Topic: Workflow question on Gain/Levels

[vince]

DPA4061>MMA6000>MT2496

N00b-O-Rama here...
Just got the 4061s and MMA6K today and lookign forward to the first show...
Can someone please tell me the correct steps to setting levels and gain. I am not sure if I should set the levels with the gain at 0 and work the gain up or start at max -37db and adjust the levels ....just generally confused here. I did searches but cant get a clear explanation.
any help is appreciated.

Vince

[vince]

FWIW, I did find this which comes closer to an explanation of the relationship of levels and gain
http://www.tiem.utk.edu/~gross/sounden2.txt

Sorry, I guess this question didn't rate an explanation...

Thanks

[pfife]

if you're going to be recording at high SPL's, my guess would be that you'd want to have the gain on the MMA6K at 0 on both channels, and use the controls on the MT... if you send too high of a signal to the MT, you're going to brickwall it.  I've yet to turn the gain off my MMA6K from 0 - I control the levels via the R-1.  If I turn the R1 all the way up, and the levels are still low, then I boost the gain on the MMA6K. 

[vince]

if you're going to be recording at high SPL's, my guess would be that you'd want to have the gain on the MMA6K at 0 on both channels, and use the controls on the MT... if you send too high of a signal to the MT, you're going to brickwall it.  I've yet to turn the gain off my MMA6K from 0 - I control the levels via the R-1.  If I turn the R1 all the way up, and the levels are still low, then I boost the gain on the MMA6K. 

That's what I needed! Nice, simple HOWTO...makes perfect sense now.
Thanks P
+t (if I could yet)

[cybermansrev]

Since  the DPA's and microtrack (minus MMA6000) seem to be an excellent stealth combo and If you're setting the gain to 0 is there any benefit in using the pre-amp 

[keepongoin]

Since  the DPA's and microtrack (minus MMA6000) seem to be an excellent stealth combo and If you're setting the gain to 0 is there any benefit in using the pre-amp 

to my knowledge, the DPA 406X mics need 9V of power, right?

the microtrack 1/8" TRS input pus out 5V.  This is not sufficient for the DPAs.

[cybermansrev]

to my knowledge, the DPA 406X mics need 9V of power, right?

the microtrack 1/8" TRS input pus out 5V.  This is not sufficient for the DPAs.

I'm sure I've seen threads from people using the 5V out to power 406x but even if they need 9V, most battery boxes are stealthier and cost less than £250. Having said this there does seem to be some hassle to removing the microdots especially if you've already bought the preamp.

[pfife]

Since  the DPA's and microtrack (minus MMA6000) seem to be an excellent stealth combo and If you're setting the gain to 0 is there any benefit in using the pre-amp 

to my knowledge, the DPA 406X mics need 9V of power, right?

the microtrack 1/8" TRS input pus out 5V.  This is not sufficient for the DPAs.

I think they actually only need 5v, but most people run them off 9v.  Freelunch built a dongle for this - check in the rig pics.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51031.0

[vince]

Since  the DPA's and microtrack (minus MMA6000) seem to be an excellent stealth combo and If you're setting the gain to 0 is there any benefit in using the pre-amp 

to my knowledge, the DPA 406X mics need 9V of power, right?

the microtrack 1/8" TRS input pus out 5V.  This is not sufficient for the DPAs.

I think they actually only need 5v, but most people run them off 9v.  Freelunch built a dongle for this - check in the rig pics.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51031.0

Have you seen either of these?  Looks like a manufactured version of Freelunches dongle
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-MICROTRACK-INTERFACE&type=store



http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-MICROTRACK-MIC

[pfife]

Yup... I heard about it.  I bet you could run the dpa's off that.