Topic: What would happen if I overloaded my JB3?

[phishmarisol]

I recently got a AD-20 and want to try everything out.  Problem is I haven't ordered my attenuator cables yet.  Still, I might be able to patch off this board and be ok.  Remember I am still an ignorant n00b so here is my concern...Is having a recording that was constantly clipping the worst thing that can happen or can I actually damage the JB3?  Thanks guys.

[jpschust]

you most likely wont damage the jb3, you will just get a bunch of clipping

[phishmarisol]

Hmm...I think I will wait.  Another quick question then.  The attenuator cables will have to go into a y adapter in order to go into the ad-20...will any ole y adapter be OK...only reason I ask is because I don't know how attenuator cables actually work and if they can go into any other cables and still perform properly.

[pfife]

I have been strugglin with this too... Here's what I have, but I haven't gotten a chance to try it out:

SP Mics -> SP Battery box -> SP attenuator cable (basically a level control cable... $7 -> female 1/8" plug to 2 male XLR cable -> AD-20 -> NJB3 via optical...

The dude at SP said it would work.  They also told me I would be able to run the mics into the mic in on my old MD, which was completely incorrect, so I am not sure what to believe.

At any rate, the attenuator cable from them was only $7, and it seems like it should work, in theory anyways.

[Brian Skalinder]

Constant clipping will sound like horseshit, but it shouldn't damage your NJB3 or AD20.  From what I gather, you want to run:

mics or SBD > AD20 > NJB3

So, really, your NJB3 wouldn't be clipping - it's merely receiving a digital signal from the AD20.  It's the AD20 that would be clipping.

If SBD > AD20 > NJB3 clips like crazy and you don't have your attenuator cables yet, you could always run straight SBD > NJB3.

[zhianosatch]

Remember, the AD-20 likes to clip.

[phishmarisol]

If SBD > AD20 > NJB3 clips like crazy and you don't have your attenuator cables yet, you could always run straight SBD > NJB3.

That's what I've been doing but I've been getting all of the JB3 operating noise on the recordings so I am trying to bypass that by using the AD-20.  Nothing that important I have to tape this week just a show I would have liked to.  Still might without the AD-20 and see how it turns out.