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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: mmadd29 on April 11, 2007, 07:49:41 AM

Title: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: mmadd29 on April 11, 2007, 07:49:41 AM: I just got an AD-20, and noticed that even with the gain knobs all the way down...gain is still there. I'm concerned that at a show I will clip. I know most people use 10db pad on their mics...but there are no pads for my mics, as I checked with the manufacturer.....

Is there a xlr cable I could buy that would give me a 10 db...or so decrease I could run between the mics and phantom power...or phantom power and AD-20.......even an optical cable from the AD-20 to JB3 would work if it gave me a decrease.

Thanks
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: willndmb on April 11, 2007, 08:15:45 AM: http://www.fullcompass.com/category/Attenuators-Pads.html
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: mmadd29 on April 11, 2007, 08:23:21 AM: Quote from: willndmb on April 11, 2007, 08:15:45 AM
http://www.fullcompass.com/category/Attenuators-Pads.html

Thanks +T
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: MLKLuke on April 11, 2007, 11:17:29 AM: is it really necessary to use an attenuator if I use AT853 (mini XLR terminated) > 3 Wire Bbox > AD20 > JB3 with optical cable? if yes I will consider to buy it...but it sounds like a surprise for me (I just got the AD20 some days ago and never tried it on the field yet). is the clipping risk really high even if the AD20 is set to minimum (+17db)?
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: mmadd29 on April 11, 2007, 12:19:37 PM: Quote from: MLKLuke on April 11, 2007, 11:17:29 AM
is it really necessary to use an attenuator if I use AT853 (mini XLR terminated) > 3 Wire Bbox > AD20 > JB3 with optical cable? if yes I will consider to buy it...but it sounds like a surprise for me (I just got the AD20 some days ago and never tried it on the field yet). is the clipping risk really high even if the AD20 is set to minimum (+17db)?

I just got my AD-20 and did a test with my setup by cranking up my stereo......I found that with the gain knobs on the AD-20 turned all the way down...the levels on my JB3 were above 3/4.......that is usually where they were with my analog preamp, and that produced good results. If I turned up the gain just slightly...it goes into clip range.

My concern is that a show is MUCH louder than my stereo, so I thought I'd just get an 10 db attenuator and that should do it. I was just told on another thread that you need to know the impedance of the circuit and then make certain the attenuator allows that impedance.

I have no idea how to find the impedance of the circuit....and am starting to think to stay analog, since I've always gotten good results...and get rid of the AD-20.

I didn't think it was that big of a deal to get an AD-20, and was an upgrade...but now I question that...
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: MLKLuke on April 11, 2007, 01:09:34 PM: uhm...maybe I'm lucky cause I've got AT853 with 3wire bbox so I lose about 6/7db of gain because of this mod...so the minimum AD20 gain would be around +10/11db that I think would allow me not to have clipping even at louder shows (is my supposition right guys?!)
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: cgrooves on April 11, 2007, 01:54:03 PM: Quote from: MLKLuke on April 11, 2007, 11:17:29 AM
is it really necessary to use an attenuator if I use AT853 (mini XLR terminated) > 3 Wire Bbox > AD20 > JB3 with optical cable? if yes I will consider to buy it...but it sounds like a surprise for me (I just got the AD20 some days ago and never tried it on the field yet). is the clipping risk really high even if the AD20 is set to minimum (+17db)?

I've never had to use attenuators running the AD20 with stock AT853's, even in high SPL environments. I can't recall ever having to run with the gain knobs at the lowest setting (i.e. 17dB) either. I think you'll be fine with the AT853 / AD20 combo
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: willndmb on April 12, 2007, 10:41:38 AM: i used to run SP 853s > ad20 and had no probs
usually i had to run the knobs around 10 oclock
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: lordbelial on April 12, 2007, 11:29:29 AM: Quote from: willndmb on April 12, 2007, 10:41:38 AM
i used to run SP 853s > ad20 and had no probs
usually i had to run the knobs around 10 oclock

Well, in my case, taping a festival, the sound was extremely LOUD and since I had the stock SP AT853 (CMC-4) levels were hot and even distorted in some parts.

CMC-4 can easily distort when taping loud heavy metal shows. 3-Wire AT853 should not give any problems.
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: ArchivalAudio on May 10, 2007, 02:07:28 AM: it's not the output but the input

get some inline XLR attenuators
Shure makes some switchable ones -20, -15 and -10 db's I think they are around 50 bucks a piece
had the same problems on stage with my Rode NT5's
but then I upgraded my rig, and never use my AD-20 anymore

good luck
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: tfrench on May 10, 2007, 02:05:19 PM: I recorded many of shows with the PS2 > AD20 combo. I think only two bands I used the -10db on my mics (Drive-By Truckers & Rose Hill Drive). I did this as a precautionary measurement. Probably could have run it with minimal gain on the AD20 and been fine. I fine that using the -10db pad really sucks the life out of the recordings.

Todd
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: Kindguy on May 10, 2007, 02:14:52 PM: Levels 3/4 with the gain all the way down? Sounds like something may be wrong?
Title: Re: AD-20 Output Too Hot
Post by: tfrench on May 10, 2007, 02:28:22 PM: Quote from: Kindguy on May 10, 2007, 02:14:52 PM
Levels 3/4 with the gain all the way down? Sounds like something may be wrong?
Not really, the AD20 adds +17db so it comes in nice and hot with not much gain added......especially if your soundguy is bringing it LOUD. Jack at the Pour House in Raleigh brings it to you nice and loud to cut out the chatter! ;D

Todd