Topic: UA5 Gain

[johnw]

I am running Superlux SMKs>UA5 (DIY)>JB3 and have noticed that I really need to crank the gain to get an audible recording. I get very little until about 3:00 and am finding it best around 5:00, which is pretty much all the way up. This is all with no gain on the JB3. I've seen posts about noise at these settings, and while I'm not hearing it, I don't have golden ears. The fact that other people are talking about using lower gain settings has me wondering if I'm missing something. Could the jumper I made on the UA5 cause decreased output to the optical? Is there really that much difference in microphones going into the UA5? Are people compensating for the gain on the UA5 with that on the JB3? Would adding another piece of equipment in front of the UA5 help?  

[teamakg]

all depends on your mics and what you're recording.  i used to run akg391->ua5.  now i run akg 481->ua5.  i don't run the ua5 nearly as hot with the 480's as i had to with the 391's.  i for one haven't been able to hear any noise from cranking the gain.  taping some quiet things and had the gain almost all the way up.  sounds fine.

edit:want to add that i have an ua5(wmod)

[Craig T]

that's a really high setting.  I'm typically 1 to 3 oclock to get peaks close to 0 db.  the SMK's sensitivity is relatively low at 10 mv/pa (the Schoeps mk41 is 13 mv/pa), so maybe what you're experiencing is normal.

[Stumptown Matt]

There is no way to turn the gain up on the JB3 if you are recording via the digital input unless the JB3 is different from every other digital recorder.  What kind of music are you recording?  What are the venues like? What is your position in the room?  If worse comes to worse you could add some sort of line transformers to boost the signal, but that would be adding more stuff to the signal path.  I am not familiar with your mics, but they may not be very sensitive.  You turned the phantom power switch to on right .

[johnw]

Good point about the JB3. The one and only time this has been used was for a Flecktones show this past Tuesday where I was 12 back right of center in a DIN config. Most of the shows I'll be using this at will be be local bars or theatre type shows. Phantom definitely on!

[Ed.]

yeah man, i have the same problem, i tape my friends band in the bar/club setting all the time...same setup...and i have to crank it around 3:00 everytime, sometimes a little more.  i've never experienced any added noise or anything.  so i say crank away.  I've seen other people run different mics into the ua-5 and their levels were different eventho we were taping the same thing.

i think you'll be ok.
ed

[jdawg]

Just got back from a Yonder show.  Taping with 393's -> digi UA-5 - just looking at my levels, they were set at 2:00
First time out with the UA-5. Let's here it for the DIY rc battery pack and connector. Worked like a champ!

 

[johnw]

Ed - the thing that makes me question my equipment is that I don't ever get a peak unless it is cranked all the way up. If possible I'd rather not normalize or adjust the gain on my computer at home. But you have the same setup so maybe this is just going to be how it is.  

John - The 393s have a sensitivity of 10 mV/Pa like the SM-H8Ks. That makes me want to think that it is most likely not a problem with my mics. Perhaps my cables are bad? I used the Canare/Neutrik parts from Markertek and did a continuity check. Maybe I should measure resisitance? The more I think about it, the jumper probably isn't the culprit since the gain should be well before that and I would be seing an occasional peak show up on the red light.

[Ed.]

i use the same cables too...and i understand about the gain in post production, i try to avoid that as well.

it might be worth it to check out a local bar or club on an off weekend, preferably one that has LOUD live local bands.  getting in should be cheap and the bands more than likely won't care....maybe you could even email them before hand and they could get you in for free if you promise to give them a copy.  in a small venue, where the band is loud, you should easily be able to get up front and play with your equipment.

but most times mine don't start peaking until 3:00, somtimes a little more.

[jdawg]

When my levels were set at 2:00 - this put me in the -15dB to -12dB range, with some peaks going above -12.  Where do you guys like to keep yours set on the dB scale?

[johnw]

Maybe mine aren't so bad afterall. I was getting peaks at -12 with mine set somewhere between 2 and 3. I finally looked at the file on sound forge and this was according to the clip meter. It just seems quiet on playback. Thanks!

[C.Clark]

When my levels were set at 2:00 - this put me in the -15dB to -12dB range, with some peaks going above -12.  Where do you guys like to keep yours set on the dB scale?

i come from the camp that believes levels should be hot, why utilize that dynamic range, get your peaks from -4 to -2, i think you'll get your best results this way, with a clip every now and then, which should be inaudible

[Stumptown Matt]

Good point about the JB3. The one and only time this has been used was for a Flecktones show this past Tuesday where I was 12 back right of center in a DIN config. Most of the shows I'll be using this at will be be local bars or theatre type shows. Phantom definitely on!

The Flecktones aren't known for blasting the loudest of music.  See what happens when you tape a rock band in a bar or Gov't Mule anywhere

[BCostigan]

I usually have to go somewhere around 2-3 o'clock to get  -4db to 0db.   I agree with Chris that you should run close to 0 (without going over).  I'll sacrafice a handful of clips for a show to get the results that running hot offers.

I've run both a warm mod and DIY mod ua-5 and have not noticed and noise issues.  

[fozzy]

don't think i have touched my ua-5 dince particle a few weeks ago and i am at ~2:30.  loudest i have ever heard the club we were in but a few weeks ago i was at almost 4:00 w/ a chatty bar crowd, SCOTS at continetal club posted a bt here.   fwiw i'm running sound room matched mk012's into canare star quads powerin the UA-5 w/ 3 7.2v rc packs .  

[Ed.]

i run hot as well and clip on a few occasions at around 3:00 and if i get all of the other factors correct, my tapes come out smokin'

[kev B]

I am running Superlux SMKs>UA5 (DIY)>JB3

I run the exact rig with Bluberries. I usually run about 3 to 4 O'Clock as well. I think it is the nature of the beast... the beast that the 'Luxes are