.  This is comming from my experience with AK40>LC3KA>KM100>mod UA-5 onstage.  The amount of detail with the W+ mod was suprising at 24bit.  The T+ is definitely snappier over all and thinner in the lo-mids to low end.

[timP]

T mod


ran TL>Tmod for awhile and miss that rig badly

[Shawn]

IMO the T mod is a better match for LD mics.

[Brian Skalinder]

IMO the T mod is a better match for LD mics.

I agree, the transient detail of the T-mod is a great match for LD mics.  But Alex is asking specifically about bass response, and IME the T-mod lacks it.  Not in a huge way, mind you, it's just a little light in the low end relative to the W-mod.  The W-mod, on the other hand, has less transient detail, but better mid-range detail and low-end oomph.  Hence, for the sound Alex is seeking, I think the W-mod's a better match.

[Shawn]

IMO the T mod is a better match for LD mics.

I agree, the transient detail of the T-mod is a great match for LD mics.  But Alex is asking specifically about bass response, and IME the T-mod lacks it.  Not in a huge way, mind you, it's just a little light in the low end relative to the W-mod.  The W-mod, on the other hand, has less transient detail, but better mid-range detail and low-end oomph.  Hence, for the sound Alex is seeking, I think the W-mod's a better match.

I read his post to mean that he wasn't happy with the low end of the TLs, not that there wasn't enough low end. IMO the T mod really helps to clean up the low end of LD mics, which can be a little sloppy for concert PA taping. He also mentioned that after listening to some tapes he is afraid the W mod may have to much low end. I'm afraid that what he may be hearing is the w mod actually accentuating the properties of the TL he doesn't care for.

Alex what exactly are you after? what about the low end of the TLs do you really not care for? is there not enough of it? is it lacking some characteristic you desire? is it sloppy or loose sounding?

[Todd R]

If you're interested in hearing a bunch of TL>wmod recordings, Pete here on the CO Crew runs that rig.  He's got a lot of shows up on the archive including a bunch from Wakarusa and 10kLF outdoors.  Here's a Phil and friends show from 10kLF:

http://www.archive.org/details/phil2006-07-21

Do a search on "Coffan" in the Archive, and you come up with a whole slew of TL>wmod shows.

FWIW, I agree that most LD mics can have a large (and a bit unfocused) bass response for PA taping, probably due to the slowness/inertia of the larger diaphragm.  But I don't think TLs fit into this category of typical LD mics -- just don't have those same characteristics.  I like the TL>wmod sound alot, didn't care too much for the TL>pmod shows I've heard, and I haven't heard enough TL>Tmod sources to comment.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I love my WMod+.

T

[Craig T]

I'd go with the T Mod.  I ran TL's> W Mod for awhile, but at that time Doug was only offering the W and P mods, no T yet.  I tried the P and it was too bright for my tastes and seemed to kill that fat warm LD sound.  My only complaint with the W was that the bass wasn't quite as tight as I liked and I would have preferred increased transient detail and dynamics.  These are improvements that the T mod has over the W, thus why I would recommend the T.

There are a bunch of TL> Wmod and Tmod recordings on Archive.  I've liked what I've heard from the T+mod.

[Swampy]

Alex what exactly are you after? what about the low end of the TLs do you really not care for? is there not enough of it? is it lacking some characteristic you desire? is it sloppy or loose sounding?

I don't like the TLs LACK of bass, not sloppy or anything. But my concern is that The T mod will not be no much more bass than the straight digimod, and that the W mod will be too much sloppy bass...

[SuperDave]

I find the TL>Wmod combo to be pretty much perfect, Swampy.  No "lack of bass" there.  I also wouldn't call it "sloppy" either.

[Shawn]

Alex what exactly are you after? what about the low end of the TLs do you really not care for? is there not enough of it? is it lacking some characteristic you desire? is it sloppy or loose sounding?

I don't like the TLs LACK of bass, not sloppy or anything. But my concern is that The T mod will not be no much more bass than the straight digimod, and that the W mod will be too much sloppy bass...

if that's the case than the Brian and others are correct the t-mod probably isn't what you are looking for.

This is the first I've heard about a lack of bass in TLs. In fact I've had people make the exact opposite complaint about some of my recordings. Check this recording to hear the TLs capture some monster bass: http://www.archive.org/details/tlg2006-10-07.adktl.flac16

[Swampy]

I find the TLs to be a little on the thin bright side, especially for LDs in both taping and the studio. Maybe its because I previously used AKGs...

[stirinthesauce]

Alex what exactly are you after? what about the low end of the TLs do you really not care for? is there not enough of it? is it lacking some characteristic you desire? is it sloppy or loose sounding?

I don't like the TLs LACK of bass, not sloppy or anything. But my concern is that The T mod will not be no much more bass than the straight digimod, and that the W mod will be too much sloppy bass...

To my ears, and I've run ld's and sd's through the w-mod, the warm mod doesn't add more bass.  It just smooths things out.   Smoother on the top end throughout the mids and lows.  Makes (to my ears) a more pleasant playback experience.  Sloppiness is not a word I would describe the warm mod.  Surprising amount of detail.  I would not compare the sonic characteristics with say an mp-2/sbm-1 combo which is very warm (and extremely pleasing to my ears with the right mics) and at times can seem sloppy.  I actually think the warm mod is a misnomer as it isn't overly warm.  It has it's own distinct coloration, just like any pre.  

I'm sure there are a bunch of sources on the archive with both t mod and w mod paired with ADK's.  Give them a whirl.  

Of course, these are my opinions only.  YMMV  

[SuperDave]

I agree.  I ran a self-modded digimod before I upgraded to the W-mod.  I wouldn't say it added bass response, but it did smooth it out a bit better.  I also noticed a huge bump in detail when I upgraded.  It was quite a pleasant surprise.