Search found 17 matches

by Tim Farrant
Mon Jan 03, 2005 5:40 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: Repair Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 1182

Re: Repair Advice

The SDE3000 runs REAL hot. I would say the power supply is turning itself off when it heats up. Your tech might not have been able to fault it as he might have had the lid off, so it did not heat up as much.

It's worth getting it fixed, useful unit.

Tim.
by Tim Farrant
Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:39 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: VU meters, are they more useful than LED meters and why.
Replies: 17
Views: 4025

Re: VU meters, are they more useful than LED meters and why.

The modulation is generally not as deep as AM radio, but if you hang a scope across the record head of a tape machine you will see the audio modulating the bias tone. The HX Pro system worked by varying the bias level relative to the spectrum of the audio signal, as opposed to the normal "fixed" bia...
by Tim Farrant
Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:50 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: VU meters, are they more useful than LED meters and why.
Replies: 17
Views: 4025

Re: VU meters, are they more useful than LED meters and why.

Recording onto analog tape IS modulation, you have a carrier (bias) and you modulate it in the exact same way as AM radio.

Tim
by Tim Farrant
Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:29 am
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: VU meters, are they more useful than LED meters and why.
Replies: 17
Views: 4025

Re: VU meters, are they more useful than LED meters and why.

VU meters were designed to measure line and modulation levels in the days of broadcast and then found their way onto tape machines (analog tape really is the same as broadcast in terms of modulation). 0VU was always set to "reference level", +4dBm, or sometimes in the Europe I think, +8dBm or 0dBm. ...
by Tim Farrant
Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:02 am
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: newbie question re:analog mixers
Replies: 3
Views: 1042

Re: newbie question re:analog mixers

If you push any analog device into the red (or beyond!) then it will clip. This is when the signal level attempts to go beyond what is possible determined by the power supply rails of the device. Clipping results in high amounts of distortion. In tube circuits, the clipping will be soft and can soun...
by Tim Farrant
Tue Dec 21, 2004 12:51 am
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: Soundcraft 200B - Stereo Channels
Replies: 12
Views: 4493

Re: Soundcraft 200B - Stereo Channels

What exactly is the problem - isn't it simply stereo in to the busses with a little EQ on the way?
Tim
by Tim Farrant
Tue Dec 21, 2004 12:45 am
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: science behind preamps
Replies: 23
Views: 4663

Re: science behind preamps

[quote="a microphone puts out a signal on the order of a millivolt. line level is on the order of one volt. so the mic preamp has to amplify the signal a thousand times. that's a big job, and there's lots of room for interpretation in it. Very true! In some cases when using low output mics and low ...
by Tim Farrant
Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:19 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: So what makes a compressor fast or slow electronically?
Replies: 5
Views: 1507

Re: So what makes a compressor fast or slow electronically?

I read on the ART website the fast attack time of the VLA is quoted at 2mS (for 20dB gain reduction). If this is correct, then you should be getting better results than you describe because 2mS is only 2 cycles of a 1kHz sinewave. You can of course check this out for yourself by recording on your DA...
by Tim Farrant
Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:31 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: the dreaded preamp/comp q...
Replies: 10
Views: 2329

Re: the dreaded preamp/comp q...

Perhaps you should look at getting a channel strip, ie, micpre, compressor and EQ, this keeps it all tidy and easy to use, plus there are some units around that allow you to access the various elements seperately - could be handy.

Cheers
Tim.
by Tim Farrant
Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:27 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: Studer 827 sync help please
Replies: 14
Views: 2668

Re: Studer 827 sync help please

Heh heh heh, sorry, this made me laugh because it's suprising how many people never read manuals when the answer you need is in there! Glad to hear it's working, but I have to agree, getting the DAW to chase the 2" would be faster - this brings back horrible memories of syncing 2" machines to video ...
by Tim Farrant
Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:22 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: How's this darned compressor work....
Replies: 7
Views: 1518

Re: How's this darned compressor work....

The C1 strangles everything you put thru it IMHO. I find the Renasiance compressor much more musical and more like analog comps, especially in the Opto mode.

Cheers
Tim.
by Tim Farrant
Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:18 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: Variable impedence on pre-amps? What's that good for?
Replies: 8
Views: 1780

Re: Variable impedence on pre-amps? What's that good for?

It's good for putting more little blinky lights and knobs and switches on the mic pre to make it look cool. Bottom line: it's bullshit. Hey Dan, please clarify, why do you think it's bullshit? Some mics will change sound more than others as you vary the load impedance. Notably transformer coupled c...
by Tim Farrant
Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:24 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: Hunting down a buzz
Replies: 8
Views: 2373

Re: Hunting down a buzz

More than likely an earth loop. Has this noise always been there or has it started recently? The best way to resolve this is strip back your system. Remove ALL inputs and outputs from your mixer, and just leave the monitors/amp connected, is it quiet? If yes, start reconnecting your devices one by o...
by Tim Farrant
Sun Nov 28, 2004 9:46 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: mx5050 tracks failing
Replies: 3
Views: 919

Re: mx5050 tracks failing

How worn are the heads? Are they flattened out where the the tape runs across them? Can you feel ridges on them if you rub them with your finger? Is the tape you are using shedding oxide and building up brown stuff on the head? Worn or clogged heads are the most likely cause of what you describe. Ho...
by Tim Farrant
Sun Nov 28, 2004 9:38 pm
Forum: 5/03-2/05: General Recording
Topic: How do I get a more fuller/punchy sound when tracking drums?
Replies: 21
Views: 3869

Re: How do I get a more fuller/punchy sound when tracking dr

I assume you are using the Mackie board as your record preamps. A good sounding kit and a well balanced acoustic are all important, but I would suggest that better preamps will improve your sound no end, or at least allow you to hear more clearly the changes you make when adjusting mic positions. Su...