Topic: MP-2 > UA-5?

[Rick]

Recently I've been running SX-M2 > Stock UA-5 and I run XLR > RCA. I have the "input volume" all the way open (to the right) and adjust the levels with the SX-M2.  I haven't done an formal comparison, but I'm not so sure SX-M2 > UA-5 > D100 sounds any better then SX-M2 > D100. That's why I'm selling mine.

[dklein]

Just a suggestion but why not run attenuators betweent the pre and the UA5 to cut 10 or 15 db's off the signal before it hits the UA5?

Yes, this should work fine.  I just didn't have any attenuators on me, nor did I even consider the fact I might need them.

How about turning the input level (on the rear) way down?  It is an attenuator and not a gain control.

[Chris K]

i have run my mp-2 into an oade digi mid ua-5 a few times. get yourself a good pair of xlr>rca cables. maybe someone on this board can make them for you. connect xlr out of the mp-2 into the rca ins of the ua-5.

you can also use a stereo 1/8" miniplug>stereo rca cable

i find the ua-5 to be a fine a/d converter, but i dont like the access to the gain knob for the rca inputs which is a tiny knob in the rear of the ua-5. a 1-1/2" 10-32 wellnut that can be had at a good hardware store and can make the gain knob a little easier to use

do not run mp-2 XLR out > ua-5 XLR (or TRS) in, you will be going from mp-2 preamp to ua-5 preamp.

i run my mp-2 gain all the way down, that is the gain knobs totally counterclockwise, and when music starts playing adjust only the side that is a little lower levelwise than the other to even out. then adjust the rca gain on the rear of the ua-5 so the high points are blinking the over led which goes off i believe at -3db.

hope this helps...have fun

[Rick]

Just a suggestion but why not run attenuators betweent the pre and the UA5 to cut 10 or 15 db's off the signal before it hits the UA5?

Yes, this should work fine.  I just didn't have any attenuators on me, nor did I even consider the fact I might need them.

How about turning the input level (on the rear) way down?  It is an attenuator and not a gain control.

It's the opposite. all the way up is 0db

[dklein]

Just a suggestion but why not run attenuators betweent the pre and the UA5 to cut 10 or 15 db's off the signal before it hits the UA5?

Yes, this should work fine.  I just didn't have any attenuators on me, nor did I even consider the fact I might need them.

How about turning the input level (on the rear) way down?  It is an attenuator and not a gain control.

It's the opposite. all the way up is 0db

Aaren't we saying the same thing?  If it's 0 dB when it's all the way up then any other setting is attenuation (although there may be some minimum gain in there anyways)

[Craig T]

Level knob on the rear for the line inputs is at unity gain around 1-2 o'clock.  "all the way up"/clockwise does not equal 0 gain.  (from correspondence with D.Oade)

[Rick]

opps, I miss read it 

Nominal Input Level (variable)
Input 1/2: -50 -- 0 dBu
Input 3/4: -10 dBu

[AT853rxwh]

Dunno, maybe I have tin ears but I liked the sound of the MP-2 straight into the NJB3 vs MP2>UA-5...  Seemed a bit fuller to me.

[drewloo]

Dunno, maybe I have tin ears but I liked the sound of the MP-2 straight into the NJB3 vs MP2>UA-5...  Seemed a bit fuller to me.

Out of curiosity what mics were you using?  thanks

[AT853rxwh]

Dunno, maybe I have tin ears but I liked the sound of the MP-2 straight into the NJB3 vs MP2>UA-5...  Seemed a bit fuller to me.

Out of curiosity what mics were you using?  thanks

AT853's

[drewloo]

Cool.  I've been thinking of getting some 853's or something similar for stealthing & would be using them w/ an MP2>D8 or M1.  I gotta admit that I'm a little suprised you didn't like the UA5 in there since it has a better A/D than the JB3 (well, going on comments from others who went straight in to the JB3 w/ other stuff), but it's nice that it works out for you. +t

[AT853rxwh]

Cool.  I've been thinking of getting some 853's or something similar for stealthing & would be using them w/ an MP2>D8 or M1.  I gotta admit that I'm a little suprised you didn't like the UA5 in there since it has a better A/D than the JB3 (well, going on comments from others who went straight in to the JB3 w/ other stuff), but it's nice that it works out for you. +t

Dunno, the UA-5 seemed "sterile" sounding... (then again mine was just a digimod'd one.)  The 853's are phantom'd btw.  That seems to make the most difference on those mics.  They work okay on plug power, but really come alive with phantom...