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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: Kevin on November 07, 2003, 02:10:51 PM

Title: M248 users....
Post by: Kevin on November 07, 2003, 02:10:51 PM
Just picked one up last night  ;D and had some questions.  How do I set up my equiptment so I run the mics through the 248 and then use the minime's A/D? Also, how often do you service the unit?  the guy I bought it from said I should send it to the oade brothers to get it checked out, not sure why, he hasnt used it in awhile.  Also have any of you modified the unit so you can use DC power?  How long does the internal battery last?
Preciate the help fellas
Kevin
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: dmonterisi on November 07, 2003, 03:24:48 PM
have not run one of these, but the internal battery should last you plenty.  just charge it overnight.  run short xlr's from the back of the 248 to the mme.  turn the mme's gain knobs all the way left till they click at line level.  you'll be controlling gain via the 248.

you may need to calibrate the mme to the 248...there are instructions on the sonicsense page for calibrating an a/d to a variable gain pre.

have fun +t for the killer new toy.
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Tim on November 07, 2003, 03:30:25 PM
what damon said...
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: goose on November 07, 2003, 04:22:43 PM
m248 batteries should last in the neighborhood of 6 hours on a full charge depending on the mic draw - and the condition of the battery.  If it hasn't been used in a while, send it to Oade, and they may update the circuits and replace the battery ($100 or so total).

The m248 has XLR inputs, RCA outs, no XLR outs - so you will need RCA to XLR cables to run to the Mme.

Mods have been done to run it on DC, but it really isn't necessary except festival time.  If you read up on the oade archive you will find that some people that have modded for DC have burned up their units beyond repair - I would not chance it unless you are an electrical engineer/real guru.

Enjoy the new toy - I love mine!  (but  do keep an m148 for festy season - and to have a choice)
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: dmonterisi on November 07, 2003, 06:08:31 PM
it has RCA outputs?  wtf?

the inputs on the mme are some kind of bizarre universal input, i know they can accept 1/4"...wouldn't it be better to go rca to 1/4, rather than rca to xlr?
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: utahtaper on November 07, 2003, 07:52:38 PM
it has RCA outputs?  wtf?

the inputs on the mme are some kind of bizarre universal input, i know they can accept 1/4"...wouldn't it be better to go rca to 1/4, rather than rca to xlr?

IMO Yes!
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Sean Gallemore on November 07, 2003, 08:16:59 PM
it has RCA outputs?  wtf?

the inputs on the mme are some kind of bizarre universal input, i know they can accept 1/4"...wouldn't it be better to go rca to 1/4, rather than rca to xlr?

I'm not argueing here, just trying to learn; why would it be better to go rca > 1/4" than to xlr?
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: dmonterisi on November 07, 2003, 09:28:44 PM
i've never gotten this right, but i think xlr's are unbalanced and rca's are balanced and 1/4's are balanced?  i'm not sure what that means, but i think there can be humming or hissing or something if you are going balanced > unbalanced or the reverse.  somebody else who actually knows what they're talking about should chime in with real info.
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: zhianosatch on November 07, 2003, 09:35:16 PM
other way around, maybe? this topic is not for me to poop on
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: dmonterisi on November 07, 2003, 09:41:57 PM
+t for pooping on this thread
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Jason B on November 07, 2003, 09:50:37 PM
i've never gotten this right, but i think xlr's are unbalanced and rca's are balanced and 1/4's are balanced?  i'm not sure what that means, but i think there can be humming or hissing or something if you are going balanced > unbalanced or the reverse.  somebody else who actually knows what they're talking about should chime in with real info.

Actually Damon, XLR's are balanced. RCA's are unbalanced, and depending on wether or not is is a stereo or mono 1/4", they can be balanced (stereo) or unbalanced (mono). If making a cable that goes from balanced to unbalanced, at the unbalanced end, always solder the cold/low/negative (choose your preferred term) to the ground/shield.

-JB
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: dmonterisi on November 07, 2003, 09:55:04 PM
thanks JB...+t...so that means it's better to go rca > 1/4 (unbalanced mono) when going 248 to mme?
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Jason B on November 07, 2003, 10:01:35 PM
thanks JB...+t...so that means it's better to go rca > 1/4 (unbalanced mono) when going 248 to mme?

It's such a small cable run that the issue of them being balanced or not does not really factor in. I'd go RCA.  :)

-JB
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: utahtaper on November 08, 2003, 12:09:55 PM
You want mono RCA>1/4 unbalanced.
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Lee on November 08, 2003, 02:16:00 PM
wouldn't you want to go XLR so they lock in the back of the unit?  oh, wait... ;)
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 08, 2003, 02:28:29 PM
wouldn't you want to go XLR so they lock in the back of the unit?  oh, wait... ;)

that was quite the brick knockdown, so yer saying i shouldget a psp-3?? ::)i think i like the psp-3better too 8)
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Lee on November 08, 2003, 02:41:45 PM
just bringing up another popular topic - minime bashing
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Jason B on November 08, 2003, 02:56:42 PM
You want mono RCA>1/4 unbalanced.

I personally  would go RCA > XLR.

