Topic: LSD2 > M148 > V3 > 722 / Mic Sensitivity & Gain Settings

[thegreatgumbino]

Hey all.  I picked up an LSD2, and was toying with the idea of running it Blumlein in front of the M148 > V3 (analog) > 722 at a smaller venue tonight.  This setup has a minimum of 30 dB gain when running the 722 at unity (M148 = 20 dB + V3 = 10 dB).  The club is a smaller club with a reasonable sound system, nothing too loud (i.e. I don't typically need earplugs). 

I guess my question is related to the sensitivity of LD mics.  This will be my first time running LD's.  The LSD2 sensitivity is 12mV/Pa=-38dB(0dB=1V/Pa).  When I usually record at this venue, I run AKG 460's > 148 > V3 and have about 40 dB total of gain.  The 460's have a sensitivity of 8mV/Pa=-62 dB. 

I'm thinking I should run the -10 dB pad on the LSD2 to be safe.  Anyone with more LD experience have any thoughts?  Thanks.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I'm not sure which attenutation would produce the best result with that gear but I think you're right to be worried about it. Obviously you can go down -6 on the 722..  I recall the v3 also has internal jumpers that reduce output.

Have you done any m148 > v3 > 722 vs. m148 > 722 comps?  I realize you're using the v3 for some make-up gain, so it does serve a purpose.

[thegreatgumbino]

I'm not sure which attenutation would produce the best result with that gear but I think you're right to be worried about it. Obviously you can go down -6 on the 722..  I recall the v3 also has internal jumpers that reduce output.

Have you done any m148 > v3 > 722 vs. m148 > 722 comps?  I realize you're using the v3 for some make-up gain, so it does serve a purpose.

I haven't done any comps yet, but I'm planning on doing so.  I've run the M148 > V3 enough to know how it works/sounds and that I like it, but I've never run LD's or analog out of the V3.  I'm hoping the AD in the 722 will sweeten the pot.  I'll be recording 24 bit and would like to run somewhere between -12 and -6 on the 722.  To do that, I'll need to hit about 15 on the V3 meters. 

I read in another thread that CraigT usually ran his LSD2 > V3 at about 25 db of gain, and I think the majority of his shows were considerably louder than what I'll be seeing tonight.

This is really just an experiment.  Carl's blumlein > wmod FR-2 recordings sound nice, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  I figure running the pad on the LSD2 can't hurt.  Worse case, I pull the M148 or V3 out of the equation and run one pre analog > 722.

[thegreatgumbino]

Looks like CraigT said +25 to +35. 

I typically run my V3 at +25 to +35.

Unless I am missing something, it seems like this should work.  Run the LSD2 with the -10 dB pad to be safe, and shoot for running the 722 at unity.  All the gain comes from the m148 & the V3.  If need be, I could use the -6 db on the 722.

[thegreatgumbino]

Ended up working out great.  Ran the LSD2 blumlein & with -10 dB pad > M148 > V3 (analog out) > 722 (ADC only).  Ran the V3 at about +25 dB (about +45  db total gain).  Could have run without the pad on the LSD2, but it sounds great either way.  Peaked at about -12 to -9 on the 722 in 24 bit.

The recording sounds great.  Blumlein rocks!  Nice easy set up/breakdown with the LSD2 as well.

[leehookem]

who did you record Matt?

[thegreatgumbino]

who did you record Matt?

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers.  Great show.

The opener was Ronnie Day, and he sucked.   

[leehookem]

that's what I figured.  glad you enjoyed it and you liked how it came out.

+T

[thegreatgumbino]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=75668.0

16-bit is up on LMA if anyone is interested.  24-bit to follow.