Author Topic: ca-9100 settings help (Read 5066 times)

slowblow · « **on:** May 05, 2009, 03:26:50 AM »

hi !
i hope to tape tomorrow evening a loud rock concert.
this is the first time i will use my ca 9100 bought 2,5 years ago $:-\$
my rig is: sp-cmc-8 (3 wire mod)> ca-9100 (3 wire for the mics, with pass-filter) > Y cable 3.5 mm jack to 2 x 1/4' TRS > mt 24/96 (first generation)
i don't know how to make the settings !!! i need help !!!
do i adjust the level in CA- 9100 ? or in the MT ?
i think to adjust level in mt in the middle ans make adjust during the concert in the CA-9100 ? it'is right ?
i think make the pass filter in "on" because it will be loud ...
another question for the mt: the button H/M/L ? in H or in L ?
please tell me how to make the settings !

slowblow

shaggy28 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:25:42 AM »

not sure about the MT but find out what unity gain is on it then adjust the 9100 once at the show. That's how i use the R09 and the results are great for loud rock shows. i don't use the pass filter but i have different mics.

taylordb · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:12:54 AM »

Unity on the 9100 is at 11 0'clock; it is just acting as a battery box at that point. Any setting less than that is attenuation, and settings more than that are gain. I have sp-cmc-8's as well and at loud shows I run my 9100 anywhere between 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock.... rarely above that. I rarely use the bass roll-off. To me, loudness has nothing to do with rolling off the bass. I would only use the bass roll-off on really heavy bass mixes, and also when recording outside with heavier winds.....the bass roll-off tends to reduce the wind rumble.

I adjust my levels using the 9100 and not my recorder but YMMV. Remember, its just a show; if you screw up it is not the end of the world. Write down notes on what you did. Listen to how it comes out and modify the next time around. Good luck!

Scooter123 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:32:47 AM »

Personally, I'd wait until the wife or parents are out the house, and crack up some music--really loud--as loud as you can stand it. Put the CA 9100 at full volume (its only 20 db boost)

And tape for 30 seconds.

Adjust volume.

Listen.

Readjust your recorder as necessary.

That ought to get you darn close. Better to be under than over.

Church-Audio · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:36:46 AM »

Quote from: Scooter123 on May 05, 2009, 10:32:47 AM

Personally, I'd wait until the wife or parents are out the house, and crack up some music--really loud--as loud as you can stand it. Put the CA 9100 at full volume (its only 20 db boost)

And tape for 30 seconds.

Adjust volume.

Listen.

Readjust your recorder as necessary.

That ought to get you darn close. Better to be under than over.

Sounds like good advice.

Chris

heyitsmejess · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:38:08 AM »

ive always (and i mean ALWAYS) cranked the gain on the 9100 all the way up, and ran levels conservativly on the recorder. that way, you are getting the most out of the preamp.

$.02

Dede2002 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:52:58 AM »

Quote from: heyitsmejess on May 05, 2009, 10:38:08 AM

ive always (and i mean ALWAYS) cranked the gain on the 9100 all the way up, and ran levels conservativly on the recorder. that way, you are getting the most out of the preamp.

$.02

With all due respect, I disagree.
When you always crank the gain, sometimes there's the risk of sending a hot signal that your recorder pre will have to attenuate to normal levels. It's simply wasteful and only helps noise.
IMHO, you are going to get the most out of the preamp by using it when it's really necessary. Set your recorder at unity and adjust your preamp ( if needed ).
Take care

3-Fan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2009, 12:29:50 PM »

^^^ That's exactly what I do. ^^^

su6oxone · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2009, 12:55:42 PM »

Quote from: Dede2002 on May 05, 2009, 10:52:58 AM

Set your recorder at unity and adjust your preamp ( if needed ) later seems to be a safer move.

This makes sense to me. You don't want to overload/clip at the preamp level anymore than at the recorder level.

heyitsmejess · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:18:38 PM »

never been an issue for me, but then again, im not trying to stealth tool from the front row either.

just saying thats what has worked for me in the past.

fwiw, i got that advice from chris church shortly after i recieved the mics/preamp.

