cabling - compatibility issues - khz - bits - signal chain analysis ending with MR8

[diogo]

hi guys,

im havin trouble deciding on some things here, and as im not really experient with voltage or amperes or bits or whatever, im afraid the gear im projecting for the near future might blow itself up cause im makin some rookie mistake..

if you guys could be so cool as to give me a little input on this, u would be saving a fellow RED beast user (have u seen the grey one? http://www.netzmarkt.de/thomann/tho...info.html?sn=f9bd74130532b0b40fb7e50131956bb2 ) from blowing his own setup up and allowing him to keep on makin muuuzik...
here's the setup:

M-Audio DMP3 ----- into ------> Yamaha Rev 500 ------- into -------> Fostex MR8

thats it...now im worried about several things...mainly: voltage, amperes, khz and bits, balanced or unbalanced cabling needed (very confused about this), etc...as the fostex only records at 16 bit, will it take a reverb unit recordin at 24? these kind of things...im in total ignorancy here...here are the specs for each unit:

M-Audio DMP3

2-channel mic/instrument preamp


XLR mic ins; 1/4” instrument ins; balanced 1/4” outs


high 66dB available gain


48V phantom power


20Hz to 80kHz frequency response

2 independent preamp channels, each featuring:
- mic input (balanced XLR)
- high impedance instrument inputs (1/4”)
- high and low gain range controls for up to 66dB of gain
- VU meter and clip LED to aid in optimizing levels
- low-cut filters for removing unwanted rumble and hum
- gain control
- phase reverse switch
- professional line output (balanced/unbalanced 1/4” TRS)

+48V phantom power

frequency response: 20Hz-80kHz, +/-0.5dB @ max gain

signal-to-noise ratio: 116.3dB

THD: 0.05% @ minimum gain

max input: +13.7dBu

max output: +27.5dBu

input impedance: 3K ohms balanced

EIN: -128dBm @ 600-ohms

gain range: 13.5dB to 46.5dB (low gain range)
34.5dB to 67.5 dB (high gain range)

low-cut filter: -3dB @ 72Hz


Yamaha REV 500

Audio Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+1, -2dB);
Dynamic Range: 96dB typical, greater than 90dB;
Noise Level: Less than -72dB (IHF-A Filter);
THD: Less than 0.03% (1kHz @max. level, CD 20kHz LPF filter)
AD/DA Conversion AD: 20-bit, 64-times oversampling; DA: 20-bit 8-times oversampling; Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz
Rear Panel Connectors: INPUT L/R (XLR x 2, phone jack x 2), OUTPUT L/R (XLR x 2, phonejack x 2), FOOT SWITCH (phone jack), MIDI IN, MIDI OUT,(5-pin DIN x 2);
Switches: INPUT LEVEL (+4/-10 Db), OUTPUT LEVEL (+4/-10 Db)
Power Requirements 120 V, 60 Hz, 15 W
Dimensions (W x D x H) 480 x 227.9 x 45 mm (18.9" x 9" x 1.8")
Weight 3.5 kg (7.7 lb.)


Fostex MR8 (i know i dont need to post this one but what the heck..)

Recording Medium : Compact Flash Card
Recording Time : approx. 25 track-minutes (128MB) Normal mode
Recording Format : FAT16 (VFAT)
Sampling Frequency : 44.1 kHz (Normal Mode), 22.05 kHz (Extended Mode)
Quantization : 16-bit linear (non-compression)
A/D Converter : 16-bit Delta-Sigma
D/A Converter : 16-bit Delta-Sigma
No. of Recording Track : 8 tracks. maximum 2 tracks simultaneous recording)
Recording/Reproduction Frequency : 20 Hz - 20 kHz (Normal Mode)
Dynamic Range : 88dB or more (typical)
T.H.D. : 0.05% or less (typical)

Inputs/Outputs
Analog In (2ch)
Connector : XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and Ø6mm TRS phone
Input Level : -40dBV (MIC) - +10dBV (LINE)
Input Impedance : 10K ohm or more
Stereo Out (L, R)
Connector : Ø6mm stereo phone
Output Level : -10dBV (unbalance)
Load Impedance : 16 ohm or more
Headphones
Connector : 2 x Ø6mm stereo phone
Max. Output : 20mW or more (@32 ohm)
Load Impedance : 16 ohm or more
MIDI Out
Connector : DIN 5 pin
Format : MIDI Standard
Foot Switch
Connector : Ø6mm phone
Level : TTL level
Digital Out
Connector : Optical
Format : IEC 60958 (S/P DIF) 44.1kHz (Normal Mode only)
USB
Connector : B type (data save/load controlled from PC)




ok thats it...will this work? and if so, what do i have to do in order to make it work...

tanx in advance and i apologize in advance for the long and somewhat demanding post.

tanx guys!


diogo

 

[diogo]

humm....anyone?

 

[Rokket]

You shouldn't have any problems with this set up. Just remember to turn the trim knobs all the way down on your inputs before you hook anything up, and adjust the volume on the DMP3 and the REV 500 first. The 24 bit thing shouldn't be an issue. If anything, when it converts it to 16 bit as you record, you will be recording a higher quality signal, that's all.

 

[Rokket]

You shouldn't have any problems with this set up. Just remember to turn the trim knobs all the way down on your inputs before you hook anything up, and adjust the volume on the DMP3 and the REV 500 first. The 24 bit thing shouldn't be an issue. If anything, when it converts it to 16 bit as you record, you will be recording a higher quality signal, that's all.

The only thing I caution you on is using the REV 500 as part of your signal chain. It's not a good idea to record with any effects, as you may not like them and won't be able to remove them once they are recorded. Reverb is nice, but it's always better to record the signal as dry as you can. The reverb on the MR-8 is not printed on the track until you bounce the tracks, or send it through the stereo outs on the MR-8 to an analog source.

 

[diogo]

Rokket,

many tanx man. i apreciate the reply.
i just got the DMP3, and a new SM57, and its really stupid cause i dont have the cabling yet so i wont be able to use it for another month or so..but its here. ah, talk about frustration. now i dont even have the motivation to go record into the MR8 as a stand alone unit with the DMP3 right there just laughin at me. but im glad its here.

dont have the REV 500 yet, will do soon.

you're absolutely right of course, regarding the reverb...most ppl do track dry, i know its for the best, but its also a matter of taste as in, its like a current of action, a way to do things. there's also the chance that, if u spend enough time experimenting with the verb unit, seeing what u get out of it, seeing how it translates in rough mixes, you'll be rewarded in doing things this way. i will obviously use it as a final outboard unit while dumping tracks/mix to an external cdr unit, but right now (with the red thing as a final receiver) i figure i might as well do this, and learn the ins and outs of the REV 500, plus i rely lots on heavy verbs on almost every song.

damn im babbling...what im trying to say is: recording dry is like a train of thought, a school if u will...as is the other..im gonna try the other for a bit i figure that, if anything, it will allow me to understand the use of outboard reverb more and more.

tanx again! i am officially unfraid to link all this crap up! nothing is gonna blow up on me..u said so Rokket..

tanx!

 

[diogo]

ill be building all the cabling by myself..how funky is that...


:/ (very afraid)

any previous experiences on that?

 

[carelessorc]

I used to make my own cables, but I found that component costs were so high it wasn't much different to buy ready-made and save the hassle of my soldered joints drying out.

Orc

 

[diogo]

hey orc,

i suspected that much.but i was still gonna give it a try...since its clear it will be more or less the same, might as well leave it alone and save the hassle...tanx!

so, what cabling do u guys use? im havin trouble finding trs here in europe... :/

any recomendations?