Topic: So I got a Microtrack II, what now?

[beatthediese]

I'm very new to this but I feel like I should be able to catch on rather easily, I guess I'm just searching for some more detailed responses. I'm familiar with recording as I have an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB that I do home demos with all the time. Here's what I'm doing exactly: On January 16th my band is doing a local show and a buddy of mine is going to film with a few HD cams, so I'd like to get some better audio that he can mix in with it. Going soundboard is not really an option. So, I have an M-Audio Microtrack II and was curious as to what else you guys would recommend. I'm on a budget of about $300 as far as the mics/battery box/pres etc.

How does it all work together? The Mics go to the battery box which goes to the Microtrack. I get that, but what are all of the connections? How does the SPDIF work, I know nothing about that. I've seen talk of Church Audio mics, is their a site that I can purchase from other than their ebay store? Which will suit me better the CSB set for $260 or a set of Church Audio stuff? We're a louder band in the van of Mudhoney and Pavement.

Thanks a ton to everybody that answers!

-Adam

[J.Maye]

A church audio set of mice/pre and a cable from pre>MT is all you need and will sound better then the CSB's. You can email chris, he is a member here. Check out the retail section for more details.

[Jhurlbs81]

Hey Adam-

FIrst off, welcome.  You've found a great resource of helpful folks who share the same hobby you're getting into.  I can help with a few of your questions; first off the SPDIF is a digital connection that you wouldn't use unless you had a digital source, like a UA5 (which is a pre-amp and A/D converter.) You wouldn't need to mess with that at this point.  

As far as your mics and BB go, I'd PM Chris Church.  He is a regular on this board and from what I have seen provides great support and many around these parts love his mics/pres.  Also, if you haven't already, check out the Yard Sale. Often time you can find the gear you want used.  Buying used gear is a great value, b/c you can get better gear at a cheaper price.  Also, the retail board has a lot of info on Church Audio products.  

Good luck!
Jesse

[NOLAfishwater]

you want to get this package
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90474.0.html

It will come with two capsules (cardiod & omni) and battery box. The battery box will power the mics and usually has a 1/8 (mini plug) out put. So you would need a male1/8 to male1/8 cable to run from the battery box to your MTII. In the menu you can select record setting. You want to make sure that your input is set to 1/8. Good luck.

[dorrcoq]

you want to get this package
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90474.0.html

It will come with two capsules (cardiod & omni) and battery box. The battery box will power the mics and usually has a 1/8 (mini plug) out put. So you would need a male1/8 to male1/8 cable to run from the battery box to your MTII. In the menu you can select record setting. You want to make sure that your input is set to 1/8. Good luck.

Actually that package has a preamp, not a battery box.

[rsimms3]

He has a gig in about 3 weeks, no way Chris can fill an order in that time with the holidays and such.  His stuff is good, but to come in under your deadline you'll have to look elsewhere. 

Check with this seller and see if his AT853s and Sound Professionals 3 Wire Pre are still available.  The AT853s don't list caps, I would assume they would come with them, but he lists a set of Card Caps separate.  Those would come in under your budget.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,112794.0.html

[SmokinJoe]

Adam,

Where to you live?  Perhaps one of us lives in the area, and help you out for that particular evening?

[rsimms3]

Adam,

Where to you live?  Perhaps one of us lives in the area, and help you out for that particular evening?

Ooo, now that's a good idea.

[beatthediese]

Man guys, thanks for all of the fast responses! I live about 45 min North East of Dallas, Tx in a town called Greenville, and that is where the show will take place.

That sucks that the turn around time isn't fast enough because after all of the reading that sounds like what I'd want to go with!

So do I need pres or a battery box, I'm a little confused with that now. Is the battery box just supplying the phantom power because the M II won't?

Thanks again!

[beatthediese]

And i'm not sure if I'm just a complete idiot or what but I've tried PMing Chris and every time it takes me right back and tells me I need to enter in the letters in the boxes and each time I do and it still will not send.

[rastasean]

And i'm not sure if I'm just a complete idiot or what but I've tried PMing Chris and every time it takes me right back and tells me I need to enter in the letters in the boxes and each time I do and it still will not send.

This is probably due to the fact that you have less than 50 posts to your name.

Email him:      cchurch32@cogeco.ca

http://taperssection.com/index.php?action=profile;u=14500

[Brian Skalinder]

I've tried PMing Chris and every time it takes me right back and tells me I need to enter in the letters in the boxes and each time I do and it still will not send.

PM sent, should be sorted, now. 

[beatthediese]

cool, thank you.

so if I were to get that 9100 package that comes with the pres and the mics, do I still need a battery box on top of that or will the pres take care of that issue?

also, let me ask you guys this. the room I will be recording in is a pretty loud room. old wooden floors and pretty open so the sound will probably be bouncing all over the place. should i use cards or omnis? provided I actually find a pair before then!

[Brian Skalinder]

The preamp will power the mics, no need for a separate battery box.

[J.Maye]

the pre removes the need for a battery box. All you'll need is a 9v battery and a cable from the 9100>MT.

When in doubt, the cards are usually a pretty solid choice.

