Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: panther65 on October 13, 2006, 05:13:30 PM
-
When patching from a soundboard into the analog rca ins of the Tascam HD-P2 deck will I generally need to attenuate the incoming signal? If so, can I use the -20db pads on the deck, or are they just for mic in? Also, how is the quality of the mic ins for an analog input other than mic in?
-
The pads are only for the mic inputs. They are not for line level inputs. It would have no affect on the RCA inputs.
-
you can also go "line in" on the XLR inputs. and then you probably can use the pad.
from page 9 of the manual:
XLR input jacks for either line level or mic level (selected by switch on top) input. A separate switch controls phantom power to the XLR inputs.
-
you can also go "line in" on the XLR inputs. and then you probably can use the pad.
from page 9 of the manual:
XLR input jacks for either line level or mic level (selected by switch on top) input. A separate switch controls phantom power to the XLR inputs.
Hi, I just received my hdp2 and it seems to be impossible to use the XLR input as line input (as stated in the manual). When you switch to "line", only the RCA receive signal.
BTW, higher in page 9 of the manual, you can read
"The input switches (LINE/MIC) switch between the XLR and RCA jack inputs."
which states the opposite of your quote.
But may be I'm missing something.. Any idea?
Ølaf
-
you can also go "line in" on the XLR inputs. and then you probably can use the pad.
from page 9 of the manual:
XLR input jacks for either line level or mic level (selected by switch on top) input. A separate switch controls phantom power to the XLR inputs.
Hi, I just received my hdp2 and it seems to be impossible to use the XLR input as line input (as stated in the manual). When you switch to "line", only the RCA receive signal.
BTW, higher in page 9 of the manual, you can read
"The input switches (LINE/MIC) switch between the XLR and RCA jack inputs."
which states the opposite of your quote.
But may be I'm missing something.. Any idea?
Ølaf
...bump for this question. I was wanting to run line in from my PSP-2 into the HDP2 (not bought yet) XLRs and not the RCAs. It does say mic/line above the XLR inputs though. Does anyone run xlr line in on their Tascam?
-
...bump for this question. I was wanting to run line in from my PSP-2 into the HDP2 (not bought yet) XLRs and not the RCAs. It does say mic/line above the XLR inputs though. Does anyone run xlr line in on their Tascam?
Hi J.T.L
I'm exactly in the same situation as you with my PSP2...except I already bought the HDP2.
Actually, after some searches on the web, the answer is NO. The only real line input is the unbalanced one. The XLR and the switches are IMHA mislabeled. The switches are only there to switch between RCA an XLR.
If you want to use a line balanced input the only solution is to use the -20dB PAD >:( and use the Mic input.
Ølaf
-
If you are going to use this box line in from a pre I highly recommend Doug Oade's (if you bought it from him) basic mod. It cleans up the rca line- in stage and the adc. Sounds really, really nice. Smooth and very quiet with a deep and wide soundstage. $149 for it, which I thought to be reasonable. Go for it!!!! :coolguy:
-
Yes, you can record line in via XLR/mic.line-in on the Tascam HD-P2.
The manual is confusing. And I'm told it was the same w/ the DA-P1.
"XLR input jacks for either line level or mic level (selected by switch on top) input"
"The input switches (LINE/MIC) switch between the XLR and RCA jack inputs."
Says either RCA (line) or XLR (MIC) jack input and definitely seems ambiguous.
When I record The Radiators, who provide a soundboard patch bay w/ RCA and XLR outs,
plug the other end to XLR in on the P2, the mic/line switch to MIC and set the pad at -20db.
I've dont this several times, and it works great. And others I know have done it this way too.
I called Tascam on this, and they confirmed that XLR line-in is via:
- input to MIC input
- -20db pad
You're set to go.
Last night's show in Westport, CT, came out great this way...
Plenty of examples on archive.org as well.
/Ken
-
...+Ts to yall.
-
so you must have the pad engaged, and the selector switch set to line or line-in to work via the xlr inputs..?
-
I called Tascam on this, and they confirmed that XLR line-in is via:
- input to MIC input
- -20db pad
You're set to go.
Ok, but with that method, the signal is passing through the mics preamp, thing we precisely want to avoid with a killer mic preamp...
my 2c
Ølaf
-
Aside from going line-in from a soundboard to the mic inputs on the P2 and padding on the deck there, would one need to use an attenuator cable to pad the signal when going line-in using rcas? Or digital coax?
-
Aside from going line-in from a soundboard to the mic inputs on the P2 and padding on the deck there, would one need to use an attenuator cable to pad the signal when going line-in using rcas? Or digital coax?
No, I don't think so. I'm not sure if the pad works for RCA's or not since I've just used the P2's XLR line-in. For digital in, I don't think it would matter as the levels are irrelevant when using an external ADC sending a bit stream which would be recorded as is, I believe.
I always use XLR line-in on the P2 when soundboard XLR outs are available like w/ The Radiators. It works great and I'm still blown away at how good 24 bit recording sounds.
