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Post by maq3396 on Mar 28, 2017 18:48:45 GMT -6
Great info! THanks
The MOTU looks great, particularly for the price,
The Apollo and RME look appealing as well but at more of a premium.
As does the Soundcraft.
If you pick up a board like the Soundcraft does one still need an interface or is that, more or less, built in?
Likewise, does a board, when added to an interface, add anything more than physical sliders and knobs?
Thanks again and sorry for the newbiness of this
Cheers Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 27, 2017 11:50:12 GMT -6
Thanks for the rapid answers!
My inputs will likely be a Max of 4 microphones plus their individual preamp/eq/comp
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 27, 2017 5:31:03 GMT -6
The budget is set at that level to possibly accommodate a mixer as well. Lower is better! The interface will have to go as it is not win 10 oriented.
Low latency is important so the new computer will have USB 3 and I suspect an addn-on Thunderbolt would be fairly easy to install.
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 26, 2017 23:32:55 GMT -6
Looking for opinions please...
It almost hurts to write this as I am demonstrating how naive I am regarding certain parts of audio.
I have built/purchased a number of preamps, eq, compressors and mics over the last few years and have had a great time doing it.
Currently these run through an inexpensive Mackie mixer then to monitors (yes...usually live vocals)
When run into a DAW it is an older version of PT.
The audio interface I have, for me, has a non-intuitive interface and drivers are not available for Windows 10. THe computer is about to be upgraded.
I would like to be able to interface the analog gear with some of the plugins on a DAW and also have the opportunity to record.
I have read where possible but would still appreciate input from this group as the information out there is vast.
Is the best way to do this mic - analog - interface - daw OR mic - analog - mixer - interface - daw OR mic - mixer - analog via send - interface - daw
Or something else?
I am content to use the preamps that are already part of my system so these do not need to be part of the interface or mixer (although it seems both tend to have them) but am open to recommendations as to how the sequence should be set up and recommendations for interface/mixer or whatever is required. Ideally like to keep budget under $2000-2500 but also appreciate that you get what you pay for.
Please bear with me on this as this pursuit is a hobby and unfortunately I am not immersed in this world like many of the experts on this forum.
Thanks in advance Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 26, 2017 23:08:23 GMT -6
Rest in peace. The first member of a band passing that defined a unique and beautiful sound that remains known to all today. Hopefully it will be a long time before we read about another Boston member also leaving us.
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 18, 2017 20:33:48 GMT -6
RIP kind sir.
He was one of the fortunate artists who had the oportunity to shape the sound of music and follow the ripples of his talents as they impacted both musicians and the rest of us for the next sixty years.
He, as with all the others that passed before him, will be sadly missed and forever remembered.
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 14, 2017 20:39:06 GMT -6
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 14, 2017 19:47:16 GMT -6
Interesting! Jeff seems to have quite a number of projects on the go so maybe a revision is on the way. Easiest way to find out is drop him an email...he always responds promptly.
Cheers Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 10, 2017 20:18:07 GMT -6
Thanks for the comments every one.
Also thanks for the warnings about the high voltage that can be encountered when working with tubes. The LA2A wil not be my first build...have had the pleasure of building six preamps (of which two were tube designs), 51X power supply and rack, two tube based microphones with power supplies and Jeff's compressor. It is always wise to review safety procedures and am glad to do so. However, I do feel comfortable with tube gear and am looking forward to the LA2A. Although I have been looking, haven't really seen a good description yet...do you recommend a good DMM and a scope or one of the other?
Thanks again Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 7, 2017 14:49:51 GMT -6
Thanks for the answers.
Need to pick up a quality DMM then...mine is an old Radio Shack one from some time ago.
Fluke seems to be highly regarded but they have quite a line up.
Recommendations?
As far as scope goes was considering the Rigol DS1054Z.
Would that be satisfactory?
Thanks Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Mar 5, 2017 21:37:45 GMT -6
Hello all,
Posted this on the other site but it didn't seem to stimulate any interest so...
I have assembled a CAPI FC526 and am about to start on Volker's LA2A.
I am not fluent in electronics and the calibration instructions for these are a bit confusing.
I have reviewed Mike's video from Hairball Audio on using a DMM and DAW generated sine wave. Have also reviewed Jeff's calibration instructions. There seem to be a number of options. Looking for some guidance in terms of what is a "preferred" or "best" or easiest way to do this.
