SP B1 applications (or "How do you use your B1 - besides vocals?")

[cominginsecond]

Coming in second,

I have the levels ALL the way down on my Q10.

You may still need to engage the pad on the mic, then. Or, run it through a compressor with the threshold all the way up, so that no compression happens, and turn the makeup gain down. The levels peaking on your preamp have nothing to do with overloading your mic. If you were overloading your mic it would sound distorted even if the levels peaked at -16. I seriously doubt you're overloading your B1 by using it as an overhead unless your drummer is using a jackhammer to drum with.

 

[DJL]

jdier, do you have any other mic's... like some Oktava MC-012's or Marshall MXL603S's or something that you could try as drum overheads to see if this still happens with them?

 

[Speedy VonTrapp]

I just recorded a 4x12 Line 6 cabinet last week, and I used 2 dynamics up close, and my B1 further back, just about shoulder level. The sound that I got from the 3 when mixed is pretty good, and most if the great sound came from the B1. I used an SM58 and a Peavey Diamond series V22 for my dynamics.

Without the B1, it was only so-so, at best. The B1 by itself is far better. Together, I had the dynamics panned at about 10 and 2 O'clock, and the B1 right down the middle, and the sound was great.

It's just too bad that my guitar playing sucks.

 

[Brent Casey]

On my Aardvark Direct Pro - there are three sensitivity buttons MC2, MC1, and Ln, then another knob below that. I'm assuming the Q10 is similar.

*Exactly* how is that set? If the signal is too hot, you can choose Ln, even for a mic, and "turn" the knob for even less gain.

-lee-

I spoke to Aardvark last year regarding this and was told that the "mic 1 & 2" settings may be a little too hot for condenser mics. This turned out to be the case with the customer I was working with. He got a good working level by setting the Direct Pro gain to "line +9".
BTW, the Aardvark tech's name was Ben and he was very cool and helpful. They do a good job over there IMO.

Brent Casey
Studio Projects Microphones
877-563-6335

 

[DJL]

Speedy, now try a vocal track centered and mixed with the guitar tracks panned like that and see what happens.

 

[jdier]

jdier, do you have any other mic's... like some Oktava MC-012's or Marshall MXL603S's or something that you could try as drum overheads to see if this still happens with them?

ran all weekend with beta 57's, no problems.

 

[Speedy VonTrapp]

Speedy, now try a vocal track centered and mixed with the guitar tracks panned like that and see what happens.

I'm not sure if the big grin you added was good or bad.... hehe

What do you have in mind that you think will happen? I haven't tried recording a good vocal track yet, (I just got my new equipment, and the guitar mix was the first concentrated experiment that I've tried so far,) so I'm not sure what will happen.

Is it going to be horrible?! Now you've got me all worried. If it's something bad, or I did something that violates some sort of taboo with tracking, let me know, please. I was so glad that I got a sound that I really liked, (and others agreed, it's waaaay better than the sound I used to get,) now you've got me worried that it was all for naught.

 

[DJL]

ran all weekend with beta 57's, no problems.

I'm sorry, I meant some condenser mic's... they have more gain than 57's.

 

[DJL]

I'm not sure if the big grin you added was good or bad.... hehe

What do you have in mind that you think will happen? I haven't tried recording a good vocal track yet, (I just got my new equipment, and the guitar mix was the first concentrated experiment that I've tried so far,) so I'm not sure what will happen.

Is it going to be horrible?! Now you've got me all worried. If it's something bad, or I did something that violates some sort of taboo with tracking, let me know, please. I was so glad that I got a sound that I really liked, (and others agreed, it's waaaay better than the sound I used to get,) now you've got me worried that it was all for naught.

The grin really means nothing... what I'm getting at is your eating up all the center space with guitar and guitar can mask vocals, so you may run into some problems... give it a try and you'll see what I mean.

 

[NeuzGrouper]

laptop,

You are correct. the control panels are identical. I have the button to the right chose which is the lowest setting.

I do not know if you are aware, but if you adjust that trim using arrow keys aardvark will move seemlessly from one setting to another as you increase or decrease volume.

Thanks for replying.

Jim

Jim, I tried using the arrow keys on my Q10, and if I hit Shift + an arrow, it changes the focus from one control to another, is that what you were referrring to?

 

[jdier]

once the focus is on one of the trim controls, you can use your up and down arrow (i think, or maybe your left and right) to adjust the trim. Once you are doing that you will notice that when you are all the way to the top of one setting the selector switch will change and the dial will go all the way to the bottom in the next setting.

Not a really big deal, but I found it quite helpful while setting levels.

 

[Speedy VonTrapp]

What should I do?

DJL,

I see what you are saying now. My B1 in the center, while sounds great with just a guitar, will put up a pretty good fight with vocals for the space that it takes up. What do you suggest that I do to help this situation?

Since the B1 is already dead center, should I throw it out? Double the track, and pan it out of the way? I'm not sure what to try when I start out.

-Speedy

 

[jdier]

DJL,

Post on this one. I am also curious about the panning off of guitar to make room for vocals.

Man, before you know it, you will be holding a class for Speedy and me.

Jim

 

[NeuzGrouper]

Hey Jim,

Thanks. It is the left and right arrows, btw. I THOUGHT I tried that last nite, but I guess not. That will make things easier. It goes up and down in .5 db increments that way, so it is not ideal, but it is definitely gonna be a huge help.

PS - It doesn't really go up and down in .5 db increments, it sorta rounds you off, and then goes up or down in .5 db increments. odd.

 

[Speedy VonTrapp]

*bump*

I'm bumping this up so that it doesn't fall off the page before DJL can answer us.

Or anybody else that might be able to give some insight, please feel free to add.

 

[jdier]

speedy, DJL may be gone for good. Try a private message to him.

 

[DJL]

I'm still here... well, there are a lot of things you could do but every tune is different and it would just be to hard to tell/show you without being with you and your tune in the studio...

Things like picking the right mic for the job, EQing, panning, layering, effects and etc... you guys should checkout some of the other boards on this BBS like the "Recording Techniques" and "Mixing / Mastering" boards... you'll find tons of helpful tips there.

 

[Kryogh]

where are you from? I'll give you 50$ for one of your B1

 

[DJL]

where are you from? I'll give you 50$ for one

You lost me.... who and what are you referring too?

 

[Kryogh]

jidier (thread starter) said:

"So I have two SP B1's. I bought for a specific application and now do not ~really~ need them anymore because I have a C3 (which I am in love with... really.)"

So, I want one!! I want a B1

50$