Topic: DPA 4021's > Oade M148 > ??? > PCM-M1

[TheImplodingVoice]

I was lucky enough to be lent an M148 by a fellow taper. I will use it first this weekend. The problem is that I only have an SBM-1 (Oade T-Mod) to run behind it. Mine tested out perfectly with Doug, but I really don't like its sound. I was considering running the M148 straight into the M1's line in, but the M148 has a fixed 20dB gain, which can be very bad at higher SPL's, and I don't want to overload the M1 line in !!!!

I've been asking around, and no one is able to lend me their A/D converter or hard disk recorder this weekend or week. I'd like to use a V3, AD2K or AD2K+, MME, AD1K or even a big hard disk recorder like the Fostex FR-2.

Shows I have coming up:
10/30: R.E.M. - The Borgata (2,700 people) - Atlantic City, NJ - I'll be in 17th Row center running ORTF alongside a friend who runs KM-140's > SX-M2 > M1
10/31: The Astrojet - Pianos Bar - NYC - Open Taping. Running mics on stand in a small bar for a loud rock band. Set is from 8:30PM - 9:15PM. Also have board access but need an extra deck.
11/4: R.E.M. - Madison Square Garden - NYC - Stealth again, but I am going to be in the venue early for soundcheck and bypassing security. For the show, I'll be in the front of Section 6 near the center aisle.

If anyone could help me out, I can drive to meet you in person in NJ, NYC, Philly or nearby those areas. I'll take *very* good care of your gear and deliver it back as soon as Monday, 11/1. I'm trying to decide what A/D to get and having a hell of a time deciding when I never get a chance to use one. All the shows I go to are either stealth or if open, I'm the only taper. I don't have the luxury of swapping gear, so I hope someone could help me out before I make a decision on an A/D.

Thanks,
Tom in NJ

[caymanreview]

ive just watched 2 people -T him since he posted this. if you have somethign to say, then say it guys

[caymanreview]

Tom seems like good people to me, from talking with him, i just need my v3 this weekend

[Just Taper Mark from NC]

yeah,lots of taping going on this weekend.mine will be getting a workout
this weekend,and with my new leegeddy RA power cable

[gewwang]

ive just watched 2 people -T him since he posted this. if you have somethign to say, then say it guys

who else -T him? just kidding

[Daryan]

Unfortunately, I have shows the 29th and 30th, and then the 5th and 6th of Nov.  If you want ithe fr-2 for a show or two after that, let me know.
Daryan

It is definately availible the week of November 14th (my b-day), I am going on vacation!

[caymanreview]

check yo pm's D

[heath]

ive just watched 2 people -T him since he posted this. if you have somethign to say, then say it guys

word. 

if my ad1k wasn't dead, I'd send it your way.  sorry brah. 

H

[wboswell]

I seriously doubt that you'll have an issue with the +20db of fixed gain with 4021's.  We had ran an ad1000 behind 4022>m148 last year FOB at Xmas Jam and we never got decent levels.  We had to put a V3 set to +20 behind it just to get decent levels.

[marc0789]

Tom, you'll like 4021>m148>tmod sbm1 just fine. you can run the m1 behind the m148, but why? the m148 has plenty of warmth, if that's what worries you.

forget the 2k, it's fixed gain and won't work. and my personal opinion is that running a v3 behind an m148 really doesn't do the justice...other than boswell's tapes. 

[wboswell]

Tom, you'll like 4021>m148>tmod sbm1 just fine. you can run the m1 behind the m148, but why? the m148 has plenty of warmth, if that's what worries you.

forget the 2k, it's fixed gain and won't work. and my personal opinion is that running a v3 behind an m148 really doesn't do the justice...other than boswell's tapes. 

I'm bookmarking this thread

[twoodruff]

Tom, you'll like 4021>m148>tmod sbm1 just fine. you can run the m1 behind the m148, but why? the m148 has plenty of warmth, if that's what worries you.

forget the 2k, it's fixed gain and won't work. and my personal opinion is that running a v3 behind an m148 really doesn't do the justice...other than boswell's tapes. 

I disagree, boswell sucks.

Anyways, I use the m148 in front of the v3 because I like the warmth it adds. Works great in rooms that are not particularly great sounding, that is where i see a major fault in the v3 because it can sound dry and distant in less than stellar situations, also I love the sound of the m148 and the v3 brings it closer and adds a bit of a high end boost where I feel the m148 extenuates the lows. <-- run on sentence. Yeah I wish I had a mod sbm-1 as well, I do not love the minime as I once did, its construction sucks.

[Mic D]

I seriously doubt that you'll have an issue with the +20db of fixed gain with 4021's.

Agreed and fwiw, I do NOT like  the 4022>m148>v3 combo. The MME would be a great choice (sound-wise). 

