Topic: Should i upgrade my rig?

[Chris K]

i would put the most amount of money that you can into the mics which are the most important part in the recording chain

[pfife]

My advice:

get the AT's unmodded to accept phantom power, and get a UA-5.   I think that's the way you'd notice the best improvement.   If you have the mics phantom powered, you'll be able to handle a lot more frequencies at loud volumes before they clip.... the UA-5 will provide your phantom power and your analog to digital conversion, and go optical out into an NJB3.

Unmodded mics: prolly done for $100 or so?  (someone on the board can prolly do this for you....)
UA-5: used for $250 maybe?
NJB3:  might be able to get one for $150 or so?

The only other thing you'd need to do is get batteries for the UA-5, which can be done for about $40-$50.

I might be off on those prices, but I think they're pretty close.

That's my $.02 - please disregard if you intend to stealth tape.

[Normsreality]

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up as far as building my rig goes. I got my JB3 off of ebay for 150. I just came into some money so I'm going to upgrade my mics a bit and buy a preamp next week. This is what I'm thinking I'll end up with. 2 AKG C1000Ss>UA5>JB3. I may go with the SP-Preamp instead of the ua5, but then the issue becomes how to connect the 2 c1000s together into one 1/4 jack for the PreAmp. I know you guys are going to say to go with the UA5, but I'm putting up the just in case senerio here, so any help would be appreciated.

edit: Found a great deal on a pair or Studio Projects C4s, so another question...would you guys recommend these over the c1000s?

[Ray76]

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up as far as building my rig goes. I got my JB3 off of ebay for 150. I just came into some money so I'm going to upgrade my mics a bit and buy a preamp next week. This is what I'm thinking I'll end up with. 2 AKG C1000Ss>UA5>JB3. I may go with the SP-Preamp instead of the ua5, but then the issue becomes how to connect the 2 c1000s together into one 1/4 jack for the PreAmp. I know you guys are going to say to go with the UA5, but I'm putting up the just in case senerio here, so any help would be appreciated.

edit: Found a great deal on a pair or Studio Projects C4s, so another question...would you guys recommend these over the c1000s?

I would in a heartbeat..Ive never used c1000s...but all tapes ive heard with them well....just didnt impress me at all. C4s are excellent mics...excellent...BTW..the great gumbino here is or WAS selling a package deal..pmod ua5, c4s ..check it out..great deal..

[Normsreality]

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up as far as building my rig goes. I got my JB3 off of ebay for 150. I just came into some money so I'm going to upgrade my mics a bit and buy a preamp next week. This is what I'm thinking I'll end up with. 2 AKG C1000Ss>UA5>JB3. I may go with the SP-Preamp instead of the ua5, but then the issue becomes how to connect the 2 c1000s together into one 1/4 jack for the PreAmp. I know you guys are going to say to go with the UA5, but I'm putting up the just in case senerio here, so any help would be appreciated.

edit: Found a great deal on a pair or Studio Projects C4s, so another question...would you guys recommend these over the c1000s?

I would in a heartbeat..Ive never used c1000s...but all tapes ive heard with them well....just didnt impress me at all. C4s are excellent mics...excellent...BTW..the great gumbino here is or WAS selling a package deal..pmod ua5, c4s ..check it out..great deal..

How many times are you gonna come through for me BigRay? If I could give you a ticket I would. Thanks bud.

[Ray76]

no problem man.

[Kevin]

upgrade for sure, youll need a 744 with some custom cables, a 148/248, and some 481-3/460 mod same caps, DPA'S, oh forgot about the 4 mic mix... make sure to have at least a set of cards/hypers mixed with either omni's or SBD... and a nice bag








Hamptons gay

[Normsreality]

upgrade for sure, youll need a 744 with some custom cables, a 148/248, and some 481-3/460 mod same caps, DPA'S, oh forgot about the 4 mic mix... make sure to have at least a set of cards/hypers mixed with either omni's or SBD... and a nice bag

Wow, half of that I still don't understand, but give me a little time. My rig is almost complete. I am picking up a pair of C4's from The Great Gumbino, an Oade digi-mod UA5 from Doliam, and I plucked the JB3 off of ebay. I'm also getting a 12' mic stand + vert bar from Kindguy. Now I've got to get some cables, I know Ray is selling some, but since I plan to run the mics at the full 12' every now and again I'll need some a bit longer. Probably just pick up some Monster cables for now (don't flame me) learn to use all of this stuff then upgrade them to the good stuff. Thanks for the help everyone! 



if this turns out to be a triple post I'm sorry 

[Chad817]

I upgraded from soundpro cmc4's>bat box>jb3 to studio projects c4>dmod ua-5>jb3 and couldn't be happier.  I think you'll like it.

[stigs]

congrats on the new gear!! i was able to use my C4's for the first time last night and loved how it turned out.

[heath]

congrats on the new gear!! i was able to use my C4's for the first time last night and loved how it turned out.

so where's the torrent, you slacker?   

[stigs]

congrats on the new gear!! i was able to use my C4's for the first time last night and loved how it turned out.

so where's the torrent, you slacker?   

 

[Brian Skalinder]

If you're happy with the sound of your recording gear, I wouldn't upgrade.  If you're unhappy with your results, I think you should identify...

[1] what you like about your gear
[2] what you don't like about your gear

...and then search around for options that preserve [1] while remove or improve [2].  Gear upgrades should, IMO, always have a purpose - not merely upgrading for the sake of upgrading.

[cdevs]

I am picking up a pair of C4's from The Great Gumbino, an Oade digi-mod UA5 from Doliam, and I plucked the JB3 off of ebay. I'm also getting a 12' mic stand + vert bar from Kindguy. Now I've got to get some cables, I know Ray is selling some, but since I plan to run the mics at the full 12' every now and again I'll need some a bit longer.

all very wise moves, especially for a newbie. good work!

Probably just pick up some Monster cables for now (don't flame me) learn to use all of this stuff then upgrade them to the good stuff.

not so wise. (and your strategy was working so well!) if you have to buy new, get them from one of the guys here like Ed at kindkables.com. a 15' pair of beautiful xlr>xlr cables is $78 shipped. Your choice of colors. support the grass roots entrepreneurs! you'll feel better, really.

[terrapinj]

there's some canares in the YS, depends how you feel about the orange though

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49763.0