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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 16, 2017 18:09:05 GMT -6
Hands down! Mod channels as you can afford it.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 16, 2017 18:06:22 GMT -6
Dave thanks for the info. I just opened one of mine up. I do see some rectification happening inside the unit. I am guessing it is full wave since it is using a bridge.
The GAP Comp 54's do have 3 audio transformers total. So, the original 2254 had a total of 4?
Do you know what version of 2254 these are suppose to be based on. I have to admit after swapping transformers this thing really does sound pretty good.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 15, 2017 22:11:04 GMT -6
The transformers in the GAP stock are total garbage. Replacing those helps a lot. I am about to take out all the caps in one of my units and replace them with higher quality parts and see if that helps.
I wish I had a schematic for this thing.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 14, 2017 13:18:23 GMT -6
Yeah, tubes are different because they don't require as much filtering as solid state designs. I find the full wave PSU's really do help on solid state designs. But again IMO.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 14, 2017 12:26:52 GMT -6
The Maag Eq 2 gets praise for this. I had a client recently send me one to mod. It was honestly pretty smudgy sounding. I modded it and now it sounds the way people describe them. I have before and after samples. They aren't cheap but I could see really liking them. The top is extremely smooth and like crack. What hit and you are addicted. The detented pots seemed really nice on them and they could easily be used on a bus or during mastering like my client used them. If you are interested I can get you the samples. Really! People describe them sounding that way because that's how they sound. "I modded it and now it sounds the way people describe them."
Is a bit of a non sequitur statement. The Maag EQ 2 doesn't need modding to sound like a Maag EQ 2. I've heard the Maag EQ 2 out of the box and it absolutely didn't sound smudgy - it just sounded like a Maag EQ 2 with all the qualities the unit has a reputation for. Not saying your modd didn't change the unit - but the unit doesn't need modding to sound like it's meant to. Small point, but worth mentioning :-)
Well I would never have personally used it on a mix buss or during mastering previously. It messed with to much of the rest of the sound IMO. I did take before and after samples as well. That is the only way to truly judge if improvements are made or not.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 14, 2017 11:00:32 GMT -6
At what point does an external PS stop being a wall wart? The in line PS for the Stam 1073 feels like a brick with wires on each end. When they take the transformer and rectifier out of the little box at the end of the cable, and put it in the chassis of the unit allowing all the glorious EMI to radiate all over the boards.. Because that's really the only difference between a linear wall-wart and an internal linear supply. When most people complain about wall-warts, they are not really complaining about the topology used, as much as they are unknowingly complaining about the under-specing of the supply, or the lack of proper filtering in the unit itself. If the wall-wart is specified properly and the filtering needs are satisfied, then a wall-wart is a perfectly viable solution for powering just about anything. Agreed. I also prefer a full wave rectified PSU rather then the half wave of most wall warts. That gets you some serious gains in my experience.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 13, 2017 15:18:51 GMT -6
oh, boo. I hate wall warts. I think these would probably sound better with real full wave PSU's. I may make a external for my pair of Comp54's. I'm guessing that would help.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 13, 2017 9:44:49 GMT -6
The Maag Eq 2 gets praise for this. I had a client recently send me one to mod. It was honestly pretty smudgy sounding. I modded it and now it sounds the way people describe them. I have before and after samples. They aren't cheap but I could see really liking them. The top is extremely smooth and like crack. What hit and you are addicted. The detented pots seemed really nice on them and they could easily be used on a bus or during mastering like my client used them. If you are interested I can get you the samples. What mods if I may ask? I put in a number of custom IC upgrade pcb's I make for my mods and did a bunch of PSU work on the modules. It was a pretty big difference.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 13, 2017 7:51:41 GMT -6
The Maag Eq 2 gets praise for this. I had a client recently send me one to mod. It was honestly pretty smudgy sounding.
I modded it and now it sounds the way people describe them. I have before and after samples. They aren't cheap but I could see really liking them. The top is extremely smooth and like crack. What hit and you are addicted. The detented pots seemed really nice on them and they could easily be used on a bus or during mastering like my client used them. If you are interested I can get you the samples.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 13, 2017 7:44:31 GMT -6
I have the comp 54's. I upgraded the transformers in mine. I have recently been thinking they could maybe be upgrade a bit more with some part swaps and a real PSU.
I don't really mind the meter in its wonky state. These comps are cool. I bet for 200 bucks and some better transformers they could be really useful. Keep in mind the input and output transformers are gonna cost almost as much as the comp. But these already have what looks to be a better PSU built into it. At least its not a wall wart like the Comp54's.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 12, 2017 8:50:39 GMT -6
I posted some questions on that thread back in december. No feedback whatsoever. Anyway, the filter section of mine seems wonky and I'd like it fixed because other than that it's a killer stereo bus comp for drums. I didn't build it and I'm not super interested in spending tons of time figuring it out. Just checking to see if anyone knows a tech that's worked with them. Maybe Eddie Ciletti would fix it. I know he is teching gear again. Hundreds of people, if not thousands have built them and love them. It is virtually the same thing has the SB 4001 but in a 1U. It is also much easier build then the GSSL. It is worth getting it going.
