Topic: newbie MZ-R700 questions

[jesse]

I have a sony MZ-R700 minidisk recorder and have been going to shows and patching in to DAT decks to record.  I want to take the next step and start assembling my own rig for under 800$.  I would also like to upgrade to a DAT recorder (I've been lookin at the PCM-M1) in the future.  Any advice on microphones and a preamp would be very helpful.

[sickrick43]

Ah...  Here we go, another never-ending "personal taste" thread.

You say mic's so you're not just looking for board patches.  

Do you want to "stealth"?  Since you're a professed newbie - I'll throw in that stealthing is the art of taping un-noticed, which obviously requires smaller gear as a choice.

Budget is also a consideration.  I'd suggest you continue patching for awhile, and see what you like.  Start out with used gear.

My personal preferences:

Pre-A/D: I chose the V3, due the to V2's reputation as a clean, transparant, low noise pre.  I also liked the ability to go up to 192/24.  But the thing I liked the MOST, was the LED Meters.  If the Apogee Mini-Me had as good a metering setup, I would have went with that.

Mikes:  Money was no object, nor was size.  I went with the Nuemann TLM-170's, because

1 - I prefer the sound of Large Plate Diaphram microphones.
2 - The switchable polar patterns (omni-subcard-card-hyper-fig8) make the mic extremely versatile - like having 5 mics in one.
3 - Having run out of them before, I knew what to expect from them sound-wise.

You'll find as many personal preferences, as there are members here.  Check out torrents and sample downloads from source rigs that interest you, then make a decision, based on your goals and budget.

YOUR EAR is the only one you have to really please.  Trust it, go for it.

Rick

[Simp-Dawg]

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=14;action=display;threadid=4237

[Chanher]

here are some recent threads with questions just like yours, I highly suggest you read them, there are a lot of questions and direct answers in there!

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=23;action=display;threadid=14313

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=23;action=display;threadid=13947

also, tell us all the circumstances (who, what, and where you're taping and what is your budget[big factor]) with any other questions.

[Sean Gallemore]

get get Schuster's new mp-2

[jesse]

I have been crusin' this site and I must say I'm very impressed.  Thank you for the information it has been very useful.  I've kind of put together a general idea of what might be a good rig to build around my MZ-R700.   Superlux CM-H8K's>UA-5>MZ-R700.   This will also work out great with my budget.  Just a couple newbie questions about the UA-5.  1.  The UA-5 comes with 48 volt phantom power, if I buy a phantom power unit just for my mics and use it w/the UA-5 am I going to get better sound or will my preamp batteries just last longer.  2  I see that there are several different options with the UA-5 what would be the best for me to use.  Finally what other gear would I need to connect this all.  Thanks for the help

[Sean Gallemore]

you need an optical TOSlink > mini cable to connect the UA-5 and R700

also, you will need to get a modded UA-5, digimod at minimum

[Chanher]

Just a couple newbie questions about the UA-5.  1.  The UA-5 comes with 48 volt phantom power, if I buy a phantom power unit just for my mics and use it w/the UA-5 am I going to get better sound or will my preamp batteries just last longer.  2  I see that there are several different options with the UA-5 what would be the best for me to use.

look 6-8 threads down on this page:

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=23;action=display;threadid=14313;start=45

Finally what other gear would I need to connect this all.

for mics > ua-5 you'll need a pair of xlr cables and for ua-5 > MD you'll probably wanna use a toslink to mini optical cable(same thing Schwillberitis said, also check the cable forum and/or the archival forum for info about optical cables).

I believe those other threads I linked should have some answers, otherwise ask here.

[jesse]

Just ordered my superlux mics on-line.  Now just for that UA-5 and some cables and I should be all set.  thanks alot guys.