| Author |
Message |
MS
Guest
|
 Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 12:47 pm Post subject:
Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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Two mini pre-amps that could be used for portable recording:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/c.../item/SP-PREAMP
and
http://www.reactivesounds.com/spa2.php
About the same price. Some feature comparisons:
The SP pre-amp has the size advantage, important for portable, stealth
recording. Both small and pocketable, but the Reactive PA is more than an
inch longer than the SP. (Other dimensions similar, Reactive even slightly
thinner. But significantly longer!)
But the Reactive PA ("Boost Box") looks like it has some other advantages.
Most notably, the clipping light. Since the H120 (mp3 player that records)
has no level meters, setting the gain and level on a pre-amp is normally
just guesswork, which I assume would occur with the SP PA. With the Reactive
unit, though, the directions say that you set it to lowest gain, then slowly
turn up the gain until the clipping light starts to light, then back off a
little. Also--simpler controls on the Reactive PA. Besides on/off, just one
continuous rotary dial to control gain.
The SP PA, on the other hand, has a three position switch for gain (0db,
29db, and 50 db), and a rotary dial for "level". (Could someone please
explain the difference between "gain" and "level"? Sorry for the newbie
question.) (The 0 db setting gives no pre-amp function at all, I guess then
functioning like a battery box, the 50 db setting is probably too high for
most uses, so I would guess most users leave the gain setting to 29db, and
do fine setting with the rotary level dial.
The Reactive web site states that it is much better for the rotary
(continuous) dial to control "gain", as theirs does, rather than "level", as
the SP does. What do those reading who understand "gain" and "level" think
of that statement? True? In any case, it certainly looks simpler to
set--just one rotary dial to set, using the clipping light for guidance.
With the SP PA you have to set the three way gain switch, and the rotary
level dial, and if you have no level meter, those two settings have to be
guessed.
I guess I'm leaning towards the Reactive Sounds "Boost Box", although I like
the smaller size of the SP PA. However, I am not too knowledgeable about
this stuff, and perhaps one of you could understand more of the specs of
these two units than I can. If someone has actually tried both and could
compare them, that would be great!
Any comments on comparing those two mini battery pre-amps--Sound
Professionals and Reactive Sounds, would be well-appreciated.
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Todd H.
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 7:54 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
"MS" <ms@nospam.com> writes:
| Quote: | Any comments on comparing those two mini battery pre-amps--Sound
Professionals and Reactive Sounds, would be well-appreciated.
|
The only problem I have with your analysis is the usefulness of the
REactive's clipping light. It MIGHT be useful, but there's a big
"if" in there. If the clipping level that indicates is anywhere near
the clipping level of your particular unit, then it might add value.
Without level meters on the recorder, it's all about experimenting and
knowing the settings still, clip light or no. At least you'll know
when you're clipping your preamp itself though, which I guess is
pretty good.
At any rate, I say some words in detail about the SP preamp and
preamped mic as I use them in my open air recording setup for live
music. Some links to stuff recorded with it are included (look for
the ones that say they were recorded with the NJB):
http://toddh.net/music/njb/
Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice." |
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Todd H.
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:08 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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"MS" <ms@nospam.com> writes:
| Quote: | "Todd H." <bmiawmb@toddh.net> wrote in message
news:844qbezie0.fsf@ripco.com...
At any rate, I say some words in detail about the SP preamp and
preamped mic as I use them in my open air recording setup for live
music. Some links to stuff recorded with it are included (look for
the ones that say they were recorded with the NJB):
http://toddh.net/music/njb/
Todd,
I looked at your site. Much interesting info. Thank you.
One question, however. I notice that all the products you mention (other
than the NJB itself) are from Sound Professionals. I also notice that the
links to those products from your web page have your name (toddh) in the
URL. Do you work for SP? Do you get some kind of commission or credits
toward product purchase when someone makes a purchase from SP, getting to
their site through the referral from yours?
I'm not criticizing, just asking for disclosure.
|
If you read to the bottom of the page you see the disclosure. 8-)
Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice." |
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MS
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:11 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
Is there any way to test how the clipping level of the Reactive PA compares
with that of the recorder?
