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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 12:05:40 AM

Title: Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 12:05:40 AM
I was recommended to this site.....and now I don't know if I'm better off!! So much info to sift through.
Here's the deal...
1)  I have a Sharp mt-200 MD......I know minidisc is'nt the
     most popular format...but I need to start somewhere and
     I already own it.
2)  I'm leaning towards the Oktava mk-012's
3)  I'm looking for suggestions for the rest....around $200
     -250 range.
Need recomendations for cheap but decent phantom power, pre-amp, cables and stand.
  Any help, suggestions...words of wisdom would be appreciated.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: jimmc on January 09, 2004, 12:12:10 AM
Welcome.

Check the archive information forum. There you will find everything about everything. I've found that sifting through the info can be very helpful. Just take your time reading the posts, and it will all fall into place.

jimmc
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: d swing on January 09, 2004, 12:16:19 AM
don't forget about the search function!  most basic questions have probably been answered in one form or another...good luck and welcome.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 12:31:31 AM
Thanks for the help......I'm looking to see if anyone else is running a similar rig, I've gotten alot of great input from the search, but trying to piece the best results together can be overwhelming.  :o
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: d swing on January 09, 2004, 12:32:58 AM
just take your time...if you're struggling for to find an answer to something really specific, just post a question.  just try to put it in the proper forum...
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: thoman8r on January 09, 2004, 12:38:23 AM
I was recommended to this site.....and now I don't know if I'm better off!! So much info to sift through.
Here's the deal...
1)  I have a Sharp mt-200 MD......I know minidisc is'nt the
     most popular format...but I need to start somewhere and
     I already own it.
2)  I'm leaning towards the Oktava mk-012's
3)  I'm looking for suggestions for the rest....around $200
     -250 range.
Need recomendations for cheap but decent phantom power, pre-amp, cables and stand.
  Any help, suggestions...words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Is $250 your limit for everything?  At that price point, your options are limited, but I'd recommend something like a Denecke AD-20.  This would handle your phantom power,  gain (pre-amp), and analog to digital conversion (adc).

If you're willing to go a little higher, you should look into an Edirol UA-5, and specifically one that has the Digital modification from www.oade.com.  A new unmodified one from Oade is around 250 bucks I think.  I dunno how much Doug charges for the mod, but there *are* do-it-yourself guides if you are technically inclined.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: jimmc on January 09, 2004, 12:40:55 AM
Another good option to see what type of results you get with certain gear is to check out this site.
http://www.archive.org/audio
Once on the site, do a search on Oktava, mk012, or mc012 and check the source listed for the matches. This will give you a great idea of different pre's and power sources that people are using. Also, you can actually download a song to hear the results for yourself instead of just taking someones word for it. All ears are different.

Oh, dont worry about being a Newbie, I'm still one also.  ;D

Peace,
jimmc
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: rustle on January 09, 2004, 12:47:55 AM
   I have a pair of Oktava's and Nak CM-300's, that I sometimes use. Both are easy to use (the Naks more so, because of internal batteries); offer multiple choices of caps (for different polar patterns). I like the Naks in the sense that they are more forgiving, but the oktava's have a quieter sound floor, but can get a little boomy if you push the levels.
 Another choice would be some AKG 451's, or C-1000, although I'm not a fan of the 1000 sound. Too bright for my ears.
 Hope that helps.

Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 12:48:28 AM
I figure 50 for a so so stand......25 for a stereo bar...cables 40???Hopefully I can get the iso mounts with the mics....the rest for power and preamp about $150...is it possible
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: d swing on January 09, 2004, 12:54:08 AM
the ad-20 will not provide phantom power.  

150...you're definitely going to have to go used, nothing wrong with that though, especially if you're buying form the yard sale board here...  
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 12:59:39 AM
I'm definitely looking for used gear.....i think of it as "field tested" gear!!
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: d swing on January 09, 2004, 01:00:57 AM
good way to put it...honestly though, you're probably gonna want to save up a little more cash.  don't buy something just cause it fits the budget...
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 01:06:57 AM
I have gear for trade too....an Ibanez AD-9....like new condition and a fostex x-26 4track with only 10 hours or so on the heads. If I ebay'ed it i could get at least $200.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: RobC on January 09, 2004, 01:15:52 AM
here is my advice,  don't rush to buy what you can afford today,  because tommorrow, you will be selling it and moving up.  Get yourself a few cables and patch into other rigs, keep track of the source info,  and you will start to get a feel of what sounds best to you.

Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: d swing on January 09, 2004, 01:21:53 AM
here is my advice,  don't rush to buy what you can afford today,  because tommorrow, you will be selling it and moving up.  Get yourself a few cables and patch into other rigs, keep track of the source info,  and you will start to get a feel of what sounds best to you.



great advice if you haven't yte considered this approach
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 01:43:24 AM
I've been trading for awhile...i like the mk-012's for the price....I want to eventually get a dat....so I want the mics,preamp/phantom power...being most important
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: King Crimson on January 09, 2004, 07:41:27 AM
http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=11808

Good quality cheap phantom power.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: Styx Cover Band on January 09, 2004, 02:30:11 PM
http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=11808

Good quality cheap phantom power.

Plugging your own stuff, nice  ;D
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: thoman8r on January 09, 2004, 03:05:13 PM
There's a pair of MC012's for sale in the yard sale right now!
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on January 09, 2004, 04:34:17 PM
methinks geeeetarcenter is having a sale right now too, on the Oktavas...

T

Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 09, 2004, 10:47:36 PM
Thanks again to everyone for their input.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 10, 2004, 01:58:11 AM
I'm picking up the oktava's...I'm looking for phantom power,
preamp and a/d. Is there an all in one type of deal for this??
Do I need all of them?
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 10, 2004, 07:07:44 AM
cheapest way may be ps-2(phantom power) and an ad-20(preamp and a/d)

you don't need all of them.  The a/d in the d100 and the m1 is regarded as adequate
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 10, 2004, 05:05:00 PM
Could I get away with just the ps-2 to power the mics then go into my mic in on a Sharp md-200?? Also is the ARTcessories Phantom II any good?
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 10, 2004, 05:40:54 PM
yeah, mk012 > ps-2 > MT200 would work, however, I would go line-in instead of mic-in because the mic-in preamps in the MDs are awful.  Just use line and have your levels around 28 to 30.  Unless you are really far away or the music is quiet, then mic-in might be more appropriate.  For loud concerts, line should be adequate.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 10, 2004, 05:43:56 PM
I'd make your next purchase after this a DAT recorder, maybe a d100 or m1 so you have a decent a/d.  I was just able to use my M1 2 days ago for the first time and my tapes got better exponentially in every way.
Title: Re:Advice for newbie!!
Post by: hhf32 on January 10, 2004, 05:44:20 PM
Thanks for the help!!