Kevin (former 4022, m148 and v3 owner)

[marc0789]

the warm mod sbm1 sounds a little warmer and rounder than the mme, but it's sure easier to use, and is a really nice match with the m148. I'd prefer uv22, but not by that much. I'd still run the mme, but running m148>mme>m1, trying to calibrate levels with a screwdriver is a tremendous pita. It was doable with the hhb, cause I could look right at the face while adjusting levels. carrying a mountainsmith "manbag" is sure easier than a huge 60 lb backpack, and takes up a shitload less room in aisles.

[Mic D]

I'd still run the mme, but running m148>mme>m1, trying to calibrate levels with a screwdriver is a tremendous pita.

Come on now, it's not that hard. If I can do, anyone can. Just use two screwdrivers.

[wboswell]

Tom, you'll like 4021>m148>tmod sbm1 just fine. you can run the m1 behind the m148, but why? the m148 has plenty of warmth, if that's what worries you.

forget the 2k, it's fixed gain and won't work. and my personal opinion is that running a v3 behind an m148 really doesn't do the justice...other than boswell's tapes. 

I agree, boswell's tapes always smoke.  That's why I bought his old mics .

Anyways, I use the m148 in front of the v3 because I like the warmth it adds. Works great in rooms that are not particularly great sounding, that is where i see a major fault in the v3 because it can sound dry and distant in less than stellar situations, also I love the sound of the m148 and the v3 brings it closer and adds a bit of a high end boost where I feel the m148 extenuates the lows. <-- run on sentence. Yeah I wish I had a mod sbm-1 as well, I do not love the minime as I once did, its construction sucks.

I think it accentuates the lows.

[marc0789]

it's not hard. but when you can't really look at deck levels while you are doing it, and have to rely on the mme meters, it's a problem. not impossible, but a pita.

throw in the retarded static issue, not to mention that based on problems peeps are having, the shelf life of one of these things seems to be about 2 years, not worth dealing with.

[Mic D]

it's not hard. but when you can't really look at deck levels while you are doing it, and have to rely on the mme meters, it's a problem. not impossible, but a pita.

Well if you put it that way then yes, it is a pita but who relies on the MMe's lights anyway? When I ran one I had my bag set to where my deck was always right in front of me (if I can't see my decks meters then my rig isn't setup right). I do see where you're coming from, though.

[wboswell]

Marc-
where does the knob on the Mod.sbm usually stay with the 148 infront of it?  6-7 range?  Been wondering...

[BC]

I was lucky enough to be lent an M148 by a fellow taper. I will use it first this weekend. The problem is that I only have an SBM-1 (Oade T-Mod) to run behind it. Mine tested out perfectly with Doug, but I really don't like its sound. I was considering running the M148 straight into the M1's line in, but the M148 has a fixed 20dB gain, which can be very bad at higher SPL's, and I don't want to overload the M1 line in !!!!

I agree with wboswell, I HIGHLY doubt you will overload the M1 line in running 4021's with a M148 since the DPA compact condensers are of quite low sensitivity (~7mV/Pa). The lowest I have ever run my V3 with 4022's has been at ~+25-30, this was at the Roots Rock Reggae Fest in Chicago where the bass was kicking BIG-TIME. For most smaller club-type rock shows running at +35 to +37 gives me peaks right around -2dB, for big arena shows like Phish I usually ran +38 to +40.  My guess is that if anything, you will have problems getting your levels high enough running line-in to the M1 if the show is not very loud.


Go team DPA! 
Take care,
Ben

[thoman8r]

Marc-
where does the knob on the Mod.sbm usually stay with the 148 infront of it?  6-7 range?  Been wondering...

For a rock show, if I run it with the 10dB pad on my gefells it is usually around 7 or 8.  Without the pad probably 3 or 4 if it's a decently loud show.

[macdaddy]

fwiw, i run my dpa4060s into the modsbm1 (line in) and stay between (just below) five - (never above) 7 or 8. i know my mics have a different sensitivity than yours, but maybe the info still might help give you a more accurate gauge...

some people run that sbm1 hotter than others. i am at the cool end of that spectrum, too (i prefer to rarely see the peak OVER lights go off)...

speaking of the sbm1, is doug oade doing a new mod for the unit? what is the transparent mod? how does this differ from the rebuilt line stage mod that Doug has already done to my unit? (thanks, in advance, for any feedback on this)

[nickgregory]

apparently most of the mods he did under the "Oade mod" monicker were of the warm mod variety.  According to what I think he told George, he has done a few presence mods and at least one transparent mod (george has one).  I would guess that the sound characteristics are similar to his UA-5 descriptions.  I own a warm mod and is exactly that...fat, warm sounding.  Georges t-mod for the pearl jam show recreated pretty much what you heard there....I am really tempted to send mine in to get it modded to a Tmod at some point as the wmod can really over pronounce the bass for loud rock shows...

hope that helps!

[macdaddy]

jeez - i wonder what mod i have then..? i guess i will email him and ask...

[zhianosatch]

mark, i'll bet you have a w-mod.

[caymanreview]

what ever came of this?