In any case having some indication of level, if one has a recorder that has
no level meters at all, might be better than having none at all. (I guess if
the R-PA shows clipping earlier then the recorder would, for example, one
could set it so that it indicates just a little clipping, etc. It would be
good if there were a way to determine how close the clipping light on the PA
compared to what would actually clip on the recorder.
"Todd H." <bmiawmb@toddh.net> wrote in message
news:844qbezie0.fsf@ripco.com...
| Quote: | "MS" <ms@nospam.com> writes:
Any comments on comparing those two mini battery pre-amps--Sound
Professionals and Reactive Sounds, would be well-appreciated.
The only problem I have with your analysis is the usefulness of the
REactive's clipping light. It MIGHT be useful, but there's a big
"if" in there. If the clipping level that indicates is anywhere near
the clipping level of your particular unit, then it might add value.
Without level meters on the recorder, it's all about experimenting and
knowing the settings still, clip light or no. At least you'll know
when you're clipping your preamp itself though, which I guess is
pretty good.
At any rate, I say some words in detail about the SP preamp and
preamped mic as I use them in my open air recording setup for live
music. Some links to stuff recorded with it are included (look for
the ones that say they were recorded with the NJB):
http://toddh.net/music/njb/
Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice." |
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MS
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:29 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
"Julian" <JulianPAdamsNo@SpamHotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:11aac1d4n6o6083m9jh33c0luit3ndvdbp@4ax.com...
MS wrote:
| Quote: | The SP PA, on the other hand, has a three position switch for gain (0db,
29db, and 50 db), and a rotary dial for "level". (Could someone please
explain the difference between "gain" and "level"?
|
Julian wrote:
| Quote: | You immediately answer your question:
|
No I didn't. (Rest of quote of my previous message, that Julian is referring
to, appears below this message, and more of his response.) Yes, I said that
it looks like one would leave the three positions gain switch (on the SP)
set to one place, and use the rotary continuous level dial for fine-tuning
it.
However, as I said, the Reactive PA has no gain multi-position switch, only
a continuous rotary dial. But in this case the continuous rotary dial
controls gain itself, which they (Reactive) asserts is much better, than
having the rotary dial control level, as the SP PA does.
Therefore, my question was not whether a rotary dial is used for fine
tuning, which is rather obvious, but what is actually the difference between
gain and level, and is there really an advantage (as Reactive asserts) in
having the rotary dial control gain rather than level?
I also mentioned that it seemed simpler to have the one control of the
Reactive rather than the two of the SP. If the one control was only the
three-position gain switch, with no rotary dial (like the Church Audio PA),
I'd consider that a distinct disadvantage, with no possibility of
fine-tuning the setting, just three settings to choose from. But with the
one setting being a continuous rotary dial, controlling gain directly, that
might be preferable. I really don't know, just asking.
You write: "If the knob (rotary level dial on SP PA) increases level or
decreases it from the preset gain switch..........".
Which does it do---increase or decrease? I have seen no documentation that
explains it. Anyone know?
MS wrote:
| Quote: |
The 0 db setting gives no pre-amp function at all, I guess then
functioning like a battery box, the 50 db setting is probably too high
for
most uses, so I would guess most users leave the gain setting to 29db,
and
do fine setting with the rotary level dial.
|
Julian wrote:
| Quote: |
If the knob increases level or decreases it from the preset gain
switch then you could fine tune each setting. If you wanted less than
29 dB gain, setting the switch to zero and using the level knob might
do it. Probably 29 will be a most usual setting, but If you are
recording bird calls or something really really quiet you'll want the
full 50 dB and then some. You get the basic idea, and all 3 switch
settings can be useful.
Julian |
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MS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
One thing I notice now, in looking at specs. The gain on the Reactive PA is
adjustable (via the rotary dial) from 0 to 36.5 db. Therefore, it does not
go as high as the 50 db setting on the SP PA. I greatly doubt I would ever
need more than 36.5 db gain though. (For someone who would though, the SP
would be a better choice.)
The SP lists a higher signal to noise ratio than the Reactive. I'm not sure
how accurate those specs are though, whether one manufacturer might measure
it different than another, and whether that might make a difference that one
could actually hear. If anyone knows more about this and other specs, please
share your knowledge about it. |
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MS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:45 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
|
|
"Todd H." <bmiawmb@toddh.net> wrote in message
news:844qbezie0.fsf@ripco.com...
| Quote: | At any rate, I say some words in detail about the SP preamp and
preamped mic as I use them in my open air recording setup for live
music. Some links to stuff recorded with it are included (look for
the ones that say they were recorded with the NJB):
http://toddh.net/music/njb/
|
Todd,
I looked at your site. Much interesting info. Thank you.
