SBD > XLR > UA-5 (stoopid question)

[hexyjones]

On a per-device basis, you have to determine what the exact purpose of the XLR input jack is...

On the UA-5 - It seems unclear, but my hunch is those inputs are made for micrphones and instruments only...not pro line level feeds...

You'll have to examine the F2 - read the manual...

If your SBD feed is from an RCA...chances are, its "consumer" line level and you should just use the RCA ins...no matter the device...nothing really to gain with the XLR connection...

"XLR" itself is just the name of the plug and doesnt indicate much/anything about the signal it carries...

If your SBD feed is from an XLR - you better be sure your XLR ins are expecting that kind of signal...if you have to use RCAs then perhaps the transformers are in order or a device like this...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LLS2/

[eman]

I'd like to point out, since it didn't occur to me for awhile after I had it, that the front XLR inputs on the UA5 also accept 1/4" plugs down the center. Might want to try to find out if those are handled differently than the XLRs.
I needed a way to plug in my AT822 (1/4" mono, 1/8" mono, or stereo mini) into the UA5 and after some head scratching said to myself, those holes look about the right size. Sure enough, they plug in there and it looks like there is a switch inside as well that kicks when you plug in a 1/4".

One more post and the t's start flying!

[hexyjones]

I'd like to point out, since it didn't occur to me for awhile after I had it, that the front XLR inputs on the UA5 also accept 1/4" plugs down the center. Might want to try to find out if those are handled differently than the XLRs.
I needed a way to plug in my AT822 (1/4" mono, 1/8" mono, or stereo mini) into the UA5 and after some head scratching said to myself, those holes look about the right size. Sure enough, they plug in there and it looks like there is a switch inside as well that kicks when you plug in a 1/4".

One more post and the t's start flying!

I suspect they are there for instruments...guitars, keys...and perhaps that kind of unbalanced mic in...

[jimmc]

I'd like to point out, since it didn't occur to me for awhile after I had it, that the front XLR inputs on the UA5 also accept 1/4" plugs down the center. Might want to try to find out if those are handled differently than the XLRs.
I needed a way to plug in my AT822 (1/4" mono, 1/8" mono, or stereo mini) into the UA5 and after some head scratching said to myself, those holes look about the right size. Sure enough, they plug in there and it looks like there is a switch inside as well that kicks when you plug in a 1/4".

One more post and the t's start flying!

I suspect they are there for instruments...guitars, keys...and perhaps that kind of unbalanced mic in...

Yep, the UA-5 front plugs that accept 1/4" can also be used w/ unbalance cables. I ran my Nak CM300's in this way until I got new mic cables. Worked just fine. The only drawback to the 1/4" unbalanced is that you cant use the phantom power, but w/ Nak's, you dont need phantom.
Also, last Thursday, I ran SBD XLR out > UA-5 XLR In, front panel > JB3.  My UA-5 peak light was flickering and flashing like crazy, so I assumed I'd have a junk recording, although my JB3 levels looked fine.  I had the front gain knobs turned completely "off" and still was peaking like crazy. Second set, I switched to run analog out of the UA-5 to try to control the hot signal from the SBD.  When I got home and listened, turns out I could have left the setup the same as the first set.  The recording came out amazing !!  Like I said, the peak light was flashing like never before, but it worked out fine.  That is the one and only time I ran SBD > UA-5 using XLR into the front of the UA-5.  I only did it because that was the only option I had that night.  Seemed to work out fine for me.  Good luck, only thing I can say is give it a try and see what happens.
Jim

[hexyjones]

I'd like to point out, since it didn't occur to me for awhile after I had it, that the front XLR inputs on the UA5 also accept 1/4" plugs down the center. Might want to try to find out if those are handled differently than the XLRs.
I needed a way to plug in my AT822 (1/4" mono, 1/8" mono, or stereo mini) into the UA5 and after some head scratching said to myself, those holes look about the right size. Sure enough, they plug in there and it looks like there is a switch inside as well that kicks when you plug in a 1/4".

One more post and the t's start flying!

I suspect they are there for instruments...guitars, keys...and perhaps that kind of unbalanced mic in...

