Bought and Returned a Brick

[SonicAlbert]

not trying to be a dick,

but technically incorrect. although i gave him a rep point as well

I'm a musician not an engineer so I tried to explain it to the best of my ability, which is probably overly simplistic. I got the big picture right, but if there is more technically detailed information and/or corrections I'd appreciate having that as well.

 

[tkingen]

It is a shame people will bash a good product like this because they don't know how to use it or don't understand signal flow. Even though you came back later to withdraw, who knows how many people see that initial negative comment.

Well, I didn't see anyone here bashing the Brick. Hopefully someone who is curious about the Brick will read through the thread to see how the story plays out. There are a million nuances to learn on the quest to making good recordings. This is a community discussion for home recorders who are trying to get better, with more experienced guys helping out the less experienced guys. Even a few pros hang out here and their advice is golden!
Basically, we're all learning.

Terry

 

[goldencd]

What's not technically correct? I'm here to learn.

just the expecting a -50db signal.....i am only speaking in the case of my digi 002r.
He may be right in general, just not in my specific case.

Also, I liked the brick, my question was more of a does anyone have this problem with the 002r? and if so, why?

 

[boingoman]

just the expecting a -50db signal.....i am only speaking in the case of my digi 002r.
He may be right in general, just not in my specific case.

What do you mean? Mic level is around -70 to -30 dBu. That is what a mic input is expecting to see. Line level is somewhere around 0 dBu. That is what the line input is expecting to see.

 

[SonicAlbert]

just the expecting a -50db signal.....i am only speaking in the case of my digi 002r.
He may be right in general, just not in my specific case.

Mic level is mic level. It's going to be the same with the 002R as with any other piece of gear with a mic input. Those XLR inputs are expecting a signal around -50. That's why they were distorting when you sent them the line level output of the BRICK.

I don't think this would be any different with the 002R than any other equipment with mic inputs.

 

[goldencd]

Mic level is mic level. It's going to be the same with the 002R as with any other piece of gear with a mic input. Those XLR inputs are expecting a signal around -50. That's why they were distorting when you sent them the line level output of the BRICK.

I don't think this would be any different with the 002R than any other equipment with mic inputs.

Again, I said you may be correct, but I was referring to the fact that regardless of the signal it expects to see, the 002r starts at +18bd if you use the mic/xlr input. That is all. That is why it was clipping from a technical standpoint. I was saying specifically for the 002r because some other mic/xlr inputs on otehr boards or gear might start at 0db boost or 30db boost (ie the brick, when using XLR).

Not doubting your knowledge....just wanted to clarify incase anyone has a similar problem with the 002r and wants to know why even when the gain is all the way down it is louder then the line input above it.

Hope that clarifies my comment and position.

 

[giraffe]

yea, a sales rep made that same mistake?????
i don't think i'd shop thare any more.

who knows what he's melted?????????

 

[chessrock]

You guys, just in case you ever run in to these types of problems ... even if/when you have everything routed correctly and with proper gain staging ...

It's always a good idea to have some in-line pads handy. Shure makes some good ones for around $35 bucks or so. It's always good to have them just in case.

 

[Fab4ever]

Chess, would that pad work if I wanted to overdrive or nearly overdrive the Brick's tube without digital distortion once it gets into my DAW?

 

[sdelsolray]

This thread, in essence, is about correct and incorrect gain staging.

 

[chessrock]

Chess, would that pad work if I wanted to overdrive or nearly overdrive the Brick's tube without digital distortion once it gets into my DAW?

In the sense that you would be putting it between the output of the brick and the input of your recorder ... you could drive the input of the brick more without the danger of overloading your coverters. So yea. That's assuming that you like the sound of the Brick in overdrive mode ... which I'm not sure I do. Others might feel differently.

 

[Reggie]

Yeah, I don't know that you will like overdriving the Brick. Not so great last time I checked.

hey chess, those shure pads are the ones I've been looking at. Is there one that goes betwixt the mic cable and the preamp input or does it go between the preamp output and recorder input or does it work in either place in the chain. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[chessrock]

Is there one that goes betwixt the mic cable and the preamp input or does it go between the preamp output and recorder input or does it work in either place in the chain. Thanks for any info you can provide.

Theoretically, it should work on either.

They're supposed to be for attenuating the signal going to your mic pre -- which is useful if your pre has suspect headroom, or if you're tracking drums or very loud guitar, etc.

But I know a lot of people who use them for the purpose of driving their mic pres and then attenuating the signal going to their recorder to avoid clipping.