Aerco MP-2 preamp - Part 2

[audBall]

Yeah, that's handy

Actually, it is for me. I know my mics, my recorder and the situations I record in. I have been taping with fixed gain settings on the tinybox for a while now and it works just fine. But thanks for the input.

*3 snaps in a Z-formation*

[Marshall7]

Well, that's just wonderful for YOU.  But for everyone in every case...not so much. 

[larrysellers]

My comment wasn't exactly making a contribution to this thread so I will take the mulligan. I own several fixed gain preamps and prefer them for how I record.

[page]

I wonder what transformers it uses.

[audBall]

The documentation provided states "Jensen (Reichenbach)" which seems ambiguous. Did one acquire the other at one point?

[hi and lo]

The documentation provided states "Jensen (Reichenbach)" which seems ambiguous. Did one acquire the other at one point?

I believe that Reichenbach was at one point an OEM manufacturer for Jensen.

Yeah, that's handy

Actually, it is for me. I know my mics, my recorder and the situations I record in. I have been taping with fixed gain settings on the tinybox for a while now and it works just fine. But thanks for the input.

*3 snaps in a Z-formation*

Well, that's just wonderful for YOU.  But for everyone in every case...not so much. 

Not sure why this devolved into a snarkfest, but I much prefer fixed gain (or rather, not easily adjustable) if I have a good understanding of the gear and recording conditions I'll be in. Every knob, switch, or additional feature increases the likelihood of accidents or equipment failure, especially when working in the field. External gain knobs obviously have a purpose, but the lack of them on this unit is anything but poor design.

As long as the a>d converter has adjustable gain, what's the problem?

The purpose of an A/D isn't to provide gain. Althought there are all-in-one units that combine the functions of a preamp and a/d converter, a stand-alone A/D converter has an input sensitivity setting which is not meant to be used as on-the-fly gain. Its purpose is to calibrate the input sensitivity of the A/D so that it will visually clip 3-6 dB before the mic preamp.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Tiny pots like those in the picture often aren't designed for lots of use or strain.  They might be prone to wearing out.

I'm not sure when Jerry started using stepped grayhill pots, but they are very robust and well-positioned.  I have some shows where gain changes must occur due to non-amplified encores, so the ability to change gain is an essential feature for me. Ideally that happens via a knob that can be rotated a certain amount in complete darkness, by feel alone.

[scb]

*3 snaps in a Z-formation*

Thank you for the In Living Color laugh

[spyder9]

Welcome to Team Aerco, Horus.   

[audBall]

Thanks for all the input guys.

As 11 mentioned, my only real concern is the durability of the switches over time. Rarely do I need anything other than 20-30db of gain for the situations I record in so I can't imagine they're going to get worked too hard. And if something ever happens I'll just contact Jerry and get the thing fixed...or see if he can mod it to have external knobs. Basically, I think of the thing as a tiny "brick" (m148) and can always adjust the input level of the m10 if needed. Unfortunately, I don't get to record in acoustic settings these days - jazz and whatnot - so massive dynamic changes are rare for me.

[carlbeck]

Figured I should say hi since I just unboxed my new to me Aerco!

[axomxa]

Nice Carl.  I guess you are now "all the way back" 

[carlbeck]

Nice Carl.  I guess you are now "all the way back" 

Hmmmm, maybe. I should wait until my 63's arrive & the C34 is fixed to be sure 

[deadheadcorey]

can I run mics > mp-2 > r-09?

[larrysellers]

Yes, you would just need an rca to 3.5mm cable.

can I run mics > mp-2 > r-09?