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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: bconnolly on February 26, 2006, 04:40:00 AM

Title: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: bconnolly on February 26, 2006, 04:40:00 AM
When I'm recording using the S/PDIF input on my MT from the UA-5's coax out, can the MT manipulate the signal at all? Do the level controls on the MT do anything if you use the digital input?  The reason I ask is because when I record, I futz with the level controls on both units but I'm not sure if it has any effect if I do anything with the MT's levels.

Just trying to keep all of my wits during a recording session and not mess with things that don't matter... know what I mean?
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: udovdh on February 26, 2006, 05:55:05 AM
You manipulatie SPDIF levels at the source.
I.e.: at your ADC.
Once the audio data enters the digital domain you don't do level changes, etc, until you reach postproduction (where you can do such things under better circumstances).
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: bconnolly on February 26, 2006, 06:06:55 AM
You manipulatie SPDIF levels at the source.
I.e.: at your ADC.
Once the audio data enters the digital domain you don't do level changes, etc, until you reach postproduction (where you can do such things under better circumstances).

Ok just making sure.  So if I mess with the level controls on the MT (whether it's the actual level meters or the L/M/H switch) it will have no effect on the audio level.

This just makes me feel like I need an SVU-1 more and more.  Sigh.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: JasonSobel on February 26, 2006, 07:21:19 AM
Ok just making sure.  So if I mess with the level controls on the MT (whether it's the actual level meters or the L/M/H switch) it will have no effect on the audio level.

exaclty.  if you run digital into the MicroTrack, the level switches and the L/M/H switch has no effect.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: jdawg on February 26, 2006, 12:13:07 PM

This just makes me feel like I need an SVU-1 more and more.  Sigh.

get one, you won't regret it. Great combo with the UA-5.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: silentmark on February 26, 2006, 01:07:26 PM
You manipulatie SPDIF levels at the source.
I.e.: at your ADC.
Once the audio data enters the digital domain you don't do level changes, etc, until you reach postproduction (where you can do such things under better circumstances).

Ok just making sure.  So if I mess with the level controls on the MT (whether it's the actual level meters or the L/M/H switch) it will have no effect on the audio level.

This just makes me feel like I need an SVU-1 more and more.  Sigh.

What is stopping you from using the MT's meters ? They are pretty good now. No need for a SVU imo ...
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: bconnolly on February 26, 2006, 01:15:23 PM
You manipulatie SPDIF levels at the source.
I.e.: at your ADC.
Once the audio data enters the digital domain you don't do level changes, etc, until you reach postproduction (where you can do such things under better circumstances).

Ok just making sure.  So if I mess with the level controls on the MT (whether it's the actual level meters or the L/M/H switch) it will have no effect on the audio level.

This just makes me feel like I need an SVU-1 more and more.  Sigh.

What is stopping you from using the MT's meters ? They are pretty good now. No need for a SVU imo ...

The biggest thing is that I have to actually go over to the MT and activate the backlight to look at the LCD.  With an SVU-1, I could just peer down at the bag and see.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: china_rider on February 26, 2006, 01:32:17 PM
Yep... Nice thing about the SVUx is that you can just poke the display out of your bag and see the levels from just about anyplace.  When I went from my old DMIC to the UA-5 I really noticed how much I missed visible meters.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: Chris K on February 26, 2006, 01:36:29 PM

What is stopping you from using the MT's meters ? They are pretty good now. No need for a SVU imo ...

ditto. i have learned the microtrack levels and they arent that bad. there is a small learning cureve, like any new piece of gear. i have been comfortable using the mt levels in the nbox>mt2448 combo and the nbox doesnt add gain so you have to use the mt 2448 levels.


The biggest thing is that I have to actually go over to the MT and activate the backlight to look at the LCD.  With an SVU-1, I could just peer down at the bag and see.

wwhhhaaaaahhhh, i gotta bend over.   :P

sometimes you dont want the meters to be visable   8)
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: rowjimmy on February 26, 2006, 02:01:34 PM
wwhhhaaaaahhhh, i gotta bend over.   :P

Yeah seems like a weak concern but damn did my knees hurt after the last show. space was tight and i simply didn't have everything in the ideal layout for glancing down @ the minime's levels.