Recent example: http://www.archive.org/details/rads2006-10-22.rads2006-10-22.sbd.hdp2.flac
Now if I could only figure out how to burn 24-but audio DVDs for playback, I'd be in heaven...
/Ken
-
Ken,
Do you always use the -20 pad for SBD recordings?
-
Ken,
Do you always use the -20 pad for SBD recordings?
Yes. Sorry for the delay, was out for a while...
Another observation about the -20db pad. I recorded Max Creek the other night, 30' from stage, using my KM184's ORTF. I left the -20db pad engaged, and recorded the first set w/ levels around 8 on the dial.
2nd set, I turned off the -20db pad, and recorded w/ levels around 4.
Set 2 sounds noticably better than Set 1. Besides the possibility that the PA was adjusted better, the only difference was not decreasing input and then increasing levels. Seems to make sense that the Set II method would be better.
Any comments ?
/Ken
-
Ken,
Do you always use the -20 pad for SBD recordings?
Yes. Sorry for the delay, was out for a while...
Another observation about the -20db pad. I recorded Max Creek the other night, 30' from stage, using my KM184's ORTF. I left the -20db pad engaged, and recorded the first set w/ levels around 8 on the dial.
2nd set, I turned off the -20db pad, and recorded w/ levels around 4.
Set 2 sounds noticably better than Set 1. Besides the possibility that the PA was adjusted better, the only difference was not decreasing input and then increasing levels. Seems to make sense that the Set II method would be better.
Any comments ?
/Ken
That's the way I normally run: AKG 480 > Tascam. No need for a pad when running direct. The Tascam can handle it. But defnitely use the pad if you're running shotguns directly into the P2.
This week, I'm running the SD MP2 in front of the Tascam, so I'm gonna try XLR-IN, -20 pad, and see how it sounds. I gonna try a unity of 5 on the Tascam and use the MP2 to trim out the levels. The show will be Gov't Mule in Albany, NY Can't wait. Keepin' my fingers crossed.
-
I'm test driving a V3 tonight at Gov't Mule in Worcester. KM184s>V3>Tascam HD-P2.
The friend who's selling it tells me I need one after he heard a Radiators show I recorded direct.
I like the ADC of the P2, but am curious about the results I'll get using an external preamp, esp the V3.
/Ken
-
I'm test driving a V3 tonight at Gov't Mule in Worcester. KM184s>V3>Tascam HD-P2.
The friend who's selling it tells me I need one after he heard a Radiators show I recorded direct.
I like the ADC of the P2, but am curious about the results I'll get using an external preamp, esp the V3.
/Ken
are you going to go S/PDIF from the V3? or analog out? and if you go analog out, are you going to go XLR in with the -20 dB pad? or are you going to use XLR > RCA cables to go Line-In to the HD-P2?
-
Jason,
I'm gonna try out: SD MP2 > Tascam at Mule's show in Albany tomorrow.
Line-OUT (XLR) > Line-IN (XLR), -20 pad engaged
I'll report back here on what I think.
-
I'm test driving a V3 tonight at Gov't Mule in Worcester. KM184s>V3>Tascam HD-P2.
The friend who's selling it tells me I need one after he heard a Radiators show I recorded direct.
I like the ADC of the P2, but am curious about the results I'll get using an external preamp, esp the V3.
/Ken
are you going to go S/PDIF from the V3? or analog out? and if you go analog out, are you going to go XLR in with the -20 dB pad? or are you going to use XLR > RCA cables to go Line-In to the HD-P2?
Planning on going V3 S/PDIF out to HD-P2 S/PDIF IN. ie using the V3's ADC...
/Ken
-
Planning on going V3 S/PDIF out to HD-P2 S/PDIF IN. ie using the V3's ADC...
/Ken
that's what I've always done, and I've been very happy with the results...
I think the V3's A/D is a lot more relaxed and natural sounding at 24 bit, compared to how the V3 A/D sounds at 16 bit with the ANSR dither...
-
I'm test driving a V3 tonight at Gov't Mule in Worcester. KM184s>V3>Tascam HD-P2.
The friend who's selling it tells me I need one after he heard a Radiators show I recorded direct.
I like the ADC of the P2, but am curious about the results I'll get using an external preamp, esp the V3.
/Ken
are you going to go S/PDIF from the V3? or analog out? and if you go analog out, are you going to go XLR in with the -20 dB pad? or are you going to use XLR > RCA cables to go Line-In to the HD-P2?
Planning on going V3 S/PDIF out to HD-P2 S/PDIF IN. ie using the V3's ADC...
/Ken
Excellent results, wow! I think I really like this Lunatec V3. Seems less "whooshy" compared to direct, more robust, and handled the high volume and low end better. I'd like to share the recording, but other than mailing cd's, Mule is not on LMA/archive.org, and I can't get BT to do anything better than 2K :-(
It came out despite the boomy place (Palladium in Worcester), and despite the fact that the guy selling said to use leave ANSR on - turns out this dithers the 24 bit sample to 16 bit recorders - DAT, CD, etc. D'oh! At least i figured it out first time out; current owner was like, wow good research ;-) But I had the P2 set to 24/48 (same as the V3), so I wonder if I resampled the V3 16-bit out at 24 bit! I then dithered back to 16 bit to burn to CR/R. Yikes! Still sounds excellent though. Capturing 24 bit might just be 256 times better.