[fmaderjr]

The best cable for the ST-9100 into the MTII can be bought here:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-MICROTRACK-MINI-TRS-1
Be sure to select MTII in middle drop down box.

It is the best cable because it solves the much discussed "sprinkler noise" problem when going unbalanced to line in. With it, you will be able to use the gain from the MTII as well as from the ST-9100 should you ever need to.
Sound Pro's will ship within a week.

I believe Chris Church may guarantee you delivery before January 16. It may or may not cost an extra $20-$30.
Send him an email if you can't PM. With 4 weeks to go, he may do it at no extra charge. He's very good at customer relations even though his normal shipping times can be lengthy.

[beatthediese]

thanks for the info, i finally got a PM to go through so hopefully I'll be hearing from him soon.

so 1/8 to 1/8 makes a 'sprinkler' noise? that's weird. i'll have to pick up that cable for sure if that's the case.

[beatthediese]

i hate to ask yet another question but I'd just like to make sure I have all of this correct.

with this cable, i'm now going 1/8 to dual 1/4 inch and now I need to make sure I turn the phantom power on the microtrack off? wouldn't it be off anyway if I'm using the pres that power the mics?

[rsimms3]

i hate to ask yet another question but I'd just like to make sure I have all of this correct.

with this cable, i'm now going 1/8 to dual 1/4 inch and now I need to make sure I turn the phantom power on the microtrack off? wouldn't it be off anyway if I'm using the pres that power the mics?

Not necessarily.  You want it off, make sure the switch is in the off position because if it's on you will be putting power to a signal that already has power from the pre and you just want to pass the audio signal into the MT.

[fmaderjr]

1/8 to 1/8 doesn't make the sprinkler noise, but you don't want to go mic in with a preamp. Only the mic in is 1/8 on the MT. You need the cable I mentioned to go line in to the MTII without the "sprinkler noise".

However if the MTII's mic in provides 5 volts of plug in power (like I know the MT 24/96 does) Chris Church may say that for your application you could skip the preamp/battery box entirely and simply go mic in with your Church Audio mic. Chris has said that 5 volts powers his mics just as well as 9 volts. Ask him if interested in this option.

If using the Sound Pro's cable to line in, phantom power must be off or you'll fry the mics.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

The MT is gonna blow you away!

[hawghunter]

Your username sounds familar. However, I think you will be good with that setup. It is what I started with and still have, except I had/ have the MT1. Now go and record Local H, haa I knew I would figure it out where your from. Cool another H taper. Have fun and oh, you will have to leave your wallet at the door. 

[nameloc01]

-Get cardiods.
-Use a battery box or a power supplying preamp.
-Do not plug into "mic in"...use the "line in".
-Turn the "phantom power" off.
-Set your levels correctly.
-use good,fresh batteries.
-rock n' roll.

[Todd R]

It seems like most people are suggesting micro mics.

The MTII provides 48v phantom on its 1/4" TRS inputs, so you could look at full size condensers.  Someone has a pair of Audio-Technica AT4041's in the yardsale for $300.  The AT4041's are nice mics, I used them for awhile and made many fine tapes using them.

You could also get a pair of Avant/Avantone ck-1 mics.  The cardioid only are about $200/pair, and the 3-capsule version with cards, hypers, and omnis are about $300 a pair.  Also Studio Projects c4's are in the budget range as well.

Besides mic stand, cables, t-mount, you could just run condenser mics straight into the MTII, and then upgrade to an external mic preamp later if/when you decide to put more money into your rig.  Esp since you have a louder band, I don't think some of the noise problems people are concerned about going mic in on the MTII would be too much of a concern.

[itsoktodoubt]

Man guys, thanks for all of the fast responses! I live about 45 min North East of Dallas, Tx in a town called Greenville, and that is where the show will take place.

I'm assuming this is Adam from Melba Toast.  I'm Scott.  Taped your show opening for Mudhoney at Granada. 

[SmokinJoe]

It seems like most people are suggesting micro mics.

The MTII provides 48v phantom on its 1/4" TRS inputs, so you could look at full size condensers.  Someone has a pair of Audio-Technica AT4041's in the yardsale for $300.  The AT4041's are nice mics, I used them for awhile and made many fine tapes using them.

You could also get a pair of Avant/Avantone ck-1 mics.  The cardioid only are about $200/pair, and the 3-capsule version with cards, hypers, and omnis are about $300 a pair.  Also Studio Projects c4's are in the budget range as well.

Besides mic stand, cables, t-mount, you could just run condenser mics straight into the MTII, and then upgrade to an external mic preamp later if/when you decide to put more money into your rig.  Esp since you have a louder band, I don't think some of the noise problems people are concerned about going mic in on the MTII would be too much of a concern.

I second this idea of full sized mics.  Don't forget about Nak300's in the yardsale for $150 too.  They don't put out a hot signal, and maybe running without a pre will be a tad noisy, but if you are loud and close I expect it will be fine.

That said, if you have your heart set on small mics, I have a Church Audio 9100 preamp collecting dust that I could let you borrow for that event, but you would have to find mics elsewhere.

[rsimms3]

I have the Naks and a set of CA11s in the YS, both priced to move.  I am going on vacation tomorrow for a week, but will return in plenty of time to ship a set if you are interested.  Check my signature.