Topic: MP2 -> SBM-1 Cables

[Mike Sarnovsky]

Hi Everyone,

I was just wondering specifically which cables you use to run between an MP-2 and a Oade Mod SBM-1.  Thanks. 

Mike

[Brian]

you have 2 options basically.

1) a pair of 1' XLR(f) > RCA(m) cables
2) a 1' 1/8" stereo mini > 2xRCA(m)

edit 3: blah blah blah i'm a dumbass

[Brian Skalinder]

1) a pair of 1' XLR(f) > 1/4"(m) cables
2) a pair of 1' XLR(f) > RCA(m) cables
3) a 1' 1/8" stereo mini > 1/8" stereo mini

For an Oade modSBM-1, I think the SBM-1 has 2 x 1/4"f (mic-in) and 2 x RCAf (line-in) connections - and assuming the SBM-1 mic-in (2 x 1/4"f) is disabled - wouldn't the options be:

[1]  2 x XLRf > 2 x RCAm
[2]  Stereo mini > 2 x RCAm

I don't think 3) above is possible, as I don't recall the SBM-1 having an 1/8" stereo input.  But I could be wrong.

[Brian]

yeah i updated my post.....had a little brain fart there   thanks for noticing though and correcting me anyway.

[zhianosatch]

2) a 1' 1/8" stereo mini > 2x RCA(m)

so soon you forget!

edit: fartdamncrap

[Brian]

2) a 1' 1/8" stereo mini > 2x RCA(m)

so soon you forget! 

edit: fartdamncrap

  +T  I know, i know.....

how goes it Armen?  have you decided to sell your modsbm1 yet?  i remember you saying you weren't down with the HPF on the batt box with the modsbm1 in the chain.

[Mike Sarnovsky]

What is the preferred setup?

I think I read that the the 3.5mm output from the MP2 is -10db compared to the XLR outs.

Typically my settings during a show are MP2 Gain = 0, and SBM-1 gain around 6 to 8.

I think if I ran the XLR outs, I might clip constantly.  

Any experiences to share?

[Brian]

when you say "mp2 = 0"  do you mean 0db?  or absolutely no gain at all?  i'm assuming the latter. 

paging nickgregory......he ran mp2>modsbm1 and had some sweet audio magic hyper interconnects if my memory serves me correctly this time. i'm almost certain they were xlr>rca.

[Mike Sarnovsky]

Sorry, I mean no gain at all on the MP2

[Brian Skalinder]

What is the preferred setup?

Just personally preference, IMO.  2 x XLRf > 2 x RCAm would provide more secure connections, but taping down a right-angle stereo-mini > 2 x RCAm would be just as secure, I think.  And yeah, MP2 stereo-mini output is -10dB of the XLR output, per the manual.

[Brian]

FWIW i have the manual in front of me and this is waht the spec sheet says:

minimum xlr output gain = 16dB
     "     tape output gain = 6dB

so, yes, the tape out is -10dB from the xlr's.  so wouldn't that bring the levels down to between about 4.5 and 6.5 on the modsbm1?  that's not too bad right?  or do you like to run your modsbm1 as open as possible?

it really all depends on the sound you like.  do you want more of the mp2 sound or the modsbm1 sound in the mix.of course this all goes back to people referencing doug oade saying that you shouldn't run your sony decks or sbm1's under 4.  

[nickgregory]

so when I ran this, I ran both XLR out and mini out.  In both cases I ran with the knobs on the MP2 all the way left.  The XLR is a hotter signal, but I could still get the SBM to the 3.5-5 range.  If I ran the mini out, I would get around 8-9 on the SBM.  I actually preferred the XLR outs because for some shows that surprise me at how quiet they were, I had to jack up the gain on the SBM to 10 and then increase the MP2 gain...which I did not like....the MP2 can get grainy sounding imo.  The XLRs gave me more headroom with the SBM...so I have 2 sets of cables...a pair of XLR to RCA AM Hypers and a KindKables crafted mini to dual RCA...

that being said when stealthing, I still prefer the mini out mainly for convenience (all the plugs on one side of the unit)

[Brian]

thanks for the info nick!  thinking of picking up a tmod sbm1 pretty soon to inch my way closer to a stealth rig

[nickgregory]

thanks for the info nick! thinking of picking up a tmod sbm1 pretty soon to inch my way closer to a stealth rig

definitely a nice compact stealth rig...since I have gotten the V3, I have considered selling either the MP2 or Mod SBM1 several times...but thankfully have not pulled the trigger....I like having options

[Brian]

i still have only used the mp2 twice and joe shambro has used it once   it's sad to see a great sounding pre just sitting there in it's box in my closet.  I always want to try TL>mp2>m1 but why run that when i can go TL>V3>m1, ya know?

i really just need to get some stealth microphones and start getting good at the "art of stealthing"  that way i'm forced to use the mp2 i've bought

edit: changed "aren't" to "and"

[nickgregory]

the mp2 definitely adds a different sound....I have been running the V3 alot lately, but I am going to force myself to run the MP2>Mod SBM1 combo in some of the bad rooms I tape in...that combo does alot to create a very pleasing tape to listen to...from poor acoustic environments....

