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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: porkchop101 on March 01, 2011, 12:32:32 PM
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Hey Hey! First post on the forum..giggity...So, I'm newb taper (and friggin loving it) and while I sure as hell dont have the best rig, I know I can get it sounding better. I'm using a Rolls Pro-Mix MX54s preamp, which has left and right xlr outputs. I have the thing panned all the way to the left, and then just plug into the left side and run that to the recorder (a tascam d004). I'm wondering what, if anything, panning all the way like that does the sound quality. Might it improve anything if I get a cable that will allow me to plug into both the left and right output on the preamp and run that to the input on my recorder?
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Hey Hey! First post on the forum..giggity...So, I'm newb taper (and friggin loving it) and while I sure as hell dont have the best rig, I know I can get it sounding better. I'm using a Rolls Pro-Mix MX54s preamp, which has left and right xlr outputs. I have the thing panned all the way to the left, and then just plug into the left side and run that to the recorder (a tascam d004). I'm wondering what, if anything, panning all the way like that does the sound quality. Might it improve anything if I get a cable that will allow me to plug into both the left and right output on the preamp and run that to the input on my recorder?
What kind of mic(s) are you using? You're recording in mono with the setup you describe.
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Samson c02s . Stereo pair. each of the mics has their own input... So in order to record in stereo, I will need to run out of both the outputs? That's what I was thinking, but the dude who sold me thing assured me, no it'll still record in stereo. Oh well, guess I need to get yet another cable :P
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Gotcha...
Run each mic into it's own preamp input on the Rolls. Pan the left mic hard left.... right mic panned hard right. Get whatever cables you need and connect them to your recorder.
Looks like that tascam device might will have its own set of pan controls, so make sure that:
Tascam input 1: Panned Hard Left
Tascam input 2: Panned Hard Right
All of this adds up to stereo :)
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Thanks so much man. So, If i want to have that second input and track available on the tascam, would be just the same to get a cable that will go from the R and L xlr outputs on the rolls to a single 1/4" input on the tascam, and then just set the one tascam input pan to 0?
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would be just the same to get a cable that will go from the R and L xlr outputs on the rolls to a single 1/4" input on the tascam, and then just set the one tascam input pan to 0?
No, that would give you the exact same results as you have now- a mono (summed) recording.
Get two XLR (F)> 1/4" TRS cables and you're all set to record in stereo.
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Right on. Thanks sir! Can't wait to hear how it sounds. :D
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Welcome porkchop, here's the long answer-
The Rolls has three output choices (the two XLRs, the 1/4" headphone/aux jack, or the 1/8" headphone/aux jack) each can work for what you want to do. The Edirol has two mono inputs- one left, one right. You'll need to use both of them .
You just need the correct cables to connect the two machines. First the part you have probably figured out already- Start by plugging the two mics into two of the mic inputs on the Rolls. Plug the left mic into input 1 and pan it hard left, plug the right mic into inpu 2 and pan it hard right. Turn the gain on the the unused 3rd input all the way down. Pan on that one doesn't matter. Make sure phantom power is switched on for both inputs you are using. So far so good..
