Studio Projects B1 - Pads and Filters?

[cincy_kid]

Hey all,

I got my new SP B1 and looked in the manual but can't figure out:

Selectable filters, 75Hz and 150Hz

and

Selectable Pads, -10dB and -20dB

Not only do I have no idea what either of these choices mean and how it affects me, but also the little black slider that allows me to select:

---
-10
-20

and

--
75
150

(*Notice the first choice is blank? or nothing?)

But anyways, the little black slider doesn't line up with choices but using common sense tells me the most upper position is (--) and then 1 down is (-10), etc...

So, can someone explain to a non technical noob what settings I should put my mic on when recording my vocals / and or acoustic guitar?

Thanks in advance

 

[SRR]

Pads are for recording loud sources, like drums. They take the signal level down to make the gain on your pre-amp/mixer useable, with out cliping. You could probably leave that alone for acoustic and vocals, or in other words the -- setting, which would be no attenuation.

The high pass filter of 75Hz and 150Hz just are roll offs below the value given of the low frequencies. You may want to use one of those settings for vocals. But there is no set rules here. If the vocalist is really close to the mic you may want a roll off to counter the proximity effect of the mic. Or you just may have a singer that doesn't go that low and keeping the roll off on can keep air conditioning and outside road noises out of the recording. Just remember no rules, and be happy you have the choices.

Now go play and see what the various setting sound like to you.

 

[scrubs]

The gain pad (0, -10, -20) is for recording loud sources (like drums, amps, screaming singers), that might overload the internal circuitry of the mic. Basically, you can turn down the mic by 10 or 20 dB, if needed.

The rolloff (the other one) turns down the bass frequencies, starting at either 75Hz or 150Hz, depending on the switch position. Using the rolloff may be beneficial if you are picking up a lot of noise from the floor or mic stand, or if you are recording an instrument that is bass-heavy and you want to tone down the bass frequencies a bit. You shouldn't need this for vocals or guitar, in most cases.

 

[noisedude]

That's basically it ... start with the switches set to do nothing and work your way from there.

Studio Projects are going through a transitional phase where some of their mics are being updated, which could perhaps be why your manual doesn't mention them. That said, to the average recording user, that information would be like a guitar coming with a book to explain what the different pickups do ... it's kinda taken as a given most of the time!

 

[cincy_kid]

Ahh cool!

Thanks to all of the replies so quickly. I will keep them both at 0 which should be fine for my vocals and acoustic. I appreciate the knowledge