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Post by dandeurloo on Apr 11, 2017 12:40:43 GMT -6
As a update to earlier in the thread about the MP's 84 kit. It sounds ok stock. It does lack low end so I modified the circuit and that helped but it still was missing low end.
I ended up putting in a better TX. That helped a lot and smoothed everything else out. Now, I have a really nice extra mic. It is a little light in the low end but what is there is more then enough and will make a great mic.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 24, 2017 20:27:38 GMT -6
Ok, I figured out how to make it public. But now the link has been posted twice in the OP. Sorry. haha
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 24, 2017 19:05:50 GMT -6
I posted some photos on my Facebook of a fun DIY project I did with some other Minneapolis guys that I thought some of you might find interesting. Have a look. Does this link work?
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 17, 2017 22:12:14 GMT -6
I have a pair that get used. I modded them with different transformers. I have been meaning to take a look inside again. I'd say if you can get a great price on a pair do it.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 16, 2017 9:29:14 GMT -6
they sound really good.when they're working. dont like the markings. I have at least 7 modules that arent working right now in my v rack mixer. taken a bunch to pmi audio many times for repairs. random pops and crackles on the master 2 buss modules.had them worked on a couple times. replaced op amps. sigh... Seems standard issue for PMI Audio. I have heard nothing but problems. What opamps are in it? IC's or discrete?
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 14, 2017 12:21:37 GMT -6
I've always heard the Tonelux stuff sounds good but they had issues with build quality. No personal experience.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 14, 2017 12:17:45 GMT -6
man,,, if someone said this I was gonna pop. LOL Can't make that work and get things loud enough without distortion no matter how hard I've tried...... :-D Well, you're talking to a guy who produces classical and broadway style music most of the time. I seldom have to crush anything. Lol. It doesn't really get LOUD, just loud enough for what I do. I do take on a random rock or old school R&B mix here and there, so it has been adequate for me. I'm trying to get away from plugins and start investing in real gear now. That's the point I've reached. I'd be curious to hear what real deal limiters people recommend. I like the PL-2 but only after I modded it. Now it sounds great and is very useful. I bet it would sound really nice on the music you work on. I use it on the master and often inside a mix on either busses or individual tracks.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 14, 2017 9:35:03 GMT -6
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 13, 2017 19:06:11 GMT -6
Drbill give the Fab Filter a try. I use that most often.
I use the Massey every now and then but it always changes the tone and I feel thins things out a touch.
Otherwise I use my modded PL-2.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 13, 2017 19:01:50 GMT -6
I believe the missing low end depth of the Microphone-parts KM84 circuit is caused by the output transformer. I sent it to Dave Hill at Jensen Transformers to run it on their Comtran system to quantify it. Jensen is now making replacement transformers for common Neumann mics, I'd love to get one to replace this one, I suspect it would solved the sonic issues I have. I found the same thing with the one I just put together. It sounds pretty good. I have a Redline capsule in it so the capsule is not the problem. Overall it sounds good. It does lack low end and I feel it is also lower output then it should be. I noticed the original KM84 has a higher ratio transformers. I need to try a few different transformers with this mic. I have a feeling that will help a lot.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 9, 2017 11:51:32 GMT -6
Historically 47 fets have always kind of been the last mic used because it wasn't all that great. So it got used on outside kick alot. They have a different polar pattern and lots of other mics seem to win over it on lots of instruments. I don't hate them, but I would rather have a good km84 over fet 47 for lots of instruments.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 8, 2017 22:58:42 GMT -6
I actually really like the sound of the CM414. I have used the CM414's on a number of sources. They worked great as drum overheads in my old live room with a low ceiling. They also sound good on acoustic guitars and I have used them inside a piano with success. They are cool mics.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 8, 2017 22:51:23 GMT -6
Hey Dave, long its been a long time since we chatted. Question for ya, with the emitter circuit you are talking about is the capacitor in the audio path? I am assuming it must be some sort of coupling cap?
BTW, I am mixing a record next for a client that was tracked with all of your mics plus a SM7. I listened to the tracks already and they sound really good. They used one of your 87 style mics on the vocals and they sound really great.
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Post by dandeurloo on Mar 8, 2017 9:45:17 GMT -6
I use a single end class A transformer based mic with Thoersch blue line cap and fet electronics for vocals with great results. I have a stash of mics with SCHOEPS circuit and different M7's. They can be very useable nice mics.
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