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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 09:10:26 AM

Title: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 09:10:26 AM
Hey guys.  I popped my taping-a-major-band cherry last night at the Duo.  Everything went pretty well, save a drunk chick who thought my rig was a video camera and decided she ought to walk right up to it and yell that into it.  She was forgivable for her looks though.

Anyway, I need some gain, like big time.  I peak at -18.  Needless to say, that's wayyyyyyyyyy too quiet.

So, anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap box to get me some gain (adjustable preferred, but not 100% necessary)?

TIA
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 10:08:42 AM
You could replace the flying calf with an AD-20.  I really liked the sound of my 853's / AD-20 combo.  I've been using a digi mod UA-5 lately, though, due to the ease of having one box that provides power, gain & an AD (UA-5 would work for your needs to, BTW).  If you make the decision to go with the AD-20, I may be interested in selling mine.  Just send me a PM if you want to go that route.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on October 19, 2006, 10:27:50 AM
What gear are you currently using?  Do you have a budget (and if so, what is it)?  Open or stealth?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 10:39:23 AM
What gear are you currently using?  Do you have a budget (and if so, what is it)?  Open or stealth?

I was assuming that he was running the gear listed in his tagline when I responded, FWIW.  But I know what assuming can do  ;)
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on October 19, 2006, 10:43:13 AM
I was assuming that he was running the gear listed in his tagline

Seems like a reasonable assumption.  I didn't see the gear in the signature because I hide all avatars and signatures to prevent the schlock from cluttering up my screen.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 19, 2006, 11:00:14 AM
Thanks Brian.  I'm using:
AT853Wa>"Crown Royal" 3-Wire BB>Midiman Flying Calf A/D> Hosa ODL-276> iRiver iHP-120

Pretty small, but I don't see myself doing much stealth work.

I also thought about the AD-20, cgrooves.  I'll have to see.  I really liked the sound I got last night, especially for as little as I have invested in this rig.

Any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on October 19, 2006, 11:10:29 AM
Any other suggestions?

Possibly.  Budget?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: cgrooves on October 19, 2006, 11:25:10 AM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers.  You are going to have a pretty bulky chain with that, however.  You are already having to convert coax to optical by using the flying calf / iRiver combo, so I would consider replacing the calf with a good pre/AD that has optical output.  Then you wouldn't need the hosa box or line transformers in the chain.  Just a thought.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Chanher on October 19, 2006, 12:13:12 PM
I just ordered a st-9100 from church audio, gonna try it out with some sound pro true binaurals. I'll post a review when I get to try it out. I might do a comp between the st-9100 and just a batt box (using the jb3's gain).
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Chuck on October 19, 2006, 12:15:37 PM
I happen to have an AD-20 I don't use. I'd be willing to sell it.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 02:20:05 AM
I guess if I had to put a budget on it I'd want something ~$200ish maybe.  If that does anything.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Chuck on October 20, 2006, 10:09:01 AM
I happen to have an AD-20 I don't use. I'd be willing to sell it.

I have an AD-20...
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 02:53:54 PM
The AD-20 adds fixed gain, right?  How much?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: BJ on October 20, 2006, 03:17:19 PM
mic2496 is variable, has digi out for your iriver, and is stealthable if you wanted....and.. ;D ;D I know where one is for sell for CHEAPO!   >:D >:D
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Chuck on October 20, 2006, 03:33:41 PM
The AD-20 adds fixed gain, right?  How much?

The Denecke AD-20 http://www.denecke.com/prod04.htm supplies between 16 - 60 db of gain independently and continuously variable on each channel. It does not, however, supply phantom power, but I think you determined that you don't need phantom power. It would be less than $200 shipped.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Craig T on October 20, 2006, 04:02:55 PM
So, anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap box to get me some gain (adjustable preferred, but not 100% necessary)?

(http://di1.shopping.com/images/di/48/53/4e/4e372d6d4d76744936583031426a3041546351-160x200-0-0.jpg)

$40?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 06:27:14 PM
So, anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap box to get me some gain (adjustable preferred, but not 100% necessary)?

(http://di1.shopping.com/images/di/48/53/4e/4e372d6d4d76744936583031426a3041546351-160x200-0-0.jpg)

$40?

Caught me off guard and I'm rolling.

Chuck, the thing I hesitate about the AD-20 on is that my Flying Calf right now has nice meters that I can see without having to mess with the iRiver.  And since I'm not planning on much stealthing, and if I ever do it will be mics>3 wire>iRiver, the size really isn't an issue.  So this is my dilemma. 
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: ethan on October 20, 2006, 06:46:06 PM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers. 

I'll second this. You get about 20db gain out them. I use them line in to my SBM1 and have plenty of signal plus they sound really nice.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 20, 2006, 06:57:46 PM
If I'm peaking at maybe -15, is 20db gain going to cause me to clip all the time?  This was at the Duo, and I doubt many shows I tape will be significantly louder than this one, but some probably will be by a bit.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Chuck on October 20, 2006, 07:30:11 PM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers. 

I'll second this. You get about 20db gain out them. I use them line in to my SBM1 and have plenty of signal plus they sound really nice.

Ethan:
What line transformers are you using?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: ethan on October 22, 2006, 02:44:37 PM
Any other suggestions?

A cheap gain solution would be line transformers. 

I'll second this. You get about 20db gain out them. I use them line in to my SBM1 and have plenty of signal plus they sound really nice.

Ethan:
What line transformers are you using?

I'm using AT CP8201's
I pick these because they have a load impedance that matches the SBM-1's line-in impedance.

-e
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: ethan on October 22, 2006, 02:46:31 PM
If I'm peaking at maybe -15, is 20db gain going to cause me to clip all the time?  This was at the Duo, and I doubt many shows I tape will be significantly louder than this one, but some probably will be by a bit.

You have something to adjust your record levels don't you?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 22, 2006, 03:25:13 PM
No, that's what I was looking for, because this was my first outing going optical in to the iRiver and I didn't know until the night before that there's no adjusting the levels when doing the digital in bit, and by that time it was too late to buy anything.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on October 22, 2006, 05:25:04 PM
If I'm peaking at maybe -15, is 20db gain going to cause me to clip all the time?

Yes.  If your original levels peak at -15 dB, then applying +20 dB of gain will clip your levels.  In other words, any time your original levels hit -20 dB or higher, your new levels with an additional 20 dB of gain from the transformers will hit 0 dBFS and clip.

Does the Flying Calf allow you to adjust levels?
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: Ryan Sims on October 22, 2006, 06:09:35 PM
No, right now I have no way to adjust the levels.  So I guess I'm looking for a box that will get me gain and let me adjust it as well.
Title: Re: Suggestions for gain?
Post by: BJ on October 23, 2006, 04:35:34 PM
No, right now I have no way to adjust the levels.  So I guess I'm looking for a box that will get me gain and let me adjust it as well.

mic2496   >:D >:D