Dede2002 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:05:15 PM »

Well, maybe Chris changed his mind recently. Quoting Mr. Church "...its better to use analog attenuation then digital attenuation. IMO..... And if your already at unity you really are getting to much gain from my preamp and you should back it down a bit on the preamp..."
Makes sense to me and that's what I do. I mean, the 9100 has better/cleaner gain than my recorder's preamp. Why should I attenuate the signal using my recorder and not the 9100?
Just my 0.0000000002 cents.

Scooter123 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2009, 08:35:37 PM »

I have your exact mikes and preamp.

The mikes are not terribly sensitive.

But do exactly what I say, and then look at the wave format. You'll be able to tell with your eyes in 2 seconds if the setting is right (no clipping or a flat wave). Make up your own mind. Adjust as necessary.

I run Chris's 9100 (I actually own two of them, one for your mikes and one for some dpas) and I've never had issues. I did stealth from the front row of Bruce with ear bleeding volume and I had no issues. I use an Edirol set at neutral, about 45, and actually had to boost in post to get the signal up to 0 db.

Your mikes are OK, not my favorite, but a servicable job.

taperwheeler · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2009, 08:38:43 PM »

Running my modded at853's>9100>mt2 have run the 9100 at about ~~11 o'clock~~ 1 o'clock (sorry)with no gain from the mt2 via 1/4 trs at loud shows.

heyitsmejess · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2009, 08:50:32 PM »

Quote from: Dede2002 on May 05, 2009, 06:05:15 PM

Well, maybe Chris changed his mind recently. Quoting Mr. Church "...its better to use analog attenuation then digital attenuation. IMO..... And if your already at unity you really are getting to much gain from my preamp and you should back it down a bit on the preamp..."
Makes sense to me and that's what I do. I mean, the 9100 has better/cleaner gain than my recorder's preamp. Why should I attenuate the signal using my recorder and not the 9100?
Just my 0.0000000002 cents.

no need to get snarky dude...its a freakin preamp and some mics.

$2.00

Belexes · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:00:44 PM »

Quote from: Dede2002 on May 05, 2009, 10:52:58 AM

Set your recorder at unity and adjust your preamp ( if needed ).

Dede2002 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:34:21 PM »

Quote from: heyitsmejess on May 05, 2009, 08:50:32 PM

Quote from: Dede2002 on May 05, 2009, 06:05:15 PM
Well, maybe Chris changed his mind recently. Quoting Mr. Church "...its better to use analog attenuation then digital attenuation. IMO..... And if your already at unity you really are getting to much gain from my preamp and you should back it down a bit on the preamp..."
Makes sense to me and that's what I do. I mean, the 9100 has better/cleaner gain than my recorder's preamp. Why should I attenuate the signal using my recorder and not the 9100?
Just my 0.0000000002 cents.

no need to get snarky dude...its a freakin preamp and some mics.

$2.00

Snarky? Hey, that was never my intention, really.
I just don't agree with you, that's all. Don't take this the wrong way. Anyway, sorry about that.
Take care

taperwheeler · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:33:24 PM »

Just a side note...

The 9100 provides a helluva lot quieter gain. So when adjusting, I'd rely more on the pre.

Also bear in mind that recording in 24 bit is going to give you the 12 db of headroom to work with, so don't push your levels.

And most importantly, ENJOY!

heyitsmejess · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:36:02 PM »

Quote from: taperwheeler on May 06, 2009, 01:33:24 PM

And most importantly, ENJOY!

crazifyngers · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2009, 04:54:07 PM »

what exactly does "set your recorder to unity" mean? (sorry new here i looked but could not find it)

Belexes · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2009, 04:56:06 PM »

Quote from: crazifyngers on May 06, 2009, 04:54:07 PM

what exactly does "set your recorder to unity" mean? (sorry new here i looked but could not find it)

No attenuation and no gain.

crazifyngers · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2009, 05:06:37 PM »

thanks