UA LA-610

Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:09 pm

So I just purchased the UA LA-610 about a week ago after hearing many great things about it, however after toying around with it (I've only recorded guitars so far) I have not been able to find a setting a like that is much different from the mic pres that the Digi002 rack offers, in fact I almost like the DIGI's pres better....there has to be something im doing wrong....

I've never used another pre besides the focusrites , basically my question is for all you experienced ones out there what is going to be the best combination as far as increasing the gain on the Digi002 in ratio to increasing the gain of the LA-610?? I WANT TO FEEL LIKE I DIDNT JUST SPEND 1500 FOR NOTHING!! PLEASE HELP!!

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:06 am

is everything set to flat? are you hearing distortion?
you could try pulling back on the master output before the 002.

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:40 am

Well this is how I see things let me know if I'm wrong....

First of all would i get fatter tones if I left the digi002 gain knob at 0 and had the 610's master as high b4 clipping

or

Locate a relative level with the digi002 say 9 oclock to 12 and then turn the gain on the 610 accordingly, as for the level on the mic pre, the manual states between 7 to 10 for the clearest tones.

BROKENBONES - as for the eq'ing i had actually boosted the highs and lows and i've noticed that, especially with DI guitar and bass clipping/distortion is occuring at 0 gain on the mic pre side, i've been having to use the -15db pad and turn the gain nob to -10.....

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:28 am

??
output of UA LA-610 into Line inputs on the rear of the 002

Maximum Output Level +20 dBu (120Vac line)
Internal Output Impedance 80 Ω
Recommended Minimum Load 600 Ω

the output is just high enough to be a worry for the 002 ... a slight PAD could be good

002 Max Input:
* Inputs 1-4 (mic): +3 dBu
* Inputs 1-4 (line): +18 dBu
* Inputs 5-8 (line/+4 mode): +18 dBu
Gain Range:
* Inputs 1-4: Mic Setting: +18 — +65 dB; Line/DI Setting: +0 — +50 dB
* Inputs 5-8 — fixed +4 dBu or -10 dBV

I would use the rear inputs 5 to 8
Add a 600 (560) temination ... which would be required anyway for the PAD to work correctly

a PAD coule be ignored but you will have the level to clip the 002
if you were to run the output of the 610 to the MAX were the distortion of the 610 may sound cool

you will have to get to know the 610 very well and a 3 or 6dB Line PAD may help

make sense ?

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:19 pm

Kev thanks so much for taking the time to help me out here....I feel dumb for not even thinking about the line inputs on the DIGI002. Everything you said did make sense, the only terminology you used that I didn't quite comprehend was Temination?? or did you mean termination? i have no idea...

Last question.... with using the the analog 5-8 inputs on the 002, will I have better success using the pads on the back of the unit and cranking the UA610 or leaving the attenuators off and not cranking the UA as much??

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:14 am

yes
Termination
sorry

the 610 has an output transformer and some will argue that it is designed to have a load to work into
...
this will get current flowing in the transformer and so in the iron

the sound is in the iron

the input impedance of the 002 will not be 600ohms and so we need to give it a sensible load

I've changed my mind ... silly Kev ... not 560 (see above )
we want a 620 ohm resistor such that with the 10 to 20 k of the 002 and the 620 we will get something close to 600 ohm

some guys play with loading from slightly less than 600 through to 1 or 2 K
more and less current

cranking or not cranking
more or less current

you need to chose

I'm not going to tell you ... and most important is there is no RIGHT answers here ... just different

too different and things may get incorrect and clipped ...
you know what I mean

make sense ?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:32 am

I'm really not trying to be an asshole here, but it really burns me when I read shit like this. I have spent my whole life pursuing a career in music recording. I have spent every penny I can as well as every MINUTE of my time on this career. I do not, however, have enough money to buy some of the boutique gear that I would love, but knowledge is free, so I have a higher ratio of knowledge to gear than some. However, it really chaps my ass when I see people that blow 1,500 bucks on a preamp that I would love to be able to afford right now and don't know that you shouldn't plug into ANOTHER preamp and expect it sound great. Chances are his ears aren't even developed enough to hear the greatness of that pre when it is wired properly. Sorry to get pissy on here, but I just get a little angry at things like this.

