Hello everyone,
I just hooked my brand new MU in today and I got a shocking suprize! I have it going direct in to the stereo incerts of a Mackie 32 channel mixer.
The cables are Monster 500 series XLR to ring tip sleeve and work fine for my Distressors.
When I am in bypass mode the signal comes through fine. But when I engage the compression there is but a slight tiny sound. .what happened? Did it blow a fuse?
Eva Anna said I had to re soder the wires, however I have spoken to a few people today about the pin 1=Ground, pin 2= Hot(+), pin 3= cold (-)
and they said the Manley should work with my configuration.
Please some one, what is going on?
Thanks!
Mad John
Zythum Studios
"The present day Composer refuses to die!" Varese :(
Comments
Hi ANG , It is a simple hook up. Monster incert cables with XL
Hi ANG ,
It is a simple hook up. Monster incert cables with XLR male- female on one side and 1/4 inch ring tip sleeve.
The 1/4 inch plugs are going into the female 1/4 inch Mackie Stereo Incerts.
Again I get a signal in bypass and a shrill faint almost unaudible signal when the MUs Compressor is engaged.
I am considering sending it back!!!
What can I check to asure the fault is not my own?
Mad John
Zythum Studios
Originally posted by John Thomas Milhorat: Hi ANG , It is a s
Originally posted by John Thomas Milhorat:
Hi ANG ,
It is a simple hook up. Monster incert cables with XLR male- female on one side and 1/4 inch ring tip sleeve.
The 1/4 inch plugs are going into the female 1/4 inch Mackie Stereo Incerts.
Again I get a signal in bypass and a shrill faint almost unaudible signal when the MUs Compressor is engaged.
I am considering sending it back!!!
What can I check to asure the fault is not my own?
Mad John
Zythum Studios
Well if you only get the noise when the compressor is engaged, the MU is probably fuckeded up. Actually, I had a simmilar problem with my Massive Passive. When the right channel was in BYPASS, the signal would distort heavily. It sounded AOK when the EQ was engaged. I sent it back and Manley couldn't find anything wrong with it, but they replaced the right PCB. I haven't tested it again yet cus my studio is in boxes, but I'll post the results if anyone cares.
I find that the Vari-Mu in the studio where I work sounds better
I find that the Vari-Mu in the studio where I work sounds better when it's not in the unbalanced insert and when it's getting a 600 ohm load, but it doesn't do any crazy stuff like you described. Sounds like you probably need to send it back, which is a bitch since its heavy and delicate. BTW did you check that all the tubes and other electronics are securely in their sockets? When we got ours some stuff had come loose in shipping. Good luck.
Hey what do you know...it works! The MU is Ballenced , where Ma
Hey what do you know...it works!
The MU is Ballenced , where Mackie incerts are unballenced. I had to use a simple adapter that takes 1/4 inch cables to adapter then to MU (XLR)
I really was woried for a minute there!
Hate to spend the bucks for sucks! :D
I am greatly releaved....now if the store I got these adaptors from just had had one more I could of heard both sides tonight...oh well.
Mad John
Zythum Studios
Ordinarily, no. But how much did you pay for the Monster cables
Ordinarily, no. But how much did you pay for the Monster cables? IMO it doesn't make sense to get cables that expensive and then add some cheap adapters to the chain.
Knowing at least some rudimentary audio electronics before you go purchasing $10,000 worth of gear is what makes sense to me. But it does no good to beat yourself up about it, right?
(Dead Link Removed)
Hope that helps.
I was informed that although it would seem the cheap way to conn
I was informed that although it would seem the cheap way to connect the Manley , the path is so short with the adaptors that it does not degrade the singnal.
Is this the case?
I will be useing a ballenced patchbay soon. Will I need the adaptors for this configuration?
I am still a little confused , The Manley stuff is not completly straight forward and it rattles my nuts to sit on a fence between Professional (Manley) and semi Professional hook ups (Mackie.)
Mad John
Zythum Studios
"The present day modern Composer refuses to die"
- Edgar Varese :p
Balanced patchbays are going to be a nice addition, but they won
Balanced patchbays are going to be a nice addition, but they won't change the fact that the insert points on your Mackie (or any other sub-$10,000 mixer that i can think of) are unbalanced. I imagine you could probably pick up something like a small Neotek for about the same money as your Mackie D8B and that problem would be solved.
The trade off is you'll get much better sonics. (You may even like the built in preamps and eq enough that you will end up saving a ton on outboard gear.) But you'll lose the automation, built in processing, etc. So you have to decide what is more important for your specific needs.
Originally posted by littledog: Balanced patchbays are going to
Originally posted by littledog:
Balanced patchbays are going to be a nice addition, but they won't change the fact that the insert points on your Mackie (or any other sub-$10,000 mixer that i can think of) are unbalanced.
