Topic: Beachtek DXA-5D preamp

[igene]

I do audio, video and photography, so this is right up my alley.

so I bought one of these for audio use, not just for video.
It's got mic level out.
 I really like the layout and the backlit levels and battery level.
So I figure I'd try it anyway...I could always use it for my video cams.

It's a little bigger than a Sony D7




Battery door = easy access.
Meter is light blue, not too bright - just enough to see.
Nice condition.









Noise after 75% gain, but just light hiss.
When you're getting good volume (show levels) I don't think you need to go past 50%.
Here's a shot of the mic input level at -20 and the pre at 75% (no noise heard under music) and the levels are great.
I turned up my stereo and turned down the pre, the levels were excellent and sounded great on headphones out of my deck.

I don't think this is good for quiet music, but loud is perfect.





Turned up the music more...
levels on deck @ 10 / turned levels down on pre also.
(at large venues w/ real loud PA I record at 5 / otherwise outside venues from Taper sec. is 10)
Very strong and loud. no distortion. no extra noise.
Sounds good in headphones.




=========================================================

I just figured out that my Roland R-05's threaded hole lines up with the pre's screw perfectly.
It locks the recorder to the pre.
I know a lot of the new recorders w/ mics built in have them, but usually on the bottom, not the back.
I had to cut off the 2 steel nipples and file the rest down. looks fine, took 10 min's.

[ArchivalAudio]

looks nice
just wonderin'
does this thing have a line level out?
if it's only mic level out then your using  2 mic pres one in the beachtek and one in your deck(which is probably not as good quality)

--Ian

[rjp]

I thought I saw a switch marked "LIN/MIC," so I would guess it could put out a line-level signal.

[igene]

actually what that is...
It is selecting line or mic level input.

If it's line, you shut off the phantom and get a mic output to your camera (or deck)
For instance : a Soundboard patch.
You plug the XLR's into this and it outputs a mic level out and you don't blow out your input on the deck.

Mic is Mic - phantom on/off (w/ mic level out)

Although this is mic level, it sounds good.

I guess my point is that it has a lot of nice features and sounds good with decent levels hitting the mics.
...and I paid $150 shipped for it. That was a really good deal.
They usually go for $200. used. / $300 - $350. new (if you can find one)
This model is discontinued. They made 2 different pre's from this to replace it.

1 with levels but passive.
the other w/ phantom power and no levels.
go figure...

I can use it for my camera, or stealth-pre at loud shows.


bottom line = new toy