Topic: Rig Upgrade Ideas

[charles]

So, I'm in the process of raising funds for my first rig upgrade. My projected amount to be able to spend on the upgrade is roughly $400. This does not include income from selling any portion of my rig that will be replaced during the upgrade...so keep that in mind. The problem I've encountered, as I'm sure we all do in these situations, is what changes should I make. I have some ideas, but I wanted to throw it out to all of you. What would you do? Many people on this board helped me put together my current rig, and I think it would be a mistake to make the upgrade without first consulting the "experts." 

Here's the current rig:

Nakamichi cm300's w/ cp-1 and cp-2 caps
General brand 10' light stand
Tensimount Shockmounts
Basic mogami 15' mic cables
Denecke AD-20
Coax-7-pin
Sony TCD-D8
Lowepro Nova 3 bag

[MattD]

I'd say to swap out the AD-20 and get a modded UA-5. You could probably sell the D8 and go JB3 as well, if you so desired.

[Brian]

buy a pair of leegeddy's silver xlr cables.

a nice set of cables is always good upgrade IMO.  tighter and clearer low end, nice midrange, and a touch "brilliance" on the high end that i find quite nice a lot of times.

then you could spend the rest on jb3

edit:  and/or as matt said, go for the ua5 as well

[charles]

buy a pair of leegeddy's silver xlr cables.

a nice set of cables is always good upgrade IMO.  tighter and clearer low end, nice midrange, and a touch "brilliance" on the high end that i find quite nice a lot of times.

So cables really make that big of a difference? I keep hearing mixed opinions on that issue.

[charles]

Any ideas specifically in the area of mics. I know, I know....go to the archive and listen to samples. Trust me, I have and I do all the time...but other tapers opinions are very important to me as well. I'm trying to weigh modding the cm300's and getting new mics. What do you guys think?

[creekfreak]

what are you trying to get out of this upgrade? Different sound? better pre/A-D? I find that if one wants to upgrade and get the most change then getting new mics is the way to go.

[charles]

what are you trying to get out of this upgrade? Different sound? better pre/A-D? I find that if one wants to upgrade and get the most change then getting new mics is the way to go.

That's what I'm thinking. However, the DAT to JB3 and a better A/D sound atractive as well.

[Brian Skalinder]

what are you trying to get out of this upgrade? Different sound? better pre/A-D? I find that if one wants to upgrade and get the most change then getting new mics is the way to go.

DF CF hits it on the head.

Have you identified what you like / dislike about your current gear?  What sonic characteristics you enjoy, which you'd prefer to change?  This is THE first step in determining your upgrade path, IMO.  Depending on the answer, the appropriate upgrade may be mics, pre, and/or ADC.  I don't think you should consider cable upgrades at this point, since with your budget + selling gear you're in a position to make far more impactful changes by swapping out mics / pre / ADC.

[leegeddy]

Any ideas specifically in the area of mics. I know, I know....go to the archive and listen to samples. Trust me, I have and I do all the time...but other tapers opinions are very important to me as well. I'm trying to weigh modding the cm300's and getting new mics. What do you guys think?

charles;

have you heard a recording with the modded cm300? if you haven't yet, you should d/l few of the recordings that are on Archive.org.

when i get my Franken-Naks back, i'll post them for Gear Loan so you may get a chance to hear what they actually sound like in comparison to standard cm300s.

marc

[ts]

Any ideas specifically in the area of mics. I know, I know....go to the archive and listen to samples. Trust me, I have and I do all the time...but other tapers opinions are very important to me as well. I'm trying to weigh modding the cm300's and getting new mics. What do you guys think?

charles;

have you heard a recording with the modded cm300? if you haven't yet, you should d/l few of the recordings that are on Archive.org.

when i get my Franken-Naks back, i'll post them for Gear Loan so you may get a chance to hear what they actually sound like in comparison to standard cm300s.

marc

Hey marc, those aren't my frankens you loaned out, eh?

[ts]

what are you trying to get out of this upgrade? Different sound? better pre/A-D? I find that if one wants to upgrade and get the most change then getting new mics is the way to go.

That's what I'm thinking. However, the DAT to JB3 and a better A/D sound atractive as well.

charles, this mean you don't want my CP4 cap?

[charles]

what are you trying to get out of this upgrade? Different sound? better pre/A-D? I find that if one wants to upgrade and get the most change then getting new mics is the way to go.

That's what I'm thinking. However, the DAT to JB3 and a better A/D sound atractive as well.

charles, this mean you don't want my CP4 cap?

It doesn't mean anything yet ts. I haven't made any decisions yet.

[charles]

Any ideas specifically in the area of mics. I know, I know....go to the archive and listen to samples. Trust me, I have and I do all the time...but other tapers opinions are very important to me as well. I'm trying to weigh modding the cm300's and getting new mics. What do you guys think?

charles;

have you heard a recording with the modded cm300? if you haven't yet, you should d/l few of the recordings that are on Archive.org.

when i get my Franken-Naks back, i'll post them for Gear Loan so you may get a chance to hear what they actually sound like in comparison to standard cm300s.

marc

Yes Marc, I have. But I would like to hear more. If you could post some links that would be fantastic.

[The Kilted Taper]

I've run 2 open and 1 stealthed show with Marc's Franken Naks (he's so nice, he's letting me borrow them while he finishes up modding mine  ). None of the bands are on archive though, so I'll try and set up a BT for them if you are interested (Ambulance LTD was the stealth, Citizen Cope and Black 47 are the open).

[charles]

I've run 2 open and 1 stealthed show with Marc's Franken Naks (he's so nice, he's letting me borrow them while he finishes up modding mine ). None of the bands are on archive though, so I'll try and set up a BT for them if you are interested (Ambulance LTD was the stealth, Citizen Cope and Black 47 are the open).

Thanks man. +T