Why does he have to 'insert'? Why not go balanced out of the piece of outboard gear into the patchbay, and into the same piece of gear from the patch bay (giving each i/o a discrete point on the bay), and it will remain balanced the whole time.
Nathen , I think your suggestion sounds more like the way I wis
Nathen ,
I think your suggestion sounds more like the way I wish to go.
You all have to forgive me , but really I am not stupied , it is just that I never understood that there was such a gap between true pro configurations and semi Pro ones.
My goel here gentalman (and gentlewoman) is to be as pure in my routing as possible , with the exception of sodering cables to my patchbays!
I wish to take the ballenced ins and out of the MU, place them to the pathbay, then to the board as well as ant preamp that I have (Manley,2-610)
which all go direct to tape.
I have never done this before in this manner and I still dont have a ballenced patchbay.
I have always done alot of unplugging and plugging. I know , not good , but I am learning and I really do wish do things correctly when it comes to the electrical/patch hook up.
Thank you for your concern folks!
Plesently enough,
Mad John
Zythum Studios
;)
but I am learning and I really do wish do things correctly the
but I am learning and I really do wish do things correctly
then what are you doing that you need a 5,000 USD 2-bus compressor?
what else is in your studio, how much exp. do you have?
Mackie? fine for the beginner but then toss a vari-mu over it? hmmm....waste of money for your purposes. IMO.
sell it get your dough and go intern at a top joint, shut up and learn. :w:
Hey Mike, Who the hell to you think you are speaking to? That
Hey Mike,
Who the hell to you think you are speaking to?
That is the biggest bunch of BS I have ever heard!!!
I will explain what I am doing since you asked.
Firstly it is gear snobs such as yourself that makes one feel so small and inexpirenced that your comments can only get one really pissed and not repect a thing that you have to say!
I am 36 years old. I have been a composer since I was 5 and I bet to hell on an 8 track 1/4 inch machine I could wip your snotty ass!
I have already acknowleged the fact of Mackies downgrade connections , but I am an Artist, not a job hunting engineer.
I am currently in the process of produceing over 30 albums of original music that date back to 1981. I am also putting out an 8 CD box set on a very special group , due some time in 2002.
The fact that the MU may not be the ultimate set up for a Mackie does not stop the Train on this fact:
Firstly my direct recording useing Manley pre/Universal 2-610 pre, MU and The Massive Passive will not exactly degrade my sounds to tape.
Secondly by useing both Manley Comp and EQ in the board incerts with the proper conversion is not like I am kidding myself as you inply.
Oh and by the way, you also stated how oviously ignorant I am to just go out and by a $4,000 Compressor and be dumb enough to be a foolish Mackie owner.
Well let me tell you, it is the best I can do at this time and I dont think I went the wrong route by getting the Manleys! The bord can be replaced and I already have "the good stuff"
Why dont you try to be more helpful (since it is ovious that you are the GENIUS and not me!!)
I will cross wits with you anytime, but I try to be fair and honest! That is why I may appear ignorant. I simply dont have any problems admiting that I cant spell and that I dont see symbals, thus my consussion of left and right up and down(when it comes to multi hook ups and concepts)
The important thing here is that we all learn!
I would certainly never insult anyones inteligence
because I felt they had made a bogus move. I would explain my theories and wish them the best.
But you Mike, just piss me off!
I am better off with my ingunuity than a cheap mixer!!
My original concern here was how to properly mix and match all hookups to a patchbay in the most professinal manner. The studio is completly housed in Monster 500 series cables (so no soder!)
So mike whats the score?
Friend or Foe?
You dont even know how I record, or what my results are...so SHUT UP!!!!
Laughing at contempt!
Mad John
Zythum Studios
"The present day Composer refuses to die"
Edgar Varese
You go with your bad self, Mad John! Please let us know when you
You go with your bad self, Mad John! Please let us know when your project is available for listening.
Nathan's advice about avoiding the Mackie insert points altogether, once you are running balanced, is both excellent and uncomfortably obvious. (Uncomfortable in that I was so busy thinking about unbalanced insert points that it never occurred to me to tell you to just not use them!) Thanks Nathan! :D
An analogy of dubious value: How many times do you get to a gig and see a drummer setting up a snare, kick, and hh and not much else and say "Wow, he must be a bad mutha!" Because you gotta figure he really knows how to get the most out of minimal gear. (As opposed to the guy who shows up with double kick, 5 toms, 7 cymbals, rototoms, etc - you almost have to wonder if he can really play!)
The real skill is getting the most out of what you have. All it takes to have great gear is money. And by the way, none of this is personally directed at Mike. I am sure he is far more skilled and knowledgeable than i will ever be - just making a general point.