From the Rolls to the recorder you have multiple output choices that will work, each uses different cables or adaptors. Take your pick-
Choice 1) Using the XLR outputs from the Rolls requires two cables. Each needs an XLR female connector on the Rolls end and a male 1/4" TS (Tip,Ring) plug on the recorder end. The XLR end is 'balanced' with three contacts (numbered 1,2,3) and the 1/4"TS end is unbalanced with two contacts (Tip,Sleeve). You'll need the cable wired correctly to the contacts in the connectors to accommodate that. Wire it like this diagram:
(http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1271466~3f234b157f61a1764684c67373cfa2d9/MD425_bda_eng-5.jpg) Or buy two of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=4202&N=4289288130+4289361271+4289360799 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=4202&N=4289288130+4289361271+4289360799)
Choice 2) Using the 1/4" Aux/Headphone output from the Rolls requires a 'Y' cable with a 1/4" stereo TRS (tip,ring,sleeve) connector on the Rolls end and two 1/4" TS jacks on the recorder ends. Wire the three sleeves together, the Tip of the TRS to the Tip of the left TS plug and the Ring of the TRS to the Tip of the right TS plug. Or buy one of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160653-REG/Hosa_Technology_STP_201_Stereo_1_4_Male_to.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160653-REG/Hosa_Technology_STP_201_Stereo_1_4_Male_to.html)
Choice 3 is the same as choice 2 but substitutes the 1/8" TRS headphone/aux output jack on the Rolls. It's wired exaclty the same, only from a 1/8" TRS male instead of the 1/4". Or buy this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160639-REG/Hosa_Technology_CMP_153_Stereo_Mini_Male_to.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160639-REG/Hosa_Technology_CMP_153_Stereo_Mini_Male_to.html)
Choice 2 is better than 3 since the 1/4" jack is more substantial and less prone to damage or a connection problem when cable tugging happens, but if you have a common 'IPOD to stereo RCA' 'Y' cable laying around all you need are two RCA male to 1/4" TR male adaptors available at any Radio Shack and you're good to go. In otherwords if you have something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488015-REG/Hosa_Technology_CMR_203R_Stereo_Mini_Angled_Male.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488015-REG/Hosa_Technology_CMR_203R_Stereo_Mini_Angled_Male.html) You just need two of these on the RCA ends: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134167-REG/Comprehensive_SPP_PJ_SPP_PJ_Male_Phone_to.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134167-REG/Comprehensive_SPP_PJ_SPP_PJ_Male_Phone_to.html)
Now plug the left 1/4" Male TS jack into input 1 on the Edirol and the Right one into input 2. Pan input one hard left, pan input 2 hard right. Set the recorder to record a stereo file. You can control the gain in two places in your recording chain- at the Rolls and also at the Edirol. Each can compensate for the other somewhat. Shoot for somewhere around the middle range of both to be safe, not all the way down or all the way up on either one. Dial in your levels so that the loudest sounds reach most of the way, but not all of the way to the top of the level meters on the recorder.
Begin recording in glorious stereo!
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Gutbucket! Sweet! thanks so much. I've actually got the cable from choice two b/c I've been using that to patch into the board at this club. I am SO stoked to get to a show tonight...
I'll let ya'll know how it comes out.
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Nice info Gutbucket, as usual. Everything you said was right, although I would lean heavily towards using the XLR outs for a few reasons:
1. Locking Connectors
2. Balanced Audio Connection
3. Not being driven by a headphone amp circuit
But if it works, it works :) No sense in not recording a show because you don't have the right cables...
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Thanks Patrick,
I agree completely with the XLR's being the best way to go, however the cables will not be balanced unless he were to use XLR to 1/4" TS x-formers at the recorder end of the cables. I don't think that should be much of a concern once levels are bumped up by the preamp over what's likely to be a very short run to the recorder inputs.
Cheers.
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just got home and set up and been jamming on it. sounds sooo much more sexy :o unreal. thanks so much!
finding out i need both the inputs to record in stereo has really highlighted some of the flaws with this device, but it sounds a LOT nicer. thanks again.
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btw, error in my first post, thats the tascam dp004
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Cool!
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Awesome! Now you need to start messing around w/ diff mic configs :P
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well i think the next thing is going to be figuring out what to do with the files now. I've gotten three shows since ya'll schooled me on the whole stereo thing, and I gotta get em through the maze of recorder to archive, and I'll post some results once i get through that.
I think I'm going to have to go over to the yard sale and try to find a new recorder too, this thing is just not for taping. If I get one of these deals that has just the 1/8" stereo inputs, would I get the same results I'm getting now with 2x xlr (f) > 1/8" cable?