Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: Nick's Picks on November 15, 2007, 03:51:36 PM
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http://www.beachtek.com/prod.html
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa6a_inside.html *transformer based
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa6vu_inside.html has VU meters...and transformers too.
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2s_inside.html
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I looked at those once but was turned off by the fact that it only used a single 9volt battery I wasn't sure how long that would last providing phantom to my Neumanns.
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i know what you mean.
but, that can be hacked.
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True. I wonder how much space is inside to run a couple of 9v. It would be interesting to see how they sound. Certainly are small stealthy little devices.
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no..., it would be a hack involving a cable that would be hard wired to the 9v taps.
then said cable could be plugged into any 9v source.
viola!
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I know that TS member mrsoul uses a Beachtek box that also has mic pres. It's been modified to accept external power too...he uses it with the Avantone CK-1's, and I remember thinking his recordings sounded really good.
Yeah, here's a thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,55071.0.html
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Holy Crap - wasn't ready for the video intro - not many tech sites with psychedelic visuals and euro dance music on their product pages ;)
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I'll bet that thing sounds great! and all the Beachtech product I have played with is built bomb proof too. I would b careful stealthing with that thing though. If the meters are anything like the SVU-x you can see them from the next block!
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Yes I have used a beachtek, but only with the GL-1, which didn't accept XLR inputs. To be totally honest with you, I'm not sure what to think of the preamps in the thing. I feed the unit a line level signal out of the Deva, the resulting audio on the tape sounded pretty crappy compared to the Deva audio, but I've come to expect that with most cameras. They just aren't designed to handle audio that well, and so the audio track is simply used as the guide track and I have the editor replace the audio with the files I give them direct from the Deva.
Wayne
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D'ya think that using rechargeable batteries would affect performance in any way?
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D'ya think that using rechargeable batteries would affect performance in any way?
I'm a huge fan of rechargeable batteries, in some cases they work better (wireless gear), but a lot of it depends on what the manufacturer sets up their equipment's power range to be. Several of the Beachtek devices don't require power because they want a line input level. On some of the Beachtek models, they use 9v batteries. These are probably the easiest and best type of rechargeable batteries because they come in a range of voltages from 9v to 9.6v, which can be helpful for long term use. I tend to use 9.6v batteries in my Lectro receivers because they last 4 to 5 hours. Typical Duracell 9v will only give me 3-4, and then I have to toss them.
The only negative affect I can think of soundwise would be if a device required 3v (2-AA) and you fed it 2.4 v instead (2-AA rechargeables), and the device really needs 3v. In that case you might have sound issues depending on the design of the unit because typically there is both a 5v and 3v internal voltage. If they are using the incoming voltage as their 3v source and you're not supplying enough voltage this could cause sound related issues since the device wouldn't be supplying the ICs with the proper voltage. But usually this isn't a problem with 9v batteries.
Wayne
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D'ya think that using rechargeable batteries would affect performance in any way?
Some rechargable batteries have power regulators which provide a constant voltage (mostly lithium bats) but may also introduce noise. Some gear may be sensitive to that noise.
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http://www.beachtek.com/prod.html
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa6a_inside.html *transformer based
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa6vu_inside.html has VU meters...and transformers too.
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2s_inside.html
I'd thoroughy recommend the Sound Devices MixPre (http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm). It's the only device of its kind I purchased and thought it was perfect. Perfect features, design (well almost, the LEDs are too bright on the dullest setting and some of the switches are hard to get at in a rush) and performance. It's also the only thing of its kind that I think is worth evey cent you pay for it.
As for power, uses 2 x AA, but has a power-in plug so you can build/supply your own external supply.
digifish
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its a good product. SD doesn't make anything that sucks.
I think its a little dry for me. maybe just transparent. I like my preamps to have flavor..depending on the mics.
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its a good product. SD doesn't make anything that sucks.
I think its a little dry for me. maybe just transparent. I like my preamps to have flavor..depending on the mics.
I'd be adding colour in post production. I like my recordings as neutral/dry as I can get. You can always add spices to the food, but getting them out again is another matter :)
digifish
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good point.
"crimes of commission" vs. "crimes of omission"
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Holy Crap - wasn't ready for the video intro - not many tech sites with psychedelic visuals and euro dance music on their product pages ;)
Yeah, that music scared the shit outta me when it finally finished buffing or whatever, and just started blasting!!