Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: cmoorevt on May 23, 2006, 11:09:01 AM
-
Thanks to tonyvt for the heads up on this one. 10db pad for MT mic input.
Their words: "The MicroTrack 10dB Pad is a specially designed attenuator for the 1/8” microphone input on the MicroTrack 24/96—or any device with similar output impedance and phantom power characteristics. It reduces the output of a connected electret condenser microphone by approximately 10dB, which protects the input stage of the MicroTrack 24/96 from becoming overloaded and distorting when recording high-SPL sources. The in-line pad attenuates the audio signal from the mic while passing unaltered the 5V supply needed to power the internal preamp of electret condenser microphones."
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MicroTrack10dBPad-main.html
-
Now I'm a fan of the MT (despite worries about :flaming: ) but this is taking the piss. Maybe they shouldn't have engineered it to automatically give 10db gain via the 1/8" !
Now they've finally worked out this is a problem for users this should be sent free, or better yet actually recall the MT's check the batteries and reduce the gain in the hardware.
-
Now I'm a fan of the MT (despite worries about :flaming: ) but this is taking the piss. Maybe they shouldn't have engineered it to automatically give 10db gain via the 1/8" !
Now they've finally worked out this is a problem for users this should be sent free, or better yet actually recall the MT's check the batteries and reduce the gain in the hardware.
If so: complain to them!
Make a bug report.
Say that the release of the pad is an obvious sign that this is a bug.
Contact M-Audio support and speak out politely.
-
I'm ready for the 1/4" line input pad. It's more or less the same issue.
-
if they are going to recall the microcrapper, it bettter be for alot better reason than to reverse a 10db pad.. I'm sure you guys can agree.
-
So how does a pad that does not impact the 5v typically work?
Has anyone found any pad schematics for the mt that are decently impedance matched to the device - whether 1/8" input or 1/4" (I don't recall if the impedance is different).
-
FYI - I tried to buy this directly from M-Audio today and get an error from their website; seems this may not be in stock yet?
"Material 9800-41795-00 does not exist in plant DDP1 / country US"
-
That pad looks like a bullet.. If I were in a desperate situation with only a microtrack and the pad, do you think....?
-
cool.
-
I'm ready for the 1/4" line input pad. It's more or less the same issue.
You may want to look at your set up, because the issue has only been with the 1/8" input, not the 1/4". As a result if I am not using S/PDIF, I try to go with the 1/4" input. I made a simple adapter to work with my AT 853's which are Sound Pro Modified to 1/8th. (I use an SP battery box too) I had major clipping issues with the 1/8", but none at all with 1/4" and this includes some very loud music.
I did however buy an attenuator for the 1/8" just to have, and it works great. My vision was to be able to use the 1/8" jack with the t-mic in super stealth situations for a no-hassle recording. I tried it at a Particle show and it worked great. The one issue I had was that the attenuator has a 4 or 5 inch wire, so the mic was now hanging down. The above item would be great for the t-mic situation, even though it costs a bit more.
I have to assume that the 1/8" impedence issue is either not an easy fix, or maybe this is how they want that jack to work.
Before I found out how well the 1/4" jack worked, I was very concerned about the issue. At that time I heard many write in to say that the impedance was perfect for their recording situations. That may play in, I do not know enough about the technical specifics to say.
With all the fixes that have gone on, I would assume if this was not difficult or if there was not more to this, it would have been done. That said, this item (or any attenuator) should solve the 1/8" problem for anyone who cannot or does not want to use the 1/4" imputs.
-
I just ordered one for kicks....Since I sold my Micro :veryevil: Flamer I'm going to try it with my R-1 and soon to arrive R-9...I figure it cant hurt.
Peace
jk
-
You may want to look at your set up, because the issue has only been with the 1/8" input, not the 1/4".
I wish you were right but you are wrong.
The 1/4" input cannot accept a 0dB consumer level without clipping because it ALWAYS adds gain.. So it will also clip with some microphones on the 1/4".
-
I just ordered one for kicks....Since I sold my Micro :veryevil: Flamer I'm going to try it with my R-1 and soon to arrive R-9...I figure it cant hurt.
Peace
jk
Yeah - this is just the ticket for all those MD recorders with no pad on the mic input...!
-
I use a MixPre so I would like to get the signal out of the xlr through the hosa mit176 transformers into my R-1 through the pad. The MixPre tends to be a little hot and the 1/8 out don't sound as "nice" as the xlrs
I wonder if I use two inline...will it give me a 20db pad????
Peace
jk
-
You may want to look at your set up, because the issue has only been with the 1/8" input, not the 1/4".
I wish you were right but you are wrong.