One question, however. I notice that all the products you mention (other
than the NJB itself) are from Sound Professionals. I also notice that the
links to those products from your web page have your name (toddh) in the
URL. Do you work for SP? Do you get some kind of commission or credits
toward product purchase when someone makes a purchase from SP, getting to
their site through the referral from yours?
I'm not criticizing, just asking for disclosure. |
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John in Detroit
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:48 pm Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
Oh, you ask what is the difference between "Gain" and "level" controls.
Generally you have one of a few different designs, I can't do ascii
drawing on usenet due to the lack of mono-space fonts guarentee so I do
what call Line graphs instead
One design Mic in------ Control---- Pre-amp---Line out
Another Mic in------ pre-amp----- control----- line out
In either of these cases the GAIN of the pre-amp is fixed, the control
is a LEVEL control, note, that the 2nd one is much better than the first
Yet another design
Mic in------------(pre [control] amp) ----- line out
Note that in this case teh control is PART of the pre-amp, it's a gain
control If I were drawing it Well, try this
Draw a triangle, isoleases Left side vertical, point to the right
This is labeled "Pre-amp"
Now draw a line from the left to a spot about 1/4 the way down from the
top of the vertical (left) side of the amp, it's labeled "MIC IN"
Now draw a line from the point on the right to a label LINE OUT
Now draw a line straight down this line comes down, does a hard right
and ends in an arrow point, Now draw another line, Wavey like
/\/\/\/\/\ this, only vertical, just touching the arrow. a line
It is marked "Gain Control"
What this does is actually vary the GAIN of the pre-amp
The reason that adjustable gain is better is this....
Hi gain amps such as most microphone pre-amps tend to introduce a bit of
noise (Usually a hiss like sound) and if you lower the gain you greatly
lower the additional nosie, But if you lower the OUTPUT with a level
control, all you do is lower everything, sound AND noise
So, if you turn the LEVEL down 1/2, then the noise is reduced 1/2
But if you turn the GAIN down 1/2, then the noise may be reduced to 1/4
or even 1/16th what it was
Ok, that is on paper... In practice... When you start turning down the
gain or level, it don't much matter cause the sound (Desired sound)_ is
loud enough to bury the noise anyway
MS wrote:
| Quote: | "Julian" <JulianPAdamsNo@SpamHotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:11aac1d4n6o6083m9jh33c0luit3ndvdbp@4ax.com...
MS wrote:
The SP PA, on the other hand, has a three position switch for gain (0db,
29db, and 50 db), and a rotary dial for "level". (Could someone please
explain the difference between "gain" and "level"?
Julian wrote:
You immediately answer your question:
No I didn't. (Rest of quote of my previous message, that Julian is referring
to, appears below this message, and more of his response.) Yes, I said that
it looks like one would leave the three positions gain switch (on the SP)
set to one place, and use the rotary continuous level dial for fine-tuning
it.
However, as I said, the Reactive PA has no gain multi-position switch, only
a continuous rotary dial. But in this case the continuous rotary dial
controls gain itself, which they (Reactive) asserts is much better, than
having the rotary dial control level, as the SP PA does.
Therefore, my question was not whether a rotary dial is used for fine
tuning, which is rather obvious, but what is actually the difference between
gain and level, and is there really an advantage (as Reactive asserts) in
having the rotary dial control gain rather than level?
I also mentioned that it seemed simpler to have the one control of the
Reactive rather than the two of the SP. If the one control was only the
three-position gain switch, with no rotary dial (like the Church Audio PA),
I'd consider that a distinct disadvantage, with no possibility of
fine-tuning the setting, just three settings to choose from. But with the
one setting being a continuous rotary dial, controlling gain directly, that
might be preferable. I really don't know, just asking.
You write: "If the knob (rotary level dial on SP PA) increases level or
decreases it from the preset gain switch..........".
Which does it do---increase or decrease? I have seen no documentation that
explains it. Anyone know?
