Topic: CA Ugly 2 Switching Channels

[adrianb]

After some time thinking that I must be going mad, I now realise that the CA Ugly 2 preamp I recently bought is switching the L R channels around. I have checked all the connections and used different recorders and it is definitely the Ugly preamp. The CA 9200 preamp that I own is no problem.

Given the distance, and issues mentioned elsewhere, I don't really want to be returning this for repair. I am thinking about making a cable to correct this, but before I do does anybody know if such a cable is available to buy.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Are the channels switching randomly or just the Left goes to the Right and vise-versa?

If the channels are just swapped, I'd just switch the channels in post.

[adrianb]

Are the channels switching randomly or just the Left goes to the Right and vise-versa?

If the channels are just swapped, I'd just switch the channels in post.

It's permanent. Chris must have made it on a Friday afternoon. 

I could switch it post, but that would be a pain. I often don't visit files until weeks later, and won't remember which preamp, if any, I used. So looking for a permanent solution.

[danny3]

sounds pretty lame.  Are you using Church Audio mics, which are wired left and right, because if so couldn't you just switch their placement?

[adrianb]

sounds pretty lame.  Are you using Church Audio mics, which are wired left and right, because if so couldn't you just switch their placement?

Yes, I think I was being a bit dumb.

I think I'm just a bit annoyed to discover retrospectively that a load of stuff I've already processed is the wrong way around. I was listening to a recording the other night and remember thinking "I'm sure the drummer was on the right". 

Anyway, now I know I can just switch the mics around.

I've used the Ugly as a preamp into my Sony D100 on some field recordings and I think it's really good. If I'm using mics in the field in a fixed position, I can just use a pair of 3.5 to RCA connectors and connect them the wrong way round.

So simple solutions really, I just wish I had known. Maybe others should check their Uglys, and curious to know if other tapers find the same.

[voltronic]

I had a 9200 that was built with reversed channels.  Initially Chris claimed it was not possible for that to happen, but it was, verified with other mics and sources.  I sent it back to him to be fixed, which it eventually was, but since it took several months for him to get it back to me, I had abandoned Church products by that time out of frustration.

So if your Ugly is switched, just flip the mics.  Don't send it back for repair unless you don't need it for a very long time.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

When I'm stealthing I don't usually even bother making sure my L and R are on the correct side.

The only way I can really tell is when I hear a talker that I know was on my right but the chatter comes out of my left channel. Music sounds fine to me either way so I usually just leave it.

[seethreepo]

^ This.

[adrianb]

But what about my OCD? 

[Craig T]

I speak a quick "left" and "right" into my mics before I hit stop on my recorder that way I can fix in post if necessary.