The 1/4" input cannot accept a 0dB consumer level without clipping because it ALWAYS adds gain.. So it will also clip with some microphones on the 1/4".
I had not heard this from anyone before. I have not had any problems with my AT 853's into 1/4" and I have not seen that problem posted before. My mistake. :o But for sure there is a big difference between going into 1/8" or going 1/4", because I could not use the 1/8" without an attenuator, and I have no problems at all, plenty of heqdroom when i use the same mics into 1/4".
Hopefully you will find a good solution for your recordings! ;D
-
I use a MixPre so I would like to get the signal out of the xlr through the hosa mit176 transformers into my R-1 through the pad. The MixPre tends to be a little hot and the 1/8 out don't sound as "nice" as the xlrs
I wonder if I use two inline...will it give me a 20db pad????
Curious: why two external gain stages, i.e. why both the MixPre and MIT-176 line transformers? Have you tried dropping the MIT-176 from the chain?
-
The MixPre's xlr outputs sound better than the 1/8 output.Although a bit bulkier it sounds a bit "brighter"...The 1/8 out of the MixPre is posted as "for consumer devices" in their manual....The R-01 only has a 1/8 input so I have to convert the xlr's somehow and I saw it on Oade's site that he recomended using the Hosa transformers to convert the xlr outs of the Denecke PS2 to go into a R-01 so I figured it would work. And sometimes I use a a SP PREAMP (little bugger with adjustable gain 0/23/50db and level) for stealth gigs and if things are too loud I just dont want to brickwall...I ordered the 10db pad just as an option to keep in my little bag of tricks for when I need it. Plus I have 1/8 plugs on my AT853 and I could put one on each of my leads when I phantom power them...The two pads in series was more of a joke bet, hey ya never know....
Peace,
jk
-
So I borrowed one of these last night. Total garbage. For starters, the plug does not stay seated securely into the MT. It goes into the 1/8 inch input well enough, but any minor bump of the pad causes it to pop out halfway, almost as if it was spring loaded.
Secondly, I could not get it to pass signal from both AT853 mics, only the left channel. I pulled the pad and plugged the mics in directly and everything worked fine, so it must be the pad causing the problems.
I'm not sure if it is the way the thing is designed or if it is because the pad doesn't sit securely, but either way, it wasn't working.
Thanks for nothing, M-Audio.
-
The pop-out and single channel behaviors you describe mostly confirm that it doesn't insert far enough to engage both channels. You could confirm with the T-mike..
-
hhmmm just tested and the T-mic works perfect. I get levels for both channels and it doesn't pop out. In comparing the plug of the T-mic with the plug of the pad, they are slightly different.
Essentially the portion of the pad where the male plug actually connects to the pad itself is slightly convex. Whereas on the T-mic the same area is flat, allowing it to insert in the 1/8 inch input fully and correctly.
-
So I borrowed one of these last night. Total garbage. For starters, the plug does not stay seated securely into the MT. It goes into the 1/8 inch input well enough, but any minor bump of the pad causes it to pop out halfway, almost as if it was spring loaded.
Secondly, I could not get it to pass signal from both AT853 mics, only the left channel. I pulled the pad and plugged the mics in directly and everything worked fine, so it must be the pad causing the problems.
I'm not sure if it is the way the thing is designed or if it is because the pad doesn't sit securely, but either way, it wasn't working.
Thanks for nothing, M-Audio.
I have tested it with my AT 853's as well as the T-Mic and had perfect results with both. It seats fimly and securely. Kind of snaps into place. I really like the way it raises the t-mic which makes it really nice for real stealth pocket recording.
Maybe you have a bad input jack or the 853 input jacks may be a bit worn. I have to say it is nice and solid and well designed. It might be worth asking for a replacement.
-
Mine fits nice and snug also...it kinda like snaps in two times and is flush and tight.
-
Mine fits nice and snug also...it kinda like snaps in two times and is flush and tight.
Mine does the same thing, but won't stay in there. Not sure what is happening, but I'll ask for a replacement. +T to you both for having good luck with it.
-
Hi,
I've been having trouble with my pad also.. :crying:...It does seem to "snap" in all the way but if you touch it, one of the channels will drop out...I've been testing it with my R-01..If you leave it alone sitting on the table and get it in the correct position it seems to work ok..But as soon as you move it a channel gets messed up.There seems to be a connection problem somewhere......Has anyone contacted M-Audio yet ?......I'm going to send them an email and will post the reply..
Peace,
jk
UPDATE:
OK...Well I sent them an email and they responded...(back and forth took, about a week).I explained the situation and the rep said to mail it to them and they will send me a new one....Good customers service..I'll update again when the new one arrives and testing begins..
Peace,
jk