Neil

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:27 pm

I heard THAT!!
You'd think that someone willing to shell out $1K+ on a piece of gear would have some idea as to how signal levels and flow work.
But, in this case, I also have to blame the manufacturers. I watch UA aggressively market their product in a bunch of MI publications and then the support documentation is geared towards a professional. Too much assumption on the part of the mfr. that the user knows his ABC's. Poor documentation, or the lack of understanding it, is at fault here.
I look at it this way:Either the dude learns which way is up, or he simply gives up. If it's the later, good riddance. If it's the former, he'll be a welcome addition to the "School of Hard Knocks", eh?
CLARK:By and large, PADs are provided in the circuit in the event that the signal strength from the souce is just too overwhelming for the circuit design. They do this (usually) by introducing extra resistors into the circuit. This can have an adverse effect on the audio fidelity (not always, but...). When you absolutely have to drop the signal down, fine, but it's usually best to learn to adjust things so that the PAD isn't switched into the circuit. Typically, pads are for high-volume sources like guitar amps and kick drums. Now go back to your room and learn to play with your new toy like it was designed for. And enjoy it, it's nice piece of gear.Peace.

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:15 pm

I can only help as best I can
I can't change the state of the industry except to help to educate

I have used a Mic-pre into a Mic-pre
to provide more gain for a Ribbon Mic

it was a special situation and it took a while to choose the right chipsets and topology
and the right interfacing techniques
to optimise signal and noise
...
and some Mic-pres are close to Line Amps with more gain so things are not always clear

but
as a generalisation
a Mic-pre into a Mic-pre can probably be avoided

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:33 pm

Always the gentleman, you are, Kev. And patient, too. Happy New Year.

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:44 pm

thanks buddy

I can lose it ... it can happen
but I'm older now ... (each day in fact) and each day I do try to make more of an effort
... but out on the road can push my buttons at times

life is a long journey and everone has their own journey to take

one day I hope I'll be ... wise

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:02 am

This thread seems about done, so I'm not feeling bad for the attempted hijack.

Where do these bad habits and bad information come from? The ignorance varies from genre to genre but the amount of disinformation out there is alarming....
I mean, there's obviously levels of "professionalism" in mesage boards and it takes about 10 minutes to pick up on it imo. There are a handful of great boards with industry stiffs posting (like here ha!, jk) and there are hundreds of boards out there that are sort of software based smaller communities. There's one I frequent in the vain attempt to help other people who use the same software I do. But the habits of wrong are so deeply ingrained when you try to push them the right way you nearly offend them.

I'm not implying this is that case here by any means, but from a philosophical standpoint, I'm wondering what other people think are the root of this?

Oh, and hi again. I think I'll be coming back now. Regardless of whatever words I've had with a certain person, I like it here. Thumbs Up

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:30 am

This thread seems about done, so I'm not feeling bad for the attempted hijack.

Where do these bad habits and bad information come from? The ignorance varies from genre to genre but the amount of disinformation out there is alarming....
I mean, there's obviously levels of "professionalism" in mesage boards and it takes about 10 minutes to pick up on it imo. There are a handful of great boards with industry stiffs posting (like here ha!, jk) and there are hundreds of boards out there that are sort of software based smaller communities. There's one I frequent in the vain attempt to help other people who use the same software I do. But the habits of wrong are so deeply ingrained when you try to push them the right way you nearly offend them.

I'm not implying this is that case here by any means, but from a philosophical standpoint, I'm wondering what other people think are the root of this?

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:50 pm

You know what guys before I say something stupid I'm just going to go ahead and thank you for criticizing me because honestly I have taught myself everything about recording. I know a lot more than you would think i know and you know what plugging the la610 into the focusrite pres was stupid. I know a lot more about signal chain than you would think I do though I want to show you some of the recordings I have done I think you'll change your mind, visit this website

http://www.myspace.com/dsidemusic

these are some recordings i did before i bought the pre last week....

go blow yourselves

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