Topic: Noob Question

[drewski1986]

I bought an edirol R-09 from the YS and have Church mics and an ST-9100 pre on the way.  My question is if I want to upgrade to some higher quality mics will something like this work  SP C-4's > PS-2 >
ST-9100 > R-09 ?  I'm a noob and don't know my a$$ from my elbow.  Thanks for any help.

[Belexes]

I have all the gear you mention in your post. My PS-2 has XLR outputs, so I am unable to run it into the mini-jack on the ST-9100. I use AT line transformers into a Y adapter that terminates into a mini-jack that I run into the line-in of the R-09.  I suppose the ST-9100 could be substituted for the line transformers to give you the needed gain.

A week ago I ran SP-C4's > PS-2 > AD-20 > M1.  Sweet pull.

<edit>

Here's the link in the Yard where I bought the gear needed to run a PS-2 to a 1/8" mini, so you can see what I have: (package #1)

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,92740.0.html

[drewski1986]

Is it possible to get a cable made that goes from xlr's to a single 1/8"?  I guess this could link the ps-2 with the st-9100?

[Belexes]

The line transformers are $20 each new:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68084-REG/Audio_Technica_CP8201_CP8201_Low_to.html

The cable you asked about above:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160632-REG/Hosa_YXF247_Stereo_Mini_Angled_Male.html

I was cautioned strongly though by those that know a lot more than myself that the line transformers were the best option.

[drewski1986]

Thanks for the responses.  I am still confused though.  What do the line transformers do and where do they fit into the chain.  Would I still use the st-9100?  Thanks for any and all the help.

[Belexes]

Line transformers give you a gain boost and if used I don't think the ST-9100 would be used.

SP C4 > PS-2 > AT Line Transformers > Hosa YMP-136 Adapter > R-09

The AD-20 is so often paired with the PS-2 for the pre, but I imagine the ST-9100 would work as well.

[drewski1986]

Thanks for the advice.  I am not worried about upgrading at all, I just want to know what to look for in the yard sale so when a good deal comes up I can jump on it.

[Belexes]

Thanks for the advice.  I am not worried about upgrading at all, I just want to know what to look for in the yard sale so when a good deal comes up I can jump on it.

SP C4's make good starter mics for an open rig, so if you see them for a good price, get them. They are my first "open" mics, but now the bug has bit me and I might upgrade to Busman's new mics.

[drewski1986]

If you decide to move on to other mics, I may be interested in you C4's.  PM me when the time comes if you want.

[esteyes]

posted by BELEXES

Line transformers give you a gain boost and if used I don't think the ST-9100 would be used.

the reality is that the line transformers are intended to change the signal from a balanced to unbalanced signal while keeping the impedance differences between the two cable formats correctly matched.

impedance mismatching often causes changes in the frequency response - ie you can lose sound at the high or low end of your recording.

signal gain or loss is most often a result of transformer design and in this case could done on purpose - there is a difference in pro and home/semi-pro signal levels.

however using a XLR>mini 1/8" has certainly been done by many people. it is not the _correct_ way, but does work. it is certainly worth trying as it is pretty inexpensive to make a cable.

hope this helps

[taylordb]

get to be proficient with the gear you have, learn it inside and out, before worrying about upgrades.

edit:
because, I wanted it to resemble the english language.

Drew, this is good advice!  I know it is hard to stop the urge to upgrade, but you have a good setup as it is.  Looking forward to hearing it......welcome to the fold!

[SmokinJoe]

What you have now is good stuff.  I whole heartedly agree that you should run what you have for a while and learn the ropes. Location and setup are the most important things.  Then there are the little things like not running out of batteries and chip space, and being there to hit the record button when the show starts.

When you run something like C4's > PS-2 > ST9100 > R-09 there is something else going on here that wasn't intended...  The ST9100 is putting out 9v of "plug in power" (intended for electret mics), and feeding this into the output side of the PS-2 is not needed, or desired.  I doubt it will damage the PS-2, but it's good to understand that it's there and ask the question.

[Church-Audio]

I bought an edirol R-09 from the YS and have Church mics and an ST-9100 pre on the way.  My question is if I want to upgrade to some higher quality mics will something like this work  SP C-4's > PS-2 >
ST-9100 > R-09 ?  I'm a noob and don't know my a$$ from my elbow.  Thanks for any help.

Before you go upgrading your mics wait until you get them and see how you like them first. 
But the AT 853 mics will work perfectly with my preamp if they are three wire you can get Nickspicks to make you an adaptor cable. You can also get a cable to go into your PS2 from 3.5 mm again talk to NicksPicks.
Edit.. Sorry I just realized the PS2 is a phantom supply DOH... not a preamp so if you have my mics you dont need the PS2.



Chris

[Will_S]

I bought an edirol R-09 from the YS and have Church mics and an ST-9100 pre on the way.  My question is if I want to upgrade to some higher quality mics will something like this work  SP C-4's > PS-2 >
ST-9100 > R-09 ?  I'm a noob and don't know my a$$ from my elbow.  Thanks for any help.

Before you go upgrading your mics wait until you get them and see how you like them first. 
But the AT 853 mics will work perfectly with my preamp if they are three wire you can get Nickspicks to make you an adaptor cable. You can also get a cable to go into your PS2 from 3.5 mm again talk to NicksPicks.
Chris

He's asking about Studio Projects C4s which are typical phantom powered condensors, not the Sound Professionals version of the AT853s.  And I'm not sure why anyone would ever want to run 3.5mm terminated mics into a PS-2 - it's just a phantom power source, not a preamp.

That said, I'd echo Chris' comments to see how you like the Church mics first.  Just my opinion, but I think you really have to spend more than the price of the C4s for a worthwhile jump in performance from the Church mics or AT853s.  The C4s sound a bit better, but the jump say AT853>C4 is a lot smaller than the jump from C4 > Neumann KM140.  IMO of course.

That said,

[drewski1986]

Thanks for all of the advice.  I am sticking with what I have now and was only wondering if the st-9100 would fit in the chain with some condensor mics.  I see now that it really doesn't.