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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: phishmarisol on March 28, 2004, 10:46:00 PM

Title: Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: phishmarisol on March 28, 2004, 10:46:00 PM
I've only had my JB3 for 2 months but in that short time a couple things have happened.  I have realized that I am not happy with the JB3 and the taping bug has bit me hard.  I wish I could say that I have tons of money to throw around for the best gear too, but that isn't the case.  In fact, I only do one kind of taping, and that is patching.  I do not patch out of others, only SBDs.  Pretty much if someone else is taping the show, I let them tape and don't worry about it.  Otherwise, I'll be at the board.  And this is not all here to give you my life story, I just wanted you to know how I will be using the unit.  I will not be buying an a/d or anything else at this time.  I am simply going SBD > Recording unit.  

So I want to know what my options are in the DAT area, unless there is some other hard disk option at a reasonable price...but I have looked and haven't found one.  Really I am only looking to drop around 3 bills on whatever I get.  I am thinking that leaves the D7 and D8...but not much else.  So I just want to make sure that I can go SBD > D8 (or 7) and have it turn out ok.  The shows I have taped with my JB3 sound fine as far as quality but they leave some other noises on it and I am more trusting of a DAT.  So just want to make sure that sbd > d8 with nothing in between (besides cables!) will work.

Sorry for the long ass and rambling post...and thanks for all your help.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: C.Clark on March 29, 2004, 12:50:37 AM
a d8 would work fine, most say the d-7's line in isnt anything to special.  you would be better off with a d100 or m1, but thats a little more expensive route
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: jpschust on March 29, 2004, 09:43:23 AM
i guess i question why you arent happy with the jb3- let's look at that before we start suggesting other things to buy
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 29, 2004, 09:55:18 AM
yeah, if you DONT have money, thats the most viable way, buy an ad-20 to go SBD>ad-20>jb3 and you migfht be a lil happier!!!
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: phishmarisol on March 29, 2004, 04:36:00 PM
I'm not happy with the JB3 cause it leaves random noises on the recordings.  All but one show I have gotten a high pitched squeel throughout, which if I pick the unit up and listen I hear it making the noise.  Also leaves random hard drive noise...so I am tired of this and want something else instead.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: timP on March 29, 2004, 04:55:43 PM
damn, I think it's your unit maybe that is the issue.....
Been using mine alot lately and the only issue I've had is user stupidity......
but have no misc noises or drop outs like my Archos and Iriver have...
just my 2 c.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: jpschust on March 29, 2004, 05:05:05 PM
thats typical noise that comes from the hd spinning.  they really arent meant to record analog in.  i'd suggest getting an external a/d and keeping the jb3.  you are going to be happier than when you use removable media
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: Simp-Dawg on March 29, 2004, 05:45:37 PM
you're gonna end up spending probably twice as much on a dat+7pin and all the tapes taboot...if you pick up an a/d you'll have better results.  it doesn't need to be bit perfect, just reliable.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: Tim on March 29, 2004, 05:53:53 PM
get an a/d...

Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: BJ on March 29, 2004, 06:39:33 PM
theres a digi-ua5 for sale in yard sale right now!!

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=16271
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: jpschust on March 29, 2004, 07:48:16 PM
there is also an a/d 20 in there too
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: phishmarisol on March 29, 2004, 07:50:35 PM
Ok, well that is a possibility.  Still makes me question the final result though.  I assume the reasoning is that the a/d takes over that job so the JB3 doesn't have to work as hard, and therefore will not makes the noise.  But I hear them even when I am not recording...like if I just turn the unit on and don't have it doing anything I still hear the noises, so I am not sure that an a/d would really solve that problem...
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: jpschust on March 29, 2004, 08:02:00 PM
no, you are actually thinking down the wrong line.  the jb3 will not be using its internal preamps so nothing will be there to pick up the spin of the drive.  you are still gonna hear the drive spinning if you put your ear next to it, but you will be passing your signal through a unit with no moving parts first, which will then convert the signal to a digital signal bypassing the jb3's pre, bypassing picking up that spinning.  the jb3 is bit perfect so whatever comes out of your a/d you get in your jb3
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: phishmarisol on March 29, 2004, 08:06:56 PM
Cool deal.  Well, at worst I can resell it if I'm not happy with it.  Couple a/d questions now.  The UA-5 digi mod one for sell...what is the digi mod?  Also, what about a power source for it?  Says it doesn't come with a batt...how much are we talking?

