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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 01:23:31 PM

Title: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 01:23:31 PM
I've ran thru the archive section with all the stealth gear info, but didn't really find what i was looking for.

I'm looking for a good stealthable preamp/adc for use with my micros.  Now i know half of your are going to tell me to with the mp2 and a mod sbm1, but i was wondering if there are any other options.  perhaps cheaper.

I taped my first couple of shows this weekend with the micros and my UA-5 and now I think it might be time to upgrade the UA-5 to something smaller or better, hopefully both if its possible.  I mean, if i'm gonna drop $1k on a mp2 and a mod sbm1, i'd rather just save another grand and buy a sd722 and then i could get rid of my njb3 too. 

anyway, any advice will be appreciated.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Zaphod on September 27, 2004, 01:28:35 PM
AD20/PS2? Of course there's always the Core Sound Mic2496. I don't know if either of those will sound better than a UA5.

Look at it this was if you get an MP2, they usually go fast in the yard sale.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 01:42:09 PM
hmm, the core sound mic2496 looks interesting, but i've heard misc bad things about core sound so i've always been afraid of their stuff.  does anyone have any opinions on this?

i'm gonna have to look for audio samples while i'm at it.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Zaphod on September 27, 2004, 01:59:00 PM
MattZ, I think that's his name runs Audix>mic2496 says he likes it better than the AD20/PS2 combo. But if you run that you'll need an battery pack since the Audix are so power hungry.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 02:04:20 PM
awesome, i'll have to send him a pm sometime soon.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Tim on September 27, 2004, 02:15:32 PM
what about a V3?

Todd R ran his audix with the V3 for awhile and made some very nice tapes...
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 03:18:37 PM
yeah, i'd pick up a v3 in a second if i had the cash.  the only downfall with the v3 would be that it'd be just as hard to stealth as my UA-5.

i'd like to get a v3 sooner or later, but at the second i still tape a few stealth shows on occasion and i don't have the money for two setups, so i'm kind of stuck with one or the other.  however, if i could get a v3 for the right price, i'd grab it in a heartbeat.

edit: also, with talk of the mic2496 i've been looking at ipaqs and it looks like i could pick a nice one up for around 500 and it'd be capable of other things besides recording.  so i may be considering that option, especially considering that the price of compact flash is dropping quickly.  but i have no money at the second and i'm open to any and all suggestions.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 27, 2004, 03:20:18 PM
what about a dmic-20, those sound damn good in the right places :)

i used one w/ my 480's until about this time last year, if the micros really sound like the 480's like some say, i think that would be a good combo :)

and theyre relatively cheap, prolly find one for 325 used, thats about what i sold mine for if memory serves me correct :)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: pfife on September 27, 2004, 03:21:01 PM
Ed, you can borrow my ad-20 to try out if you so desire, but I don't have anything to provide phantom power for you...  but, IMHO, the AD-20 isn't as small as many would make it seem.  Stealthable, but not that small.  I have pulled some pretty cool tapes with the AD-20.

How do you feel about the A/D's in the NJB3?  I see a lot of people run a non-A/D pre with stealth stuff, but rarely into an NJB3...


All I have to offer... but you are free to give it a shot if you can acquire a ps2 or something

Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: jpschust on September 27, 2004, 03:28:26 PM
what about just a line mod sbm-1?
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Tim on September 27, 2004, 03:29:33 PM
what about just a line mod sbm-1?

beat me to it.

sorry, I missed the point about stealth.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 03:30:59 PM
bean: the dmic-20 provides phantom power and also does a>d?  also, how big is it?

andy: i was looking at the ad20 and considering it, however, i'd like to have fewer boxes and i'd definitely need something to power the mics as well.  i kinda want the adc too.  eventho the njb3 a>d is bearable, i'd kinda like to stick with the outboard adc.

seriously, i should just get a v3, i'd be happiest with that.  if i can't get it into shows, then oh well i guess.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 03:32:57 PM
what about just a line mod sbm-1?

i thought the mod to the sbm-1 just enhanced the adc.  sorry, apparently i'm completely clueless to this stuff.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 27, 2004, 03:40:28 PM
yep, provides +48volts, and also has an a/d stage :)

dimension wise, i dont know, i would measure if it was in front of me :)

check out grahampatten.com or grahampattensoundpals.com
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: pfife on September 27, 2004, 03:43:25 PM
yep, provides +48volts, and also has an a/d stage :)

dimension wise, i dont know, i would measure if it was in front of me :)

check out grahampatten.com or grahampattensoundpals.com

you'd need a converter box to make it optical for the jb3 then, true?
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: caymanreview on September 27, 2004, 03:43:48 PM
yes, you would need a converter for the dmic20
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 03:46:59 PM
thanks bean +t

yeah, i don't know what to do really.  really, i only stealth around 3-4 shows a year anymore.  so technically, upgrading to a v3 might be a really good idea that i should look into more.

the whole palm recorder thing also looks interesting, especially with the option of 24/96 in the future and the constant dropping price of computer stuff.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 27, 2004, 03:50:13 PM
go v3 then, its the best damn pre/ad my ears have heard :)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 27, 2004, 03:51:14 PM
by the time i save enuf money for one, i wonder if the v4s will be out. ;D
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 27, 2004, 03:55:32 PM
+T backatcha ed :)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: John Kelly on September 28, 2004, 02:13:20 AM
Just saw this thread...  I run them with the v3 and I love the sound I get out of that combo.  However I also have a MixPre and think it sounds great as well.  I have done a few shows with m1290 > MixPre > JB3 only using an 1/8" to 1/8" cable between the MixPre and the JB3.  If you plan on stealthing a lot I'd definitely get the MP-2/MixPre.