MS wrote:
The 0 db setting gives no pre-amp function at all, I guess then
functioning like a battery box, the 50 db setting is probably too high
for
most uses, so I would guess most users leave the gain setting to 29db,
and
do fine setting with the rotary level dial.
Julian wrote:
If the knob increases level or decreases it from the preset gain
switch then you could fine tune each setting. If you wanted less than
29 dB gain, setting the switch to zero and using the level knob might
do it. Probably 29 will be a most usual setting, but If you are
recording bird calls or something really really quiet you'll want the
full 50 dB and then some. You get the basic idea, and all 3 switch
settings can be useful.
Julian
|
--
John F Davis, in Delightful Detroit. WA8YXM(at)arrl(dot)net
"Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your business"
Diabetic? http://community.compuserve.com/diabetes |
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Todd H.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:06 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
|
|
"MS" <ms@nospam.com> writes:
| Quote: | "Todd H." <bmiawmb@toddh.net> wrote in message
news:84acl64cx8.fsf@ripco.com...
If you read to the bottom of the page you see the disclosure. 8-)
Just found it. Thank you.
As part of the "affiliate" program are you not allowed to mention products
by competing companies on your site,
|
Nah, they have no such restrictions.
| Quote: | or do you just happen to have only used SP mics and accessories?
|
Ding! This is the first I've heard of the Reactive Sounds pre. And
I won't try to talk you out of it. :-) Sounds like it might be
nice. If the clip light there does happen to give you some help in
maximizing your dynamic range with field adjustments, go for it!
Just be aware that you'll still have to do some home experimenting to
find out where the pre's clip level is with respect to the recorder's
clip level.
Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice." |
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MS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:47 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
|
|
"Todd H." <bmiawmb@toddh.net> wrote in message
news:84acl64cx8.fsf@ripco.com...
| Quote: |
If you read to the bottom of the page you see the disclosure. 8-)
|
Just found it. Thank you.
As part of the "affiliate" program are you not allowed to mention products
by competing companies on your site, or do you just happen to have only used
SP mics and accessories? |
|
| Back to top |
|
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MS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 1:02 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I'm not sure I understand it all,
but I will study it more.
When you write: " The reason that adjustable gain is better is
this...." ----
Are you saying that the setup for adjusting the gain on the Reactive PA is
better, as claimed on their web site?
Both have adjustable gain. The difference is that the SP PA has a switch
that selects one of three gain levels (0db, 29db, or 50db), and a rotary
dial that controls level. The Reactive PA only has a rotary dial, but it
controls gain directly, not level. I'm still not sure I understand the
difference between a continuous rotary gain control and a continuous rotary
level control, but I'll read your post again, and see if I can understand
it.
When you write below:
| Quote: | One design Mic in------ Control---- Pre-amp---Line out
Another Mic in------ pre-amp----- control----- line out
|
are the two designs you refer to the two PAs I described, SP and Reactive?
If so, which is which? You don't write which kind of control, "gain" or
"level". One description puts the control before the pre-amp, and the other
description puts the control after the pre-amp. But in both of these units
the controls are on the pre-amp! Or do you mean that the gain control alters
the signal before (or when) it gets pre-amped, and the level control alters
it after it is pre-amped, or vice versa?
I just notice what you wrote after that description, that in either case the
control is a Level control. Then neither of those cases describes the
Reactive PA, as it only has a gain (continuous rotary) control, not a level
control. I don't know which of the two describes the SP PA.
I think you are saying that the control design of the Reactive PA is better,
although that doesn't necessarily make it better overall. It would be
interesting to see a comparative test of the two units.
"John in Detroit" <Blanked@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:0egxe.1892$4m3.1347@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
| Quote: | Oh, you ask what is the difference between "Gain" and "level" controls.
