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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Massive Dynamic on December 02, 2004, 12:14:00 PM

Title: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on December 02, 2004, 12:14:00 PM

Just picked up a PS-2, and was hoping to go lower profile than with my normal UA-5 > M1 setup. I did a quick comparison taping my stereo and here's what I found.
-1 db peak, UA-5 with gain at 3:00 setting (usual setting, never less than 1:00 setting for shows I tape)
-18 db peak, PS-2 > line in on M1, volume knob at 10
-1 db peak, PS-2 > mic-in on M1, volume knob at 5-6
Is there a good reason not to go mic-in?  Is the M1 mic-pre noisier than going line in?  Is it possible to brickwall (test tape I made sounded fine)?  Would line transformers (or ideally an SBM-1) be the better sounding solution?

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: bhtoque on December 02, 2004, 01:58:33 PM

My pick would be transformers. Smaller, cheaper, don't need power and will sound better than mic in.

I've got several shows from the last berkfest second stage Oktava>ps-2>transformers>md if you want a sample

JAson

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: hhf32 on December 02, 2004, 02:08:43 PM

Quote from: bhtoque on December 02, 2004, 01:58:33 PM

My pick would be transformers. Smaller, cheaper, don't need power and will sound better than mic in.

I've got several shows from the last berkfest second stage Oktava>ps-2>transformers>md if you want a sample

JAson

I ran this exact set-up when I first started taping and was surprised how good it sounded. I had no problem getting good levels with the transformers.

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: ashevillain on December 02, 2004, 02:56:26 PM

I ran AT 853 > PS2 > transformers > line-in SBM-1. And was very impressed!

It was kind of cumbersome though because the way I had it setup there were too many adapters. I had PS2 w/xlrm out > transformers (1/4") >  1/4" in RCAm out > RCAf barrel plug > RCAm 3' cable > SBM-1. I never could find a 1/4" f to RCAm cable. I was going to build one myself when I happened upon my MP-2 and decided to ditch that project.

I actually still have 2 unused 1/4"f cable end connectors that I was going to slap on to an existing RCA cable if anyone wants them I'll sell em cheap...

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on December 02, 2004, 06:28:28 PM

Thanks, a round of +Ts to all.

I was able to locate a 1/4" F mono > RCA M cable from Markertek.  I need to terminate in a mini-plug, though, and haven't yet found a one-piece solution.  May need to pm someone about a custom cable.

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: bhtoque on December 02, 2004, 09:20:36 PM

the AT transformers I use are xlr>1/4". I use 2 1/4">rca adapters from ratshack, then an rca>mini cable.

The 1/4" adapters snap on so tight it is like they are part of the transformers, and rca>mini cables are a dime a dozen.

JAson

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: Massive Dynamic on December 03, 2004, 02:56:37 PM

I just went to the local music store and ordered a pair of Hosa MIT-176.  While there, I noticed that Hosa makes a stereo mini-plug to dual 1/4" mono jacks, part # YMP-137, only $5.  Markertek has a similar item, #Y-MPS-2SPF.

Title: Re: PS-2 > mic-in?
Post by: caymanreview on December 03, 2004, 02:58:40 PM

those hosa mit-176's are nice. i had a set that was mod'd to have rca outputs. i loved em