Pres without output control -> DAW

[cirrusoxide]

Hi all,
I am upgrading my front end, which will include a few 500 pres and a RME Fireface UCX (currently on its way.)

My question: some 500 series pres I am looking at lack separate output level control or attenuation (Warm Audio, BLA, etc.) As I am likely to want to drive the inputs on these pres, am I likely to have problems managing levels on the RME side? I haven't seen or used TotalMix yet.

Thanks!

[vvv]

I posted about this recently; see here.

As a update, I have a DRL STP-1 Stick-On what I wired into my patchbay. I always run my Altec 1589b into it, sometimes other stuff, and I like it a lot. I especially like that I got it used offa the E-bog for under US$20.

Little Labs has the Redcloud, and there is the A-Designs Atty stuff, and a few others like the Nano where it's kinda marketed as a monitor controller ...

Also, some people use mic attenuators that they put after the pre - my problem is I wanted to stay unbalanced.

And I note that while it may or may not be cool to have adjustable attenuation, I read in a few places that -20db is kinda a "sweet spot". Further, the lack of a pot makes settings that much easier to repeat.

Go to the above link tho' and you can learn how to DIY one, also. I'm gonna do one soon, m'thinks.

[Nick Sevilla]

If your 500 series rack has xlr outputs, you can put an inline attenuator of 10 or 20 dB right after it, with a small xlr cable, like 1-3 ft long.

Cheers

https://www.google.com/search?q=xlr+att ... nt=firefox

[ashcat_lt]

And I note that while it may or may not be cool to have adjustable attenuation, I read in a few places that -20db is kinda a "sweet spot".

If'n the mic pre is meant to be run at gains which brings the averages up to +4dbu nominal level, then it probably ends up somewhere in the +20dbu range when it's crunching good. That'll be really damn close to the 0dbfs point on your interface, and -20db will be just about right to bring back down to a sane nominal level. No?

[vvv]

If you say so!

I can say that my pre's just somehow sound better, or at least a little different, when cranked, what the pad helps with (whatever the numbers ).

I am in the middle of a album project and we recorded guitars in my little bedio studio.

The bedio is mebbe 15' x 20' or so.

We used various amps including a Pro,Jr., a Rickenbacker M8, a Musicman HD130 thru a 2x12" open-back Celestion cab, and a 50w. Marshall Jubilee combo.

I close mic'd all of the amps (cloth to 6" variation) with various mic's but used a ISA1 for some consistency of sounds.

But each amp was also mic'd by a mod'd MXL R144 left in the same location in the room about 4' away from the amp wall, run thru a Altec 1589b max'd thru the STD-1 pad.

Loved it!

My next experiment is gonna be to use the pad after various compressors (ex., a Pro VLA II, a Meek, a RNC, a 1176 clone. I'm thinkin' on the tranny and the tube pieces, at least, it may sound cool. Mebbe even on the opto's ...)

[vvv]

And to keep this discussion on topic, lemme note that I think there's a usable difference in sound when using the attenuator pad with a pre that has output control, ex, the ISA1 (what has a switch) or Summit 2BA-221 or even a Eureka.

But especially on the Altec what doesn't, like the OP's 500 series stuff, it's very helpful, mebbe essential depending on how you interface if yer ITB.

[accordion squeezist]

You should be able to manage the gain in the RME's control panel without further ado.
Check the online manual. Good luck.

[drumsound]

I think Little Labs makes an 8-channel attenuator box.

[vvv]

Little Labs has the Redcloud, ....

There's a TapeOp review, here. Kinda pricey, and it uses DB25 connectors.

[silentsky]

You should be able to manage the gain in the RME's control panel without further ado.
Check the online manual. Good luck.

If I'm not mistaken, TotalMix's faders will control the level of the input channels for monitoring purposes, but does not actually affect the level seen at the inputs, and therefore the level that gets recorded. You can switch between +4 or -10 on the hardware units (either with a switch or using internal jumpers or dip switches on older models), but I think that's it as far as setting the input levels.

[Randyman...]

You should be able to manage the gain in the RME's control panel without further ado.
Check the online manual. Good luck.

If I'm not mistaken, TotalMix's faders will control the level of the input channels for monitoring purposes, but does not actually affect the level seen at the inputs, and therefore the level that gets recorded. You can switch between +4 or -10 on the hardware units (either with a switch or using internal jumpers or dip switches on older models), but I think that's it as far as setting the input levels.

This is correct. TM (TotalMix) is fully digital - It only affects the post ADC signal, and TM's input section (top row) has no effect on the level sent to the ASIO Driver (fader only affects the selected submix in TM).

[vvv]

Heya, Randyman!

Haven't sen ya post inna while; you still hang at the Planet?

[Randyman...]

What's up VVV! I see you posting all over the place here! It's like I'm at the VSP circa 2007 or so I lurk over there once a week or so, but haven't posted in ages...

See you around this awesome board...

[vvv]

[Darlington Pair]

If your 500 series rack has xlr outputs, you can put an inline attenuator of 10 or 20 dB right after it, with a small xlr cable, like 1-3 ft long.

Cheers

https://www.google.com/search?q=xlr+att ... nt=firefox

I just built my own pads so I could slam my Shure M267s and push my Neumann v476b's harder. There is a calculator http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/ You can build them right inside cables, just make sure you mark the cables.