Generally you have one of a few different designs, I can't do ascii
drawing on usenet due to the lack of mono-space fonts guarentee so I do
what call Line graphs instead
One design Mic in------ Control---- Pre-amp---Line out
Another Mic in------ pre-amp----- control----- line out
In either of these cases the GAIN of the pre-amp is fixed, the control
is a LEVEL control, note, that the 2nd one is much better than the first
Yet another design
Mic in------------(pre [control] amp) ----- line out
Note that in this case teh control is PART of the pre-amp, it's a gain
control If I were drawing it Well, try this
Draw a triangle, isoleases Left side vertical, point to the right
This is labeled "Pre-amp"
Now draw a line from the left to a spot about 1/4 the way down from the
top of the vertical (left) side of the amp, it's labeled "MIC IN"
Now draw a line from the point on the right to a label LINE OUT
Now draw a line straight down this line comes down, does a hard right
and ends in an arrow point, Now draw another line, Wavey like
/\/\/\/\/\ this, only vertical, just touching the arrow. a line
It is marked "Gain Control"
What this does is actually vary the GAIN of the pre-amp
The reason that adjustable gain is better is this....
Hi gain amps such as most microphone pre-amps tend to introduce a bit of
noise (Usually a hiss like sound) and if you lower the gain you greatly
lower the additional nosie, But if you lower the OUTPUT with a level
control, all you do is lower everything, sound AND noise
So, if you turn the LEVEL down 1/2, then the noise is reduced 1/2
But if you turn the GAIN down 1/2, then the noise may be reduced to 1/4
or even 1/16th what it was
Ok, that is on paper... In practice... When you start turning down the
gain or level, it don't much matter cause the sound (Desired sound)_ is
loud enough to bury the noise anyway
MS wrote:
"Julian" <JulianPAdamsNo@SpamHotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:11aac1d4n6o6083m9jh33c0luit3ndvdbp@4ax.com...
MS wrote:
The SP PA, on the other hand, has a three position switch for gain
(0db,
29db, and 50 db), and a rotary dial for "level". (Could someone please
explain the difference between "gain" and "level"?
Julian wrote:
You immediately answer your question:
No I didn't. (Rest of quote of my previous message, that Julian is
referring
to, appears below this message, and more of his response.) Yes, I said
that
it looks like one would leave the three positions gain switch (on the
SP)
set to one place, and use the rotary continuous level dial for
fine-tuning
it.
However, as I said, the Reactive PA has no gain multi-position switch,
only
a continuous rotary dial. But in this case the continuous rotary dial
controls gain itself, which they (Reactive) asserts is much better, than
having the rotary dial control level, as the SP PA does.
Therefore, my question was not whether a rotary dial is used for fine
tuning, which is rather obvious, but what is actually the difference
between
gain and level, and is there really an advantage (as Reactive asserts)
in
having the rotary dial control gain rather than level?
I also mentioned that it seemed simpler to have the one control of the
Reactive rather than the two of the SP. If the one control was only the
three-position gain switch, with no rotary dial (like the Church Audio
PA),
I'd consider that a distinct disadvantage, with no possibility of
fine-tuning the setting, just three settings to choose from. But with
the
one setting being a continuous rotary dial, controlling gain directly,
that
might be preferable. I really don't know, just asking.
You write: "If the knob (rotary level dial on SP PA) increases level or
decreases it from the preset gain switch..........".
Which does it do---increase or decrease? I have seen no documentation
that
explains it. Anyone know?
MS wrote:
The 0 db setting gives no pre-amp function at all, I guess then
functioning like a battery box, the 50 db setting is probably too high
for
most uses, so I would guess most users leave the gain setting to 29db,
and
do fine setting with the rotary level dial.
Julian wrote:
If the knob increases level or decreases it from the preset gain
switch then you could fine tune each setting. If you wanted less than
29 dB gain, setting the switch to zero and using the level knob might
do it. Probably 29 will be a most usual setting, but If you are
recording bird calls or something really really quiet you'll want the
full 50 dB and then some. You get the basic idea, and all 3 switch
settings can be useful.
Julian
--
John F Davis, in Delightful Detroit. WA8YXM(at)arrl(dot)net
"Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your business"
Diabetic? http://community.compuserve.com/diabetes |
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MS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:45 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
|
|
"Todd H." <bmiawmb@toddh.net> wrote in message
news:84r7eiz6pg.fsf@ripco.com...
| Quote: | Just be aware that you'll still have to do some home experimenting to
find out where the pre's clip level is with respect to the recorder's
clip level.
|
Any suggestions on how to go about doing that? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:45 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
|
|
"Julian" <JulianPAdamsNo@SpamHotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:qdgbc1lrgcrngfr5hir3s881a4sgg084cm@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Fri, 1 Jul 2005 11:29:35 -0700, "MS" <ms@nospam.com> wrote:
Gain and level are the same.
|
As said, I don't really understand the difference between them, but I think
many would not agree with you that there is no difference between the terms
gain and level.
| Quote: | This one design seems to have a compromise
in that instead of having one big dial, or lots of little switches, it
uses 3 big switches and one small dial.
|
Which one device has that compromise, 3 big switches and one small dial?