What could be directed at Mike and others is that many of us here (myself included) are relative ignoramuses. You'll notice that doesn't stop me from frequent posting - i find the quickiest way of being disabused of wrong ideas and opinions is to voice them and let the feedback come crashing in.
Like John, I come to recording as a busy and working musician, not a trained engineer. Edging closer to 50 with an established life, I'm not a young kid who can put life on hold and fetch coffee for a year or two while learning by osmosis. Is studying with the masters better than self-taught sink or swim? Almost certainly - but for some of us that is not a real option.
What's great about this forum (props to audiokid) is how much real and useful information and thought provoking debate is contained here. Now, I know it says "Pro Talk" and "Pro Audio Forum" in the title. So maybe that means only real pro's should be allowed to open their mouths here. You know, those of you who know their way around a giant SSL blindfolded, or can field strip and rebuild almost anything... Well, sorry - I admit I'm not one of those. I'm just a piano player. But i love this place anyway, and you're going to have to drag me away kicking and screaming.
Now I will admit, I have a real tolerance for abuse (I've been dissed by the best), and I actually find Mike's posts amusing. But, Mike, if the end results of your driveby shots are that you are intimidating talented and well-meaning people from contributing here, maybe you might want to consider tempering the sarcasm a little. We all have expertise in different areas - who knows, Mad John might turn out to be the next great composer of our era. At any rate, a little respect and benefit of the doubt ain't such a bad thang.
:w:
No offense John, but my opinion still stands. If you don't know
No offense John, but my opinion still stands. If you don't know nuthin about audio electronics, you should learn a few basics before you drop $10,000 on high-end gear. If I was about to spend $10,000 on a Steinway grand for myself, you bet your ass I'ma know how to play, tune, and care for that mofo first! Seems like Mike was trying to say the same thing, but he neglected to find out your situation before suggesting you become an intern. I guess he assumed you were some 19 year old kid trying to rent out your "studio" (a.k.a. parent's garage) for $15/hr. Now that we know a little bit more about you, it will be easier to give advice.
Looking at your situation, I would suggest that you hook up with an engineer or 3, and get them to wire you up properly. You don't seem to be that interested in the science/technology side of things, so why force yourself? It just takes time and energy away from your creative time. You just want to hit record and get your ideas down to "tape" right? You might be able to write 100 hit songs in the time it takes you to learn all about electronics, when you might find one of us willing to do the dirty work for beer money (or just... beer ;) ). Does this scenario sound more appealing to you?
Hey Mike, Who the hell to you think you are speaking to? uh..
Hey Mike,
Who the hell to you think you are speaking to?
uh... I think your name is John Thomas Milhorat no?...
Firstly it is gear snobs such as yourself that makes one feel so small and inexpirenced that your comments can only get one really pissed and...
huh? lol
Gear SNOB? WHY? BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE OR LIKE CRAPPY GEAR?
SORRY I DON'T FALL INTO THE "NORMAL" GEAR CROWD FELLA.
JUST DOIN' MY JOB. (sorry I didn't know capslok was on)
I am 36 years old. I have been a composer since I was 5 and I bet to hell on an 8 track 1/4 inch machine I could wip your snotty ass!
well I'm 30 and I bet a 1" 4track that I can whip your ass in 45 seconds. (15 ips, obviously) :p
I am currently in the process of produceing over 30 albums of original music that date back to 1981. I am also putting out an 8 CD box set on a very special group , due some time in 2002.
were you sleeping in the studio while these records were going down? :p
:w:
"If I was about to spend $10,000 on a Steinway grand for myself.
"If I was about to spend $10,000 on a Steinway grand for myself..."
Hey Angelo!
Next time you find Steinways on sale for $10,000, please put me down for a half-dozen. And if you can find 1 in 25 concert pianists who could actually tune the sucker, i'd say you were definitely beating the odds! ;)
Gentalmen, Firstly let me thank you for your kind replies(Mike
Gentalmen,
Firstly let me thank you for your kind replies(Mike excluded!)
Ang, yes I think you are right on with the hook up part. I am clueless , not from ignorance , but from haveing a very dyslexic quality in these more technical/electrical areas. I do need the help and am looking to get a reptuable person to help properly hook up Zythum Studios.
But please don't get me wrong , I am not some little guy behind a 4 track desk top in his parents home. You might be suprised (even amazed at what I am capable of and what my creits are)
I dislike when topics become to personal , as I am a very sensitive fellow. Mike, I usuwaly do not get that upset , but your comments are way to insulting!!!
What do you mean by asking me if I was asleep during the album productions I mentioned??????
Are you up at 4,5,6:00 in the mourning every day?
I almost never sleep and work like HELL around the clock to pursue what is known as "Conceptual continuity"
No Mike I was not asleep...I ran the whole show , arranged the musicians , paid them plenty and I am the care taker and owner of 21 years of a vast library of personaly recorded ar-kive material.
