Topic: New Gear Question

[hoyt]

So I ran my mp2 > mod sbm-1 this past weekend for the first time.  I haven't had a chance to really listen to the tape much yet, but from what I've heard I'm pretty happy.  

My question is about the levels.  It was a Howie Day show in a medium sized club, and it all seemed fairly loud.  I knew I wanted to run the sbm-1 as open as I could, but I had to turn the mp2 way down.  It felt wrong to run the mp2 as low as I was, so I ended up running the mp2 at 9 o'clock and the sbm-1 at number 5 to avoid running over on the sbm-1.  Is this pretty normal?  Should I have jacked the sbm-1 to 10 and just kept the mp2 as low as possible?

Thanks,

--hoyt

[Craig T]

do whatever sounds best to you.  what you did was add (too much) gain at the MP2 only to remove it at the SBM1.  although maybe not the "cleanest" way to do it, you may find the coloration of the MP2 run at higher gain sounds better.  If you can, maybe switch methods between sets at a show, 1st set run MP2-high SBM1-low, 2nd set reverse and run MP2-low SBM1-high.

craig.

[nickgregory]

I run this and I run the MP-2 as low as possible, with the level knob only coming off of all the way left to balance out the mics if they are not receiving equal signals so to speak.  Then I run the SBM anywhere from 5-9. and I love the results.  I have not tested it like Craig suggested though running the MP-2 higher and lower on the SBM at this point.

[hoyt]

do whatever sounds best to you.  what you did was add (too much) gain at the MP2 only to remove it at the SBM1.  although maybe not the "cleanest" way to do it, you may find the coloration of the MP2 run at higher gain sounds better.  If you can, maybe switch methods between sets at a show, 1st set run MP2-high SBM1-low, 2nd set reverse and run MP2-low SBM1-high.

craig.

That's pretty much what I ended up doing between the Stereophincs set and Howie's.  I had the mp2 up around 12 o'clock or so and the sbm1 much lower for the stereophonics.  Then I caved and ran the mp2 much lower during Howie.  I'll be taping someone else in a few weeks, so I'll exagerate the differences at that show to listen to after the fact.

Thanks,

--hoyt

[Tim]

play around with it Hoyt, do whatever you want and whatever sounds good to you. I know I'm guilty of saying that things should be run this way or that but if it works for you go for it. Playing around and experimenting will help you understand your gear that much better and that's important. Good luck...

[creekfreak]

only use as much gain as needed. If you need little on the dial, than thats all you need.

[Chapper]

I rarely ever run the MP2 over 2, usually closer 0.   I've not ever ran it real hot, but folks say the signal decreases in quality when running it hot.  

[BCostigan]

I used to run mp2->d7 and would run my d7 at about 8 or 9 on the rec level and run the mp2 pretty low (about 9 oclock)   I did this for the sam reason Craig mentioned...adding gain only to take it away doesn't make sense.

I liked it YMMV.

[Lee]

no sense adding gain at the mp-2 only to attenuate it at the sbm.  I'd run the sony at 9-10 and adjust with the mp-2.

[cpclark]

no sense adding gain at the mp-2 only to attenuate it at the sbm.  I'd run the sony at 9-10 and adjust with the mp-2.

i ran this combo and ditto what lee said, run the sbm at 9 or 10 and the mp-2 to balance the signal

[Sean Gallemore]

i might have an opportunity to test this out this week.

mp-2 > M1  (m1 is said to have similar sound to the stock sbm-1)

2 bands playing 2 sets each, I'll relay the results.

[Nick Graham]

I run the mp2>sbm1, and unless a show is very quiet and I need the extra gain for acceptable levels, I run my mp2 all the way down, and turn up the sbm1 as much as possible, usually around 8.