I assume the line would go SBD > analog cable > a/d > ??? > JB3...what kind of cable do I need between the a/d and JB3?  Will it have to be an optical cable and how much would that be?  Thanks.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: BJ on March 29, 2004, 08:49:32 PM
yea...you got it right...sbd>analog>UA5>optical>jb3
 
I got a 3ft digital optical cable from Partsexpress shipped with the optical to mini adapter for less than 20$

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=180-946  3ft optical cable...$7.80  they have a 1.5ft for $6.80

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=180-968
toslink to mini adapter $1.80

you will need both...shipping is very reasonable...great quick service!

good luck!

[Edit]
obviously I am on a budget, which i gather you are too...there are MUCH better optical cables out there, I found this one linked from another post in ts.com.  It has worked very well for me...but you can spend well over 50$ on a cable if you want to...  If you would like other options...I think there is a good posting in the "cables" topic about good optical cables for jb3.  If you cant find it, pm me, im sure i can, i have it bookmarked somewhere.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: jpschust on March 29, 2004, 08:49:56 PM
the digi mod means you can use it w/o having the usb connected (which you want)

the batt you could put together from radio shack stuff for 20-40 bucks including charger

you would go sbd to either 1/4", XLR or RCA in, set your levels on whatever you used for your a/d and then use an optical cable that terminates in a 1/8" optical end to go into your jb3

Looking at 20 bucks or so for an opti cable.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: Brian Skalinder on March 29, 2004, 08:56:07 PM
The UA-5 digi mod one for sell...what is the digi mod?  Also, what about a power source for it?  Says it doesn't come with a batt...how much are we talking?

Ahem.  :P  Check the UA5 FAQ in the Archival Forum.

I assume the line would go SBD > analog cable > a/d > ??? > JB3...what kind of cable do I need between the a/d and JB3?  Will it have to be an optical cable and how much would that be?  Thanks.

Ahem.  :P   Check the JB3 FAQ in the Archival Forum.
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: BJ on March 29, 2004, 08:57:10 PM
forgot about the battery question.  It depends on how long you are wanting to power it.  nickspicks.com has a nice DIY battery tutorial, very easy to follow, although I would suggest getting the NiMH batteries at 3000mah instead of the 1000 or 1800 he has listed, you will get much more time out of them.  I think you can pick up the whole package from batteryspace.com, including 2 3000mah NiMH batteries + the smart charger(get smart charger instead of other, only 8$ diff) for 58$.  or you can go SLA rout if you don't mind the extra weight.  I personally would go rc packs becuase they are much smaller, and your not powering mics.  WHICH, since you arent..you might could be fine with 1800mah, since no phantom power...someone else will have to chime in on that part.

yardsale   two 9.6V 1800 batteries $15.00  could get charger from rat shack for cheap...
http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=16261
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: BJ on March 29, 2004, 08:59:23 PM
uh oh...police come cheking the forums!   :instagib:  if you can't find what you are looking fo rin the FAQ's PM me...I have read so much stuff about ua5/jb3 lately i think i could write a book!!!
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: phishmarisol on March 29, 2004, 09:22:39 PM
Thanks for all the info guys.  I would want to power it for 3 hours, give or take.  Pretty sure I will be getting that UA-5 if it is around tommorow still...got to get my money right. :)
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: Brian Skalinder on March 29, 2004, 09:23:43 PM
uh oh...police come cheking the forums!   :instagib:  if you can't find what you are looking fo rin the FAQ's PM me...I have read so much stuff about ua5/jb3 lately i think i could write a book!!!

No, no...if you can't find what you're looking for, post it in the forum!!  That way others may find the information useful.  Pointing people to the FAQs is not intended to drive questions into PMs and off the board, but rather allow people to help themselves and focus the questions a bit, that's all.   :)
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: BJ on March 29, 2004, 09:26:04 PM
I know Brian...i was just yanking your chain.  The reason I went to pm's is becuase I think I had answered all of the questions, and if anything else was to come up, it would more htan likely be a more specific question than something  needed in the forums.  damn police! :minigun: :rockets:
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: phishmarisol on March 31, 2004, 01:26:52 AM
the digi mod means you can use it w/o having the usb connected (which you want)

Does this apply to the warm mod as well?
Title: Re:Looking for all options on a new recording unit
Post by: caymanreview on March 31, 2004, 02:27:59 AM
yes, when you buy a warm mod ua5, it is also "digi modded" too