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Post by rascalaudio on Sept 12, 2017 23:51:07 GMT -6
kevinnyc, how did your build go?
I built one of these a few years back. Got the pcbs and info from Igor directly back then. One of the more complex DIY projects, but I worked slowly, and fortunately it fired right up and sounded great. An awesome compressor for 2-mix or drum subgroup. I especially love the ability to select between Jakob's original "GSSL" or true SSL "4000" type sidechains. Jakob's hits harder, great for smashing things, while the "4000" mode is more refined. It has been a standard part of my mix setup since I built it.
I know nothing about the Ramshackle offering, but assuming it is the same device I highly recommend it.
Joel
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 8, 2014 8:34:04 GMT -6
Very cool, thanks.
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 7, 2014 17:08:26 GMT -6
This is only meant for line inputs to mic level output. Yes, -50dB for a mic pad is extremely severe. Not recommended for that.
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 6, 2014 17:12:19 GMT -6
For people who are building/racking mic preamps and want to add a line input to them here is a simple way. This provides you with a input that any modern or vintage line level device can be comfortable driving, cuts the level -50dB and provides a source output that looks like a microphone signal to your preamp. Use a non-shorting (BBM) switch, so any phantom power you have on your mic input connector will never reach your line input connector. You can also use this resistor network with XLR barrel connectors to make pads that you can take for use with any mic preamp for tracking or mixing. Any time you want to put some preamp love on line level signal that could benefit from it. Enjoy, Joel
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 6, 2014 17:01:24 GMT -6
Not sure how the Atty would work. It looks like a line-level pad, but not quite sure that it's doing what I was talking about (10k-ish load in, attenuation and 150R source out). I don't see any I/O impedance specs on it on their site. If it's just a variable line-level pad then it'd be redundant -- you might as well skip it and just go straight into the Two-V and use the "Input" control as your pad. I think DW Fearn's LP-1 and Shure's A15LA do what I was talking about, although they cost a lot more than just building pads yourself. The Atty might do the trick too -- just need to contact them to determine impedances. Joel Edit: I just posted a pad design that will work for this here. A little higher input impedance, but will get the job done nicely. Build a couple and use them with any preamp for when you want some added color. Enjoy. JC
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 5, 2014 22:47:50 GMT -6
I'm old enough to remember a ton of Paul's tunes... Really prolific writer.
I just put this next in my Netflix Queue. Looking forward to watching it.
Thanks!
Joel
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 5, 2014 22:25:08 GMT -6
For anyone racking up some PM1000 channels, or using a PM1000 for summing, etc., here is a simple EQ mod that makes these oddball EQ's much more musically useful. Here is the EQ section of the schematic: And the component layout of the EQ section on the pcb: The components you're concerned with are the cluster of caps and resistors immediately above the 180mH inductor at the middle/top of the component layout picture. Change the 270R resistor to 390R Change the first 330R to 472R Change the next 330R to 604R Change the 150nF cap to 1u2 (all film caps) Change the 68nF to 180nF Change the 33nF to 20nF Change 47nF to 33nF The 150R resistor is unchanged. Your new EQ points will now be: LF = 100Hz shelf (unchanged), Mid = 350Hz, 1k2, and 5k, peaking, HF = 12k shelf. And for the mid band the Q is wider now too, making the EQ much more musical rather than simply corrective. Enjoy, Joel
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 5, 2014 21:54:10 GMT -6
Edit: Looks like no line level on the Two-V
True, no intended 'line input' on the Two-V, but if the device you're feeding it with can drive a 1200 ohm load ("HZ" position on the impedance switch) then you can turn off the phantom and happily use the Two-V as a line preamp. Lots of gear (vintage and vintage-style gear for sure) is fine driving 600 ohm inputs (what many of those designs were intended to do), so the 1200 ohm position on the Two-V presents no problem. Be aware that the "LZ" position is 300-ohm, however, so that's a bigger load -- some gear might still drive it, but most of the time 1200 is probably what you want. Set the gain to lowest setting and ride the input level control. You can also back off the output a bit and hit the input a little harder for some greater saturation. And do make sure to turn off the phantom too, so you don't shove +48v up the backside of your line level device. Another idea, which would work with any preamp, for that matter, would be to make a couple of line-to-mic level pads that drop, say, -40dB or so, presents a 10k input impedance to the device feeding it and makes the output look like a 150 ohm microphone output. You could insert this between any line level output and microphone preamp input (still turning off the phantom power), and use the mic preamp for gain makeup. Helpful for those of us who like to to play with with our colors. The 10k input of this arrangement would work well for more modern line-level devices with electronically-balanced outputs that may not be happy playing with heavier loads. Joel
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Post by rascalaudio on Jun 3, 2014 15:37:26 GMT -6
Nice thread!
Just wanted to chime in to correct stated assumptions before they have a chance to become internet dogma:
Both transformers in the Two-V are proprietary models, made specifically for me here in the USA.
Good eye on the input, svart! I believe that is the same black enclosure on my input that's used on Ed's 10468 clone sold by Hairball, but it is, indeed, a different transformer design inside (not just because it is pcb mounted either -- the winding structure is different). I worked with Ed on the design, and he recommended I have Altran build it. Given the housing I assume they also make his 10468 clone, though to be clear this too is an assumption... I didn't ask Ed about it.
As for the output, it is also made for me by Altran, and it is also a custom design, though I worked directly with Dave at Altran myself to develop it and went though a few revisions before we finalized the design.
I am very much a huge fan of the old Neve circuits, but I wanted a different character from the iron than what they and their cloners use. These amp stages respond wonderfully to the level and content of the incoming signals, but the usual iron seems to be a one-trick pony (good trick, for sure, but I wanted that and more). The intentions for my iron were:
1) I wanted the larger-than-life, authoritative, driven sound that people love this type of circuit for when tracking drums, cabinets, and other heavy stuff, plus 2) I specifically wanted it to offer a more delicate character capable of a gentler touch when working with more intimate sources 3) I wanted to have a distinct, dynamic character that feels 'alive' rather than mushed or saturated -- a strong visceral response that jumps out of the speakers, and 4) I wanted to be able to use the preamp, overdub after overdub, without the low-mid buildup that requires sifting through and filtering at mixdown.
So I needed iron that offers a vintage, but lively dynamic character that would compliment a more versatile gain arrangement giving it the ability to do what people love the old Brit class-A stuff for, but open up the range for much greater creativity. Many folks will only buy one 'good' preamp to do all their critical tracks with their personal rigs, so I wanted to offer something that gives people the ability to realize more of what's in their heads when working with different sources and styles.
This is precisely the feedback I've been getting from everyone, and, in fact, Tape Op is about to print a review where the reviewer said the Two-V was the first preamp he had used for all-day overdub sessions (with a diverse set of sources) without feeling a desire to reach for any other unit, something he said he hasn't done since the 90's when one good preamp was all he had.
Okay, enough bloviating. Just wanted to clarify.
Carry on!
Joel
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