However if you can afford the v3 and don't mind the added difficulty for stealth situations, I do like the v3 better. ;)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on September 28, 2004, 11:17:25 AM
yeah, i think i'm going to do what i can with my UA-5 and live with the results and save money for the v3.  It'd probably be my best bet.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: caymanreview on September 28, 2004, 11:23:59 AM
i know i love my new v3!
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: super-phat-al on October 05, 2004, 09:11:20 PM
id give the core sound 2496 a go.  very stealthable and pretty cool looking. 
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on October 06, 2004, 05:39:00 AM
i have a bunch of (early 90's high end) stereo equipment that was given to me, but i can't really enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed and at the moment i prefer my onkyo 6.1 system more and its easier to deal with.  so i'm going to be selling the stereo equipment over the next couple of weeks and opting for a v3.  i'll lose my stealth capabilities, but for the most part i don't do that much stealthing anyway.

so hopefully i'll have a v3 by christmas ;D
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: caymanreview on October 06, 2004, 06:54:53 AM
i have a bunch of (early 90's high end) stereo equipment that was given to me, but i can't really enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed and at the moment i prefer my onkyo 6.1 system more and its easier to deal with.  so i'm going to be selling the stereo equipment over the next couple of weeks and opting for a v3.  i'll lose my stealth capabilities, but for the most part i don't do that much stealthing anyway.

so hopefully i'll have a v3 by christmas ;D

right on. gotta say, as a gear slut, i love my V3,a nd i dont foresee letting it go anytime soon at all ;) that says something right there ;)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on October 06, 2004, 06:59:29 AM
haha, yeah, i'm getting antsy for it right now, cuz i know its coming, but i can't get it yet.  i wonder if there was a way i could get the one i plan on buying in the future in advance?  i've been watching some equipment on ebay that is the same as mine, and the prices are going higher than what i thought they would so i might have enuf for the optical mod which would be awesome.  i need to get my friends digi camera pronto so i can get them up on ebay.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on October 06, 2004, 11:37:59 AM
MattZ, I think that's his name runs Audix>mic2496 says he likes it better than the AD20/PS2 combo. But if you run that you'll need an battery pack since the Audix are so power hungry.

Hi there.
Just how power hungry are the Audix mics? The spec sheet doesn't say. Considering they are phantom powered they just aren't able to obtain more than (48 Volts/6800 Ohms) = 7mA/per xlr pin. 14mA per mic.


i ran them for about 4 hours straight the other night with just one battery going to the ua-5 and i never noticed a problem, but i haven't really ran any tests.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on October 06, 2004, 12:37:43 PM
A member of the board got a response from Audix indicating the current draw ranges from 6.05-6.45 mA.

Edit: Archived thread (http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1904.15) added
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on October 06, 2004, 01:22:44 PM
that is an awesome idea jon, +t  -  but i think i'm going to be much happier with the v3...even if i can't go stealth.

ya know, depending on some things, the ad-20 idea, might still be possible.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 06, 2004, 01:42:44 PM
*cough* v3 v3 v3 v3 *cough*

get some samples off of joh kelly and see how ya like the combo :)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on October 06, 2004, 02:35:40 PM
its all just a matter of time bean! ;D  - i got a quote from sonic sense for a nice price on the optical mod v3

oh man, i can't wait.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: John Kelly on October 06, 2004, 03:14:45 PM
Yeah I have some newer tapes I've been meaning to convert that sound badass.  Couple of omni tapes too. ;D

Let me know if anyone wants samples.
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 06, 2004, 03:19:16 PM
Yeah I have some newer tapes I've been meaning to convert that sound badass.  Couple of omni tapes too. ;D

Let me know if anyone wants samples.

i do, i do, i still havent heard the micro>v3 tapes ;D
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: John Kelly on October 07, 2004, 01:48:13 AM
Yeah I have some newer tapes I've been meaning to convert that sound badass.  Couple of omni tapes too. ;D

Let me know if anyone wants samples.

i do, i do, i still havent heard the micro>v3 tapes ;D

Alright, I'll put some stuff up tomorrow.  Just for you bean. ;)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 07, 2004, 01:55:52 AM
Yeah I have some newer tapes I've been meaning to convert that sound badass.  Couple of omni tapes too. ;D

Let me know if anyone wants samples.

i do, i do, i still havent heard the micro>v3 tapes ;D

Alright, I'll put some stuff up tomorrow.  Just for you bean. ;)

hehe, thanks bud ;D

only this is, im highspeed challenged :P
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: John Kelly on October 07, 2004, 02:10:29 AM
Yeah I have some newer tapes I've been meaning to convert that sound badass.  Couple of omni tapes too. ;D

Let me know if anyone wants samples.

i do, i do, i still havent heard the micro>v3 tapes ;D

Alright, I'll put some stuff up tomorrow.  Just for you bean. ;)

hehe, thanks bud ;D

only this is, im highspeed challenged :P

So mp3s it is then? ;)
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 07, 2004, 02:20:52 AM
Yeah I have some newer tapes I've been meaning to convert that sound badass.  Couple of omni tapes too. ;D

Let me know if anyone wants samples.

i do, i do, i still havent heard the micro>v3 tapes ;D

Alright, I'll put some stuff up tomorrow.  Just for you bean. ;)

hehe, thanks bud ;D

only this is, im highspeed challenged :P

So mp3s it is then? ;)

hehe, at 128kbs if ya could ;) ;D
Title: Re: good small preamp/adc for use with the audix micros?
Post by: Ed. on October 07, 2004, 02:56:35 AM
i wouldn't mind hearing some either.

i thought there was a 1290 > v3 show up on the archive, but i might be mistaken.