/Ken
-
Excellent results, wow! I think I really like this Lunatec V3. Seems less "whooshy" compared to direct, more robust, and handled the high volume and low end better. I'd like to share the recording, but other than mailing cd's, Mule is not on LMA/archive.org, and I can't get BT to do anything better than 2K :-(
It came out despite the boomy place (Palladium in Worcester), and despite the fact that the guy selling said to use leave ANSR on - turns out this dithers the 24 bit sample to 16 bit recorders - DAT, CD, etc. D'oh! At least i figured it out first time out; current owner was like, wow good research ;-) But I had the P2 set to 24/48 (same as the V3), so I wonder if I resampled the V3 16-bit out at 24 bit! I then dithered back to 16 bit to burn to CR/R. Yikes! Still sounds excellent though. Capturing 24 bit might just be 256 times better.
/Ken
glad you liked the V3, it is an excellent piece of gear. unfortunately, if you had the ANSR light on, the V3 was only output 16 bit data, so even though the HD-P2 recorded it to a "24 bit" file, the last 8 bits are just filled with zeroes and act as place-holders. you essentially used more disk space to record a 16 bit file. your best bet is to just truncate off the last 8 digits to give yourself a 16 bit file. no need to apply dither again, because the data has already had dither applied to it (i.e. the ANSR dither in the V3).
the good news is, as happy as you are with the V3 now, when you really run it at 24 bit, you'll enjoy it that much more. :)
-
the good news is, as happy as you are with the V3 now, when you really run it at 24 bit, you'll enjoy it that much more. :)
You got that right! :-)
-
Excellent results, wow! I think I really like this Lunatec V3. Seems less "whooshy" compared to direct, more robust, and handled the high volume and low end better. I'd like to share the recording, but other than mailing cd's, Mule is not on LMA/archive.org, and I can't get BT to do anything better than 2K :-(
It came out despite the boomy place (Palladium in Worcester), and despite the fact that the guy selling said to use leave ANSR on - turns out this dithers the 24 bit sample to 16 bit recorders - DAT, CD, etc. D'oh! At least i figured it out first time out; current owner was like, wow good research ;-) But I had the P2 set to 24/48 (same as the V3), so I wonder if I resampled the V3 16-bit out at 24 bit! I then dithered back to 16 bit to burn to CR/R. Yikes! Still sounds excellent though. Capturing 24 bit might just be 256 times better.
/Ken
glad you liked the V3, it is an excellent piece of gear. unfortunately, if you had the ANSR light on, the V3 was only output 16 bit data, so even though the HD-P2 recorded it to a "24 bit" file, the last 8 bits are just filled with zeroes and act as place-holders. you essentially used more disk space to record a 16 bit file. your best bet is to just truncate off the last 8 digits to give yourself a 16 bit file. no need to apply dither again, because the data has already had dither applied to it (i.e. the ANSR dither in the V3).
the good news is, as happy as you are with the V3 now, when you really run it at 24 bit, you'll enjoy it that much more. :)
I ran MG200>V3>HD-P2 at 24/96 for the Nate Wilson Group show at the Stone Church last Sat. nite and it came out killer, I love this setup.
One side question, has anyone here ever recorded higher than 96Hz in stereo on their HD-P2? I use a Transcend 8 gb card and my speed test says it will only record in mono over 96Hz. I was wondering if anyone had ever successfully recorded in 24 bit stereo in sample rates over 96Hz.
-
i have a transcend 8 gig card, and mine tested OK for stereo @ 192... i record @ 24/88.2, however, so i havent tested in the field, yet...
-
i have a transcend 8 gig card, and mine tested OK for stereo @ 192... i record @ 24/88.2, however, so i havent tested in the field, yet...
hmm... could there be variability card to card for this manufacturer??? I would think/hope that they would only vary from amnufacturer to manufacturer.
-
mine is the transcend 8gig 120x
-
mine is the transcend 8gig 120x
I have the same card.
-
weird.
terrapinj had an issue with his in his 722, yet he bought one 'cos we used mine a bunch of times before in that same machine, and had no problems whatsoever...
-
...different batch from the factory? I only say this because I read where PQI CF discs were not fast enough for anything above 24/94 in an HDP2, but mine tests fine for 24/192 and I bought it a coupla weeks ago. Just a thought...
-
Just chiming in here, but do you think the firmware version could have something to do with the >96k recording problems?
-
...different batch from the factory? I only say this because I read where PQI CF discs were not fast enough for anything above 24/94 in an HDP2, but mine tests fine for 24/192 and I bought it a coupla weeks ago. Just a thought...
mine tests fine above 24/96, or so the test says.
and i have two of the PQI cards.