Can I use the XR2206 chip kits to generate the signal for calibration or am I better off using Pro Tools (or something else)?
DMM vs scope?
All comments appreciated!
Thanks
Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 23:55:35 GMT -6
Not too sure as they share the box with my other 500 modules and have been using the other ones exclusively. However the tubes should be powered up whenever the box is on. So..quite a few hours I must have had some flux or debris that was "debulked" by my last round of cleaning and it is now working! No complaints and I am looking forward to having a good time sitting down and getting to know them better
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 12:54:55 GMT -6
Yes I am.
No hum in any of the other modules that are plugged into it however
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 12:19:38 GMT -6
ok....seems to have resolved by itself!
Left it on overnight and the buzz has completely dissipated
Not the tubes as I tried a different set and they were very quiet as well.
Interesting as it has spent many hours on before!
At any rate I am a happy boy today!
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 11:01:08 GMT -6
Hello all, This was originally posted over on GDIY but hasn't stimulated any response so thought i would try here... This is a dual tube preamp that was designed based on the G9 rack module. I have tried switching tubes with no difference and the buzzing does not occur unless both the tubes and high voltage section section are installed. This problem has been present since "birth". When powered on it is initially quiet but over 10 seconds or so this buzz begins. Buzz tends to oscillate a bit....sounds like it is changing gears! Volume of the buzz does not change with the position of any of the front panel controls. It passes audio very well Redone all solder joints and isopropyl ' ed everything. Any help would be appreciated as I love the sound of this preamp! soundcloud.com/mac-quantz/voice-170217-1mp3Thanks Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 1:56:45 GMT -6
Hello
I have a 3d printer as well as being fairly fluent with SolidWorks.
If you still need something done please send me a picture of it and we will see what can be done.
Cheers Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 0:41:43 GMT -6
Great tone and great playing. Looks like a very clean build.
Cheers Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 19, 2017 0:23:45 GMT -6
Can't comment on the sound quality of the BT50's but I built a pair of these. Difficulty of the build is reasonable...not as many parts as an FC526, more on par with a VP28. Suspect that everyone else is aware of this but I found that by presorting the resistors, diodes etc on the BOM the assembly time was reduced dramatically and was safer to work on it if I was tired! As with all of Jeff's designs...build directions are very detailed and they work first time!
Good luck Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 7, 2017 9:45:45 GMT -6
While you could replace the cap in the opamp (if it is not surface mount) you still need to remove the opamp to get to it. New opamps are not too expensive if you solder them yourself ($15 or so) and it never hurts to have a backup available
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Post by maq3396 on Feb 4, 2017 9:39:21 GMT -6
The trick is to apply even pressure around the opamp board (not the components on it!) So that it comes up evenly.
The pins may be a bit stiff the first time you remove it but these loosen up quickly.
Nice information on opamp installation and construction can be found on Jeff Steiger's page at CAPI.
Jeff also sells another of opamps either in kit form or assembled.
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Post by maq3396 on Jan 26, 2017 6:06:23 GMT -6
To Bowie, and anyone else who is using AMI.... Have you noticed a difference between their T series and the classic Neumann series? The price points are appreciably different!
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Post by maq3396 on Jan 25, 2017 14:39:43 GMT -6
Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Cheers Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Jan 24, 2017 11:54:41 GMT -6
Hello all,
Next projects will be a C12 and 251 likely from Matador's build or Poctop (opinions also welcome).
At least one of them will use Tim's capsule (sitting in storage now).
Can't find much in the way of comparing transformers in these builds although it looks like Haufe, Cinemag and AMI are contenders.
I would welcome and be appreciative of any thoughts on this.
Mics will be used for vocals only and signal chain is predominantly CAPI.
Thanks Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Jan 10, 2017 16:51:24 GMT -6
Hello Always a great selection.... Try this link and check out "Live Music" and "Free Live Music" www.visitmusiccity.com/musicHope he has a great time! Cheers Mac
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Post by maq3396 on Dec 2, 2016 23:24:55 GMT -6
Picked up a pair of CAPI BT50's from Jeff Steiger
I just retrieved them from the mailbox today-
Bulletproof packaging.
Everything bundled into their packages according to build sequence
Great metalwork
Classic Jeff straightforward assembly.
Cant start this weekend due to work commitments but ideally can work on them during the week.
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