Why do you slam so hard?
Gentalmen, back to my point on this original subject:
When I was 5 years old I had never rode a bike with out Training weals (first word important!)
My feet could not even touch the ground(symbolic)
When my father took the trainers off , I took off with out a problem , I just coulnt stop , because I couln't touch the ground.
I have been doing that sort of thing all of my life and I am doing it now in the studio.... so dont hit me too hard for not being shall we say completly grounded in the studio. You would be amazed with how well I ride that board and that is all that is important!
I also admit my technical methods are not up with most of yours....so help me , I am here to learn and help too (if I can.)
For instance why did anyone not suggest when I was haveing trouble with the MU to simply suggest useing the XLR main out of the bord to the MU ins then to your source? Huh??
That was all I wanted to know , instead I find myself explaining to gear snobs like Mike (and yes Mike you are a big one...your 12 inch might on paper "sound better" and it may actuwaly be "bettter" , but you are not as creative as I am and I was referring to content beating you , not quality you damn SNOB!)
All is fair in love and war and I apreciate all coments (except Mike's!) I do not need to learn how to work my gear, thank you very much, just how to hook it up to my strange and changeing system.
I would ask of all mebers that we try to be more understanding of each others positions.
Just ask me a qestion , I am right here to answer what I can...nothing insencere(I wish we had a spell correct here , sorry everyone.)
And I would like to feel the same in asking any qestion with out being sized up because Mackie is a crappy mixer compared to......
We all make mistakes , but please dont tell me I should of invested in an education to learn the Manley/Disressor/Universal stuff. I have ears and I use them , they serve me well. But my eyes get fooled by whats on the outside of the hoood sometimes. (And who can say they have not made gear blunders in their time?)
I will say I love this bord because it keeps me on my toes.
Cheers,
Mad John
Zythum Studios
"The present day composer refuses to die" Varese
:D
Wow! Yes! What a great thread. John, I like you because you'r
Wow! Yes! What a great thread. John, I like you because you're nice and sincere and I like how you seem to be an obsessed workaholic insominiac. Mike, you seem like a sandpaper coated dildo (an abraisive dick), which is somewhat endearing as well since you can't help it.
I think that the Vari-MU into the Manley is hillarious. $4000 balanced into $400 unbalanced. AWESOME! Fuck yah, you are HARDCORE John! Don't worry, you're not alone. There's lots of hiphop drugdealing hoodlums pluggin' their Massive-Passives into Peavy mixers into into Fisher-Price tape recorders. You are not an idiot, you are a hip frood. Grunge n' dirty that shit up, yo.
I've Ghetto-fi'd my high end gear plenty o' times. When I got my DA-7 I sat it on the carpet floor of my apartment and connected it to my genelec 1031s (I think) with $5 per 20ft Whirlwind unbalanced TS cable. HAHAHHAHA :)
Hi. I know what Mike's blunder was. Shall I tell them Mike? Mayb
Hi. I know what Mike's blunder was. Shall I tell them Mike? Maybe later.
In the meantime, where I live there's a surfing beach called Manley (true). Mike went surfing when he should have paid attention to
Manley equips own "hype". Now he thinks he's the "Silver Surfer" avenging hero trying to rid the world of Eve Anna and her evil cohort.
If only we could find a way of turning Mike's super powers to human good!
O.K. Joints will be passed out to every one in just a moment, ju
O.K. Joints will be passed out to every one in just a moment, just keep the single file going to the back of the RO bus.
Some of us might of had a little to much Coffee, but hey, thats what the joints are hear for(this special Jamican blend I know will do us right!) :)
May I say I just Love you all (Mike included :D )
I am very impressed with the sence of humor and sharp wit...you guys really crack me up!
It just shows you we can get through anything with a good sence of humor...bless you guys and please keep them coming!
Sincerly impressed,
Mad John
Zythum Studios
"The present day Composer refuses to die"
Edgar Varese - 1921 :w: :w: :w:
Hey, speaking of George Harrison, I just got a great book today
Hey, speaking of George Harrison, I just got a great book today from Amazon.com , "Beatles gear."
Any one familiar with this book? It covers just about every detail from thier 1st guitars to the parts on them that changed ,ect.. Everything about the recordings in and out of the studio!
For example, I did not know that The Beatles
1st album "Please,please me" (1963) was entirely recorded in one day :p
Mad John
Zythum Studios
"The present day Composer refuses to die"
Edgar Varesse - 1921
Yes, pin 1=G, pin 2=+, pin 3=-, but you haven't explained exactl
Yes, pin 1=G, pin 2=+, pin 3=-, but you haven't explained exactly how you wired it to the insert plug?