-JB
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Kevin on November 09, 2003, 04:24:53 PM
Preciate the help fellas and +T to all who responded ;)
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 10, 2003, 07:22:33 AM
just bringing up another popular topic - minime bashing

i dunno what the helli was talking about,lee.... :P ;)
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Lee on November 10, 2003, 02:53:53 PM
just bringing up another popular topic - minime bashing

i dunno what the helli was talking about,lee.... :P ;)

:smoking2:
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 10, 2003, 03:17:09 PM
just bringing up another popular topic - minime bashing

i dunno what the helli was talking about,lee.... :P ;)

:smoking2:

you guessed it brotha..  :smoking:
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: scb on November 12, 2003, 07:28:20 AM
>>the inputs on the mme are some kind of bizarre universal input, i know they can accept 1/4"...wouldn't it be better to go rca to 1/4, rather than rca to xlr?<<

NOOOOOOOOOOO

not on the minime.  the 1/4 input on the minime *cannot* take that hot a signal.  it'll get all distorted.  from a pre you'll need the xlrs
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: marc0789 on November 12, 2003, 01:51:36 PM
yeah, the 1/4 Hi-Z is a MUCH hotter input than the xlr, it's designed for instrument plug in. You're stuck with the xlrs.
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: marc0789 on November 12, 2003, 01:53:40 PM
they don't lock, but the xlrs don't come out unless you want 'em to. As for the coax, call Oade Brothers and buy an aes>coax female for 13 bucks. That's right, 13 bucks. Any pro deck should be able to handle the aes, d8 or d100 will give you the scms message.
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Kevin on November 13, 2003, 03:57:17 PM
they don't lock, but the xlrs don't come out unless you want 'em to. As for the coax, call Oade Brothers and buy an aes>coax female for 13 bucks. That's right, 13 bucks. Any pro deck should be able to handle the aes, d8 or d100 will give you the scms message.
maybe im missing something, but why would I need that?  ::) The 248 has coax outs and then  I would be going XLR into the minime
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: goose on November 13, 2003, 04:07:12 PM
That would be for the output from the minime to your deck Kevin.  Others were saying the coax out of the minime is shaky, and the AES cable uses an XLR connection, and the cable discussed above basically converts the AES XLR to coax with a sturdy connection at the back of the minime.

HTH
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Kevin on November 13, 2003, 04:09:50 PM
so are you saying to get a cable that has 2 male coax>1 AES? (the minime has an AES/EBU on the back
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: goose on November 13, 2003, 04:14:52 PM
No.  The AES is a single XLR output and the cable being talked about goes single XLR to coax.  Just like a regular coax, but taking as pro signal (AES) and "dumbing" it down to 75ohm coax.

You will still need the dual RCA to dual XLR to go from 248 to minime.  The AES is for output only, no input.

Am I increasing the confusion, or the clarity of the issue?  I'm not sure...
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Kevin on November 13, 2003, 04:21:18 PM
well maybe, so ok I need two cables correct? (Coax>XLR) I take those and run coax out of the 248 and XLR into the minime? whats the deal with the AES then?
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Nick S. on November 13, 2003, 04:25:17 PM
AES is a digital signal from the MMe to your dat.  You could also use the regualr spdif as well.  Some prefer the AES due to stability issues with the XLR cable.
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: goose on November 13, 2003, 04:26:51 PM
you keep saying coax, when in reality you need RCA - they look the same but carry different signals - coax is digital and RCA is analog.  248 to minime - Yes 2 cables, left and right.

The AES is another option for OUTPUT from the minime - that and digital coax.  The coax is not a locking connector and the AES is an XLR that "locks' into place.  That is why the suggestion for AES output from the minime - simply for a more secure connection.

If you have any more questions, I will be happy to try to answer them, but maybe someone else can explain in more clear terms than I?  Feel free to PM me Kevin - happy to help, if that is possible  :)
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Kevin on November 13, 2003, 04:29:05 PM
+T for the help and putting up with my nonesense and sorry for using coax as I use that to describe both coax and rca even though i know the difference
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Lee on November 13, 2003, 09:32:57 PM
coax is coax - it's a cable.  Short for coaxial... co- meaning "two" (conductors in this case) and -axial meaning "axis".  Thus, two conductors mounted about a common axis.

RCA is RCA - it's a connector.  Both analog and digtal signals on coaxial cable can be terminated in RCA connectors.

XLR, as you know, is also a connector.

In terms of what yall are trying to communicate, you're talking about two types of signals carried on coaxial cable terminated in RCA connectors.  The answer, you want to send an analog signal out of the RCA jacks on the m248, via coaxial cable, into the analog inputs on the minime, which are XLR connectors.  [sarcasm]After going through the magic smoke inside the minime, and passing by the calpots[/sarcasm], you want to take the digital AES format signal from the XLR output jack on the minime, down coaxial cable, and to the RCA connector input on your deck's 7-pin cable.

Sorry, I'm all about some correct terminology.  +T's around.

Kevin, you going to email me those MSG pictures any time soon?
Title: Re:M248 users....
Post by: Brian Skalinder on November 13, 2003, 09:48:45 PM
The answer, you want to send an analog signal out of the RCA jacks on the m248, via coaxial cable, into the analog inputs on the minime, which are XLR connectors.  [sarcasm]After going through the magic smoke inside the minime, and passing by the calpots[/sarcasm], you want to take the digital AES format signal from the XLR output jack on the minime, down coaxial cable, and to the RCA connector input on your deck's 7-pin cable.

Nice explanation, Lee.  +T