Yep, the UA-5 front plugs that accept 1/4" can also be used w/ unbalance cables. I ran my Nak CM300's in this way until I got new mic cables. Worked just fine. The only drawback to the 1/4" unbalanced is that you cant use the phantom power, but w/ Nak's, you dont need phantom.
Also, last Thursday, I ran SBD XLR out > UA-5 XLR In, front panel > JB3.  My UA-5 peak light was flickering and flashing like crazy, so I assumed I'd have a junk recording, although my JB3 levels looked fine.  I had the front gain knobs turned completely "off" and still was peaking like crazy. Second set, I switched to run analog out of the UA-5 to try to control the hot signal from the SBD.  When I got home and listened, turns out I could have left the setup the same as the first set.  The recording came out amazing !!  Like I said, the peak light was flashing like never before, but it worked out fine.  That is the one and only time I ran SBD > UA-5 using XLR into the front of the UA-5.  I only did it because that was the only option I had that night.  Seemed to work out fine for me.  Good luck, only thing I can say is give it a try and see what happens.
Jim

Did it look unusual in an editor?

[jimmc]

One more thing/question.  Is the peak light on the UA-5 measuring the signal that is coming into the front panel when you run SBD > UA-5 using the XLR?  The signal into the JB3 seemed fine, but the peak light looked like a star shining in the night sky.  Doesnt seem to make sense. If I was running my mics w/ the peak light shining like that, I'm sure it would be full of brickwalling.

Anyway, I'd try my best from now on to run the SBD feed into the rear of the UA-5 to try to take advantage of the attenuator knob in the rear of the JB3, as others have stated.
Jim
Hope I didnt confuse anyone......

[jimmc]

Did it look unusual in an editor?

It looked "hot", but nothing too bad.  Here is a screen cap of one song from the first set.

[hexyjones]

looks fine...what kind of music...?

[jimmc]

looks fine...what kind of music...?

Roots/americana/rock band.  6 piece:  Electric guitar, drums, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle.
Really good, up-and-coming band from Western NY called Big Leg Emma.
I'm in the process of uploading this show to the archive right now.
Check em out if that sounds like your sort of thing.
Jim

[Brian Skalinder]

Is the peak light on the UA-5 measuring the signal that is coming into the front panel when you run SBD > UA-5 using the XLR?  The signal into the JB3 seemed fine, but the peak light looked like a star shining in the night sky.

The UA5 peak light triggers at around -3dB, so theoretically it could stay lit through an entire recording session without clipping.  Theoretically, of course.

If I was running my mics w/ the peak light shining like that, I'm sure it would be full of brickwalling.

Brickwalling is typically used to describe overloading the analog inputs.  The word you're looking for is clipping.  BTW, you could also apply the above theoretical statement to mics, but remember it's only theoretical!

[jimmc]

Brian,
Thanks for the clarification.  +T
Jim

[suspect]

Does the UA-5 need to be modded by Oade in order to use the Rear inputs?  I have the stock unit but I go into my laptop via USB.  I was under the assumption that I could run the unit with it's full capabilities (multi-out/etc) as long as it's plugged into the usb.  My main reason for this is, can I use the UA-5 to take two inputs (say sbd/mics) and pump it to my laptop?  I know we're getting a little OT here but it still relates to SBD/XLR and the UA-5 

[Brian Skalinder]

Does the UA-5 need to be modded by Oade in order to use the Rear inputs?

Nope.  The rear inputs are active independent of the Oade digi-mod.  The Oade digi-mod simply allows for coax and optical digi-out without a PC hooked up via USB.

[suspect]

So as long as it's hooked up to a PC, it is not limited in any way?  +T for the help.

[dklein]

If you are getting an XLR balanced connection from the board 6dB is gained   
Whether or not you want it is another matter....an XLR > RCA adapter will drop 6dB just by moving to unbalanced.

You mean a adapter with a transformer right...?

Sorry, wasn't trying to confuse.  All I was saying is that if you take a balanced connection and unbalance it, you lose 6 dB (because you end up only using half of the balanced signal).  No transformers involved.