Neither of the devices I mentioned have a setup like that. They both have an
on-off switch. The Reactive PA only has one other control, a continuous
rotary dial that controls gain 0 to 36.5 db. The SP PA has a three position
gain switch to choose between 0db, 29db, or 50db gain, plus a continuous
rotary dial that controls level. I thought that was clear in the original
post, as well as in the web pages about these products. Are you writing
about something different than the two products under discussion here, with
the statement "this one design seems to have a compromise.......".
| Quote: | Theoretically it might sound
better than a unit with one big dial, but one should take a hard long
look at the specs before concluding so. The fact that they even
thought of doing it this way makes me think it might be a better
quality unit than the one with the one big dial.
|
I don't understand what you are getting at there. What might "theoretically"
sound better than what? The fact that who even thought of doing what which
way tells you what?
| Quote: | Functionally it may be easier to operate, but you'll have to compare
the specs to see if the switches provide any improvement in quality.
|
I don't understand enough about the specs. Perhaps someone could help with
that.
| Quote: |
Which does it do---increase or decrease? I have seen no documentation
that
explains it. Anyone know?
All knobs decrease level. Gain stages usually operate full open. In
your case, Its a question of increase or decrease relative to what?
When you set the switch to 29 dB does that assume the knob is 12
o'clock straight up to get 29 dB, all the way down or all the way up
to get 29 dB? I don't, I don't have a schematic, and I am not a mind
reader! Need more info to answer.
|
Reading my mind would not help, as I don't know the answer to the question,
I was the one asking it! Yes, that is a good question, concerning the
interplay between the three-position gain switch on the SP PA and the rotary
level dial. If you have the gain set to 29db, does that mean it is 29 with
the level knob set all the way to the left, counter-clockwise, and turning
it clockwise increases the gain. (Well, they don't call that knob gain, but
level. You say they are the same, I'm not sure about that.) How much does
that level dial increase the gain, if turned all the way clockwise? Or, as
you surmise, might it be 29 db when the rotary level dial is set exactly in
the middle, 12 o'clock. You're asking me this question? I don't know, that;s
why I asked it. Unfortunately, I haven't seen documentation on their site
that explains it.
Why do you say "all knobs decrease level"? If you turn the knob to the left
it is decreased, but turning to the right increases it. "Question of
increase or decrease relative to what"? Wasn't that pretty clear? In
relation to the gain setting on the 3 position gain switch (on the SP PA),
of course. |
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Bob Cain
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:40 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
MS wrote:
| Quote: | As said, I don't really understand the difference between them, but I think
many would not agree with you that there is no difference between the terms
gain and level.
|
Gain is what you adjust. Level is what you get.
Continuous gain pots are typically noiser than discrete,
switched resistors.
Bob
--
"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."
A. Einstein |
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Bob Cain
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:
Re: Mini Pre-amps---Sound Professionals vs. Reactive Sounds |
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|
MS wrote:
| Quote: | One thing I notice now, in looking at specs. The gain on the Reactive PA is
adjustable (via the rotary dial) from 0 to 36.5 db. Therefore, it does not
go as high as the 50 db setting on the SP PA. I greatly doubt I would ever
need more than 36.5 db gain though. (For someone who would though, the SP
would be a better choice.)
|
Dynamic mics or ribbons typically require more than 36.5 dB
and some condenser mics have similarly low sensitivities
(Sony ECM-MS907 comes to mind.)
| Quote: | The SP lists a higher signal to noise ratio than the Reactive. I'm not sure
how accurate those specs are though, whether one manufacturer might measure
it different than another, and whether that might make a difference that one
could actually hear. If anyone knows more about this and other specs, please
share your knowledge about it.
|
You assume they actually measure these things. :-)
Bob
--
"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."
A. Einstein |
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