N72's at mixdown

[sonikbliss]

Great thread. I'm gonna have to build me a little setup like this one of these days.

I'm sure it varies from project to project, but for those of you that have used the SCA preamps for summing your mixes, which ones have you gotten the best results from?

[andywho]

I'm thinking about building a little box with switchable pad values, and wondering if it's worth the time and effort.

tim recommends a 25db pad, but in other places I've seen 45db and 65db pads to accommodate +10 and -4 line levels (see d.w. fearn's LP-1).

my question is, would it be worth it to build a switchable pad that can go between -25, -45 and -65db? I'm assuming that feeding my preamps different input volumes would give me many more "coloring" options, and also allow the device to play nice with many different pres.

also, tim recommends an input impedance of 10K ohms, but in other places I've seen values closer to 1000 ohms (http://www.rapco.com/catalog/tpad.html for example). why the difference, and how much does it matter?

thanks in advance for any advice.

[chet.d]

I'm wondering if anyone has bought the line pads on the Naiant site and how they would work for this purpose?

They are a 24dB line pad ( 7k in and 470 out )

[Jezza]

Perhaps it's FAR too simple, but why don't you just use a direct box? That's the whole point of the things, right? A line level signal goes through it to a preamp.

[Soundman1402]

Perhaps it's FAR too simple, but why don't you just use a direct box? That's the whole point of the things, right? A line level signal goes through it to a preamp.

A passive direct box uses a transformer to change instrument impedance to microphone impedance. You can use them for line level sources, too.

If you use a passive box, use a really good one with a quality transformer... The Radial JDI seems well-regarded, and uses Jensen transformers ($350 for the stereo version). Or you could build the two-channel SCA kit for less money.

I still think I'd use a resistor network... Simpler circuit.

[Randyman...]

Also, DI boxes aren't generally designed to operate in the higher end of an Analog Console's range (likely +24dBu or more). DI's generally work at lower levels (generally require further amplification) - and in the case of a passive guitar or bass - MUCH lower...

[jmettam]

I have an Avid Audio Splitter Box like this one:

Avid Audio Splitter on eBay

it has stereo XLR line in and two stereo XLR Outs, 'Line Out' and 'Monitor Out'.

I opened it up and it and could see that the line out is a straight connect. The monitor out has some resistors and capacitors in the signal path. I will test later but it looks like it is designed to take the line in down to a low-z output for the monitors just like everyone is talking about. If it works I'd say it's worth it at around $20 on ebay.

If you use a passive box, use a really good one with a quality transformer... The Radial JDI seems well-regarded, and uses Jensen transformers ($350 for the stereo version). Or you could build the two-channel SCA kit for less money.

The 2 channel version (JDI Duplex) looks like a well made and VERY flexible piece of gear! It has an XLR line in that will convert to low-z output plus it can re-amp. Also has RCA connectors for consumer devices.

- John