Hi everyone... I am new to this board. I've been lurking for a while and have also gleaned a lot of info from back searches into the forums. I've been stealth taping since '91 with several setups including my primary rig Sonics DSM6S>D7. I've never used a bass rolloff. In general I've had decent results except the bass boominess/distortion has gotten to be more and more aggravating to the point that now I can't stand it and have upgraded to HEBs. I took my new mics out for a test run last week and unfortunately there seemed to be a problem with the battery box (loose connection on "flat", okay on "filter") so now it's back in Len's hands for HOPEFULLY a quick repair. In the meantime I had a couple questions for y'all.
1. With the Sonics, I've always used mic in on my D7, lo sensitivity, no problems ever with clipping. I understand that the CS battery box / rolloff only works with mic in, not line in. I never really understood the difference between mic in and line in, I just knew to avoid the line in. What is the reason for this, and how does it relate (if at all) to my new HEBs?
2. I understand the HEBs can take a lot more SPLs without failing like the Sonics. I'm hoping to avoid having to use the rolloff... I don't want my recordings to sound thin. On my test run last week, the filtered stuff got through okay, it sounded decent but was a bit lacking on the low end. Will I be able to pull a nice rich recording that doesn't have that blasted boominess if I don't use the rolloff? I know I should just test it out but with the mics in Len's shop and a big show coming up in two weeks I'm afraid it might be down to the wire and I won't have a lot of time to experiment. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance... ::)
3. Would it be worth investing in an SBM-1? I have a limited understanding when it comes to A-to-D converters, preamps, etc... all that "stuff" between the mics and the deck. I've noticed a lot of people use the SBM-1 with their Sony DATs. What would an SBM-1 add to my recordings? Remember I have a D7... it's old but has been very carefully handled over the past 12 years. It has the Sonic Studios "MOD-2" which I'm not sure is relevant to anything I've said so far.
I'm so glad I found this board... I'm looking forward to learning a lot. I'm also starting to experiment with video, but that's another post.
P.S. My name isn't really Gilda, that's just a stupid login.
1: The HEB batt box will work with line in. You don't mention which flavor of HEBs you have but my HEB 4060s go line in to my SBM-1 and sound excellent all the time. Line in will give you a cleaner sound because it doesn't have the extra pre-amp stage that the mic input does. You just need a mic that outputs enough to record a strong signal through the line in.
2: I use the roll off on my HEB batt box because if I don't there is too much low end and everything else suffers. At first I didn't want to use roll off and I would do it in post but now I'm very comfortable using the roll off and it still sounds good with less work on the back end.
3: I like my SBM-1. I look at it more as easy input level control into the jb3 but I like the super bit map sound as well. It is an extra piece of gear to carry/charge/connect. Prices have been dropping in the yard sale so you could try one out for not much money.
Thanks for the input. I've read somewhere else on this board that Len at CS makes the HEB battery boxes to only work with mic in... However, I will do some experimenting and see for myself. I am on the lookout for an SBM-1. I know it's another piece of gear to worry about (minimizing my gear was the reason I didn't even want to use a battery box/rolloff for years); however I'm now willing to suffer for a better recording. :)