Maybe I just need to hit the gym more often.  :-[
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: udovdh on February 26, 2006, 02:19:31 PM
Just get a tiny maglite?
And get to know your gear. You should be able to set levels nicely after a while when you know the venue and the band. If hou have to adjust during a show you're too late anyway?
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: svenkid on February 26, 2006, 05:02:42 PM
I usually adjust my gain on  the v3 after a song or two, if there is no soundcheck.
 :P
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: rowjimmy on February 26, 2006, 05:38:50 PM
well I was using borrowed gear on a band i'd never seen @ the aforementioned show. So arranging everything exactly perfect and setting the levels straight away was tricky. Especially as the headliner was notably louder than the opener. But you're right, knowing your gear always helps. and a flashlight (which I do have) will help with the no-backlight issue.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: china_rider on February 26, 2006, 08:32:57 PM
Another bonus of the SVU is that you dont always be right next to your gear to check your levels at a glance.  Quite often at the shows I tape we have several tapers there that know and trust each other to keep an eye on each others gear to make sure it does not get up and walk away.  Often I'll move a bit away from the gear for dancing room, to talk with friends, etc.  The SVUx makes it very easy to watch your levels from a distance.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: ghibliss on March 01, 2006, 11:59:16 AM
Are the "Line Outs" active while recording uisng the spdif input?  I use a Coaxial spdif input from an external a/d converter and was wondering if the SVU-1 would work if plugged into the Line Out jacks of the Microtrack.  I currently use the CoreSound Mic 2496 a/d converter with excellent results simply monitoring the -12.5 db signal lights and the -1 db "clipping indicator".  These are very accurate and have always provided excellent results. 

DPA 4061
CoreSound Mic 2496
Coaxial spdif
MT 2496
Kingston CF 4 GB Card
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: cmoorevt on March 01, 2006, 12:15:54 PM
Are the "Line Outs" active while recording uisng the spdif input?  I use a Coaxial spdif input from an external a/d converter and was wondering if the SVU-1 would work if plugged into the Line Out jacks of the Microtrack.  I currently use the CoreSound Mic 2496 a/d converter with excellent results simply monitoring the -12.5 db signal lights and the -1 db "clipping indicator".  These are very accurate and have always provided excellent results. 

DPA 4061
CoreSound Mic 2496
Coaxial spdif
MT 2496
Kingston CF 4 GB Card

No and neither is the headphone output.  M-Audio claims this will be fixed in a future firmware upgrade etc etc etc etc
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: jtessier on March 02, 2006, 12:53:30 PM
Are the "Line Outs" active while recording uisng the spdif input?  I use a Coaxial spdif input from an external a/d converter and was wondering if the SVU-1 would work if plugged into the Line Out jacks of the Microtrack.  I currently use the CoreSound Mic 2496 a/d converter with excellent results simply monitoring the -12.5 db signal lights and the -1 db "clipping indicator".  These are very accurate and have always provided excellent results. 

DPA 4061
CoreSound Mic 2496
Coaxial spdif
MT 2496
Kingston CF 4 GB Card

No and neither is the headphone output.  M-Audio claims this will be fixed in a future firmware upgrade etc etc etc etc

I wouldn't count on that. I've only ever heard that they were 'looking into it' and I've heard some rumblings that it turned out to be harder that originally thought.

J.T.
Title: Re: Microtrack and S/PDIF... control levels where?
Post by: cmoorevt on March 02, 2006, 01:12:21 PM
I'm far from counting on it, but the tech support rep did tell me this:

[A R -- 01/25/2006 01:29]
That is correct. there is no spdif monitoring yet. It will be included in a future firmware update.


Now whether that actually comes to fruition or not is a whole 'nother story.