Topic: Getting Started and upgrading kit? Avantone ck1 and marantz 661

[swaneon]

Currently my kit consists of an ntg3 as my shotgun, avantone ck1 as my hyper-- zoom h4n + marantz 661 as my recorders
i'm going to get some lavs but for the units i have I'm thinking about getting the sound devices mix pre d and have been told to get a field mixer--which I'm willing to spend up to 1.5k for
are there any other suggestions?

I do currently do corporate + wedding videos
I'm thinking about replacing the avantone ck1 with a schoeps mk41 soon

I recorded this with the avantone ck1 with marantz 661 and i can'r seem to increase the gain without increasing noise--the mic is around 8 inches away from the speaker

here is a sample directly off the card https://www.dropbox.com/s/6clepmkf4xjlofg/1001.WAV
the voice sounds really low-- any quick glance where it might be off?

[Ultfris101]

I haven't used the Marantz 661 but a number of people do and like it a lot, but I believe I have seen in a few places comments about the built in preamps not being the best. Most people use a separate preamp of some sort. My guess is adding one such as the mix pre d would help you a lot as others have already suggested. See what others say, but that's probably the best next step.

It might be helpful to add some more specifics such as what settings were on the 661 when you made the recording as well and what levels the meters tell you you're getting. Also, what bit depth are you recording in? ie 16 vs 24? (pretty sure the 661 can do 24).

[DigiGal]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=159697.0

[swaneon]

for me settings its

24 bit, 48khz
-18
via d.mono
and I'm usually at 4-5 since if i go beyond 5 I get noise

but surprising it all cleans up very well in Audition
is that the norm? to clean up in post?

[Ultfris101]

ah, yes, it's very common to get acceptable but not necessarily perfect levels while recording and then to get it exactly the way you want it in post processing. If you get it where you want it with software afterward then you're probably fine.

I understood the levels were still way too low and noisy in post. You may not NEED an external preamp if you're happy with the results you're getting after processing.

[ScoobieKW]

A fairly inexpensive upgrade option. I have Avantone CK-1 mics modded by Busman Audio. Upgraded mic electronics with higher quality components and silver interconnects. Love the way they sound.

http://www.busmanaudio.com/

[F.O.Bean]

I would get that mk41 ASAP Also, the MixPreD will help out tremendously unless you get Oade/Busman to mod the preamps of the 661, which I would def look into. It would be cheaper than getting the mixpred!

[swaneon]

I would get that mk41 ASAP Also, the MixPreD will help out tremendously unless you get Oade/Busman to mod the preamps of the 661, which I would def look into. It would be cheaper than getting the mixpred!

haha I've decided to get the mk41 and the SD 302
i think that setup will work well for me

[F.O.Bean]

I would get that mk41 ASAP Also, the MixPreD will help out tremendously unless you get Oade/Busman to mod the preamps of the 661, which I would def look into. It would be cheaper than getting the mixpred!

haha I've decided to get the mk41 and the SD 302
i think that setup will work well for me

Smart move;)

[swaneon]

comes in a few days
now I just need to find a mk41

[F.O.Bean]

comes in a few days
now I just need to find a mk41

It might be HARD to find a single mk41 as they MOSTLY sell as a pair. You need to find a studio selling 1 of theirs or something like that

[eman]

What exactly do you mean by the mic is 8" away from the speaker? On the recorder? You can and should turn that off. Do you plug the mic right into the recorder? Also the MK41 is not a microphone it is only a cap you also need to purchase a body for it or a preamp or phantom power adapter (see Naiant Audio PFA or Tinybox in Retail Space) with an (expensive) active cable. For a single mic it may be more cost effective to buy the Schoeps mic body (CMC).
One thing you will find on this board is that placement is paramount- gear is secondary. Throwing money at the problem is nowhere near as effective as experimenting with different mounts and placements. Running video and audio at the same time without help is not easy.

[F.O.Bean]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schoeps-CMC5-and-MK41-Microphone-/290855371506?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Microphones&hash=item43b854c2f2

[swaneon]

is that yours?

btw i meant 8" as in away from the speaker's mouth
45 degrees aiming down

[F.O.Bean]

is that yours?

btw i meant 8" as in away from the speaker's mouth
45 degrees aiming down

Nope, not mine. If it was mine it would be FS here on ts.com, not ebay