[Chris K]

i prefer the 1/8mm out of the mp-2 into the sbm-1 cause it is not as hot a signal and i can run the sbm-1 higher. i run this way for a year or so.

i recently got some xlr>rca cables to connect and i have a harder time setting my levels. i hate to see the sbm-1 under 6 on the dial. i too run the mp-2 down alll the way with slight l/r adjustment to one channel.

[Idle Wind]

i prefer the 1/8mm out of the mp-2 into the sbm-1 cause it is not as hot a signal and i can run the sbm-1 higher. i run this way for a year or so.

i recently got some xlr>rca cables to connect and i have a harder time setting my levels. i hate to see the sbm-1 under 6 on the dial. i too run the mp-2 down alll the way with slight l/r adjustment to one channel.

so why is it important to crank the sbm-1 when running line in?

assuming the levels are all good on the pre / ad / recorder,
why would you want to have the pre way down and the
AD cranked way up (line in) - to minimize coloration added
by the pre?

I just picked up a used stock sbm-1 and will be running AT853Rx->MP-2->SBM-1 and
was figuring on picking up that right angle stereo mini-> 2 right angle RCAs from
Ed at kindkables.

[nic]

i prefer the 1/8mm out of the mp-2 into the sbm-1 cause it is not as hot a signal and i can run the sbm-1 higher. i run this way for a year or so.

i recently got some xlr>rca cables to connect and i have a harder time setting my levels. i hate to see the sbm-1 under 6 on the dial. i too run the mp-2 down alll the way with slight l/r adjustment to one channel.

so why is it important to crank the sbm-1 when running line in?

assuming the levels are all good on the pre / ad / recorder,
why would you want to have the pre way down and the
AD cranked way up (line in) - to minimize coloration added
by the pre?

I just picked up a used stock sbm-1 and will be running AT853Rx->MP-2->SBM-1 and
was figuring on picking up that right angle stereo mini-> 2 right angle RCAs from
Ed at kindkables.

the SBM is a variable resistor:
10 on the SBM is a gain of 0...ie, if not at 10 then you are reducing gain.
the SBM tends to get noisy if reducing alot of gain(thats why people recommend runnign the SBM at >6)

[Idle Wind]

the SBM is a variable resistor:
10 on the SBM is a gain of 0...ie, if not at 10 then you are reducing gain.
the SBM tends to get noisy if reducing alot of gain(thats why people recommend runnign the SBM at >6)

so, does the SBM-1 apply gain to the line-in, as well as the mic in?

[pfife]

yup

[thoman8r]

yup

I don't think it applies gain when you go line in.  My understanding of line in is, at 10, the sbm-1 is neither increasing nor reducing output

[pfife]

yup

I don't think it applies gain when you go line in.  My understanding of line in is, at 10, the sbm-1 is neither increasing nor reducing output

It did when I went mics -> battery box-> 1/8" female to male RCA -> SBM-1...

Edit:  let me clarify- I was able to control the levels with the SBM-1 when going line in.  I think that differs from applying gain, but I am not sure how.

[zhianosatch]

yup

I don't think it applies gain when you go line in. My understanding of line in is, at 10, the sbm-1 is neither increasing nor reducing output

word.

[dgale]

I personally always have run XLR>RCA between my MP-2 and SBM-1 (mine is a stock SBM-1 FWIW) and have never had a clipping problem.  I prefer the secure attachment of the XLRs over the mini plug and I have better quality XLR>RCA cables then my mini>RCA options.  I usually run my MP-2 around 9:00-10:00 o'clock and depending on the show, my SBM-1 is usually in the 4-6 range.  Times that I have used the mini out on the MP-2, I have found the signal too low even with the SBM cranked up. 

[Idle Wind]

I had leegeddy make me a bumblebee RA mini to RA RCAs.
with the MiAGI silvers.

the switchcraft stereo mini seems to lock in pretty firmly
to the MP2 - not a locking connector, but tight.

the switchcraft RA RCAs kind of have a longer neck
to them - so you have to spin them around to fit
as best you can.  a sweet cable though, for sure..

[zhianosatch]

I had leegeddy make me a bumblebee RA mini to RA RCAs.
with the MiAGI silvers.

same for me except with mogami cable and straight RCAs. i also dislike the switchcraft RA mini because it's so goddamned huge. the end of the long-ass plug from which the cable protrudes, if moved, puts a lot of bending pressure on the mini pin which loosens the jack and eventually fucks things up pretty good.
marc pulled a perfect custom solution for me instead. great work for which i am grateful!

[Kevin Straker]

I used the clr>rca simply because they lock on. Do yourself a favor and try to find an aeta psp2. It has fat, warm sound, with a much more articulated sound stage than the mp2.  my.02